Promises for the Battle
Perseverance
Praised By God #1—Glorified for Good
Scripture frequently reminds us that praising God is right and wise. But Scripture also promises that we can expect praise from God. As every good father longs for his children to succeed and eagerly anticipates affirming them when they do, so our heavenly Father encourages us to live in a way that draws forth his … Continue reading
Integrity #5—Fruitful Integrity
The seed in the good soil are those who hear the Word with a noble and good heart, hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Luke 8:15 Jesus emphasized that the honest and good heart of godly people contrasts sharply with the ignoble and reprehensible heart of the merely religious. What makes the simply … Continue reading
Strength #6—Strengthening Prayer
Because faith does not characterize everyone, pray that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. Fortunately, the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:2–3 It seems obvious that not everyone acknowledges and trusts God. So why bring it up? We need to be … Continue reading
Strength #4—Strengthening Words
Paul and Barnabas strengthened the souls of the disciples by urging them to continue in the faith and that they would encounter many unavoidable tribulations as they enter the Kingdom of God. … With a lengthy speech, Judas and Silas encouraged and strengthened the disciples. Acts 14:22; 15:32 Jesus made it clear that only those … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Certainty of Perseverance
God’s Word teaches that throughout life, the Christian is engaged in a warfare with the powers of sin and darkness. With each of us, Satan’s objective is to destroy our confidence in Christ so that we will despair and stop following him. We know that this is Satan’s objective from 1 Thessalonians 3:5, where Paul … Continue reading
Sustenance #4—Sustained Rescue
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and deliver me to his heavenly kingdom; to him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18 At the end of his life, the Apostle Paul knew he could trust Jesus to keep him going, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. When … Continue reading
Trials #5—Praying Perseverance
Stay awake and pray, so that you will not engage in testing God. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38 When God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he did not do it quietly. He executed judgment on the Egyptians in a way that left no doubt in anyone’s … Continue reading
Trials #2—Available Escape
No test has ever come upon you but such as is common to humanity. And God is faithful: He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability, but with the trial will also provide the way of escape, so that you will be able to endure. For this very reason, my beloved, flee … Continue reading
God’s Presence #3—Present In Persecution
Joseph had been taken down to Egypt … and I AM was with Joseph. Genesis 39:1–2 Where we are in life, physically or existentially, is infinitely less important than who is with us while we’re there. Paradise becomes perdition if we’re in a “Garden of Eden” accompanied by an enemy. If we feel captive in … Continue reading
God’s Presence #1—Present For Victory
In one sense we can never escape the presence of God: “In him we live and move and exist.” “Where can I flee from your presence?” is a rhetorical question implying a negative answer. But God’s promises to be present in an actively helpful sense are legion and were given to motivate our resolve to … Continue reading
