— From the distaff side —

Enduring in the faith

To endure by faith in the power, wisdom and love of Jesus Christ is the ever present and ongoing challenge in our Christian journey.  The trials of hardship, offense or the injustice of persecution — all require Spirit-empowered endurance if we are to validate our name of “saint.”  Not fun, or easy.  But God calls us to do so — “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1Pe 2:21).  And we are “to count it all joy” (Ja 1:2).  Obviously, this is beyond human ability and apart from Him, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5).

Following Christ’s example begins with knowing and believing that we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).  Also, that what He has ordained, He makes possible.  “Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2Co 2:14).  Every test of faith is woven together with God’s love and wisdom in His purpose to conform us to the image of His Son (Php 1:6; 2:13).  To this end, He supplies His written Word and the all-sufficient power of His indwelling Spirit.  This is like being given His own answer sheet for every test of faith.  What a Savior-Teacher!

Let’s ask ourselves: “Am I willing to take those needed endurance tests?  To share in Christ’s suffering?  Am I willing to deny myself and lay down my pride, those hurts and fears?  God’s heavenly reward for faithful obedience to His Word is measureless (2Ti  4:8).  But it requires our faith to be tried in the fire that it “might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1Pe 1:7,8).  Paul puts it all in perspective: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Ro 8:18).

Oh, let us fervently pray; asking the Father to grant us, according to the riches of His glory, that we be strengthened with the might of His Holy Spirit in our inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith.  And being rooted and grounded in His love, would know that infinite love and be filled with all the “fulness of God” ...  to be filled with HIM! (from Eph 3:14-21).  How then can we fail any test He allows?  For HE, Himself, will see that we are made fruitful in every good work, increasing in our knowledge of Him. He will make us strong with His glorious power, to exercise all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Col 1:10,11).  Yes, we CAN endure in faith!   — D.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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