I’d like to talk about a principle in this piece that is essential to a believer’s walk, a Christian’s walk called Endure. Endure in the verb tense is (bear, last, carry on). Endurance is (staying power, patience, survival, stamina, fortitude, continued existence); both definitions taken from the MS Word Thesaurus. There are many other scriptures pertaining to the word endure and very easy to find. Just look in the Concordance of your Bible and you will find them.
However, as I was led to share this particular scripture which talks about Israel sins against God’s love.
Psalm 106:[1] says Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. [2] Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? [3] Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. [43] Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. [44] But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; [45] for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. [46] He caused them to be pitied by all who held them captive. [47] Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. [48] Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord.
The King James Study Bible says that “in this psalm it is on the people’s faithfulness and the Lord’s justice. The psalm may be divided into three key sections. First, there is a call to praise him (vv. 1-5). Second, a confession of Israel’s past sins (vv. 6-46) takes up the bulk of the psalm. Finally, the psalmist concludes with a twofold petition, save us…gather us, with a twofold purpose, to give thanks…and to triumph (v. 47). “
I pray you read (vv. 6-46) because it clearly traces a history of rebellion and unbelief on the part of God’s people; unfortunately, much like what we or many of us as God’s people do today. Also, included is God’s chastisement for disobeying Him, and I must say God is very merciful to us, Christians, today. It is my heartfelt belief that this is one way God reminds us how powerful He is and what happens when we continue to consistently ignore and break our covenant with Him through our disobedience, [44] But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; [45] for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.
Brothers and Sisters, I will share a few snapshots of my life called testimonies pieced together in an effort to paint a picture of a young girl, now a woman, who lives a life of endurance. I didn’t start out committed, just life many of us, including Apostle Paul. The devil continues to fight me on every hand, but I continue to persevere in spite of. I continue to learn from the children of Israel. The Bible says he that endureth to the end the same shall be saved [Matt. 24:13] and my Encouragement is Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary at doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers [Gal. 6:7-10]
Personal Testimony
I was 14 years old when I first accepted Christ as my personal Savior. I did good for a while, but I fell back into my old lifestyle. I had another experience with God and gave my life to Christ again when I was 25. I was told it wouldn’t last long either before I went back to my old lifestyle. Sure enough, it didn’t last long before I was back into my old lifestyle again. I had an opportunity to move from Mississippi to Maryland in October 1989. I was 27 then. In October 1995, I was baptized in the Holy Ghost. I was 33 then. I didn’t go back to my old lifestyle this time.
This is what happened to me instead. My heart’s desire totally changed. My thought process totally changed. I became spiritually-minded, spiritually conscious or aware or alive to the things of God. I had the complete package then.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, the same Holy Spirit Jesus said He would send back for us, the same Spirit that would lead and guide us into all truth, the same Holy Spirit that fell on the 120 on the Day of Pentecost, yeah, that Holy Spirit enabled me to say NO to a lot of fleshly behaviors that I just couldn’t break free of before. I was THEN able to stop engaging in unlawful s*xual activity; I was able to start being faithful in tithing; I was able to stay free from the bottle; and the list can go on and on and on.
In 2002, at the age of 40 when God called me to minister the Gospel and in the office of a pastor, I rolled on the floor and cried like a baby. I am 48 now, and for 15 years, I have been constantly and consistently seeking God, just as a committed believer should. The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowered me in ways I never thought possible. The Holy Spirit has protected me in ways I never considered.
I still make mistakes and have troubles because I still live in the fleshy body, but it’s been different these last 15 years. At the end of my prayer or request, regardless of how I feel or what I want, God’s perfect will means more to me than anything. Proverbs 24:16 says for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. Psalm 34:19 says A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Romans 8:26-28 says In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and in truth [John 4:24, KJV]. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed [John 8:36]. These are snapshots of my testimony….
I pray the Spirit of God lead you into all truth as God’s Grace keeps you in Jesus mighty name, Amen. God bless each of you until next time,
Pastor Andra
Visit Pastor Andra at
http://wlfm-inc.org/encouragement
Posted By: The SISTAHS Ministry
Wednesday, July 28th 2010 at 1:47PM
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