July.08.04: Light For The Day - "Perseverance" -- Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. ------------------- In TRACK and field, there are a few common sense tips to win a race:  stay in shape, stay alert, pace yourself, Keep your eyes on the goal, and never give up. Life can feel like a very long race at times.  It’s easy to get tired or discouraged when obstacles get in your way, when it feels as though the people running next to you would rather see you fail than succeed.  But God has a race that’s set just for you.  It’s not a saunter through the park.  It’s a race that will push you to your full potential.  But keep moving.  God’s cheering you on every step of the way. -- G's DA ------------------- Permanence, perseverance, and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities - it is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. -- sir Francis Drake There must be a beginning to any great matter, but the continuing to the end until it be thoroughly finished yields the true glory. -- Thomas Carlyle Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. -- Samuel Johnson ---------- -- Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. -- Romans 5:1-5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. -- 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. -- James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -- Revelations 2:2-5 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: YOU HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR FIRST LOVE. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first.  If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.