Message Library

Endurance

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Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:11-12

Have you ever reached the point when you feel your endurance is gone? When situations aren’t improving, people aren’t helping, hard times continuing, and there seems to be no end in sight. What do we do when life gets really difficult and the future looks dim? And what do we do when we get burnt-out doing the same thing every day? What does God have to say that will give us endurance, and endurance that is more than just forcing ourselves to continue for another day?

First we need hope in order to be motivated in life, hope of something good in the future. Second we need a purpose for living. If our purpose is worldly, then our purpose is temporary, for example: family and work. Our kids grow up and leave home and our work comes to an end at retirement, and this is the situation for my life. What purpose does God have for us that extents until our last breath and provides for fulfilling days and gives us hope for something good in the future?

Colossians 12:11-12, tells us God will give us great endurance and patience. We have a divine hope of the inheritance with God’s people, our eternal heavenly home and this gives the strength do endure any temporary trial in this life because we have a home waiting for us in heaven with the Lord. The more we praise and thank God for our eternal home the more peace and joy we can experience, and this attitude promotes endurance.

We have the hope and promise of eternal life but what purpose does God have for our life that gives us fulfilling days. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) Christ tells us in this verse that he can provide life to the full.

Life becomes more fulfilling as the Lord changes our heart and we start seeing people as God sees people. Our heart is filled with love and compassion which motivates us to help people and bring them to Christ. The beauty of our divine calling is that life continues to become more fulfilling as we minster to others and become closer to the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

Today fill your heart with God’s love and compassion and do everything as working for the Lord. And whatever you are doing be a light for Christ, pointing people to Christ at every opportunity. This is your divine calling and the Lord will guide you through the Holy Spirit and Christ will be seen in you.

Prayer: Lord fill my heart with your love and compassion and let me live this day to the fullest with joy and thankfulness, knowing my home is with you in heaven for eternity. Help me to always put my hope in Christ as he guides me through this day as his servant, and with victory over Satan and his temptations. Give me strength to replace any struggle for endurance with motivation and fulfillment in serving you; seeking lost souls to bring into your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen