Persevere (Taking a stand)
Mom is taking a stand and the size of this morning's message is persevere. Who has heard of Mary Jones. I'll give you a clue. She was born in 1784.
Matter was born into a poor Christian, family in North Wales, even harder for her after her father died when she was just four years old. A Revival began in the area and when she was still a young child, when she was a young child under the age of eight, she committed her life to the Lord. She learned to read and soon wanted a Bible for herself. Wells Fargo, Wells and expensive. And the nearest coffee available was owned by a neighbor 2 miles away. Mary would regularly walk over to read and memorize as much as she could. That would constitute dedication and perseverance on behalf of it, if that was an adult. But first child
Give me a joke about whales, it's highly likely that the weather wasn't always great either.
Mary decided that she wants his own Bible and began saving up. Six years later, she had enough money. And when she her advice, you could buy one, she sat out one morning Clinic. She couldn't afford shoes to walk the 26 miles to go and buy one. She was just full teen years old. This effort to buy Bible inspired the guy she bought it from along with others to create what is now known as The Bible Society to help make Bibles more affordable and available. Golden Lions. No surprise that Larry Page persevering and never giving up first and walking two miles each way just to read a Bible been saving up the money to buy one. Tanishi. I'm probably other family members would have had their really pressing physical needs like shoes that she could have spent the money on I believe that the Lord wants us to think today about taking a stand in terms of persevering Ephesians 6:13 says, having done all to stand. The context of this fuss is that we talked on over a spiritual Alma that the Lord provides as it goes on to explain in Ephesians 6, 14 to 18, so that we can play a part in the spiritual battle in which we may find ourselves so that we won't go into that now. Then off to you tonight thing, all parts. If they Alma, we will be able to resist and stand all ground. This is about not giving up. Even when we come say the end in science continue to do what's right? Because it's right. I believe that there's more than one person listening to me right now and will he will listen later, he was struggling to keep her. Keep going struggling to persevere. I believe that the Lord is saying to you don't give up. The battle is not yours, but mine. Your part is to stand and keep on Sunday. My part is still behind the scenes, not visible to you, but to get the victory, you need to keep going. I will still love you. If you give up, my love is not conditional but you'll miss out in the long-term as well as the showtime. Hope anchors the soul as it says in Hebrews. 6:19, the soul is the mind, the will, and the emotions. Hope we'll give your mind, your will, and your emotions and Anka something to keep you said a lost you positive. When it's time for you to move to weigh anchor, several duels will open it once and it may be a bit overwhelming figuring out which direction to go in. Wonder will send out and it wouldn't necessarily look like the most exciting option, but because it's my best, it'll be the part of pace. Peace is priceless and you've not had a lot of it in recent times. So don't allow the year of what looks nice interesting or attractive to distract you. I am the Prince of Peace. Let me Rule and reign in your heart and guide you and all your decision making.
Some of you know, that when I was in my twenties, I didn't want you to graduate program with the mission organization called Wickliffe, Bible translators, which involves me spending about three months sensor in High Wycombe before going abroad. I went to the Central African Republic has an anthropologist learning about the culture of the tribes, which we were with to help the longtime missionaries, better, understand how to share the gospel in a meaningful way. The first three weeks of study at High Wycombe. I found extremely difficult another girl. Another guy with the slowest during that initial academic part. Usually ending up working late to finish that day's tasks, Although I knew it was right for me to be that, I found it really hard and thoughts about giving up a number of times. I knew if I left but still love me, but it wouldn't be his first and I would have to live with not knowing what I've missed that sort cat. In the presence of at least one person is. I like to find out. I am so. So glad I passed the bed. It was a life-changing experience and a privilege to live in a village in the heart of Africa. A desire I had since I was 18. You know, you could not save when you hear a vehicle coming through the village and you been down to look through the trees to see who it is, because it's such a rarity. It's 7th rest. Perseverance, cost us at many levels, but it's worth it. Let's read what it says about her in James 1 versus 2 to 4. That's James 1, versus 2 to 4. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters. Whenever you face Trials of many kinds because you know, that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. That perseverance finish her perfect so that you may be mature and complete not liking anyting.
all perspective on trolls, it's not naturally, one of pure joy to say the office, the Greek word for joy. Used to also means calm Delight. Kia, go to sharing his perspective on our trials. Consider it pure joy. Take calm. The lights in them. You tend to show what you think, the things that really matter to you, with those places to you and you don't hold back. If you think it's for that best even at the risk cuz I'm reacting badly to what you say. You love them enough to take that risk. Assuming you have Pace but it's right to say whatever it is. It feels to me like God is taking that risk with us, the risk that we may react negatively or even just ignore what he say, what he thinks because it's so often. Does that to all perspective? But God puts out there anyway. To help us got his perspective on Trials because at the end of the day will be happier. If we consider them pure joy, as opposed to just think about how hard life is. It does say. And I saw a 55 versus 8 to 9 to my thoughts, are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, my ways because the Lord The heavens are higher than the earth. So a, my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts, And inviting us to share his perspective on Trials. The Lord, invites us into Casey Union with him.
Jesus injured. The cross. The burden of the ways of the sin of the whole of mankind along with absolute physical Agony for the joy, that was set before its success in Hebrews 8:12. That's how he got three and because he injured, he persevered he can help us to do so too. As it says, in the well-known, first in Philippians 4 verse 13. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
I can. I can do all things. Jesus, empowers May. It can be helpful to meditate one of us by saying is not loud and personalizing, it emphasized in different parts of each time to help it goes a printer or spirits. God doesn't just tell us to consider trials, pure joy but also tells us why again, sharing with us. He's hot for us. The reason we should consider trials pure. Joy is as it says in James 1, verse 3. Because you know, that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Did you look up the Greek word for perseverance? In the Strong's Bible dictionary? The first thing it says is cheerful or hopeful endurance. And it also includes patient waiting. So the testing of our faith produces chifle, or hopefully insurance. It teaches us to wait patiently, which is clearly something that God values. Then he tells us why he finally is it so much and it's all to see. No. Because he's mean, Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.
A list of all back. I was thinking about the conversation. I knew I was going to have with a friend the following day and then never spoke question. I would be lost because my friend cast How are you?
My only Stone so I was putting one foot in front of the other. I keep doing what I know today. As I have been for some time over, nothing appears to have changed. Loading trucks with my tools that. Points in set but you've changed Aspen. Persevering when you don't feel like it changes you in a way that wouldn't happen. If I whipped you out of every situation that your first cry off. I don't want to do this anymore.
someone recently gave me a book called Gelato at the Villa, Biological dropping down Jones. It's not a Christian fiction and I find it really relaxing and enjoyable. It's about two women who go on holiday. Is it today? One of us, a believer. One is not, I have a lovely friendship can see type. It's in mounds of proper Italian ice cream. Have fun and share. It's a real level. I wouldn't say too much in case anyone decides to buy it. Anyways, that means Florence and a hairdresser is speaking to one of the women, he's had a radical haircut really suits, huh? But reflects something, at the end of transformation that's taking place during this holiday.
The stylist said it was known that. Michael Angela is so thick, it's in slaps. And he said all he had to do with chisel away. The pieces that didn't belong He allowed the statue to be released from the Rock. That describes the work of the Holy Spirit In Our Lives, doesn't it? When we submit to it. Giving perseverance develops character as it says in Romans 5, giving it helps us to Mitchell. Is this a final decision to persevere is like a specific tissue in the hands of our creator. Bring out more and more of the character that he's placed in US. Hailey card values, perseverance, cheerful hopeful insurance as an unavoidable. Stephen Stein's maturity, which tells us something about how much he needs maturity. This is God's goal for us that we may be mature and complete lacking nothing. There are a number of things that can help us to Pacific and difficult situations and relationships, but we're just look at 1 today.
Pace yourself. Simon. And I was faking to be a 17 year old guy recently. I told Jim he's done 120 marathons. Including triathlons an ultra marathons, and he's still going strong. He's no longer Jane Nelson, Martin's. He's decided to take it easy. Now, he's 70. This guy was talking to us about a really tough. So, I cried, he completes his recent, he competed in recently with the long superspeed. He'll rise to the end. He spoke about the number of cyclists, who fell by the wayside at the point, where they reach the bottom of this long steep incline. Some literally fell off their bikes because they was. So spent they giving everything to get to that point and have nothing left to go out, such a state road. Is on the right side.
This guy said he'd been a few times himself, but as long to Pace himself and said it was something he wished, he could tell these guys, I was thinking, what does that mean for us to Pace ourselves when we need to enjoy to persevere? For example, in the difficult difficult relationship for situation. That's a starting point. It's good to remember what Jesus says when he told his not to worry about the basic necessities of life. He said to Max, Matthew 6:34, don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own Learning, not to worry, not just in theory but in practice. Will help us to persevere by pacing ourselves. I like how the message version of the Bible paraphrases this. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now. I don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. I came across this saying recently. As you journey through life, whatever. Be your goal, keep your eye upon the donuts and not upon the whole
It's about staying focused on what we have. Another what we don't have it'll help us to persevere. it's not about denying the presence of the whole, but about what we focus on, So, what else does it mean for us to Pace ourselves and we need to enjoy to persevere? I'm just going to share a couple of thoughts here, but it's a question for table. Talk to discuss later with others, opened it with the Lord, what it means for you. Safest, a wait on the Lord. I saw a food safety. First 31, I saw a full save us that you won't says, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall Mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint will become tired. The Hebrew word. So wait, literally means to bind together. Perhaps, by twisting, I thought that was interesting. If we find ourselves together with the Lord is logical that our strength will be renewed. Figuratively. That Hebrew word means to wait. Look for Hope and expect It's about waiting expectantly with anticipation for the Lord. Is so well-known Fest but night, many well-known bus is it's one thing to know. Is who now heads, it's another to internalize it through experience. when you've got nothing left but a Bible verse when you got nothing, you can control or do in your own strength, but hold on to a particular verse that tends to be when you make history with that fuss, when it becomes part of the story of your life, It's so important, I can't emphasize it enough. The importance of waiting on the Lord, this verses in the Bible for a reason. Pacing ourselves can mean, taking time out just to focus on the Lord and set aside, everything else when we can. We should also float to him by all means. But also gave birth to note and I'll sell that time to just be together with no agenda. He may speak to us directly or through the weather of God, but simply not time in his presence will refresh us. He is the source of life.
Waiting cuz all answer his voice. So promise is an essential part of our walk with the Lord. To me, it's clearly described in something I write about a lioness. Resting yet, fully alert. It's an interesting concept, isn't it to be at rest yet? Fully alert attentive to the moment but ready to jump up and go the distance. That's a moment's notice.
Look of the promises for those who. Wait on the Lord. Strength, shall be renewed. We also strengthened whilst we wait, when we, wait with expectation in anticipation of God's response. We always want our own sister Prime now, but sometimes God has a plan and a purpose for the wasting time. Then maybe more than one path is for it. For example, maybe we need to build up her strength to be able to handle them so well. Those who wait on the Lord shall Mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint, become tired. They will also rise up and be energized to keep going. Such a pace ourselves when we need to enjoy or to persevere. It's important to wait on the Lord. Second lady, in whatever way we can take time out, be nice to yourself.
It's worth remembering that Jesus said in Matthew 22 versus 37 + 39, but the most important come almonds at a love. The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.
Love God with everything you've got and love others as you love yourself. It's so important to learn to love ourselves in a healthy way. I'm obviously not talking about narcissism, but following ourselves the way to go does. If we don't we'll find it hard to love others. I really enjoy reading so long myself down. Time to read is a relatively easy way to recharge my battery, so to speak. I also enjoy exploring London, a pleasure that Simon doesn't shy. but I'm quite happy to have to go by myself with a load, over the friends, the little Spain, with M number of different cafes
be nice to yourself taking time, out, helps us to Pace ourselves and that's will keep persevering Is there is such an obvious way of doing this. We can all still owed for wisdom, how to do it, how to take a break from a situation, for example, by creating space within a relationship? Can you do something to treat yourself? Example, give yourself a morning off. Even an hour away from a situation, from whatever it is and allow yourself to relax without feeling guilty safe. Will be better placed to persevere. If we can Pace ourselves.
Set pacing ourselves by taking time out to wait on the Lord and be nice to ourselves. I just a couple of ways in which we can help ourselves to passive. but I want to finish by looking briefly as an example, from the Old Testament, of someone, who understood what it meant to persevere, There are a number of evil Kings in Israel and Ahab rules in the ninth Century BC for about 22 years. The Prophet Elijah prophesied route as recorded in the first book of Kings chapter 17, which spend lost it for three and a half years. 10, in 1 Kings 18, the Lord sent Elijah to King. I have to tell him that he the Lord was going to send rain. let's read it, in 1 Kings, chapter 18, verse 41, through 45 to 1, Kings 18 41, to 45, And Elijah said to Ahab, go eat some drink but there is a sound of a heavy rain. Say, have went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climb to the top of Mount Carmel, but down to the ground and put his face between his knees. Go and look toward the same. He told his seven and when he went up and looks does nothing that he said seven times and I just said go back. Then the seventh time, the seventh reported a cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea. So now I just said go until I have your Cheerios and go down before the rain stops. Yeah. Meanwhile, the sky group black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain, started fooling and Ahab Road off to Jezreel. I just want to make a couple of points, have the 1 Kings 18 full CT and I just went down to the ground and put a space between his knees. My understanding is that so tiny a position at expressing humility and reverence but also very like he wanted very focused worship as well as pray. Elijah worship God by faith, that he would be as good as his word.
It's 43. And look toward the sea. He told his seven and he went up and there's nothing that he said seven times and I just said go back.
Six times. And I just sent to 7 to look, but didn't look himself. Sometimes looking at the facts and then actual can negatively impact our faith. Elijah catches eyes on the Lord. He stayed there and Pacific in prayer and worship until then use the change came. The service he is intended to a prescription for situations but it's an example to us of where our Focus needs to be well supposed to be raining in a situation worse with passive earring in prayer and worship. How do you think it changed Elijah persevering despite 6 reports from his servant of no change?
How do you say Elijah's response to the six? Reports have no change impacted his servant?
It's worth remembering that we never know what impact we going to have on others, how God will speak through us through our actions are example and maybe throw words. Perseverance doing what's right because it's right whether we feel like it or not is never wasted. Go to Waze says and he's not wasteful. He wouldn't waste them. We don't know how or when our perseverance will inspire others to not give up or another ways. Mary Jane's was just a poor girl from a remote part of Wales. Yet, is Jay, John says, from his book, here is the faith. I took Mary story, go to jail and commitment persevering as a child. First to read the Bible, then to save up six years to buy one Venture miles. Bedford to make the purchase was used to set in motion something that was to have an amazing effect on the walls and continues to do. So today, there are no 140 Bible Society worldwide. It's worth noting that Mary was a child. We can learn from children. Kings 18:44. The seventh time, the seventh reported a cloud, a small. As a man's hand is rising from the sea. Noticed a small changes enough for Elijah to be fully convinced that they all answer to his prize was on the way. He could have dismissed it as insignificant as Heavens perspective on a small change. That's a reminder to us of what it says in Zachariah for vast 10. That we are not to despise the day of small things, A Small Beginnings Let's pray.
Thank you that you strengthen us to persevere. You don't expect us to do it in our own strength. when will week with strong and you, Forgive us for giving out when you haven't finished with something show us. It's as if that's something that we've let go of that you haven't and you want us to pick up again. Help us to take hold of your perspective on our trials and challenges. We are skit father in Jesus name and I thank you with all my heart because I know that you've had us all men.
