James 1:12-17 NIV
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
INSIGHT
Endurance in Greek is hupomoné and Sibulut in Hebrew which means perseverance, patience and steadfastness. According to the scriptures, blessed is not the man who is never tempted but the one who endures temptations. Further that when one perseveres through temptations, they are approved, and will be rewarded given the crown of life. Jesus demonstrated resistance to temptation after fasting for forty days and forty nights. We are exhorted to endure temptations and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and the Lord will continually release unto us every good and perfect gift that come from Him.
PRAYER
Abba Father we appreciate Your love for us and bless Your holy name. You are Holy Lord and magnified. You are exulted in the righteousness of Your throne. Thank You for enabling us to see this new week by Your grace. We pray for divine help and favor before You Lord and before men. May You increase in us the gift of faith so that we may overcome every temptation that comes our way. May You do an new thing in our lives and open new territories for us to prosper this week and beyond. May You break every chain, door of bronze and bar of iron, and open double doors for us to succeed in every area of our lives and access the hidden treasures in secret places. May You release every good and perfect gift that comes from You. You are exulted and wonderful our God Almighty, and it is in Jesus Mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 4:1-11, Isaiah 45:1-3
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
INSIGHT
–Apostle Paul in an exhortation to the Corinthian church warns that the one who thinks he stands, either by sound judgement or proper conduct should think again. Endurance is the ability to withstand common temptations given the uncommon favor empowered by the Holy Spirit. God has released His sufficient grace upon us that enables us to escape temptations, say no to sin and grants us the strength to endure it.
PRAYER
Dear Abba Father, our Refuge and Strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. Our eyes even our hope is in You. Therefore we shall not fear, even though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though its waters roar and be troubled, and the mountains shake with its swelling, You Lord of hosts is with us, God of Jacob You are our refuge. May You forgive us and cleanse us for the many times we have sinned and fallen short of Your glory dear Jesus and wash us with Your precious blood. May You grant us the grace to persevere temptations and rely in You for help more and more. We worship You and give You praise and adoration, and it is in Jesus Mighty name we pray believing and trusting, Amen
Further reading: Titus 2:11-12, Psalms 46:1-7
Psalms 106:1-3 NIV
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise? Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”
INSIGHT
-God shows us a prototype of endurance through His love. God loves us and gave us His Son to die for our sins who endured suffering until His death on the cross. Therefore Jesus Christ is worthy of all our praise for His love for us never ends. We are then called to give glory to His name in all situations knowing that only God deserves it and we too have a purpose to accomplish on earth by His grace.
PRAYER
We give thanks to You Lord our God, for You are good and Your love endures forever. Lord You are our strength and defense, and have become our salvation. We shout for joy and victory resounds in our hearts and homes. We thank You Lord for You are faithful and have done mighty things upon us. We shall not die but live to proclaim Your goodness. Lord You chasten us severely, but You have not given us over to death, we praise Your name. May You open for us the gates of the righteous, we will enter and give thanks to You Lord our God. We will give You thanks, for You answered us and have become our salvation. We bless Your holy name and exult You for Your great and mighty works upon us. May You answer all our hearts desires and prayers. It is in Jesus mighty name we pray believing and trusting. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 107:1-43
Romans 15:5-6 NIV
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
INSIGHT
–Our God is a God of patience and endurance. Sometimes we might think God is working too slowly when our prayers are not responded to faster. God’s delays are not His denials, and He has a loving purpose in every delay. Our needs and demands might seem to be delayed but has a good plan for each one of us and we are called to trust in Him. God grants us endurance and encouragement to bear with one another given our diverse gifts, abilities and potential.
PRAYER
Our Lord of mercy and grace, You are great and greatly to be adored. We come to Your throne of grace seeking Your mercy and grace to help us during our time of need. We come to You seeking Your help merciful Savior. May You fill our hearts with endurance and encouragement that helps us to bear with one another, and love one another truthfully. We pray for our brothers and sisters who are depressed, distressed, destitute, among us, that You may heal them and deliver them. We pray for the street families that You may deliver them from their troubles. Dear Lord Jesus may You hear our prayers and answer our requests for we wait expectantly for You. Our hearts and thoughts are on You. Lord may You hear us and answer us according to Your great love. We shall not fear, for You are with us, and You will strengthen us and help us, and uphold us with Your righteous right hand. Dear Lord Jesus we shall do everything through You Christ who gives us strength. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:13
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
INSIGHT
-Apostle Paul exhorts the Hebrew church regarding endurance through reproach, afflictions and fiery trials, that yield a reward of eternal life through faith. He emphasizes on the need to preserve through confidence in maintaining patience. God cautions us from casting away our confidence for we have need of His grace, which we must maintain in order to carry back our reward.
SUMMARY
Endurance is the ability to preserver an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. James 1:12-17 reminds us that those who endure trials are blessed and when they have stood the test of time they will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 reprimands anyone who thinks he stands that he should take heed lest he falls. God is faithful to allow us the grace to bear trials and make a way to escape. Romans 15:5-6 reminds us of God’s favor allowing us to endure temptations and encourage one another just like Job received was edified by his friends. God assures us of His love that endures forever (Psalms 106:1-3), for He gave us His Son to become a propitiation for our sins and has redeemed us by His blood.
PRAYER
Loving Abba Father we worship You and bless Your holy name. We exult You and worship You. We thank You for presenting Your beloved Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of His blood in His forbearance for our sins. How Great are Your deeds and works in all the nations of the world. How Great is Your name in all the heavens and the earth. Where we have sinned dear Savior may You forgive us dear merciful Jesus we humbly beseech You. May You fill us with the grace of endurance that we may overcome every temptation that comes our way. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Blessed Weekend
Further reading: 1 John 2:2, Romans 3:25