AS A CHOSEN VESSEL OF GOD, WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF YOUR ENDURANCE?

April 30, 2014

AS A CHOSEN VESSEL OF GOD, WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF YOUR ENDURANCE?

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (ESV)

“A television documentary pointed out that the cheetah survives on the African plains by running down its prey. The big cat can sprint seventy miles per hour. But the cheetah cannot SUSTAIN that pace for long.

Within its long, sleek body is a disproportionately SMALL HEART, which causes the cheetah to tire quickly. Unless the cheetah catches its prey in the first flurry, it must abandon the chase. But the Pronghorn Antelopes, on the other hand, can maintain speeds of 60 mph for miles at a time.

If the Cheetah and pronghorn were running side by side, and if the track was longer than a quarter of a mile, the pronghorn would win it, no contest,”  So the question you must ask yourselves today, AS A CHOSEN VESSEL OF GOD WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF YOUR ENDURANCE?

What is the staying power you have in finishing up our Saviors mandate? Will your HEART allow you to maintain the ENDURANCE to finish the race? Remember if Christ is our example, He finished His Fathers work here on earth and ENDURED until His Journey was completed on Calvary.

Once again how far are you willing to go for our Savior, how often are you willing to STUDY and PRAY as you seek the same power our Savior received that gave Him the ENDURANCE to carry the cross for our Salvation.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV) tells us “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

My friends I need you to focus today, on the words “MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT.” As we move closer to the second coming of Christ, our time must never be allocated for SELF, as a chosen vessel for Christ “we must crucify SELF as we live our life through Him who gave it all for us on Calvary.”

In Joshua 1:9 (ESV) He tells us “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12-13 (ESV)

This is a MARATHON we are in not a SPRINT, we must be MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY and most of all SPIRITUALLY able to FINISH this JOURNEY, for there will be steep mountains, deep valleys and crevasses, High tides and sweltering heat at every turn.

ENDURANCE will take total commitment in the study of God’s Word while His Spirit takes full control of our life as we finish God’s mandate. Our staying power is then like the Pronghorn Antelopes who may not be the fastest but can ENDURE till the race is over.

So as a Child of God, we must out distance the god of this world. Remember we have the advantage of being covered with the armor of God and the blood of Jesus Christ. Not like the cheetah who starts out fast, but in the end becomes a prey who is vulnerable and weak, because his HEART will not sustain the challenge.

Friends if our ENDURANCE is limited we also become a prey to the god of this world. “For it is for discipline that you have to ENDURE. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

Because if we plan to enter God’s kingdom we must be “SAFE TO SAVE” and if we are, His promise to us is ENDURE because “…I go to prepare a place for you?……and I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-4 (ESV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY