Stubbornness with an Eternal Purpose
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Is 40:31 Persisting in a good cause pays great dividends. This principle proves true in all the areas of our life. A stream cuts through a rock not because of its power but through its presistance. Thomas Edison and his associates once performed nearly a thousand experiments before they finally succeeded in coming up with the information they were looking for. People in research often work in laboratories for many years before they achieve a breakthrough in the prevention or cure for a deadly disease. Some missionaries have spent their entire lives in India proclaiming the gospel with almost no visible fruit. But their successors reaped a great harvest. What if all these people had quit just because they weren't seeing immediate results? When Jesus' countrymen rejected Him and drove Him out of the synagogue, He didn't give up on them and return to Heaven without completing His mission. Nor did the apostles cease to preach when they ran into opposition. Neither should you stop serving the Lord just because you aren't seeing the results you should. Nor should what others do or say deter you in the least. But how do we persevere in faith? A big part of perseverance involves enduring trials and tribulations. As Christians, we are to be ready for and not surprised by trials and suffering. Scriptures tell us that all who seek to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted. Those who believe the Christian life should be easy and carefree are misguided as each of us have uncomfortable crosses to bear. However, we do not carry our cross under own our strength; rather, we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, not only to persevere through suffering, but to rejoice in the midst of it. God has promised to use even fiery trials and chaotic troubles to strengthen our faith and make us more like Jesus while working all things to our good. In the end, our perseverance is rewarded with an eternal weight of glory that will make our temporal suffering seem immaterial in comparison. Christ is our perfect example of perseverance. His faith was tested and yet He never faltered. He suffered and yet did not retaliate. He endured the horrors and brutality of the crucifixion. He persevered when He was forsaken and betrayed by those closest to Him. He did all this for the joy that was set before Him and to gloriously save each of us. Let us be eternally grateful to Christ and pray that God will grant us the strength and perspective to persevere under trial, fight the good fight, and finish the race. Always remember, if we suffer with Him we will reign with Him! If we must persevere in anything, it should be in turning our attention to God. He is there for us through everything, and we can call upon him any time. Stay busy for the Lord, our job is to be faithful, it is His problem to bring the results sought. When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you… Never give up then, for that is just the place God is waiting for. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” Romans 12:12 Pastor Rudy
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Two Eternal Truths for Life
Wow, sometimes, it seems like an eternity ago that we first heard about the pandemic and its consequences. Our personal and public lives were literally turned upside down. Now, hopefully, things are slowly returning to normal. This Sunday, we at Sparta First are planning on having our first inside church service since these things began. Also, sometimes, it seems like yesterday that we enjoyed the warmth and blessing of God as we joyously worshiped during the Sunday we announced our services would change. We have shared many joys and sorrows since that time. However, I am surer today of God’s purpose, protection and provision in our lives and in the lives of those we love than then. What will tomorrow bring? Extreme joy? Bitter heartache? Maybe, usher in the coming of Christ? None of us know, yet as we journey together, two solid eternal truths exist that are our privilege and joy to claim. “Lo, I am with you alway…” - Matthew 28:20 The Lord Jesus is in the midst of His church; beloved, He is with you now. His promise is, “Lo, I am with you alway.” He is as surely with us now as he was with the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration as they saw a touch of His glory. Not fleshly, yet still with us. There is nothing like the presence of Jesus to set the heart afire and provide strength, comfort and joy. If we know that Jesus is with us, every area of our lives will be strengthened, and everyone we touch will be changed by His authority within us. His presence will be most realized by those who are most like him. The promise is still true, Jesus delights to be with His bride – Always. “And the LORD shall guide thee continually.” - Isaiah 58:11 Not an angel or man, but Jehovah shall guide you. Beloved, God has not left you in your earthly pilgrimage alone without direction or help. “The Lord shall guide thee.” How confident this makes it! How sure it is that God will not forsake us! His eternal “shalls” and “wills” are guaranteed not with earth’s money, but with heaven’s strongest power-God Himself. “The Lord shall guide thee continually.” We are not simply to be guided sometimes, but we are to have a constant guidance; not occasionally to be left alone to our own understanding, and wander to failure, but constantly to hear the guiding voice of Jehovah God. If we follow close to Him, we shall not go wrong. In the coming days and months, no matter the trial, trouble or tribulation, complete trust can be placed in Him that, “… shall guide thee continually” Praise Him from whom all blessings flow !!!! Pastor Rudy |
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July 2020
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