STABLE
AND STEADFAST
BREAD
21 Once
you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical
body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free
from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm,
not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you
heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which
I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV)
5 For
this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to
goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and
to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For
if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from
being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)
1 Therefore,
since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this
grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not
only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering
produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And
hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our
hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
2 Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
12 Blessed
is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)
6 He
will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and
wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)
3 We
continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,
your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord
Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)
17 Because
God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs
of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God
did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God
to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly
encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and
secure. Hebrews 6:17-19 (NIV)
23 Let
us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23 (NIV)
3 We
ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith
is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is
increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your
perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 (NIV)
5 May
the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NIV)
58 Therefore,
my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves
fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is
not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Hold steady! Trials will come; don’t be blown
over. Be unbending and undeterred.
Remain faithful. Steadfastness, holding
fast, is a critical facet of Christian maturity. We do not become complete or godly without it. Steadfastness isn’t a virtue that shines in
comfort but in conflict — under trial (James 1:12), in persecutions,
afflictions, and sufferings. Happy are
they who hold their holy ground, who keep the anchor down in unstable times,
because they are held firm by the steadfastness of Christ.” David Mathis
“The Christian disgraces his profession far more often in
prosperity than in adversity. It is a
dangerous thing to be prosperous. The
crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining
experience of prosperity…It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming
cup of mortal joy with a steady hand. ” Charles
H. Spurgeon
“Never
be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything
whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be
at rest in His bosom. Whatever happens,
abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God……Maintain a holy
simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes,
or longings, under any pretext.” St. Francis de Sales
“How to be
pure? By steadfast longing for the one
good, that is, God.” Meister
Eckhart
“Immerse yourself in God’s Word, apply what you learn, and
He will fan into flames the fire of your passion which keeps you yearning for
further still and creates within you a pure and clean heart and a steadfast
spirit. Nothing this life offers equal
this.” BHY
“Until
a man learns how to take a blow and keep on standing he will never produce a
steady walk of faith.” Alan
Stewart
“In the wait,
whatever you lose, don’t lose heart — you never lose what lasts
forever. You’ve got to believe it: whatever
is being lost momentarily, more is being gained eternally. In
the wait, if you shift the way you see — and see that the wait could make you into the
person you’ve been waiting to become. If you’re waiting on God — do what waiters do:
serve. In serving, you are served a feast of what
you’re longing for. Because the One who
loves you steadfastly, stood fast at the cross for you, so now stand fast for
Him.” Ann Voskamp
The
masterworks of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties
steadfast, unmovable-- Calm mid the bewildering cry, Confident of victory. The
one who would glorify his God must be prepared to meet with many trials. No one
can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts are many. If, then, yours is a much-tried path, rejoice
in it, because you will be better able to display the all-sufficient grace of
God. As for His failing you, never dream of it--hate the thought. The God who
has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end.” C.
H. Spurgeon revised by Alistair Begg
“Be much in communication with God, and
the devil will have little communication with you. When the soul has taken its flight, O how
easily does it soar above the smoke and dust of fleshly lusts! Love your dear Master, and you will not find
a love for sin. Consider also that
things morally good or evil are not so just because one is commanded and the
other forbidden, but it is what they are essentially and unalterably. They are fixed in their natures. Bathe your soul with the everlasting beauty
of holiness, and the horror and ugliness of all iniquity. Also, understand your own self. Do not be a stranger to yourself.” John Gibbon
“Watch, therefore, over this
unsteady heart of mine, O thou Keeper of Israel; that as soon as it begins to
wander from thee, I may be alarmed to flee from sin as from a serpent. Give me grace to look upon every hour as my
last; so that being ever wisely upon my guard I may meet thee with joy when my
time is run out, whenever it shall please thee to call me hence.” K. H. Von Bogatzky
HEART SAVOR
·
Our
Christian walk should be resolutely firm, fixed and steadfast.
·
We
are called to persevere under trials and we will receive the crown of life.
·
May
the Lord direct our hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
