I see people with big smiles on their faces each and every day, and all the while they are experiencing difficulty in their lives and are only putting on a facade. How many do I know that are sharing beautiful scenes and things on social media and yet their own lives are in complete disarray. I believe that we have a problem in this world with deceit and lying and it is causing strife that will only be resolved with truth.

“¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. ²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.” — Proverbs 12:19-20 (ESV)

This morning reading in Proverbs I was brought again to a passage I have studied before and was hit in the face with reminders. How many lies lead to more lies and then to more? Why would we not just strive for peace and joy instead and avoid all of the deceit that is only pleasing in the moment.

I will admit that lately I have not been seeking peace and joy. I have not necessarily been deceitful and untruthful to others, but I have been with myself. Thinking that everything is fine and that all will be well is not really dealing with what is going on. I have to remember to be truthful and take the hard look at what is and understand that it may not be great on one hand, but dealing with it will allow for things to be resolved. I have to remember to seek truth and peace at every turn and that will ultimately bring joy in my life that I will be able to spread to others as I do the work of God.

What deceit and untruths are you harboring in your life? Are you using them to bring you momentary satisfaction and likely at the expense of another? What if you just set out to deal in truth and seek peace to carve out for the joy in your life?

“⁷No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.” — Psalm 101:7 (ESV)

What a statement by David as to those that are in your life. I was reminded of what Ghandi said: “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet”. I know, quoting Ghandi with David may not work in your way of thinking, but what I am referring to here is the idea that I will not allow myself to associate with those that will corrupt or be bad for me and my circle.

I remember many years ago when my boys were young and we would sit down and play games with them. Being competitive, the boys would certainly work hard to win, so much so that one of them would not exactly play by the rules (cheater, cheater). When it was found out that he was cheating, we would stop playing and explain to him that cheating would not be tolerated and that we would not play with cheaters. David is referencing the same here. He is stating that when found out, deceit will not be tolerated, and all will cease with that individual or group based solely on the inability to be truthful.

Call it what you will and defend it if that is what you would like to do, however, I will not actively associate with those that practice deceit, when I find it out. Honesty is the best policy and where there may be consequences to that approach (some do not like it and one may call themselves out for something done or not done), ultimately one is able to sleep well at night and it is over and done. I personally have done some things to which I was questioned. When asked if I had done what I was accused, I simply said, “yes, and the reason I did is…”. To which the questioner asked, “your not going to deny it” as if in shock that would not try to make an excuse. Well the incidents were resolved at that moment with a statement of, “well, be more careful in the future”.

Speaking the truth leads to resolution. When we find ourselves deceiving others, we have to “keep up the lies” indefinitely so as not to be found out. And that leads to a lifestyle of deceit that is sorely frowned upon. By keeping not engaging in deceit, I demonstrate that it is not tolerated and therefore have the leg to stand on when not allowing deceit to be around me. It leads me to the reality of, do as I say and do. I will not allow known deceit in my world.

What deceit are you aware of in your life? Are you taking the approach to weed it out of your life or are you allowing it to stay? What if you took on the approach of do as I say and do, and not allowing deceit in your world?

Won’t be harmed, yes. I know that seems to be something of fantasy. Just for enduring I won’t come into harm? Maybe not in the sense we are thinking.

“¹⁰If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” — Revelation 13:10 (ESV)

Those that are against us will certainly harm us, see the above verse from Revelation. But what you don’t see is spiritual harm. The harm above is only in the physical. There will be plenty of physical harm that will come in our work for Christ. But, just because I am physically harmed, I will still have the spirit in me that will lift me up.

I have to remember that this body and life here in this world is just that, in this world. My home is in heaven and there I cannot be harmed. I have the opportunity to be there now in spirit and know that I cannot be harmed there.

It is my endurance given to me by Christ that will get me through the difficulty and challenges here in this world. I must have the patience and know that Christ is the way and the way is great and rewarding. I will suffer defeat, but defeat in this world is not the end. I have been given eternal life and is for that life that I must endure.

So yes, I will suffer at the hands of others in this world. I will be persecuted and beat down. I will have to overcome and endure. I will make it through.

I have God on my side and He provides courage, strength, and comfort through it all. I must remember that damage to this body is not the end. I have been given eternal life in heaven and physical harm in this world is something that is only in this world. Harm to my spirit is protected by the grace of God.

What physical harm are you experiencing? Are you counting that harm as fully defeating? What if you were to endure the physical, knowing that your spirit is protected through the gift given you by Christ?

Jesus will ensure that those that follow Him faithfully and completely will be lifted up. Yes, we will have trials and we will have difficulties and we will have challenges in our work to bring glory to Him. Those challenges will make us stronger and rest assured that God is right there with us during those trials and difficulties and challenges. He is providing the strength to endure and make it through. And when we have endured…

“⁹Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. ¹⁰Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” — Revelation 3:9-10 (ESV)

This morning as I am reading, I felt Jesus speaking directly to me. I have these trials and struggles. I work to control what I can and do my best to set aside those thing that are out of my control. Even in that work, what I can control is directly affected by that which I cannot and that makes it difficult to make it through. This passage of Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia spoke volumes to me about that very subject.

You see, I may not be able to control all, but I can endure all. God provides the strength I need to endure and as noted in verse 10 above, it is patience endurance that I am rewarded for. Those that are against God will bow down to those that are for Him. Those that do the work of God for Him will be rewarded with deliverance from the suffering that will come in the end. I have the strength to continue to endure and make it through. I have to remember to lean on God for that strength and know that He is there and providing the way through and I will be lifted up for the work done.

What things are in your life that are preventing you from moving on? Are you dwelling on the lack of support from others to do your work? What if you leaned on God for your strength, demonstrated patient endurance and collected your reward from God as He lifts you up in the end?

I wonder sometimes if all the work that I do is even noticed, whether at work, at home, in public, or in the name of God. I have to admit that I do not always see or feel as though it is seen or acknowledged or appreciated. Well this morning, I was reminded that God knows.

“²I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. ³I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” — Revelation 1:2-3 (ESV)

Jesus knows all the work done. He knows how I think of others before myself. He knows how I function and who I am. He knows and acknowledges the work done and all of the difficulties and challenges I face. And most of all, He knows and provides for my endurance through it all.

I may not see or feel that what I am doing is being noticed, but Christ is right there with me. He not only sees what I am doing, it is most certain that He is helping me. Whether doing the lifting for me, or just providing me the strength to make it through, He is there to guide and protect me that I might finish the work done for and in His name. He knows and He appreciates it all.

I am, you are not alone in this world left to do the work. Christ is right there with you. When the work is for and in His name, He will assist. We may not have Him cheering for us on the sidelines because He is on the field with us doing the work and providing for our strength and endurance to completion. He knows the work and rewards that work.

What is it that you are working on that you may not feel is being acknowledged? Are you looking for some “pat on the back”? What if you just did the work, knowing that it is acknowledged by God as He is right there with you, helping to complete the work?

“¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

I know that it is easy to say endure without actually experiencing challenges that require it. I have to know that I will have the strength to do so as provided by Christ. As I study the word “endurance” I am brought to the passage in Hebrews you see above. Here it is proclaimed that we should continue with endurance, and then we are given the example of Jesus enduring.

Jesus endured torture and death on the cross only to make it through to the “joy that was set before him”. His endurance was for way more than that of all but a very few. We are called to endure the challenges we face and work to bring glory to God and complete the tasks that He has for us. Jesus did the same, only His endurance was through death even as He knew of the persecution and sure death He was to come upon.

I have an example of what right looks like as is related to endurance. I have to endure all that comes my way here in this world and approach the challenges head on in my work to bring glory to God at every step. Jesus endured far more than I will and with Him as my example, I have the road map to how to go about the work of the Lord. Jesus endured death on the cross for me and therefor I can surely endure some difficulties of name calling and jeers from others.

What things have you been challenged with that you feel are too much to endure? Are you even remembering the endurance that Jesus showed in the face of His persecution and death on the cross? What if you were to remember that display similar endurance in what difficulties you experience in spreading the gospel?

You see, it is not talent or gifts or great anything to make it through, it is endurance. The thing we need is simply the ability to make it through. We need the ability to endure.

“³⁶For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” — Hebrews 10:36 (ESV)

Strength to withstand it all. I have to be conscious that I will be challenged and will have times of difficulty. It is in those times that I will need the strength to withstand and make it through. I will need the stamina to finish the race. I will need the desire to accomplish the feat. I will need to endure the challenge and difficulty to receive what is promised.

I have to be careful in how I present my thoughts here. It is not winning that I am referencing here, at least in the sense of becoming the trophy wielding champion that is thought of by enduring. Winning in this sense is making it through to make it to the next opportunity to serve God through the tasks He has for me. I have a role to play and that role may simply be to get things going and just finish my part.

There are a number of analogies that I can make with regard to enduring my part for my reward later. I will go with the one of the pace setters used in races. These pace setters are there to only really get things going. Their job is to be chased in the race so the others have something to work for and are not left to simply do things on their own. These pace setters endure more than they are really capable of to help others. They endure to be rewarded, not by winning the race (in fact, they often don’t even finish) but by driving the speed of the race to create a greater challenge to the others running. They are there to drive the pace to create the opportunity for others to gain. They are rewarded by the times they set the race to take place.

Our endurance in the now will gain reward in the future. There may be times that it may feel as though we do not finish the race in first place, and I have to remember that my role may not be to “win” but to set the pace for others in the challenge. I have a role to play in the overall success of the glory of God and that role in some instances is only to get things started. I have to be willing to endure the work to receive the reward in heaven and not look to this world.

What work are you or have you done that seems to be lacking in reward? Are you looking to win the races you run, all of them? What if you were to endure the work, not for your victory, but the victory of God and then you receive your reward in heaven?

I recently wrote about moving from suffering to endurance to character to hope and that experiencing all of them is going to happen as we are faced with that which comes in service to God. This morning as I continue to study the word “endurance” I was led to a passage in Colossians of thanksgiving and prayer and realized that another characteristic when in service to God that is critical is that of patience.

“⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” — Colossians 1:9-12 (ESV)

Here, Paul is writing to the church in Colosse and is encouraging them in their walk with Christ. He is lifting them up through thanksgiving and prayer and letting them know that he is doing so regularly. In the verses above, especially looking at verse 11, Paul calls out that he is praying for their endurance and patience.

Isn’t it too often that our expectations are for instant and immediate gratification and resolution to everything. I know that when I am looking for answers to questions, the internet has made it possible to get those answers right then and in such, I have satisfied my curiosity. I will say though, thanks to being able to get answers now, I have forgotten the virtue of patience. I have forgotten that waiting calmly for something that does not necessarily come right now is a fruit of the Spirit as listed by Paul to the church in Galatia.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

Patience is listed to remind us that thing do not always happen NOW. I have to remember that patience leads to the others and the others lead to patience. To go along with patience, I also have to remember that it will be uncomfortable and I must have endurance to make it through whatever I am experiencing. I may want for things now, but those things may not be in the plan of God for now and I have to wait patiently and endure all that comes with the waiting.

What are you waiting for and are experiencing less than immediate answers or resolution? Are you demonstrating patience and endurance in your waiting? What if you took the approach that all things are not going to be there NOW and you endure the uncomfortable waiting with patience?

Yes, in service to God endurance is one of the characteristics that is realized.

“⁴but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; ⁷by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ⁸through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; ⁹as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; ¹⁰as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” — 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (ESV)

As I read and study this morning I have found, and was reminded, that serving God is not always going to be sunshine and rainbows. There are going to be times when it feels as though the whole world is against me. Just look at the above verses and read all that comes with being a servant of God. Notice the items called out first in verses four and five. It is all that is tough where I/we may feel that there is no way out. And then, there is that which is picked up in verses six and seven which give hope and comfort.

Next I review the final verses above and see the contrasting characteristics one at a time. I am going to experience a wave of characteristics and actions for and against me as I serve God. I will naturally find myself at every moment with those characteristics that are uplifting. I will find myself more in line with the structure of verses eight through ten where I will experience both positive and negative in situations and throughout the day. I have to know that I have chosen to follow and serve God and with that I have chosen all that comes with it.

The thing I have to remember is the first characteristic listed in all of the verses above when it comes to serving God, endurance. In all that I find myself each day, whether positive, negative, or neutral, I have to endure it all as I make it through. God is with me through it all. He only wants what is best for me and that comes in the end when I have made it through all He has for me to do and accomplish. I will have the chance to rest in heaven when I go to be with Him. I only have to embrace the endurance needed to make it through and then experience rest and reward.

What are you experiencing that you may feel are outside of the characteristics of serving God? Are you expecting that all of the experiences you have to be positive and without challenge? What if you simply endured all the characteristics of service to God and only expected rest and reward in heaven?

Jesus is the same as He always was and He will always be.

“⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

I can have confidence in following Him as I can see the consistency in Him. He was the same in the past as He is today and will be the same into the future. The same God that watched over my ancestors is watching over me and will be watching over my descendants. What a vote of encouragement there is in knowing that God was with me, is with me, and will be with me in all. His consistency demonstrates His endurance in my life and the endurance that I can call on to get me through.

“⁴For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 15:4-6 (ESV)

The verses above come from the passage in my Bible titled: “The Example of Christ”. And that is exactly what it represents, the example I should follow. The endurance He demonstrated in His life is that endurance I should demonstrate in my own. His consistency shows me and teaches and encourages me to continue on. I am able to call on the hope that He represents. I learn from the past and carry that into the future.

Everything from the past is a teacher of the now and the future. I am not one that studies history, and my thought process is one that says it is in the past and there is nothing we can do about it now. Lori reminds me often that it is not that we can change the past, but we can and should be learning from it to avoid the mistakes of the past and carry on the victories. As a history teacher, she is passionate about learning from what has already happened to move forward with today and into tomorrow. Learning from Jesus is no different, and in fact, He is “The Example” of how we should be acting and approaching.

I have a lot to learn and what better place to gain that learning than from the example. The shining example of what right looks like is Christ and his endurance from yesterday to today and into tomorrow.

What are your though about what has already happened? Are you looking at it as something simply in the past that one can move on from? What if you took the chance to review and learn from the past to avoid the mistakes and carry the victories into today and on to tomorrow?