Life would be so much easier as a Christian if I was not tempted to sin. We are continually bombarded with sinning opportunities and they certainly look very appealing.

“¹³No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

I am reminded this morning, yes, you will be tempted and God allows it in our path. The part that I forget is that He will only allow that which we can handle. To us, it may seem insurmountable, but God will always give us the tools needed to overcome.

In the commentary for verse 13 in my NIV Bible the following are written regarding temptation and resistance:

• Wrong desires and temptation happen to everyone, so don’t feel you’ve been singled out
• Others have resisted temptation, and so can you
• Any temptation can be resisted because God will help you resist it
  • Recognize those people and situations that give you trouble
  • Run from anything you know is wrong
  • Choose to do only what is right
  • Pray for God’s help
  • Seek friends who love God and can offer help when you are tempted

The above are not earth shattering actions or instructions, however they do provide the reminder that we need to overcome the temptations that arise in our lives. We are not alone in our temptations and we should seek the counsel of others that can help.

I am thankful for the instruction provided by God and will continue to study God’s Word to understand more clearly what actions I should be taking. That study will provide more information and actions to overcome temptations that come my way. They will still be there and as I grow in my walk with Christ, some of them will become more powerful. But, with God’s Word on my side, no matter how big the temptation, when I am obeying His Word, I will overcome.

Where are you in your understanding of temptation? Are you struggling with how and if you can overcome? Be aware that temptation will come; God provides the endurance. Will you follow the Word of God an allow Him to provide?

As Christians we have rights. The thing is that those rights are not of this world. We are to obey Christ and surrender ourselves to him and his work; our reward is yet to come.

Although our reward comes later, we should still be compensated for the work we do, but our compensation is different than what we might think. In the world compensation is thought of as monetary wealth and prosperity, but with God, compensation is sustenance and the fulfillment of needs.

“¹³Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the alter share in the sacrificial offerings? ¹⁴In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.” – 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (ESV)

As I read this passage, I am reminded that our needs are met by God as we continue to do his work. We are to expect no more than having our needs met. “Should get their living by the gospel” are the words of Paul and that living is just that; food, water, shelter, and fellowship are all the things that God provides.

I think that we too often think that making a living is making it big in the world. Shouldn’t we be thinking of living as just that, living? Not, “living large” in worldly terms, but living large of the grace of God.

We are in the position of living for Jesus as opposed to living for ourselves and that will require surrender and endurance.

“¹¹If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? ¹²I others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not mad use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 9:11-12 (ESV)

Our comfort and wealth are not important and can/will get in the way of our spiritual growth and wealth. We are called to surrender and endure, and when we do, our needs will be met.

Where is your focus daily as you walk, on the wealth of things, or in getting “a living” as Paul describes? What areas are you working on your spiritual growth and wealth? Are you surrendering to God and enduring for heavenly gain?

“Endure: to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding though it is difficult” – Merriam-Webster Online

Here we see the definition of endure that I usually think of. We are to suffer but remain strong. We are to continue pressing on even in the face of difficulty.

“¹¹To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, ¹²and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless, when persecuted, we endure; ¹³when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (ESV)

As Paul writes to the Corinthians, he is describing the ministry of the apostles. In the above passage, he reminds them that he and the others have a difficult time as they serve and obey God.

“¹⁶I urge you, then, be imitators of me. ¹⁷That is why I sent you timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 (ESV)

And we are to obey the same, including in our suffering and endurance. As children of God, we are to be an example of Him. To go along with the example of the love, honor, and obedience we share, we will also endure being “reviled”, “persecuted”, and “slandered” in this world. I am drawn to the final few words of verse 13 as a description of how the world sees me; “the scum of the world, the refuse of all things”.

But, in the eyes of the Lord, we are elevated to glory in our obedience. I have to remember that I am the heir of greater things that these here. I am only sojourner here in this world. My home is in heaven where I will endure no more.

Paul, Peter, Timothy, the other apostles and, most importantly, Jesus are our example of how to go about life in this world. We are to obey God’s Word and in doing so we will suffer, yes, but our ultimate reward is much greater than these here.

Are you obeying God’s Word, and suffering because of it? What are your thoughts of the endurance needed to get through it, or are you simply looking for a quick and easy way out? Will you endure in your obedience?

I am sure that we have all experienced the Thanksgiving meal preparation, and some have experienced the planning and preparation for a wedding.

“²But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap.” – Malachi 3:2 (ESV)

Preparation is likely difficult and there is a patience needed. The two events I mentioned above are beautiful times. Thanksgiving affords us the opportunity to truly fellowship with others and demonstrate our thankfulness. A wedding is a great show of love and thoughtful celebration. But what difficulties come in the preparation of either of them.

The Thanksgiving Meal takes hours and even days to prepare. Working in the hot kitchen, cutting, chopping, rolling, kneading, baking, roasting, and cleaning up are all part of that preparation all for a meal that lasts about 20 minutes to consume.

A Wedding takes months and even in some cases years to prepare for. There are flower orders, food orders, cake choices, venues, entertainment, decoration, dresses, invitations, and time are part of the preparation for an actual church ceremony that lasts, again, about 20 minutes.

But we endure the prep for the beauty of the events.

When God comes, will we be prepared, or will we be just waiting. The Lords return is the greatest event of all and shouldn’t we endure the prep work. Accepting salvation, fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, praying, studying God’s Word, obeying God’s commands, and loving all are part of the preparation for an event that is eternal. If we are willing to prepare for the two events I described first, shouldn’t we be willing and looking forward to enduring the preparation and journey toward our Savior’s return?

Are you preparing for The Lord’s return? Are you working through all of the labors to reach the beautiful event that will last forever? What preparations are you enduring?

Thinking of the truth and most of us have heard or said the phrase “The Truth Will Set You Free”. But what does that mean and how are we to apply it.

I recently received my performance evaluation at the office and whereas my overall rating was pretty good, the part I believe I was most proud of was in the area of the company core value of “Trust and Integrity” where I received the highest possible rating. To go along with that, my leader made sure to tell me that whatever happens to be going on or whatever the situation he could count on me for the truth.

“¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” – Proverbs 12:19 (ESV)

There were times when I was younger that I would tell fibs in order to stay out of trouble (I am sure that you know where I am coming from). I would have to constantly be on my toes to keep my story straight. Making sure that I could stay ahead of the lies and protect myself.

On the contrast, telling the truth or being truthful would always allow for rest. Yes, the consequences were there, but I was afforded rest as I was not constantly looking over my shoulder for someone trying to “catch” me. That rest is some of the best rest I have ever gotten.

God’s Word is truth and it has been tested, over and over and over again. Every time being proven and standing up to the scrutiny. What a fantastic thing for us to live out. Freedom and rest abound knowing that what we know is true and when we speak God’s Word, we are speaking truth.

So there is the meaning of the phrase “The Truth Will Set You Free”, and how we can apply it.

What truth have you been avoiding? What lies are you allowing to ruin your rest? What actions can you take to allow truth to endure?

“³¹May the glory of the Lord endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in his works, ³²who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! ³³I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. ³⁴May my mediation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” – Psalm 104:31-34 (ESV)

We are the endurance of God, and therefore we should be showing the glory of the Lord. I have seen on a number of occasions, someone standing on the street corner “preaching” to the public as they walk by, and undoubtedly we have seen them in the movies. How many of those times have there been proclamations of God’s Glory as opposed to the damning of souls for our sin?

I recall an instance about a year ago as I was driving through a significant intersection in town and noticed the pastor of one of the local churches standing holding a sign. My thought was, here we go again. But no, the sign read simply, “God Loves You!” What a refreshing declaration for those driving by. No expectation of preaching. No shouting about our sin. Just simple proclamation of God’s Love.

This is the endurance we are and should be a part of. Not the turning away of those in need with our words of damnation. We are to “rejoice in the Lord” and what better way to do that than to say it aloud to those we come in contact with.

When you think of declaring God, are you declaring damnation or love? When was the last time you proclaimed the Glory of God to your neighbors? Are we looking to spread the word of the enduring Glory of God?

“Endure: to continue in the same state” – Merriam-Webster Online

This is the first definition that is found in Merriam-Webster Online for the word endure. I admit that before reading it I was sure that the first definition would be around suffering (that was the second). How can God’s name endure if he is not here?

“¹⁷May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!” – Psalm 72:17 (ESV)

How can any king’s name last? It is through the belief and love of the heirs. Children of the king they are the ones that carry the name of the king forward.

Imagine being a child of a king and all of the notoriety that comes with that, just by name dropping. You walk into a room, declare who you are representing and instantly that name is recognized and carried on.

Well, we are the children of God and therefore carry his name forward. Shouldn’t we be name dropping? We are to carry God’s name forward into the world.

Solomon reminds us that God’s name will endure forever. As Jesus rose again and is the living God, we are charged to carry his name forward. We, as his children are the endurance of God’s name in the world.

What are your thoughts of being the endurance of God’s name? How are you living as the one that carries the name of Jesus forward? Are you willing to be the endurance of God?

I am a planner and really do not like change. When things are not planned or they change for no good reason I struggle to embrace. God has his plan that we are to embrace and that plan for us is about the now and allowing God to take care of tomorrow.

“¹³Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—¹⁴yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” – James 4:13-15 (ESV)

We are tasked by the Lord to live in the moment. We do not know what tomorrow holds and therefore should live for the Lord today. Notice the last 5 words of the previous sentence, “live for the Lord today”. We are in a position as children of God to obey and that includes obeying in the moment.

Don’t get me wrong, planning is a good thing and something that we should do. Margaret Thatcher said, “Plan your work for today and every day, then work your plan.” “Today and every day” not for the next day or into next week or for a lifetime, but for today. That really fits into the words of James here. We are to work on today and let God prepare for tomorrow and let us know that when we get there.

When you embark on your day, are you working for the Lord? What plans are you making, are then centered on your work for the Lord? Are you planning your work for the day, or are you working on the future? Are you able to know today and if the Lord wills, know tomorrow?

Have you ever done, or known something that then later thought, “Oh boy that was not what it was supposed to be” and never thought or mentioned it again?

“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ¹²…But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” – 2 Timothy 1:8 & 12 (ESV)

When you read just the above parts, it is clear that we are to carry on with pride that which we know. We are to continue celebrating and spreading God’s Word regardless of what others might say or do. We may be persecuted, but that persecution is for the cause of Christ and therefore we are to endure. We are going to suffer, but our suffering is much less than Jesus suffered. And why:

“⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹²¹which is why I suffer as I do.” – 2 Timothy 1:9-12 (ESV)

There is more to it than what is on the surface of our persecution and suffering. There is the cause for which we are persecuted and suffer. I wonder if we are ashamed of where we are in our relationship with Christ to a degree. I wonder if it is fear why I may not declare my relationship enough. What if I put down my fear and embrace my relationship with God?

Where are you in your relationship with God? What is it that keeps you from sharing and living for Christ? Are you able to know and not be ashamed?

Ok, here it is. We are going to discuss the cost. Salvation is free, yes. We only need to accept the gift of salvation to become Christians. But the cost to know Christ is much different.

“⁷But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,” – Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)

You see what Paul gave up? He was considered great for all that he had accomplished. He was law abiding. He, by all he had done and accomplished prior to his relationship with Christ, had everything. He wanted for nothing, yet when he was given the gift of salvation, he gave it all up even to the point of imprisonment and death.

But what for, he had the gift, why turn completely to God and give up everything he had gained on earth?

“⁹…but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—¹⁰that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:9-11 (ESV)

And there is the why. Paul was seeking righteousness in Christ, not in man.

The cost of knowing Christ is higher than we imagine. Yes salvation is the free gift graciously given by Jesus Christ to all who will receive it. But knowing Christ is much more costly. In Mark 10:17-31 the rich man comes to Jesus and asks about the cost of eternal life. When Jesus tells him the true cost, he turns and walks away not willing to pay. We must give up all of our worldly gains to truly surrender and know Christ.

Are you willing to pay the cost to know Christ? What will you willingly give up? I wonder if we really know and embrace the cost to know Christ?