God does not give up on us. Not 1 chance or a 2^nd or a 3^rd, we are given every opportunity to obey and live according to God’s direction.

“¹¹My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, ¹²for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” – Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)

Think of coaches and trainers and tutors. They may be hard on you. Their practices are there to push you and hold you accountable to make you better.

God’s discipline is no different, except more profound in that He does all of this to demonstrate His love for you. God only wants the best for us and therefore He has to make sure that we are on the right path. That path sometimes is disguised and we need hard evidence of where it is, and that is where the discipline provided by God comes in.

We as parents hold our boys to do the right thing and be on the right path and sometimes we have to discipline in order to bring them back to that path. God loves you more than you know and will take whatever action to get you on the right path, even discipline, much to our dismay.

Have you found yourself in a difficult time and wondered why? Looking back, did you wander off the path that God had for you only to be brought back through some discipline of God? Are you aware that God demonstrates His love through discipline?

Think about the having a set of rules or having guidance for things to turn out. Putting together Lego figures from the box is one of those. Reading/looking at how to put together the intricate figure as opposed to dumping in on the table will provide the opportunity to more easily find success.

“¹²Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law,” – Psalms 94:12 (ESV)

God places discipline on us to make our path easier. When following His Word, we are in a position to minimize the difficulty of putting together this thing we call life. We are still going to have difficulty getting through it (have you ever tried to complete a 500 piece Lego structure). However, the discipline/instruction we receive from God will give us the pictures to look at and the description of how to overcome.

Where are you in the area of discipline? Are you stuck trying to do it all on your own? Couldn’t you use the instruction? Are you seeing that discipline equals instruction?

I remember being a kid and as a kid of course I did things that I probably shouldn’t have. Even now, I used the word “probably” to somehow justify that I was right in doing. I am sure that most of us have felt the same way, even as adults.

We were wrong, and we deserved to be disciplined for our actions.

“¹⁷Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” – Job 5:17 (ESV)

Discipline is for our own good. Even today as Christians, we are not without sin. We have accepted the gift of salvation and what wonderful gift it is. We are still going to make mistakes and should be disciplined for those mistakes.

I am not talking about punishment although it may seem as though that is what I am referring. Discipline is there to get us back on track, punishment is to take action against the wrong we knowingly did.

We are still doing wrong each and every day and should seek the discipline of God to get us back on track. When following Christ, we are not actively sinning, although we are sinners, and therefore punishment is not what God gives. He provides discipline to correct the course we took. We should embrace the discipline and accept the course corrections provided through that discipline.

Are you a sinner? As a sinner, we should be disciplined to get back on track, have you been? When disciplined, are you able to embrace it?

We claim to want the truth, but I suspect what we truly want is the truth that gives us satisfaction.

“³For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (ESV)

Paul is warning and encouraging Timothy of that very thing. False truth we have to look out for as it was relevant then and certainly relevant now.

I run into this at the office daily when an issue gets resolved and everyone is walking around with puffed chest declaring the victory, only to have the same issue appear again, and again, and again. The false truth is that we conquered the issue, the real truth is that we still have not addressed that which caused the issue because that would take a longer, deeper amount of effort.

We are tasked with discipleship and evangelization as Timothy was. It is our duty to heed the warning of Paul and embrace his encouragement in our task. We are to endure, to find the truth and that requires the longer, deeper effort.

I wonder, are you finding false truth that satisfies you? Are we seeking satisfaction and avoiding the longer, deeper effort to seek the truth? Are we enduring for the truth?

Winning is one of those things that is up for debate in society. I happen to be of the camp that there are winners and there are those that did not win. In the Olympics, there is competition to see who the best is (Gold, Silver, Bronze). In college athletics, there is a “National Champion”. In band there are “State Champions” and “Sweepstakes” winners. In One Act Play, there are champions. In debate there are winners.

To become a winner requires hard work, determination, drive, and oh yeah, you have to follow the rules. You have to endure the pain of workouts, practice, and study to achieve greatness, and even then the results may not immediately be in your favor so you work harder and smarter and study more.

“⁴No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuit, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. ⁵An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the firs share of the crops.” – 2 Timothy 2:4-6 (ESV)

Paul writes to Timothy and encourages him to continue to pursue pure motives. Put in the work and he will win.

Now I do want to talk about those that win through ill-gotten pursuits. The cheaters of the world, those taking short cuts, and those stamping on others to get ahead. In society they appear to win, until they are caught and stripped of their gold medal, thrown in jail for tax evasion, vilified in the media for their less than virtuous approach. These are those that did not follow Christ in their pursuits and in the short run were declared winners only to display their true colors when the light was shined on the indiscretions.

“¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; ¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; ¹³if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” – 2 Timothy 2:10-13 (ESV)

There is a lot going on in the above verses, however I want to draw attention to verse 10 and 12a. Paul declares that endurance gives us ultimate victory. “Eternal glory” and “reign with him” are our prize for winning with Christ. We should be pursuing spiritual wins and compete, live, and drive for obeying God at every turn. When we do, we will win ultimately in heaven.

Are you caught up trying to “win” here on earth? Have you taken short cuts thinking that somehow you will win the prize? Are you willing to endure and win with Christ?

As followers of Christ we endure for and with Christ. There are times of suffering, times of comfort, and times of contentment.

“⁵For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ⁶If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and I we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.” – 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 (ESV)

 “¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” – Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

Think about it, preaching on the streets, persecuted for doing so, or sitting in prison Paul finds endurance. Speaking to the Corinthians and the Philippians he indicates that he suffers, in comforted, and is content. And all of these are in the name of Christ.

The suffering, comfort, and contentment are not just for Paul in his time, he shares that we are to have and will experience the same. It is up to us to stay grounded in God’s Word as he did and when we do so, we will experience the same.

When you look at it, how are you suffering, comforted, and content? Are you able to see all three states? What are you doing to endure each: Suffering, Comfort, and Contentment?

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?