Endurance

Colossians 1:10-11

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and you may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ...”

When we decided to live fully for Christ Jesus, whether we knew it or not, we also determined to endure all that comes against us—the world, the flesh and the devil—and to overcome all that is not of Him in us.

Endurance by its very nature requires an element of resistance; it needs some form of opposition to push through. Without it, we do not grow. Without resistance Godly character is not developed.

This endurance tests our willingness to persevere in the face of opposition, where we stand firm until the obstacles that are sent to resist us and keep us from our goal are overcome. 

Endurance is always meant to move us beyond our accepted or perceived limitations. It is only needed when we have come to the end of our abilities and resources, when we have “hit the wall.”  

At “the wall,” we come to our place of limitations. It is the place where we have to move beyond our limitations; this is where we draw on inner resources that we have not tested before. 

“The wall” is also the place of decision, where we either go on, or quit. Quitting means that we have settled for whatever is at hand.  However, when we decide to “go on,” we “willfully” determine to endure the resistance inherent in the process of overcoming.

This is the place where faith replaces knowledge, where we trust in God’s ability and abandon our own. Faith is always that area where we persevere, endure, push through. 

However, once we break through, we no longer need to endure; we have now moved into a “new knowing,” that now becomes part of who we are. Faith has moved us into new levels endurance and therefore into new levels of growth.

God has made us to endure, since that is the place of growth and character development. When we do, He moves us from “glory to glory,” perfecting us continually by divine molding into the image of Christ.

2Timothy 2:3, 12

“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

12 If we endure, we will also reign with him,...”

Come to Me, The Invitation

Mat 11:28

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

“Come to me.” It is His invitation.

With Jesus there is always an invitation.

No one is forced, no one is intimidated, manipulated or tricked; it is a simple invitation, an invitation that is easy to miss if we are not attentive.

Like all invitations, it requires a response, but it is not a going somewhere; it is a coming to Him.

The invitation is often overlooked by those who are comfortable, or those who are settled, or even the ones looking for something extra to spice up their lives. They cannot see the need to “Come to him.”

The invitation is for the weary, heavy-laden, those who recognize their neediness.

It is for the ones who are at the end of their strength.

It is for those living on the edge of hopelessness.

It is for those living under constant pressure.

It is for those living under incessant worry.

It is for those who held by their grief.

It is for the needy and the helpless.

It is for the oppressed.

To them He promises to give relief, rest and refreshing.

He promises to ease their burden, provide for the renewal of their strength, and to restore their hope.

He promises them something new that they are not acquainted with: rest.

Rest from the constant exhaustion of the daily toil, and burdensome obligations imposed by life and those around them. Rest from religious expectations and from the never ending sameness of life.

He promises them something that they only dreamt of, something that is only for the wealthy, the settled, whose who have no needs.

He promises rest from worry, fear of the future and the fear of man.

He promises a rest that takes our eyes off our limits and onto Him who is eternal.

He promises a rest that leads to peace, a peace that frees us from the burdens and stresses of an uncertain tomorrow.

The invitation stands; it is never revoked. “Come to me…”

Come and See

The two followed at a short distance… wondering about the prophet’s declaration; “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

What did that mean?

It compelled them to follow him at a short distance, expectant and hesitant.

Suddenly he turned and they were face to face. “What do you seek?” “What do you want?” he asked.

The only thing they could think of was, “Where are you staying?” “Where do you live?”

Their tension was tangible, unsure how Jesus would respond to them; after all, they were strangers and the disciples of another.

“Come and see.” And they followed.

The hours with him passed quickly; it was enough to convince them that he was the one the scriptures spoke about.

Andrew, one of the two, left to seek his brother.

All he could say was, “We have found the Messiah,” and brought him to Jesus. What else could he do, he loved his brother.

Simon came, brought by the testimony of one he trusted.

Jesus looked him in the eyes and said, “You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Peter.”

When we come into his presence we will be changed.

He prophesied over Peter, declaring his strength of character; “You are a rock.”

Later, Jesus found Philip and said, “Follow me.”

Philip found Nathanael…

And so it began, men abandoning the familiar to willingly move into the new.

“I will make you fishers of men…” he said.

They trusted him who was a stranger to them, either through a personal encounter or the convicting testimony.

This is our journey as well, to come and follow the one whom we meet first as a stranger, who then becomes our teacher, our master, our friend, our savior, lord and king.

His presence changes everything; and we are never the same.

Like Andrew and Philip, we share the journey with others who are seeking and hungry, sharing the excitement and the life His presence and revelation brings to us.

Welcome to Rushing Streams Ministries

We are delighted to begin communicating on this new medium (for us). Over the next season we will be posting articles, videos and insights for your enjoyment or comments.

Blessings,

Martin Frankena