Endurance and Encouragement

George stood in church last week and shared a powerful verse with our congregation.

First you need to know George is a layman from South Carolina. He was with his wife Joan and together they were in church with their son Richard – for the first time in over four years. They have been separated by miles and prison walls. Their son had been in prison for the past four and half years. This family has been through a lot together and apart.

God spoke to all of us through what George said. It is God’s wonderful way to say just the right thing at the right time.

George read the following scripture verses as part of his words Sunday morning.

Romans 15:4-6 (New International Version)
4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As I have been thinking about what George said, two words have come back often in these last days. I think it happens by God dropping little bits and pieces of good things into our hearts when we most need it. The two words are “endurance and encouragement”. The bits and pieces are like cinnamon added to an apple pie – just enough makes it real good tasting.

There have been times when I have been discouraged and down right to the bottom. Things around me happen and it seems worse than it really is… but it is then that God seasons “my pie”. My slice of life seems different the moment he applies the endurance and encouragement.

In order to know what endurance is all about, one needs to be stretched.

At 62 years old I look back to the days of University and the things I took part in. Imagine, I ran 6 to 7 miles each night – every night of the week – getting ready for a big race that would last a mere 25 minutes with us covering 5 miles. The running each night was slow to begin with but each night we cut more time off the run until we built endurance and speed for the big race.

Most of the problems that I face today are endurance builders for tomorrow’s big race or challenge. My faith is stretched today so that the miracles can happen tomorrow. Today is prep for my tomorrows.

It is the same in the wonderful world of “encouragement”. It is a remote world for many people. It may even seem like a Mount Everest for some… something that we will never see the top of in our life time.

In mountain climbing… encouragement is the boost of energy given with kind words offered part way up the steep rock face of shattered dreams and broken promises.

Encouragement arrives often when we most need it. In my case I have some one pop in and simply say.. “How are you doing?” then a small smile follows what they ask. At times in the blackest hole of experience a soft word or a simple question asked will boost you to new heights. It does that for me.

Now consider George’s verse shared …

First … v4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

The Bible tells a whole lot of stories – both good and bad. The Apostle Paul tells me that all the scripture that fills my Bible is offering “endurance and encouragement” – so that we can have HOPE! WOW!

Secondly… v5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

It is God that gives endurance and encouragement. No one knows me better than God. He made this 62 year old model. He has followed it closely and offered tune ups when it is needed.

The end result is more powerful than money, governments and the greatest kingdoms that have ever existed. The result is UNITY among yourselves.

Imagine the mountain climbing experience again. You cannot climb Mount Everest without a partner or two being right with you. One simple thing I have discovered about being able to make it to the top is you need UNITY in heart mind and soul… or you will not make it.

A marriage needs this. A company needs this. A family needs this and so does the church.

Finally – it all happens that we might glorify God.

Last night I attended the Handel’s Messiah with my wife. The music and singing was amazing. Such wonderful talent came together as one to produce this ageless presentation.

But even this magnificent presentation falls short of glorifying God compared to a group that experiences UNITY.

A prayer..
God grant that the one that reads this today will discover the wonder of endurance and the world of encouragement. First may they experience what they need in their lives with each battle or problem that they are going through. Then I pray that they will become coaches of endurance in others. I ask that they will be filled with encouragement and that their lives will flood over with words to ignite their friends.

God may this Christmas be so different as it fills with miracle after miracle.

In your name Jesus…I ask it…

~ Pastor Murray ~

Mount Everest 28,964 feet - 8849 metres high
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