Don't Quit

When reading Scripture, one quickly sees God is overtly attracted to people who will not quit when faced with adversity. He is drawn to a person with a persevering spirit. In this type of individual, he finds a resilient clay he can mold into a long-lasting vessel for the miraculous. From Genesis to Revelation, we get to see this principle repeated in the lives of men like Moses, Daniel, and Paul.

Consider, there would be little to tell about a man like Moses in Scripture without his choice to keep appearing before Pharaoh; Hebrew deliverance required more than ten visits to Egypt's governing throne. But, Moses' refusal to quit led to God’s people experiencing freedom.

As well, there would be no story of Daniel without PERSEVERANCE in the face of PERSECUTION. He kept praying, even when it meant he might lose his life to religious persecution! Praying got him into trouble and praying got him out of trouble. God rewarded his faithfulness.

Paul was beaten, thrown in prison, shipwrecked, lied about -- and on top of all of that -- he also carried the pressure accompanied with leading multiple churches with thousands of believers. But he never quit. He kept persevering.

Hear Paul in Romans 5:4, “...but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” In summary, he is teaching us, we can’t have CHARACTER without PERSEVERANCE. Our character will never be developed fully without persevering through the difficult things that actually develop it.

Have you considered where God might be inviting you to persevere? It's important to consider because without perseverance, miracles can be diverted, and losses are sure to accumulate.

“Stand firm, (persevere) and you will win in life!” (Luke 21:19 NIV)

Check out this message from Pastor Eric to learn how to persevere and win in life.

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How Personal Loss can Position You for Spiritual Gain

Have you ever experienced loss? Has personal loss left you feeling empty? Is there a void in your life as a result of loss? Let me encourage you, there is something profound about internal voids -- emptiness attracts God’s attention.

In Isaiah chapter 6, we learn that Isaiah was having a bad year. It was the year that King Uzziah died. He had a close relationship with Uzziah. Isaiah greatly valued his relationship with his friend and relative, as well as his monarch, Uzziah. The loss was real. And, undoubtedly, the year that ensued was a season of pain, hurt, and grief. But even though Isaiah was grieving a significant loss, he had a powerful moment with God. Despite his pain, he returned to the temple. Doing so, positioned him to experience God in a way he had never previously encountered Him. The result: he was completely undone before the Lord. All the bondage of his flesh was released. He was finally able to answer the call of God with, "Here am I. Send me."

Like Isaiah, we, too can, experience powerful moments with God in the midst of a bad situation or a difficult season. Check out this message from Pastor Eric as he reveals, through Isaiah’s story, how personal loss can position us for spiritual gain.

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8

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How to Make a Difference

“To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” - K.Barth

Prayer changes things.

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul writes that we should pray without ceasing, but what does that mean? How can we really pray without ceasing?

I had the privilege of knowing a man who modeled the words of Paul regarding prayer. He was the type of person that shifted atmospheres when he walked into a room. When he preached, heaven came down. He had something different in his relationship with God and I wanted it.

When I asked him about his prayer life and how much time he spent in prayer, his response was completely unexpected. He told me kindly but directly, "I never stop praying." He further explained, "I want to turn every thought into a prayer." It was during that conversation with a wise sage of prayer, I began to better understand the nature of Paul's command, "Pray without ceasing."

We must transform our thought life into something that is a force for good in the world. Idle wishes must become active prayers.

Every worry becomes a prayer for help.

Every happiness becomes a prayer of thanksgiving.

Every lust is followed by a prayer of confession and repentance.

Check out this message by Pastor Eric as he uncovers the power of turning our thought life into a prayer life.

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.”

(2 Thessalonians 1:11)

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