Love… Always Perseveres

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, He endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NASB)

In the Almighty’s overwhelming love…

  • As a perfect Father to His children, who partied, rebelled, and disobeyed Him,

  • As a Bridegroom to His affianced wife, who betrayed Him and preferred partying,

  • As a steadfast Friend to His fickle friend, who left to hang with the popular crowd,

  • As a loyal Teacher to His student, who played hooky and didn’t do homework… 

The response, 'I don’t love you anymore,' isn’t in the Lord’s vocabulary! 

'For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him, Amen, to the glory of God through us' (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Therefore, through every trial, tragedy, abandonment, obstacle, refusal, betrayal, disappointment, or sadness, GOD’S LOVE perseveres.

Our response? We must try and try again to copy… His no-matter-what, no-matter-when LOVE! 

How?

Perseverance (patient continuance) WILL lead us through Earth’s obstacle courses, up the narrow path of our destiny, as God strengthens, protects, and uplifts us.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ,
Consider your calling in this regard:

  • If Earth is a school and we’re God’s students,

  • If Earth is at war, and we're God’s soldiers,

  • If Earth is a stage, and we’re God’s actors,

  • In all of these roles, if training is HARD,

  • In all of these roles, if we’re called to SHINE,

  • In all of these roles, if sin surrounds us.

  • Our brilliance, armor, and best lines are love,

  • Which is found ONLY in perseverance!

As we continue, the landscape changes. Pastures turn green, and our callings bear fruit.*

Love… Always Perseveres (Part 24)

* Psalm 23: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=NKJV

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to models of Jesus, and we all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.

WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban