Courage and Perseverance

Courage and Perseverance

Perseverance: To pursue, persist, to strive for, not to give up.

Courage: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard

    1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold
    1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure, harden (heart),
        make firm, make obstinate, assure
    1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen
        oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to

Courage is when a person stands up for something they believe is right against a stronger foe. True courage is rarely found, mainly because it comes from God to His people who stand up for truth against Satan and his agents. There have been courageous men in the history of the world in biblical history and American history. Courage can be noble and yet humble.

To have courage is a noble gesture no matter what you stand for, but there is little courage in men who stand for the wrong. The men who stand for wrong are usually under the wrong influence by a great majority of money or people who are all influenced by Satan.

Gods people get their courage from God and stand up for the truths of the bible and hold fast to that which they know is correct. Even in the face of death many men stood for God and Practiced the Commandments to their fullest ability. Steven was the first martyr in the history of the world. All of Christs disciples had courage to stand before death for what was right. All but one died a martyr for our Lord Jesus.

At the beginning of American history, there were many courageous men who stood for freedom of men and religion. Our founding fathers during the Revolution stood against the British government even though it could mean their fate in hanging for treason. However, God Blessed with success and we are a free nation today with freedom of conscience, religion and of men though it is soon to be taken away by present powers of evil.

Courage isn't always bold and boasting, in fact it should never be in such a manner. Men can be courageous and still humble and righteous. God leads His people and gives them strength, courage and guidance. If we are courageous and stand for what we know is right, we will be rewarded in heaven if we stay true to Gods commandments and keep the faith of Jesus.

There were three men going on a journey. The first was named Jesus. The second and third were named John and Samuel, who were two men who desired to follow and work for Jesus. Along their journey, Christ asked the two men to pick up stones and carry with them. John picked up a small rock but Samuel picked up a medium sized rock and thus carried with them. As the journey progressed it came to about midday and the men became hungry. Jesus took the stones that the two men chose and turned each into the sizable portion of bread to the size of the rock the men chose, and gave for them each to eat. Because John's rock was smaller than Samuels, he did not have enough bread to suffice for his hunger and so Samuel broke his bread and shared with John.

After this, the men arose and continued on their journey. Again Jesus asked them to pick up a stone each and carry it. Samuel chose the same sized stone as his first one, and John chose the same size as Samuels. Again they resumed their journey until they had come to a river. Jesus asked them to throw the rocks into the water and so they did. After all the trouble to carry these stones for several hours, why should they throw them away? What was the reason for this?

Lets look at another example: 2Kings 13:14-19

14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

15 And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows.
16 And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands.
17 And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.
18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.
19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.

The dying prophet bade the king, “Take bow and arrows.” Joash obeyed. Then the prophet said, “Put thine hand upon the bow.” Joash “put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward”—toward the cities beyond the Jordan in possession of the Syrians. The king having opened the latticed window, Elisha bade him shoot. As the arrow sped on its way, the prophet was inspired to say, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.” {PK 261.3}

And now the prophet tested the faith of the king. Bidding Joash take up the arrows, he said, “Smite upon the ground.” Thrice the king smote the ground, and then he stayed his hand. “Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times,” Elisha exclaimed in dismay; “then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.”2 Kings 13:15-19. {PK 262.1}

The lesson is for all in positions of trust. When God opens the way for the accomplishment of a certain work and gives assurance of success, the chosen instrumentality must do all in his power to bring about the promised result. In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward will be the success given. God can work miracles for His people only as they act their part with untiring energy. He calls for men of devotion to His work, men of moral courage, with ardent love for souls, and with a zeal that never flags. Such workers will find no task too arduous, no prospect too hopeless; they will labor on, undaunted, until apparent defeat is turned into glorious victory. Not even prison walls nor the martyr’s stake beyond, will cause them to swerve from their purpose of laboring together with God for the upbuilding of His kingdom.

The story with Jesus, the two men and the stones is a lesson in the two types of Christians. They each carryout what our master has asked, but one does it to the least degree he can to get away with, the other does to the fullest extent he can and eagerly, with Courage and perseverance, because of his love for the Master.

John was carrying out without question, willingly his masters wish, but he did so halfheartedly, and nary had enough food to suffice for his lunch. So out of the generosity of his heart, Samuel shared his bread with John. Now when the Master asked again to choose a stone and carry it with them, John chose a larger stone, thinking the same pattern would occur as previously, and Samuel chose the same stone as he had the first time. When they came to the water, Jesus told them to throw the stones in.

How do the actions of these two men pertain to us? What should our reaction be in similar instances? Do we have the courage to pick up a large stone in faith, and the perseverance to carry it with us? Or will we be weak and lazily in doing what our duty is. Even though John did as the master said, He suffered from the consequences. Samuel chose each rock, not knowing the consequences.

This is my prayer for us all, that we would have the courage and perseverance, as well as faith, to carryout complete heartedly, the masters plan.

As it has been said before, Christianity is not a crutch, it is a cross.

The missing link?

We have found evolutions missing link. It's between the ears.

In most peoples minds they may have noticed that common sense has drastically diminished in the last couple generations, and many people have become dependent on government, supporting them verbally in what ever way they can hoping to get money do they wont have to support themselves.
The true reality is that our government is taking away our freedom, our right to protect ourselves, our right of choice that was given to us by God. The Government can put us in chains and restrictions but They can't take away what God has given us.
Some wish we could just get into the wars and terribles of the end days, get over them so we can go to heaven. But that isn't so, we have a work to do. Jesus can't come until the true people of God have done the work of evangelizing, Spreading the gospel to the world, bringing the light to the individuals searching For Christ.

5 commandment

“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” – {PP 308.1}
Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them a responsibility for the souls committed to their charge, has ordained that during the earlier years of life, parents shall stand in the place of God to their children. And he who rejects the rightful authority of his parents is rejecting the authority of God. The fifth commandment requires children not only to yield respect, submission, and obedience to their parents, but also to give them love and tenderness, to lighten their cares, to guard their reputation, and to succor and comfort them in old age. It also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers and for all others to whom God has delegated authority. – {PP 308.2}
This, says the apostle, “is the first commandment with promise.” Ephesians 6:2. To Israel, expecting soon to enter Canaan, it was a pledge to the obedient, of long life in that good land; but it has a wider meaning, including all the Israel of God, and promising eternal life upon the earth when it shall be freed from the curse of sin. – {PP 308.3}

Stand on the rock

When a person asks me, Where do you stand?
I can answer and say,
I don't stand on the fence, or on a bridge, no I don't stand in the middle. I don't stand for greedy government, nor do I stand for thoughtless or careless people or the majority. I stand on the Rock, a solid place that never moves; The safest place in this world. I stand upon the Bible and stand for its purposes and truths.
I stand upon the rock That is Jesus. Now I ask, Where do you stand?

The fourth commandment

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” – {PP 307.1}
The Sabbath is not introduced as a new institution but as having been founded at creation. It is to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the Creator’s work. Pointing to God as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, it distinguishes the true God from all false gods. All who keep the seventh day signify by this act that they are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus the Sabbath is the sign of man’s allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve Him. The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force. – {PP 307.2}
God has given men six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided. “Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and ... honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure.” Isaiah 58:13. Nor does the prohibition end here. “Nor speaking thine own words,” says the prophet. Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day. – {PP 307.3}

Shabbat Shalom

Something interesting is these words Shabbat and Shalom.
The Hebrew word Shabbat literally means a ceasing or Stopping. The word is always used in the Hebrew bible for the Seventh day, the Shabbat, the day work ceases for the purpose of rest.
For example a verse in Leviticus 23 verse 3 says, "Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings."
The Hebrew meaning of the word Shalom comes from the root word Shalam, which is used in context of making restitution.
So the words "Shabbat Shalom" are put together, literally meaning "May your day of no work be peaceful," But it can have similar meanings of "May you become whole in your day of ceasing laborious work" or "May your find wholeness as you cease from work on the Seventh day."

Snow

Nature

Snow

Pt. 1

Snow is a very white clean material made from frozen water particles grouped together creating a small delicate snow flake. Snow comes floating down from the sky in sometimes sheets of white that turn everything into a pure beauty of everything it lands on. Purifying the ground and trees and bushes into a calm White beauty.

Snow is often said in the Bible as a symbol of pure, clean and white. Christ refers to snow as a symbol of cleanliness from sin.

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

It is peace that you need, Heaven’s forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, “without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” Ezekiel 36:26. {CSA 29.3}

A Call to stand apart pg. 29.4 EGW

Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Christ refers to wool as white as snow and white raiment is also a symbol of righteousness from sin.

John the Servant of God also wrote of the Image of God, how his hair is white as snow and his garment are also white.

Rev 1:14 His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;

As well as a few of Christs other apostles said referring to Christ...

Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Richly favored was this beloved disciple. He had seen his Master in Gethsemane, His face marked with the blood drops of agony, His “visage ... marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Isaiah 52:14. He had seen Him in the hands of the Roman soldiers, clothed with an old purple robe and crowned with thorns. He had seen Him hanging on the cross of Calvary, the object of cruel mockery and abuse. Now John is once more permitted to behold his Lord. But how changed is His appearance! He is no longer a Man of Sorrows, despised and humiliated by men. He is clothed in a garment of heavenly brightness. “His head and His hairs” are “white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes ... as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.” Revelation 1:14, 15, 17. His voice is like the music of many waters. His countenance shines as the sun. In His hand are seven stars, and out of His mouth issues a sharp two-edged sword, an emblem of the power of His word. Patmos is made resplendent with the glory of the risen Lord. {AA 582.1}

The Acts of the Apostles pg. 582.1

You have confessed your sins, and in heart put them away. You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart. Then believe that He does this because He has promised. {CSA 29.4}

A Call to stand apart pg. 30.1 EGW

Every snow flake is different, there is not a one alike.

Likewise every human being is different.

Our Human nature is so stained with sin that many a time we don't hesitate before we sin and sometime we cant even recognize that we are sinning. But through the eye of Faith we can be Like Jesus and if we ask him and truly believe3 he will forgive us and Spiritually will clothe us with the raiment of pureness that is white as snow. That is if we Overcome.

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

And to all the faithful ones who were striving against evil, John heard the promises made: “To him that 589overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Verse 7; 3:5, 21. {AA 588.2}

John saw the mercy, the tenderness, and the love of God blending with His holiness, justice, and power. He saw sinners finding a Father in Him of whom their sins had made them afraid. And looking beyond the culmination of the great conflict, he beheld upon Zion “them that had gotten the victory ... stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God,” and singing “the song of Moses” and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3. {AA 589.1}

Acts of the Apostles pg.588.2

But every man sins different, and those are the people that we need to reach out to and pray for.

The Lord says, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I recall an email that I got that listed several public accounts of popular people who said they had no need of God and scorned and cursed him. Those men and Women most died of terrible deaths, some of drug over dose and suicide and sudden death,they had no desire for God and so God left them and they died poor lost souls.

We need God in our hearts to get eternal life.

God says

I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:17, 18.

Mrs. White councels us saying...

The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love. Only this can bring us into harmony with God. We may be active, we may do much work; but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of heaven. {COL 158.3}

Sower and the seed, Part 3

This chapter is based on Mark 4:26-29.
The parable of the sower excited much questioning. Some of the hearers gathered from it that Christ was not to establish an earthly kingdom, and many were curious and perplexed. Seeing their perplexity, Christ used other illustrations, still seeking to turn their thoughts from the hope of a worldly kingdom to the work of God’s grace in the soul. – {COL 62.1}
“And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” – {COL 62.2}
The husbandman who “putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come,” can be no other than Christ. It is He who at the last great day will reap the harvest of the earth. But the sower of the seed represents those who labor in Christ’s stead. The seed is said to “spring and grow up, he knoweth not how,” and this is not true of the Son of God. Christ does not sleep over His charge, but watches it day and night. He is not ignorant of how the seed grows. – {COL 62.3}
The parable of the seed reveals that God is at work in nature. The seed has in itself a germinating principle, a principle that God Himself has implanted; yet if left to itself the seed would have no power to spring up. Man has his part to act in promoting the growth of the grain. He must prepare and enrich the soil and cast in the seed. He must till the fields. But there is a point beyond which he can accomplish nothing. No strength or wisdom of man can bring forth from the seed the living plant. Let man put forth his efforts to the utmost limit, he must still depend upon One who has connected the sowing and the reaping by wonderful links of His own omnipotent power. – {COL 63.1}
There is life in the seed, there is power in the soil; but unless an infinite power is exercised day and night, the seed will yield no returns. The showers of rain must be sent to give moisture to the thirsty fields, the sun must impart heat, electricity must be conveyed to the buried seed. The life which the Creator has implanted, He alone can call forth. Every seed grows, every plant develops, by the power of God. – {COL 63.2}
“As the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth.” Isaiah 61:11. As in the natural, so in the spiritual sowing; the teacher of truth must seek to prepare the soil of the heart; he must sow the seed; but the power that alone can produce life is from God. There is a point beyond which human effort is in vain. While we are to preach the word, we can not impart the power that will quicken the soul, and cause righteousness and praise to spring forth. In the preaching of the word there must be the working of an agency beyond any human power. Only through the divine Spirit will the word be living and powerful to renew the soul unto eternal life. This is what Christ tried to impress upon His disciples. He taught that it was nothing they possessed in themselves which would give success to their labors, but that it is the miracle-working power of God which gives efficiency to His own word. – {COL 63.3}
The work of the sower is a work of faith. The mystery of the germination and growth of the seed he cannot understand. But he has confidence in the agencies by which God causes vegetation to flourish. In casting his seed into the ground, he is apparently throwing away the precious grain that might furnish bread for his family. But he is only giving up a present good for a larger return. He casts the seed away, expecting to gather it manyfold in an abundant harvest. So Christ’s servants are to labor, expecting a harvest from the seed they sow. – {COL 64.1}
The good seed may for a time lie unnoticed in a cold, selfish, worldly heart, giving no evidence that it has taken root; but afterward, as the Spirit of God breathes on the soul, the hidden seed springs up, and at last bears fruit to the glory of God. In our lifework we know not which shall prosper, this or that. This is not a question for us to settle. We are to do our work, and leave the results with God. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.” Ecclesiastes 11:6. God’s great covenant declares that “while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest ... shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22. In the confidence of this promise the husbandman tills and sows. Not less confidently are we in the spiritual sowing to labor, trusting His assurance, “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6. – {COL 65.1}
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the development of the Christian life. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime. As our opportunities multiply, our experience will enlarge, and our knowledge increase. We shall become strong to bear responsibility, and our maturity will be in proportion to our privileges. – {COL 65.2}
The plant grows by receiving that which God has provided to sustain its life. It sends down its roots into the earth. It drinks in the sunshine, the dew, and the rain. It receives the life-giving properties from the air. So the Christian is to grow by co-operating with the divine agencies. Feeling our helplessness, we are to improve all the opportunities granted us to gain a fuller experience. As the plant takes root in the soil, so we are to take deep root in Christ. As the plant receives the sunshine, the dew, and the rain, we are to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. The work is to be done “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6. If we keep our minds stayed upon Christ, He will come unto us “as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:3. As the Sun of Righteousness, He will arise upon us “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2. We shall “grow as the lily.” We shall “revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.” Hosea 14:5, 7. By constantly relying upon Christ as our personal Saviour, we shall grow up into Him in all things who is our head. – {COL 66.1}
The wheat develops “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” The object of the husbandman in the sowing of the seed and the culture of the growing plant is the production of grain. He desires bread for the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the divine Husbandman looks for a harvest as the reward of His labor and sacrifice. Christ is seeking to reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing—the reproduction of Christ’s character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in others. – {COL 67.1}
The plant does not germinate, grow, or bring forth fruit for itself, but to “give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” Isaiah 55:10. So no man is to live unto himself. The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the salvation of other souls. – {COL 67.2}
There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ—the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others—you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely. – {COL 67.3}
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22, 23. This fruit can never perish, but will produce after its kind a harvest unto eternal life. – {COL 68.1}
“When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. – {COL 69.1}
It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain. – {COL 69.2}