Perseverance: Discussion

Posted February 7, 2011 By Web Team

Finishing the Race

Acts 20: 22-24

And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

2 Tim 4:6-8

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Paul is talking about his life’s work/ministry, but we also have shorter goals that we have in addition to our long-term goals, so:

  • What “races” or tasks are you working on completing right now?

Trials Along the Way

James 1: 2-4

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

  • Why do you think finishing is so hard?
  • Have you ever felt like giving up? What did you actually do? If you did complete your task, how did you feel after it was done?

Doing Good, Relying on the Spirit

Galatians 6:8-10

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Colossians 3:23-24

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

  • Do you believe that the sacrifice involved in completing the task you shared earlier is worth the reward/result of finishing the task?
  • In what ways can God help you in completing your tasks? {Isaiah 58: 8-9}

Example from Jesus

John 19: 29-30

A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

(Image by: johnthescone  flickr)

Categories: Devotionals