 
# NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP

Jack and Judy Hartman

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Jack and Judy Hartman

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

***~~~***

# Read what people are saying about publications from Lamplight Ministries

Jack and Judy Hartman have written over twenty books that have been sold or distributed around the world. You are invited to take a look at the impact Lamplight Ministries has had and continues to have on people who have read the books. Visit lamplight.net to read these incredible testimonies.

***~~~***

# Dedication

To Ralph Mann, President of Mission Possible Foundation. God has honored Ralph's perseverance and faithfulness with bountiful fruit in Eastern Bloc countries in Europe. Thank you, Ralph, for never giving up.

***~~~***

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from _The Amplified Bible, Old Testament,_ copyright 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids Michigan, or _The Amplified Bible, New Testament_ , copyright 1954, 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation, LaHabra, California. Used by permission..

All Scripture references in this book are from _The Amplified Bible._ I first started using this version of the Bible when it was only available as a New Testament. I bought a paperback version of _The Amplified New Testament_ because it said on the cover, "...the best study Testament on the market. It is a magnificent translation. I use it continually." (Dr. Billy Graham)

As I read about the origin of this version of the Bible, I found that a group of qualified Hebrew and Greek scholars spent a total of more than 20,000 hours on this project. They believed traditional word-by-word translations often fail to reveal the shades of meaning which are part of the original Hebrew and Greek words.

After 20 years of extensive Bible study, I have found that _The Amplified Bible_ reveals many spiritual truths that I can't find in other versions of the Bible. Because of this, I now use this version of the Bible in all of my books. I have added italics in some passages of Scripture to accentuate points I wish to emphasize.

If you aren't used to this translation of this Bible, please be patient with the brackets and parentheses. They are used to indicate what has been added in the amplification. I believe you'll find that _The Amplified Bible_ contains a great deal of additional information that will help you to increase your patience and perseverance.

# Table of Contents

Introduction

1. We Must Add Patience to Our Faith

2. Our Impatient Generation

3. Biblical Examples of Patience and Perseverance

4. God's Perfect Timing

5. God Doesn't Want Us to Hurry

6. Walk in the Victory of Jesus Christ

7. Satan Wants Us to Give Up

8. The Importance of Perseverance

9. Persevere in the Will of God

10. We Depend upon Almighty God

11. Persevere in the Strength of the Lord

12. The Holy Spirit Will Help Us to Persevere

13. Wait for the Lord

14. We Must Build Ourselves Up While We Wait

15. Stand on the Word of God

16. Get Up – Don't Stay Down!

17. Persevere in Prayer

18. Why Do We Have to Wait?

Conclusion

What Did You Learn from this Book?

Appendix: Have You Entered into the Kingdom of God?

# Introduction

Sir Winston Churchill was 66 years old when he first became Prime Minister of Great Britain. In spite of his age, Mr. Churchill did an outstanding job during World War II. He refused to give up in the face of seemingly impossible problems. His tenacity and perseverance were an inspiration to millions of people all over the world.

Several years after Mr. Churchill retired as Prime Minister, he was asked to give the commencement address at Harrow, the school he had attended as a boy. Sir Winston hadn't spoken in public for many years. He had become a virtual recluse. When he agreed to speak to the graduating class, the English people awaited this rare public appearance with great anticipation.

Many members of the news media attended the commencement ceremonies. The headmaster of the school urged the students to take careful notes on the Prime Minister's speech. These young people were very excited about the opportunity to hear this famous man. The air was filled with anticipation just before the Prime Minister began to speak.

Mr. Churchill was quite feeble. He walked with a cane. After a long and flowery introduction, the Prime Minister walked slowly to the podium. When he finally arrived, he laid down his cane. For what seemed like a very long time, he stood at the podium saying nothing. For several minutes he made eye contact with row after row of people.

Finally, Mr. Churchill ended the prolonged period of silence. He summoned up the little strength he had remaining to give the shortest commencement speech ever given. He said, " _Never, never, never, never, never, never give up!_ " He then turned away from the podium and returned to his seat.

The audience was stunned by the brevity of Mr. Churchill's remarks. They had expected to hear a long, eloquent speech. They couldn't believe these few words were his entire address. However, as the people in the audience reflected upon the meaning of the few words he said, loud applause started at one corner of the room. It spread throughout the audience. Everyone then rose to give Mr. Churchill a standing ovation. His speech was eloquent in its brevity.

The subject of this commencement speech is the subject of this book. _We must not give up!_ I'll refer continually to three different words in this book – _patience, endurance_ and _perseverance._ In the Bible, the words patience and endurance often are used interchangeably. I won't attempt to differentiate between them. Perseverance is similar to patience and endurance. I'll explain exactly what perseverance is and how it differs from patient endurance.

A patient person is someone who is able to deal with any frustrating person, problem or situation with tolerance, calmness and self-control. Patient people are even-tempered. They refuse to become frustrated, provoked or angered. Patient people are consistent in their response to problems.

The first five chapters of this book deal with the subject of patience. I'll explain the relationship between faith and patience. I'll give several examples to show why I believe our generation is more impatient than any generation in history. We'll look into the Word of God to study several scriptural examples of patience. We'll examine the difference between God's timing and our timing. I'll explain why Satan wants us to hurry and rush. We'll see that our Father doesn't want us to hurry.

The remaining chapters cover the subject of perseverance. Persevering people are goal-oriented, single-minded and unceasing. They are doggedly determined. They refused to be denied no matter what obstacles they face. Persevering people have great stamina. They are able to keep going in the face of severe opposition. They refuse to give up.

It is possible to be a patient person without being a persevering person. It also is possible for a persistent person to be an impatient person. Some people are born with a calm, easy going temperament. It's very natural for these people to be patient, but some of these people don't do a good job of persevering in the face of extreme pressure.

Other people have an intense, high-strung temperament from birth. These people usually find it difficult to be patient. However, some of the most persevering people are impatient people who are hard driving and intense.

This book is designed to help us become both patient and persevering. In addition to the five chapters I've written about patience, I also have written thirteen chapters on the subject of perseverance. We'll study dozens of specific instructions on perseverance from the Word of God. This book also contains some inspiring stories of people who have succeeded because they persevered.

We'll learn how to appropriate the strength and ability of Almighty God to persevere when human strength and ability are insufficient. I'll explain what it means to wait on the Lord. We'll see how the Word of God instructs us to build ourselves up spiritually while we're waiting for our Father to answer our prayers.

I'll explain how to get up when we're knocked down. We'll study God's Word to see what it says about perseverance and prayer. Finally, we'll look into the holy Scriptures to see what they say about the blessings our Father provides for His children who persevere in faith.

Before I write a book, I usually study other Christian books to see what has been written on the subject I want to write about. I was surprised to find that very little seems to have been written about patience, endurance and perseverance.

Because you are reading this book, you must want to learn more about these subjects. I'd like to start by asking how many Scripture references you know pertaining to these subjects. When I taught classes on this subject, I found that many people in the class _didn't know any_ Scripture references pertaining to patience, endurance and perseverance. Very few people knew as many as _ten_ Scripture references. This book contains _almost 300 Scripture references_ on patience, endurance and perseverance.

I can tell you from personal experience that continual study and meditation on these Scripture references has helped me to become much more patient and persevering. I _didn't_ write this book because I have been gifted with patience since birth. Instead, as I realized _how impatient I was_ , I became very determined to study God's Word to learn everything I could about patience, endurance and perseverance. I learned a lot and my patience, endurance and perseverance improved.

I have used more italics in this book than in any other book I have written. I did this because I want to place the same emphasis on what I write that I do when I speak. I have taught almost 800 Bible study classes and I always emphasize the words I believe are important when I teach.

I spoke the first drafts of this book into a dictaphone. I also taught from the manuscript of this book in my church. I have had ample opportunity to emphasize the contents of this book verbally and I have tried to carry this emphasis from the spoken word over to the written word. I have a burning desire to give the readers of my books as much information as I possibly can to help them bring the victory of Jesus Christ into manifestation in their lives. I pray that the contents of this book will be a blessing to you.

# Chapter 1  
We Must Add Patience to Our Faith

The Bible has a great deal to say about the importance of faith. Faith is important, but we often have to _add patient endurance_ to our faith to receive manifestation of the promises in the Word of God. The Bible speaks of "...those who _through faith_ (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) _and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises_ " (Hebrews 6:12).

I like the way the amplification of the original Greek describes faith as the "leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness." When we face seemingly unsolvable problems, our Father wants us to _lean_ on Him. He wants us to _trust_ in His power, wisdom and goodness with complete confidence. If we want to inherit the promises in God's Word, we often must _endure patiently_ while we wait for our Father to bring His promises into manifestation.

Some Christians fail to add patience to their faith. It isn't uncommon for Christians to exhibit strong faith for a while and then to give up because God hasn't answered their prayers. They say something like, "This 'faith stuff' doesn't work. I've been waiting two whole weeks and God still hasn't answered."

God is faithful to the promises in His Word. He is _completely dependable_. However, we must do our part. Our Father looks for "... _the steadfastness of the saints_ [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God's commandments and [their] faith in Jesus" (Revelation 14:12).

Our Father wants us to be _steadfast_. This word is made up of two parts – "stead" and "fast." The word "stead" can be expanded into the word "steady" which means firm, consistent and unwavering. The word "fast" in this context means something that cannot be easily moved.

We often are required to add steadfastness to our faith. The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians "...for your _steadfastness_ (your unflinching endurance and patience) and your _firm faith_ in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up" (II Thessalonians 1 :4).

The Thessalonians were able to persevere because they were steadfast. The amplification defines steadfastness as "unflinching endurance and patience." If we flinch, we bend and draw back. Our Father doesn't want us to flinch. When we face difficult problems, He wants us to react with _steadfastness_ and _firm faith_.

In the first part of this chapter, I gave you the definition of faith from _The Amplified Bible_. Now let's look at the amplification of the original Greek to see what patience is. "... _patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]_ " (Colossians 3:12).

We need to be _tireless_ so we won't become weary when we face a prolonged season of adversity. We need to tap into the power of God so we'll be able to endure whatever we're called upon to face. Instead of complaining, we should endure our problems _with good temper_.

We can only follow these instructions if we have the ability to control our emotions during difficult times. God's Word says that _self-control_ is the key to patience. We're instructed to "...[develop] _self-control_ , and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance)..." (II Peter 1:6).

Some people become discouraged if they can't see an answer to their problems. Our Father doesn't want us to give up hope. If we can't see an answer, He wants us to wait patiently for it. "...if we hope for what is _still unseen_ by us, _we wait for it with patience and composure_ " (Romans 8:25).

While we're waiting for our Father to do what His Word says He will do, we must not allow our emotions to control us. Our emotions are part of our souls which consist of our minds, our emotions and our will. Jesus told us how to control our souls. He said, " _By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls_ " (Luke 21:19).

Satan attempts to get at us through our souls. He wants to control our minds and emotions. He wants us to make wrong decisions under pressure. We must learn to control our souls. Our Father often withholds the blessings He promises in His Word until we exhibit both faith and patience. "Better is the _end_ of a thing than the beginning of it, and _the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit_ " (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

_Pride and impatience go together_. When self-centered people don't receive immediate results, they often attempt to take matters into their own hands. They try to make things happen because they believe everything revolves around them.

Our Father wants His children to be humble and trusting. _Humility and patience go together._ Proud, self-centered people seldom receive manifestation of the promises in God's Word. We must be patient. Our Father usually bestows His blessings at the _end_ of a problem instead of at the beginning.

Our Father wants us to _let go_ of our problems and give them to Him. We must learn to do more than just give our problems to God. _We must learn to leave them with Him._ "Casting _the whole of your care_ [ _all_ your anxieties, _all_ your worries, _all_ your concerns, _once and for all_ ] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully" (I Peter 5:7).

This passage of Scripture is one of my favorites. Our Father wants us to _cast all of our anxieties, worries and concerns on Him._ When we cast something, we throw it with great force. Our Father doesn't want us to hang on to problems. He wants us to throw them to Him.

Please notice the italicized word _whole_ , the four times the word _all_ is used in this Scripture and the words _once and for all_. Our Father wants us to give Him the whole of our problems. He wants us to give all of our anxieties, worries and concerns to Him.

God wants us to patiently leave our problems with Him _once and for all_. We must wait for His answer _for as long as He requires_. Our Father loves us more than we can comprehend. He watches each of His children carefully. He knows exactly what we're going through.

If we really trust our Father, _we won't place any time limit on our trust in Him_. We'll trust Him as long as He wants us to wait. We shouldn't be surprised if His answer takes longer than we believe it should. "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it _after many days_ " (Ecclesiastes 11:1).

When this passage of Scripture was written, the Egyptians often cast seeds upon the waters of a river. They knew the river would eventually carry their seeds into fertile mud that would produce a fine harvest. They realized that it would take a long time to receive the harvest and they weren't surprised by the delay.

Our Father wants us to apply these same principles today. When we sow seeds of faith, we are similar to farmers. When a farmer sows seeds into the ground, he doesn't expect an immediate harvest. Jesus said, "...The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground, and then _continues sleeping and rising night and day_ while the seed sprouts and grows and increases – _he knows not how_ " (Mark 4:26-27).

Most farmers don't understand everything that takes place under the soil. They know that seeds that are properly planted and cultivated will produce a harvest. While they wait for this harvest, many days go by. They get up in the morning, do their chores and go to sleep at night. While the days are passing, the seeds are sprouting, growing and increasing until they produce a harvest.

The Word of God compares our need for patience with the patience exhibited by farmers. "...See how the farmer _waits expectantly_ for the precious harvest from the land. [See how] he _keeps up_ his patient [vigil] over it _until it receives_ the early and late rains. _So you also must be patient_ ..." (James 5:7-8).

When we pray with faith, we plant spiritual seeds. Even though we can't see these seeds of faith taking root and preparing to produce a harvest, we must not give up. Farmers in Bible times tried to plant seeds so the early rain would fall shortly after the seeds had been put into the ground. This early rain helped the seeds to germinate. Then, the farmers continued to wait until the latter rain came. They tried to plant their crops so this rain would come just before the time of harvest. The latter rain causes crops to ripen.

Farmers can't produce an income until they harvest their crops. If their bills are overdue and they need funds badly, they must want to rush the harvest, but they _know_ they _can't_ do this. _Farmers must wait patiently until the Lord gives them a harvest_. We also must wait patiently until the Lord gives us the answer we are waiting for.

In this first chapter, we have looked at twelve Scripture references to see _why_ our Father wants us to be patient. Now that we've established this foundation from God's Word, let's look carefully at the environment we live in today to see the relationship between our lifestyle and our ability to be patient.

# Chapter 2  
Our Impatient Generation

This book contains eighteen chapters. Seventeen chapters are positive and uplifting. This chapter is the one exception. Please bear with me. I include the material in this chapter only to explain why I believe it is much more difficult to be patient today than it was when our great-grandparents lived.

I believe the people living in the United States at this time are _the most impatient group of people in history._ Our lifestyle tends to cause us to be impatient. People from foreign countries who visit the United States often are amazed at the fast pace of our lives. Most Americans have lived so long in this environment that our pace of living seems natural to us.

Several years ago, a Christian businessman from New Zealand visited me. When I drove him from the airport to our home, he was amazed at the high speed of the automobiles on the turnpike. I was driving at the speed limit, but automobiles continually passed us as if we were standing still. He was very surprised to see so many people driving so rapidly.

Have you ever driven at or near the speed limit only to have several automobiles speed past you? Haven't you observed many drivers who impatiently change from one lane to another just to get one or two car lengths ahead in heavy traffic?

A study of automobile accidents in the county where I live showed a significant increase in accidents during recent years. This increase was caused primarily by drivers running into automobiles in front of them that had stopped for a traffic light. Apparently the drivers in the following automobiles had assumed that the cars ahead of them would keep going even though the traffic light had turned yellow or red.

Many younger drivers are extremely impatient. We often hear the squeal of their tires as they try to get off to a fast start. Some young people race their motors while they wait at traffic lights. The loud music on their radios and tape players contributes to their impatience.

We usually see an example of impatience whenever there is a traffic delay. Sometimes people honk their horns when the automobile in front of them is just one or two seconds late after a traffic light turns green. Some people don't like to see a school bus because they know they might have to sit still for a few moments while children casually leave the bus.

When I first moved to Florida, I lived near a drawbridge that crossed the Intercoastal Waterway. On many occasions I sat in a long line of automobiles waiting for a single sailboat to leisurely pass through the drawbridge. I learned to accept this delay as part of life in this oceanside community. I allowed time for this possibility whenever I left for an appointment or meeting. Instead of becoming impatient, I learned to relax and worship the Lord while I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Some people react quite strongly when they have to wait in line at these bridges. I read a newspaper article where a reporter interviewed several drawbridge operators. These people told amazing stories about the verbal abuse they received. Some drivers cursed them. Sometimes people threw things at them.

I believe you have seen similar examples of impatience with drivers in the area where you live. Actuaries for automobile insurance companies have put a dollar value on our driving habits. Increasing automobile insurance rates reflect the impatience of many drivers.

Our generation also has exhibited increasing impatience in our eating habits. Jesus spoke of this impatience during His earthly ministry. He said, "...many were [continually] coming and going, and _they had not even leisure enough to eat_ " (Mark 6:31).

Sometimes we're so busy that we skip meals or eat rapidly. In recent years this tendency has increased. The desire to eat quickly has caused thousands of fast food restaurants to spring up. More and more people gulp down their food and hurry to wherever they're going next. Many fast food restaurants have "drive through" windows so customers don't have to get out of their automobiles. Some of these restaurants guarantee a free meal if the food isn't ready within a specific time limit.

Many of us eat rapidly in our homes. The microwave oven has become a virtual necessity for some people. Our supermarkets are filled with a wide variety of foods that can be prepared quickly. Some people drink "instant" coffee and tea. When we finish eating, many of us put our dishes into an automatic dishwasher instead of washing them by hand.

I'm _not_ saying everything I mention in this chapter is bad. Some of the conveniences I have mentioned and many of the conveniences I'm about to mention are an important part of my life. I'm thankful for them. However, I want to point out that all of these things can contribute to impatience.

We live in a "throw away" society. We discard many of the containers our food and drinks come in. Mothers everywhere appreciate disposable diapers. Sometimes we use paper napkins, paper cups, paper plates and plastic utensils so we can discard them when we're finished.

Many people have "instant" cameras so they can see pictures a few seconds after they're taken. Most film developers offer one-day photo development so people with conventional cameras can receive their pictures as soon as possible. Some dry cleaning establishments offer one-hour dry cleaning. Firms that offer rapid oil change and lubrication for automobiles have grown significantly during recent years.

People who want money from their bank accounts can receive instant cash from a money machine seven days a week at any hour of the day or night. The overnight mail industry has grown by leaps and bounds. Fax machines that transmit written messages instantly over the telephone have become almost essential to many of us. Millions of people use electronic mail to transmit messages on computers. Some people consistently talk on cellular telephones when they drive an automobile.

Many people fly regularly in jet airplanes. Travel agencies search their computers to find the fastest possible flight time from one place to another. Governmental agencies carefully monitor the arrival and departure rates of different airlines. These airlines are ranked by "on time performance" in ratings published in newspapers.

One night I was returning from a seminar in the Midwest that required me to change planes in Chicago. My plane was delayed so I sat in O'Hare Airport at 11:00 p.m. on a Sunday night waiting for a connecting flight. While I waited, I was surprised by the large number of people who were hurriedly walking through the airport. Where did these people come from? Where were they going? Why were so many people in such a rush at a late hour on a Sunday night?

We often see impatience in supermarkets and other places where we have to wait in line. When we prepare to check out, many of us carefully examine the different lines at checkout booths in an attempt to find the shortest line. While writing this book, I was especially conscious of the many people who complained whenever a delay took place as they waited in a line.

Golf is one of my favorite hobbies. I have played golf for 50 years. Almost every time I play golf, I see people standing in a disgusted manner with their hands on their hips because they're so impatient with the slow pace of the people ahead of them. I have done this myself on several occasions. Slow play on golf courses has caused some people to forfeit enjoyment of the game.

We see signs of impatience from people who don't finish what they start. High school dropouts are a common problem today. Students become impatient with the demands of school. They leave because they want a more exciting lifestyle. Most professional sports now sign college athletes before they graduate.

We see more job hopping than ever before. In fact, changing employment has become part of many people's vocational planning. When these people start a new job, they don't expect to be there very long. It wasn't uncommon for our grandparents to work for the same employer from the time they finished high school until they retired. This custom is almost unheard of today.

We see a similar pattern with Christians jumping from church to church. When I first moved to Florida, I went to several different churches as I prayerfully sought the church I believed the Lord wanted me to join. When I found this church, I joined with every expectation of spending the rest of my life there. I'm not saying Christians shouldn't change churches. However, I often wonder if it is the Lord's will for so many Christians to jump from church to church.

We see another example of impatience by the accelerated interest in "get rich quick" schemes. We can see this impatience in the rapid growth of lotteries in recent years. Many state governments have profited because of the impatience of people who want to get rich in a hurry. I'm often surprised when I'm in a store to see the person in front of me pay a large amount of money for lottery tickets.

I don't believe lotteries are part of God's plan for our lives. The Word of God teaches that "get rich quick" schemes inevitably lead to problems. "He who has an evil and covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not that want will come upon him" (Proverbs 28:22).

I have been a self-employed businessman for almost 30 years. By God's grace, my Christian business partner and I have enjoyed success in our business enterprises. I believe one reason the Lord has blessed us is because we are willing to do things the hard way. We never attempt to force immediate results. We take the narrow road instead of the wide road. We have learned to build our businesses on a long-term value system instead of trying to force immediate results because we want to earn money rapidly.

We work each day to help others, not just to earn money. Greedy people inevitably look for quick ways to make money. Our Father doesn't want His children looking for short cuts. If we do, we go against God's instructions. "...the one greedy for gain curses and spurns, yes, renounces and despises the Lord" (Psalm 10:3).

Shortcuts usually lead to trouble. This is true in business and it is true in every other area of life. The seemingly easy way inevitably turns out to be the hardest way. Most people over the age of 40 can attest to this truth based upon personal experience and from observing this trait in other people.

Another example of impatience can be seen in the restless lifestyle of many people who find it difficult to sit still. These people have to be doing something constantly. If they find themselves alone, they often pick up the telephone just to talk with someone. These people often turn on a radio, a cassette tape player or a CD player because they can't stand silence.

Some people find temporary relief for their impatience by turning on their television sets. Many of us have remote control devices that enable us to move continually from one channel to another. Some people change channels constantly as they look for something new and different to stimulate and excite them.

Videotape recorders have become a virtual necessity for many people. They don't want to miss anything. Some people record television programs so they can watch them later. Other people watch one program while they record a program on another channel at the same time.

I have followed sports for many years. I often think about the increasing impatience of sports fans. Many of these people are unhappy unless their team ranks #1. When two baseball teams go to the World Series and one team loses, many fans of the losing team are very unhappy. The winner of football's Super Bowl receives a lot of glory. Sometimes the losers are treated as failures even though they have had an extremely successful season.

Most professional athletes know their fame is short-lived. They understand that many sports fans say, "What have you done for me lately?" Many sports fans are only satisfied if their teams win. Second place isn't good enough. Sometimes successful coaches are fired within a year or two after winning a major championship. Some great coaches have been criticized because they haven't produced championship teams for a year or two.

Another area where we see increasing impatience is in our relationships with members of our families. Parents often are frustrated with their children. Children are impatient with their parents. Divorce, which was almost unheard of 50 years ago, has become a common occurrence.

There has been a tremendous increase in installment buying in recent years. People aren't willing to wait. Because of this, our economy revolves around debt. We have become a credit card society. The interest payments on personal debts are staggering. Because of their impatience, many people have become financial slaves to credit card companies and lending institutions.

We have seen a similar pattern in our federal government. Our national debt has escalated rapidly in recent years. This debt now has reached a point that would have been incomprehensible to most people just a few years ago. Some state and local governments experience similar problems.

The faster we go, the faster we seem to want to go. Nothing seems to satisfy us. When we get one thing, we want something else. Many people don't understand that they receive their thrills from anticipation rather than realization. As soon as they get what they want, they become bored and want something else.

Some people describe their lives as a "rat race." They go at a feverish pace from early in the morning until late at night. Once again, I want to emphasize that everything I'm saying in this chapter isn't necessarily bad. However, there is no doubt that our generation lives at a much faster pace than any preceding generation.

In the first chapter, we studied God's Word to see the importance of patience. In the second chapter, we have looked at our current lifestyle to see why many people are impatient. In the next chapter, we'll look into the Word of God to study the patience of many well-known people in the Bible.

# Chapter 3  
Biblical Examples of Patience and Perseverance

We'll start this chapter by looking into the Word of God to learn about the patience of Almighty God. Our Father is extremely patient as He looks down at a world filled with pride, selfishness and immorality. No human being can begin to comprehend the patience of God as He looks at abortion, sexual abuse, AIDS and other transgressions in the world today.

How can God continue to wait instead of sending Jesus back to earth immediately? The Word of God gives us the answer. "...He is long-suffering, (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance" (II Peter 3:9).

There is a definite move of Satan in the world today. At the same time we see so much sin, we also see a great move of the Holy Spirit. "...where sin increased and abounded, grace (Gods unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded" (Romans 5:20).

Our Father is gracious. He hates sin, but He loves sinners. He is very patient with everyone on earth. He doesn't want anyone to perish. Our Father wants every person on earth to have the opportunity to live eternally with Him in heaven.

In addition to being patient with the sins of unsaved people, our Father is patient with His children. He sees that some of us don't spend much time studying the Bible. Some Christians have an inadequate prayer life. Some of us don't praise Him very often, if at all. Unfortunately, many Christians fail to tell other people about eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. Some of us fail to give freely of the time, money and ability our Father has provided for us. Some of us are critical and unloving toward others.

In spite of these shortcomings, our Father is very patient with each of His children. He dislikes our sins, but He continues to love us in spite of our transgressions. "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness" (Psalm 145:8).

We can see many examples of patience and perseverance in the life of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. The first recorded incident of His extraordinary patience occurred when Jesus was only 12 years old. At that time Jesus accompanied His parents to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

While the family was in Jerusalem, Jesus became separated from His parents. Joseph and Mary searched diligently for Jesus for three days. They finally found Him in the temple where the rabbis and others in attendance were amazed by the spiritual maturity of a 12-year-old child. "And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies" (Luke 2:47).

Joseph and Mary were distressed because their young son had been missing for three days. Jesus replied to their concern with a very interesting statement. "...He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Fathers business? But they did not comprehend what He was saying to them" (Luke 2:49-50).

These words give us a definite indication of the patience of Jesus Christ. At the young age of 12, Jesus knew He was the Son of God. In spite of this knowledge, Jesus patiently lived in subjection to His earthly parents for many years. "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was [habitually] obedient to them..." (Luke 2:5 1).

Jesus didn't start His earthly ministry until He was 30 years old. He lived for at least 18 years as a carpenter's son. He probably worked as a carpenter Himself even though He was extremely intelligent and knew throughout these years that He was the Son of God. Jesus understood why He had been sent to earth. He knew what was ahead of Him. He still waited very patiently.

Why did our Father make Jesus wait so long? We don't know the answer to this question. God obviously had a reason for this delay because His timing is always perfect. Perhaps one reason was to teach us about the extraordinary patience of God. Also, our Father wanted us to see this wonderful example of the patience of His Son.

At the age of 30, Jesus began His earthly ministry. He started by choosing His apostles. Most of these men were rough, untrained working men. For three years, Jesus taught them great spiritual truths. Their response to His teaching often indicated that they didn't understand what He was telling them. In addition to learning very slowly, some of the apostles were proud and selfish. Jesus always was extremely patient with these men.

We see another example of the patience of Jesus in His relationship with Saul of Tarsus. Saul spent many years persecuting Christians. He committed several horrible atrocities. "...Saul shamefully treated and laid waste the church continuously [with cruelty and violence]; and entering house after house, he dragged out men and women and committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3).

Saul was an enemy of Jesus Christ. He did everything he could to destroy Jesus. One day a miracle happened to Saul. "...as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and molesting Me]? And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting..." (Acts 9:3-5).

Jesus then instructed Saul to get up and go the city of Damascus. Saul was blind for three days. Other men had to lead him to Damascus. When they arrived, a man named Ananias was instructed by Jesus to pray for Saul. Ananias questioned these instructions. "...Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem..." (Acts 9:13).

Jesus patiently instructed Ananias to proceed. "So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul's] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).

After this miracle, Saul's name was changed to Paul. He became the revered apostle Paul who traveled throughout the land proclaiming Christ. Because of the patience of Jesus Christ, Saul became a great Christian leader whose life has been an inspiration to millions of people.

Paul wrote several books in the New Testament. In a letter to Timothy, Paul said, "...I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect long-suffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life" (I Timothy 1 :16).

Paul referred to his life as Saul by calling himself the foremost of sinners. He said that Jesus exhibited perfect patience as an example to encourage people that He really is the Messiah Who can provide eternal life in heaven. Many millions of people have been blessed because Jesus was extraordinarily patient with Saul of Tarsus.

We see another amazing example of patience during the final hours before Jesus was crucified. After Jesus and His apostles finished the Last Supper, they climbed the Mount of Olives to a garden on the side of the mountain. This garden was called the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus was fully aware of the terrible ordeal that awaited Him. He wondered if there was any way He could escape this agony. "And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and kept praying that if it were possible the [fatal] hour might pass from Him. And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me: yet not what] will, but what You [will]" (Mark 14:35-36).

Jesus didn't want to pay the tremendous price He had to pay. In His humanness He asked God if He could be spared from what was ahead of Him. Yet, in the next breath, Jesus said that He wanted to do God's will, not His own.

After Jesus was arrested, He went through a mockery of "trials" before several different Jewish and Roman officials. Jesus exhibited great patience throughout each of these trials. He maintained His composure even though He was treated unfairly.

Jesus then was beaten horribly, marched through the streets of Jerusalem and crucified at Calvary. People taunted Him and made fun of Him while He suffered. Nevertheless, Jesus was patient, compassionate and forgiving throughout this horrible ordeal. As He hung on the cross, "...Jesus prayed, Father; forgive them for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34).

When we go through adversity in our lives, Jesus wants us to be patient as He was patient. "...He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds" (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Jesus despised the shame of what He went through, but He ignored it. He accepted what He had to endure. Jesus was able to do this because He focused His entire attention on the joy of the prize that was set before Him. He knew the price He paid would set hundreds of millions of people free. Jesus was able to see beyond the pain of the ordeal He was going through. He focused on the magnificent reward many people would receive as a result of His sacrifice.

No one has ever had to put up with anything like the tremendous anguish Jesus endured. This passage of Scripture instructs us to compare our trials with what He went through. If we follow these instructions, the example of Jesus will help us to endure adversity. We won 't become weary and give up.

Some people might think Jesus was able to do these things because He is God. Jesus went through this suffering as a human being just like we are. "...because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]" (Hebrews 2:18).

Whenever we go through a season of adversity, we should realize that Jesus has endured everything we will go through and much, much more. Because Jesus suffered in His humanity, He is able to strengthen us in our trials. Jesus wants us to focus on Him so we can keep going in His strength.

The word "Christian" means "Christ-like." Jesus wants us to be steady, consistent and dependable as He is. Jesus lives in our hearts. His patience is available to us. He wants us to be patient because we have been given "...the steadfastness and patience [of Christ]" (Titus 2:2).

We see another interesting example of patience in the story of Noah building the ark. When Noah started, this project must have seemed incongruous to people who watched what he was doing. No one on earth had seen rain. "...the Lord God had not [yet] caused it to rain upon the earth..." (Genesis 2:5).

There were no rivers, lakes or streams on the earth at that time. God provided the water the earth needed through mist that rose from the ground. Apparently, the people went out each morning to gather up enough moisture from dew to last throughout the day. "...there went up a mist (fog, vapor) from the land and watered the whole surface of the ground..." (Genesis 2:6).

Noah lived in this environment when God looked at the wickedness of the world and told Noah to build an ark. "God said to Noah, I intend to make an end of all flesh, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I will destroy them and the land. Make yourself an ark of gopher or cypress wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, and compartments) and cover it inside and out with pitch (bitumen)" (Genesis 6:13-14).

God gave Noah specific instructions for the ark. "And this is the way you are to make it: the length of the ark shall be 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits, [that is, 450 ft. x 75 ft. x 45 ft.], You shall make a roof or window [a place for light] for the ark and finish it to a cubit [at least 18 inches] above – and the door of the ark you shall put in the side of it; and you shall make it with lower, second, and third stories" (Genesis 6:15-16).

Even though Noah had never seen water except for mists, he patiently carried out these specific instructions. Noah spent approximately 100 years building this ark. Genesis 5:32 says that Noah was 500 years old just before God told him to build the ark. Genesis 7:6 says he was 600 years old when the earth was flooded.

How much patience did Noah have to have during the 100 years he spent building the ark? People must have ridiculed him, but he continued to build this huge boat. When they asked Noah why he was doing this, he could only reply that a great flood was coming upon the earth.

In addition to building the ark, God gave Noah another assignment that required tremendous patience. "And of every living thing of all flesh [found on land], you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of fowls and birds according to their kinds, of beasts according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind – two of every sort shall come in with you, that they may be kept alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and you shall collect and store it up, and it shall serve as food for you and for them" (Genesis 6:19- 21).

Imagine how difficult it must have been for one man to build this huge ark. Then, Noah had to locate one male and one female of every species of living thing. This assignment was very difficult to carry out. We can't begin to comprehend the thousands of different varieties of birds and animals that Noah had to locate and trap alive. He couldn't kill any of them. Noah had to capture one male and one female of each species. This project must have taken many years to complete.

In addition, Noah also was instructed to locate, transport and store tons of different kinds of food for these birds and animals to eat while they were in the ark. The logistics of this task are mind-boggling. The job of building the ark, trapping the animals and supplying adequate food required immense patience over a long period of time.

Job was another man who exhibited great patience. Job said, "...He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside. I have not gone back from the commandment of His laws; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:10-12).

This passage of Scripture explains why Job was able to be patient in the face of severe adversity. He knew God was concerned with what he was going through. He also realized that he would come out as "refined gold" if he didn't give up. Job was able to endure patiently because he refused to turn aside from the treasured instructions in the Word of God. Job knew his spiritual food was much more important than the food that fueled his body.

Job and many other prophets were required to have great patience. God blessed them for their patience. "[As] an example of suffering and ill-treatment together with patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers]. You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured]. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy" (James 5:10-11).

Job was extremely patient. He endured many severe trials and tribulations. As a result of Job's patient endurance, the Lord blessed him greatly in his latter days. This reward for Job's patience should inspire us to be patient.

Anyone who has carefully read the Psalms realizes that the psalmist David often waited patiently for the Lord. At one point, David cried out to the Lord saying, "How long will You forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I lay up cares within me and have sorrow in my heart day after day? How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; lighten the eyes [of my faith to behold Your face in the pitchlike darkness], lest I sleep the sleep of death" (Psalm 13:1-3).

David asked the Lord "how long?" four times in this one passage of Scripture. Some of us have been in similar situations. We have waited and waited for God to bless us. Sometimes it seems as if He has completely forgotten us. God never forgets us. We should be encouraged because God heard David's cry and answered it.

God didn't answer immediately, but He did answer. "I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord" (Psalm 40:1-3).

God lifted David out of darkness and put him in a wonderful new environment. David was exhilarated. He sang songs of praise and thanksgiving. He knew his experience would help many people to build their trust in the Lord and to wait patiently for Him.

Each of these examples from the Bible should be a source of encouragement to us today. I'd like to briefly mention one final person who was a wonderful example to all of us – the beloved apostle Paul. He endured patiently on many occasions because he knew he could trust God. "...I know (perceive, have knowledge of, and am acquainted with) Him Whom I have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on), and I am [positively] persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him]..." (II Timothy 1:12).

Paul was persecuted again and again. He traveled many miles under excruciating conditions. He was shipwrecked, bitten by a poisonous snake, stoned, arrested and imprisoned. Paul never gave up. He praised the Lord continually. I'll use other examples pertaining to Paul in later chapters, but I wanted to briefly include him here as well.

I ask each person reading this book, what situation are you faced with in your life that requires patience? Do you need to be more patient with your spouse, your children, your parents or your in-laws? Do you need to be more patient with your neighbors, your employer or people who work with you? Do you need to be patient with a difficult or frustrating situation?

Compare your need for patience with the patience required by God, Jesus, Noah, Job, David and Paul. Meditate on the Scripture references in this chapter. Realize that the same Holy Spirit who enabled these men to be incredibly patient lives inside of you. Ask Him to give you the patience you need one day at a time. Believe He will answer your prayer.

I hope these examples from the Bible will help you to be more patient. In the next chapter, we'll study God's Word to learn all we can about another subject that will help you to be more patient. We'll learn many facts about God's timing and why our Father 's timing is very different from our timing.

# Chapter 4  
God's Perfect Timing

Most of us look at life from the perspective of the 70, 80 or 90 years we expect to live on earth. Most of our goals and aspirations are based upon this period of time. We say, "When the children finish college," "When the mortgage is paid off," "When we retire" and similar things.

I don't believe it's wrong to think this way. God looks at us from this time frame, but He also evaluates our lives from an _eternal perspective_. God's timing is quite different from ours. "... _do not let this one thought escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some peoples conception of slowness_ ..." (II Peter 3:8-9).

If we want to be more patient we should attempt to look at the events in our lives from God's eternal perspective instead of a carnal, earthly perspective. Many middle-aged and older people can look back on their lives and see the lessons they have learned and the growth they experienced when severe problems in their lives forced them to become more patient.

_Our Father is never late_. He may seem to be slow, but He isn't. His timing doesn't conform to earthly timing. We must understand how short a period of 1,000 years is from His perspective. "For a thousand years in Your sight are but _as yesterday_ when it is past, or as a _watch in the night_ " (Psalm 90:4).

To God, 1,000 years is like yesterday was to you and me. From His eternal perspective, 1,000 years is like a few hours that someone spent when this was written working as a watchman during the night.

We must realize that our Father's timing is more precise than the most sophisticated timing device ever invented on earth. He has ordained an _exact and specific time for everything_. "To _everything_ there is a season, and a time for _every_ matter or purpose under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

We're all familiar with the seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter. Each of these seasons has a beginning and an end. I am often comforted when I'm going through a difficult period of time in my life by saying, "The Bible says _everything_ is for a _season_. _There is an end_ to this ordeal I'm facing. I trust You, Father, to bring me safely through this season in my life. Thank you, dear Father."

Sometimes we deeply desire to receive an answer from God and we wonder why He hasn't answered our prayers. _We must learn to trust God's timing just as we trust Him in every other area._ The prophet Habakkuk was given a vision by the Lord. The Lord told Habakkuk this vision would be manifested at a specific time. He said, "...the vision is yet for an _appointed time_ and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; _it will not deceive or disappoint_. Though it tarry, _wait [earnestly] for it_ , because _it will surely come_ ; it will _not_ be behindhand on its appointed day" (Habakkuk 2:3).

Has God given you a clear vision of what He wants you to do with your life? Are you impatient because nothing seems to be happening? I know what it is to be in the center of God's will and, at the same time, to be frustrated with the apparent lack of progress.

Eighteen years ago God gave me a clear vision of the ministry He had for me. I have been faithful to this ministry ever since that time. In all honesty, many of the things God showed me haven't taken place. I'm still learning to be patient while I continue to wait for God's _appointed time which will surely come_.

This principle that the Lord explained to Habakkuk applies to every child of God. Our Father's timing is perfect. If we question His timing, we sin. _We should give up all anxiety about the timing of God and let Him answer when He chooses to answer_. " _My times are in Your hands_ ..." (Psalm 31:15).

Our Father doesn't want us to be impatient with Him. Instead, He wants us to say something like the following: "My times are in Your hands, Father. I'll do my best to live my life the way I believe You want me to live it. Then, I'll trust You to bring the answers to my prayers in Your way and in Your good timing."

Our Father doesn't want us to be impatient. If we continually seek His will and do our best to live in accordance with the instructions in His Word, we have every right to believe He will answer our prayers in the proper time. " _And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint_ " (Galatians 6:9).

This promise is _conditional_. Please note the word _if_. We _will_ reap a harvest in due time from the seeds we have sown _if_ we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. We _can_ fail to reap the harvest our Father wants to give us. If we want to receive this harvest, _we must not give up no matter how long we have to wait._

Some of us block our Father from giving us the manifestation of the answer to our prayers because we aren't willing to wait long enough. Please notice the words I have put in italics in the last two paragraphs. Focus on these words. Be willing to wait for God's answer to your prayers in His _appointed season_.

We shouldn't miss out on receiving the answer to God's conditional promises. Often these promises are made based upon the condition of our faith and our patience. Our Father knows exactly what He's doing. We must have faith in Him and we must wait patiently for Him.

Our Father is the Master Planner. Sometimes we ask Him for an immediate answer without realizing there are several pieces He still must fit into place. We may be ready to receive God's answer to our prayers, but we often have to wait until God fits other pieces together. Our deadline and God's deadline often are different. _We don't set deadlines. God sets deadlines_.

Sometimes it seems as if a season of adversity will never end. From God's perspective, we often don't suffer as long as we think. "...after you have suffered _a little while_ , the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, _will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be_ , establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you" (I Peter 5:10).

This passage of Scripture speaks of suffering for _a little while_. When we have to wait for God's answer, I think we should say something like the following. "Dear Father, I believe You want me to learn something from this season of adversity. Please show me what You want me to learn. In Jesus' name, I ask You to help me become what You want me to become."

When we go through a season of adversity, we shouldn't grumble and complain. Instead, we should realize that God has a purpose for what is happening to us. _If we wait faithfully and patiently, He will complete us and make us what we ought to be. He will strengthen us and build us up._

Many times we can wait much longer than we think we can. The Bible is filled with thousands of promises. Our Father tells us again and again what He will do, _but He never tells us when we will receive these promises_. "... _my words are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time_ " (Luke 1:20).

Some of us make the mistake of trying to get God to conform to our plans and our timing instead of continually seeking His plan for our lives and trusting in His timing. Our Father knows what He wants to do in each of our lives and He knows when He wants to do it.

For example, God knew exactly when He wanted Jesus to start His earthly ministry. From a human point of view, we might wonder why God didn't send Jesus to earth long before He did. However, our Father knew exactly when the time was right for Jesus to be born of the virgin Mary. "...when the _proper time_ had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman..." (Galatians 4:4).

Jesus understood His Father 's perfect timing. He never rushed. Once, when His brothers urged Him to go to Judea, "...Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has _not_ come yet..." (John 7:6). Jesus refused to go before His Father 's time. "...my time is _not_ ripe. [My term is _not_ yet completed; it is _not_ time for Me to go]" (John 7:8).

Shortly after Jesus said this, Jewish leaders were unable to arrest Him even though they wanted to do so. God's plan for our lives is based upon His intricate timing. "...they were eager to arrest Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, for His hour (time) had _not_ yet come" (John 7:30).

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and controlled by the Holy Spirit throughout His earthly ministry. Jesus never raced ahead of the Holy Spirit. He always lived in the Holy Spirit's perfect timing.

Jesus understood His Father's timing. He knew exactly when the time had come for Him to die on the cross, to be resurrected from the dead and to return to His Father. "...before the Passover Feast began, Jesus knew (was fully aware) that _the time had come_ for Him to leave this world and return to the Father..." (John 13:1).

These passages of Scripture provide insight into God's precise timing. We can't understand God's timing with our limited human comprehension. "... _It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings_ [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power" (Acts 1:7).

The future belongs to God. Our Father wants us to live in the present, trusting Him one day at a time. Many of the aspects pertaining to our Father's timing are beyond human comprehension. Unfortunately, some of us rise too often to occasions that don't need to be risen to. As I grow older, I'm finally starting to learn to relax and trust my Father 's timing.

_God's delay is not necessarily a denial_. Sometimes we think our Father is denying us when He just wants us to wait a little longer _. Should we trust God in every other area of our lives and not trust His timing_? Unfortunately, this is exactly what some Christians do.

Our Father is completely dependable. He _will_ do what His Word says He will do, but sometimes the waiting period for His answer can be weeks, months or years. Our Father knows when He wants to bless us. When He spoke to His people through the prophet Haggai, He told them "...From _this day on_ I will bless you" (Haggai 2:19). Our Father knew He wanted to release His blessings to His people at that time. He also knows when He wants to bless us today.

Our impatience is an insult to God. Although most of us don't actually say the following words, our impatience actually says, "God, You don't know when to give me an answer to my prayers. I need this answer now. Don't wait any longer. Give me what I want and give it to me now!"

If you're tempted to rush God, please review the 15 Scripture references in this chapter. Put them in the first person. Personalize them. Meditate upon them. Try to understand timing from God's point of view. You'll be much happier if you do.

# Chapter 5  
God Doesn't Want Us to Hurry

We have looked carefully at the impatient, fast-paced lifestyle in the world today. We have compared this with the patience of God, Jesus, Noah, Job, the psalmist David and the apostle Paul. We have studied God's Word to learn many facts about our Father 's perfect timing. God doesn't want us to hurry.

Our Father never hurries. He is always at peace. We see a divine order in everything He does. There is no place in His Word where we are instructed to hurry. Instead, we should be calm and still while we wait patiently. " _Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him_ ..." (Psalm 37:7).

When we pray and nothing seems to be happening, some of us have a tendency to try to rush things. Instead, our Father wants us to be still. We should rest in Him and wait patiently for His answer. We should lean on God because we trust Him completely.

Our Father has a perfect rhythm. Each day He causes ocean tides to come in and go out on a definite, precise schedule. The sun rises at a predictable time each morning. It sets at a specific time each night. The moon changes four times each month at a predetermined time. "[The Lord] appointed the moon for the seasons; the sun knows [the exact time] of its setting" (Psalm 104:19).

If you live near the ocean, your local newspaper will publish the exact times each day when the tides come in and go out. We all can read the exact time of sunrise and sunset. We are told exactly when each season of the moon will begin and end. How can the people who provide this information to a newspaper, a radio station or a television station know these times so accurately? They can predict these times to the minute because God is perfect and _He sets these times._

Our Father wants us to tune in to His perfect rhythm and timing. _We must not get ahead of Him_. I know how it is to do things too rapidly. I tend to be high-strung and intense. The roots of these characteristics go back to my childhood. I'm always on the go. I constantly have to fight the urge to rush. I often meditate on specific Scripture references to help me slow down.

On the other hand, my wife is always calm and collected. She never races ahead of the Lord. She doesn't try to force things to happen. Opposites attract because she and I are different in many ways. Sometimes I wish I could be more like she is. I have improved in this area, but I have to work at this continually.

High-strung, negative, intense, self-centered people tend to rush. Calm, composed, God-centered people are better able to discern the Lord's timing and trust in Him. Can you imagine Jesus being out of control and rushing ahead of His Father? Jesus never hurried during His earthly ministry. As we study the four gospels, we see that Jesus consistently remained calm when He was under severe pressure.

We see an example of this calmness by His reaction when Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, became very sick. Jesus had just healed many people. He was very close to Mary and Martha. It would seem reasonable that He would want to heal Lazarus. When Jesus heard about this sickness, did He drop everything to immediately rush to the side of Lazarus? "...[even] when He heard that J Lazarus was sick, _He still stayed two days longer_ in the same place where He was" (John 11:6).

When Jesus finally went to Bethany where Lazarus was, it _seemed_ as if He was too late. _Did Jesus miss God's timing_ when He arrived to find that Lazarus had died before He came? "...when Jesus arrived, He found that he [Lazarus] _had already been in the tomb four days_ " (John 11:17).

When Martha heard Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him. Martha knew her brother would still be alive if Jesus had arrived in time. "Martha then said to Jesus, Master, _if You had been here, my brother would not have died_ " (John 11:21).

Instead of berating Jesus and complaining about the delay, Martha did just the opposite. _She told Jesus she knew He still was not too late_. Martha said, "...And _even now I know that whatever You ask from God, He will grant it to You_ " (John 11:22).

Shortly after Martha expressed her faith, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. "...He shouted with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! _And out walked the man who had been dead_ , his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, Free him of the burial wrappings and let him go" (John 11:43-44).

This story has been included in the Bible to teach us to be patient with God's timing. From a human point of view, Jesus should have rushed to heal Lazarus. From God's point of view, He wanted Jesus to wait so Martha could express her faith that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead.

Satan wants us to become discouraged if we don't receive an answer when we think we should. Satan is impatient. He often rushes and tries to make things happen. God wants us to be like He is. As we wrestle with difficult problems, will we identify with Satan's impatience or with God's perfect timing? Will we pick up the fast pace of the world we live in or will we be able to exhibit God's calmness and composure?

_We must turn away from the ways of the world_. Satan is referred to as "... _the god of this world_ ..." (II Corinthians 4:4). He orchestrates the fast pace of the world. "... _the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one_ " (I John 5:19). .

Christians should not be worldly in any way. If we are carnal in any area of our lives, we open the door to Satan in this area. We must not allow ourselves to get caught up with the fast pace of this world. Satan tries to push us. He wants us to rush, hurry and worry. We must not give in to his urging.

Jesus won a complete victory over Satan. Spiritual discipline and maturity are required to turn away from the pace of the world to quietly and patiently wait on the Lord. The best way to turn away from the world is to get quiet time alone with the Lord on a consistent basis. He is the hub around which our lives should revolve. Christians who consistently spend time alone with the Lord are able to identify with the perfect rhythm of the Holy Spirit. They won't be caught up in the hectic pace of the world.

I have been a self-employed businessman for almost 30 years. I understand the extreme pressure that business owners often face. If I'm in control of my life, I tend to hurry and worry. However, I'm still learning that Christians whose lives really are under the control of the Holy Spirit can remain calm in the midst of a hectic situation.

This calmness comes more naturally to some people than to others. If you tend to be hurried and tense like I am, I urge you to slow down each day. Study and meditate on the Word of God. Take time to pray and worship the Lord. Yield control of your life to the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to live His life in you and through you.

We must not race ahead of God. Too many of us worry about the future. Instead, we should patiently trust the Lord one day at a time. Jesus said, "... _do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow_ , for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for _each day_ is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34).

Our Father wants each of His children to live in "day-tight compartments." He wants us to lock the door to yesterday. He wants us to lock the door to tomorrow. We must not dwell in the past or in the future. Our Father created us to live one day at a time.

Unfortunately, some of us tend to cross bridges before we come to them. If we make this mistake, we waste emotional energy. If we worry about the future, we dilute our effectiveness in the present. Jesus said, "Give us _daily_ our bread [food for the morrow]" (Luke 11:3).

Jesus didn't ask His Father to provide food for a week, a month, a year or for several years. He asked His Father for food for one day. _Christians who learn to live one day at a time will be calm. They will have more patience, faith and spiritual strength_. "...as your _day_ , so shall your strength, your rest and security, be" (Deuteronomy 33:25).

Our Father will give us the strength we need one day at a time. He wants us to rest in faith in our knowledge of His provision. He gives each of His children perfect security one day at a time.

Our Father doesn't want us to succumb to external pressure. As we grow and mature as Christians, the hectic pace of an externally-oriented world will affect us less and less. We'll live our lives from the inside out, not from the outside in. We'll realize that our Father has provided everything we need within us. "... _the kingdom of God is within you_ [ _in your hearts_ ]..." (Luke 17:21).

The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. He wants us to identify with Him continually. If we do this, we will remain still and calm. Whenever my life gets too hectic, I often meditate on the following passage of Scripture. "... _be still, and know_ ( _recognize and understand_ ) _that I am God_ ..." (Psalm 46:10).

I can't tell you how many times these words have quieted and calmed me when I was faced with severe problems. Whenever I meditate on these words and personalize them and think about what they really mean, I can hear my Father telling me to be still. A sense of calmness always comes over me as I meditate on the meaning of these words.

When I'm tempted to worry and hurry, I often open my mouth and say something like the following: "Dear Father, _I will be still_. I will quiet down and calm down because I _know_ You are God. I'm certain You will take care of everything if I'll just remain calm and trust in You and wait on You."

We live in a world that seems to be in a continual state of disarray. In the midst of seeming turmoil, we must realize that our Father is in complete control. Sometimes it doesn't look as if God is in control, but our Father is Almighty God, not "Part Mighty" God. He is omnipotent. He has total authority over everything that takes place in the universe. _We must be still and know that He is God_!

If the Holy Spirit really is in control of our lives, we'll be able to remain calm under pressure because He is always calm. If we hurry and rush and try to make things happen, we block the Holy Spirit Who never hurries. We can only hear His still, small voice if we're calm and relaxed.

Hurry rushes ahead of the Holy Spirit. Hurry rhymes with worry. Hurry and worry go together. _Hurry is worry in action_. Hurry is an outward manifestation of inner tension. If we hurry and rush ahead of God, we sin by missing the goals He has for us. _"...to be overhasty is to sin and miss the mark_ " (Proverbs 19:2).

When we're under pressure, we should allow the Holy Spirit to set the pace. If we insist on rushing ahead of Him, He will allow us to do this. He gives us freedom of choice. However, we're headed for problems when we rush ahead of the Holy Spirit. Haste makes waste. Hurry causes many accidents.

No one has to study the Word of God to learn how to hurry. Hurry comes naturally to us. We inherited this tendency from our ancestor, Adam. Many people are influenced to hurry by the urging of Satan and his evil spirits. We need to study God's Word to learn to trust our Father so we can remain calm under pressure. "...he who _believes_ (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will _not_ be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]" (Isaiah 28:16).

As we study God's Word, we can clearly see that we make a big mistake when we rush ahead of the Lord. If we do this, we definitely will experience problems. _Every_ person who is impatient will find that continued impatience always causes problems. "... _everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want_ " (Proverbs 21:5).

We block God's power if we race ahead of Him. Speed always operates at the expense of power. We can see an example of this by observing the gear ratios of an automobile engine. The lower the gear, the more power the engine produces. If we move to higher gears, the engine produces more speed and less power.

Patience requires us to idle the motor when we feel like stripping the gears. Unfortunately, some of us "strip our gears" because we race ahead of the Lord. In our attempt to save time, we usually lose more than we gain.

The first five chapters of this book are filled with specific instructions from God's Word pertaining to the subject of patience. I'd like to close these chapters on patience with the one Scripture reference that has helped me more than any other to increase my patience. In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul said, "... _the fruit of the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit_ [ _the work which His presence within accomplishes_ ] is love, joy, (gladness), peace, _patience_ ( _an even temper, forbearance_ )..." (Galatians 5:22).

Paul went on to list additional fruit of the Spirit, but the one we are concerned with here is patience. If we really want to increase our patience, we must yield control of our lives to the Holy Spirit Who is always patient. Whenever I find myself doing something impatient, I try to realize this impatience is a clear indication that I'm attempting to control my life instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to live His life in me and through me. There is a direct ratio between the patience we exhibit and the amount of control we allow the Holy Spirit to have in our lives.

# Chapter 6  
Walk in the Victory of Jesus Christ

There is a fine line between patience and perseverance. In the first five chapters of this book, I have written primarily about the subject of patience. In the remaining chapters, we'll study the Word of God to see how to obtain the perseverance that is required to solve many problems.

Some of the problems in our lives are caused by Satan. Some are caused by our own actions. Others are caused by events that take place in our lives. It is very important to learn everything we can about perseverance so we can bring the victory of Jesus Christ into manifestation when we face problems.

_The blood of Jesus has changed all Christians from losers into winners_. His shed blood enabled us to escape the horrors of hell and to live eternally in the beauty of heaven. _Every_ problem will be overcome there. "God will wipe away _every_ _tear_ from their eyes; and _death shall be no more_ , neither shall there be _anguish_ ( _sorrow_ and _mourning_ ) nor _grief_ nor _pain_ any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have _passed away_ " (Revelation 21:4).

_We must understand that the same victory we will experience in heaven is available to us here on earth_! This victory is automatic in heaven. Everyone there shares in the victory of Jesus Christ. His victory _isn't_ automatic here on earth. We must walk in _faith_. We must _persevere_.

Jesus also paid the price for us to walk in His victory during our lives on earth. We must not give up! Jesus said, "... _All_ authority ( _all_ power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me" (Matthew 28:18). Jesus didn't say He has some authority and power. _He has all authority and all power in heaven and on earth._ What problems do you face? Jesus won a victory over every problem. He is in complete control.

By faith, we must believe that the victorious Jesus Christ lives inside of us. He wants us to rely completely upon Him. "... _it is no longer I who live, but Christ_ ( _the Messiah_ ) _lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in_ ( _by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in_ ) _the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me_ " (Galatians 2:20).

Are you going through a difficult time? Believe that Jesus Christ lives in your heart. Trust completely in Him. Believe that Jesus has absolute power and authority over everything on earth. Give up your right to control your life. Let Jesus live His life in you and through you. His victory is your victory. Refuse to give up!

_Every_ child of God has been given the opportunity to partake of the victory of Jesus Christ. "For _whatever_ is born of God _is victorious over the world_ ; and this is the victory _that conquers the world, even our faith_. _Who_ is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who _believes_ that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?" (I John 5:4-5).

This passage of Scripture doesn't refer to the victory we will experience in heaven. It says everyone who has been reborn spiritually _is victorious over the world_. We are told that the victory of _Jesus conquers the world_. How do we bring this victory into manifestation when we struggle with the problems of life here on earth? We walk in this victory _by faith_. We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and trust completely in the victory He has won for us. "...thanks be to God, Who in Christ _always_ leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory]..." (II Corinthians 2:14).

We should thank God because He _always_ leads us in triumph because of the victory of Jesus Christ. Please highlight or underline the word _always_ in this passage of Scripture. We don't triumph some of the time. _We always triumph_! We will always walk in the victory of Jesus Christ _if_ we really believe and _if_ we persevere and refuse to give up.

We should expect to experience severe problems during our lives on earth. Jesus said, "...In the world you have _tribulations_ and _trials_ and _distress_ and _frustration_ ..." (John 16:33). Jesus didn't stop there. He went on to say, "... _but be of good cheer_ [ _take courage; be confident certain, undaunted_ ]! _For I have overcome the world_ [ _I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you_ ]" (John 16:33).

The preceding Scripture reference is a good example of why I really like _The Amplified Bible_ for a study Bible. Instead of just saying "I have overcome the world," this passage of Scripture is amplified to tell us that _Jesus has deprived the world of power to harm us_. _Jesus has conquered the world for us_. We must believe this!

Are you faced with tribulations, trials, distress and frustration? Jesus told us we should _expect_ to have these problems. However, we shouldn't do what many people do. We shouldn't emphasize the problem. Jesus said we should be cheerful, courageous and confident because He won a victory over our problems.

We can trust completely in Jesus. He won't let us down. _If_ our faith is strong and _if_ we refuse to give up, _we won't be sorry_. The Scripture says " _No man who believes in Him_ [ _who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him_ ] _will_ [ _ever_ ] _be put to shame or be disappointed_ " (Romans 10:11).

Please highlight or underline the words _no man_. This promise applies to _you_. However, this promise is conditional. God promises that no Christian will ever be put to shame or disappointed, but we have to do our part. We must have strong and persevering faith in Jesus Christ.

God's Word is filled with thousands of promises. Our Father stands behind _every one_ of His promises. We can depend on them! "...Know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God promised concerning you. _All have come to pass for you; not one thing of them has failed_ " (Joshua 23:14).

When we're faced with problems, we should study and meditate continually on the Word of God. _Our Father wants us to fill our minds and hearts with His promises_. We can bring these promises into manifestation through strong, persevering faith. Our Father honors strong faith that perseveres.

We must realize that all Christians are actually members of the royal family of God. Our Father is Almighty God. Our brother, Jesus Christ, is the "... _King of kings and Lord of lords_ " (Revelation 19:6). Because of the victory Jesus won for us, we "... _reign as kings in life_ through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)" (Romans 5:17).

Do you _really believe_ you reign as a king in your life here on earth? We all will reign in heaven, but this passage of Scripture says we reign as kings _in life_. The victory of Jesus Christ belongs to us _now_. We must believe this. We must persevere.

The manifestation of the victory of Jesus Christ requires more than "head knowledge" of the promises in God's Word. We must _know_ what the Word of God says, _but we also must believe these promises in our hearts._ We learn the promises in the Word of God by studying the Bible. However, these promises can only get from our minds into our hearts when we meditate on them day and night.

Are you faced with difficult problems? Saturate yourself in the magnificent promises in the Word of God. Search for promises that apply to you. Meditate constantly on the promises you have chosen. Believe that God will bring these promises into manifestation in your life.

Whenever we're faced with adversity, _we should be consumed by Jesus Christ_. _Every aspect of our lives should revolve around His indwelling Presence_. We should lift Him up constantly in our thoughts, words and deeds. We should praise Him and thank Him continually. If we follow these instructions, we _will_ walk in His victory and bring it into manifestation in our lives.

Unfortunately, some Christians struggle in an attempt to win a victory that _already has been won_. We should _walk_ in the victory of Jesus Christ 24 hours a day. His magnificent victory belongs to us _every_ day of our lives. We should "...hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]" (Hebrews 3:6).

Our Father wants us to _hold fast and firm_ when we're faced with problems. If we _know_ we have victory over these problems, wouldn't we wait for manifestation of this victory with joy and confidence? We must believe we triumph in Christ!

This chapter is filled with several magnificent promises from God's Word. Go back and study each of these promises. Meditate on them constantly. Personalize these promises. Appropriate them for yourself.

Satan hates to see us react in this way. His only hope is in his ability to deceive us. We should refuse to allow Satan to steal the victory Jesus has provided for us. Our Father wants us to persevere at all times. In the next chapter, we'll look into the Word of God to see why Satan doesn't want us to persevere in faith.

# Chapter 7  
Satan Wants Us to Give Up

Satan doesn't want us to know the truth about the victory we have been given by Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to fill our minds and hearts with truth from God's Word pertaining to His victory. Satan wants us to believe the lies he whispers into our ears. "... _he is a liar_ [ _himself_ ] _and the father of lies and of all that is false_ " (John 8:44).

When we go through a season of adversity, we won't give up if we refuse to believe Satan's lies. If we know what God's Word says and if we stand in faith on it, we will be set free. Jesus said, "... _If you abide in My word_ [ _hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them_ ], _you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free_ " (John 8:31-32).

Whenever we're faced with problems, we must make a choice. Will we believe the lies of Satan and act accordingly? Or will we _abide_ in God's Word and _believe_ what it says? Will we always do our best to live our lives _in obedience_ to the instructions in the Word of God? If we follow these instructions, _we will know the Truth and the Truth will set us free._

Satan knows the power of Christians whose hearts are filled with God's Word and persevere in faith. Because of this, Satan does everything he can to get us to give up _before_ we receive manifestation of the blessings our Father wants to give us. Satan wants to _steal_ the victory Jesus has given to us. "The thief comes only in order to _steal_ and _kill_ and _destroy_ ..." (John 10:10).

Jesus doesn't want us to give in to Satan. The last part of this passage of Scripture explains the victory Jesus provided for us. Let's look at this verse of Scripture in its entirety. "The thief comes only in order steal and kill and destroy. _I came that they might have and enjoy life and have it in abundance_ ( _to the full, till it overflows_ )." (John 10:10).

Jesus wants us to _enjoy life_. He has provided _abundantly_ for us. We shouldn't allow Satan to steal from us, kill us and destroy us. Jesus _doesn't_ want us to become discouraged and give up. Jesus explained His desire to the apostle Peter. He said, "Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might _sift_ [all of] you like grain, but _I have prayed especially for you_ [ _Peter_ ], _that your_ [ _own_ ] _faith may not fail_ ..." (Luke 22:31-32).

Satan apparently is able to ask God for an opportunity to _sift_ us. When grain is sifted, it is passed through a sieve which is a utensil with many small openings. A sieve is used to separate coarse and fine particles. When Satan tries to sift us, _he wants to separate us from our faith_.

Jesus warned His apostles that Satan wanted to sift them. He was particularly concerned about Peter. Jesus prayed especially for Peter that Satan wouldn't be able to separate him from his faith and that his faith would remain strong. _Jesus wants our faith to remain strong when Satan tries to_ " _sift_ " _us_.

When we go through a long, drawn out ordeal, Satan's evil spirits often whisper discouraging words into our ears. When you're struggling, haven't you had thoughts like this rise up in your mind? "This is a hopeless situation. There is no way I can succeed. I'm going to give up."

Most of us have experienced this type of thinking when we have faced a severe problem or when we have gone through a frustrating delay. These thoughts often are not our own thoughts. They are put into our minds by Satan's evil spirits. Some Christians don't know or believe that Satan and his evil spirits are able to put thoughts into our minds. Satan and his evil spirits are much more effective if we don't realize what they're trying to do to us.

We must not underestimate Satan's ability to put thoughts into our minds. This process is so effective that Satan actually was able to persuade one of the apostles of Jesus Christ to betray Him. "... _Satan having already put the thought of betraying Jesus in the heart of Judas Iscariot_ ..." (John 13:2).

Did you ever wonder how an apostle of Jesus Christ could tum against Him? Judas lived with Jesus. He saw Him perform many miracles. He had experienced the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Judas turned against Jesus _because_ _he allowed Satan to get into his mind_.

This passage of Scripture proves that Satan tries to influence our behavior. He has been attempting to influence people for 6,000 years. Satan and his evil spirits try to put thoughts into our minds. They want us to dwell on these thoughts long enough so that they will drop from our minds down into our hearts. Then we often will act based upon what has gotten into our hearts.

When we go through a long, difficult ordeal, we should expect Satan's evil spirits to whisper lies into our ears. They want us to become discouraged and give up. We must not allow Satan to get leverage over us in this way. God's Word says we can "... _keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions_ " (II Corinthians 2:11).

When Satan tries to discourage us, we must realize that we have been given victory over him and all of his evil spirits. Jesus said, " _Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and_ [ _physical and mental strength and ability_ ] _over all the power that the enemy_ [ _possesses_ ]; _and nothing shall in any way harm you_ " (Luke 10:19).

This passage of Scripture is extremely powerful. Jesus Christ has given every Christian the authority and power to _trample upon Satan and his evil spirits._ The words "serpents and scorpions" refer to Satan and his evil spirits. Jesus has given us the physical and mental strength and the ability to put _all_ of their attacks under our feet. If we persevere in faith, _nothing in any way can harm us_!

However, when we attempt to withstand Satan's attacks, we must know how to fight spiritual battles. "... _though we walk_ ( _live_ ) _in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical_ [ _weapons of flesh and blood_ ], _but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds_ " (II Corinthians 10:3-4).

When Satan attacks us, we can't shoot him with a gun. We can't stab him with a knife or hit him with our fists. We must not try to resist him with flesh and blood. We should realize the futility of attempting to fight spiritual warfare with human weapons. Instead, we should fight our battles with the mighty weapons God has given us.

God's Word tells us exactly what to do when Satan tries to put thoughts into our minds. "...[we] _refute_ arguments and theories and reasonings and _every_ proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead _every_ thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)..." (II Corinthians 10:5).

If we refute something, we refuse to accept it. This passage of Scripture tells us that we can lead every thought _away_ from what Satan is trying to tell us. We _can_ bring _every_ thought into _obedience_ to Jesus Christ. If we couldn't do these things, God's Word wouldn't say we could.

Jesus Christ gave us a total victory. We shouldn't be afraid of Satan and his followers. "... _do not_ [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a _clear sign_ (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction..." (Philippians 1:28).

When we persevere with faith in the face of every severe problem and refuse to give up, our faithful perseverance is very discouraging to Satan and his evil spirits. They attempt to intimidate us. They want us to be frightened by the problems we face. If we refuse to be frightened or intimidated, we give Satan and his followers a clear indication that we walk in faith in the unconditional victory Jesus Christ has given to us.

When Satan tries to defeat us, we must follow our Father's instructions. "...be vigilant and cautious _at all times_ ; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. _Withstand him, be firm in faith_ [ _against his onset – rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined_ ], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world" (I Peter 5:8-9).

Please underline or highlight the words _at all times_. We should _always_ be on guard. We should expect Satan to come at us vigorously. We must stand up against Satan's attacks with strong, deeply rooted and established faith.

We need to realize that many other Christians are being attacked by Satan. Satan wants us to think we are the only ones who are suffering. He wants us to feel sorry for ourselves – to have a "pity party." We all have been given a victory over Satan. If we know what God's Word says and if we deeply believe God's promises, we will refuse to give up.

God's Word is our spiritual ammunition. If we fill our hearts with it, Satan won't be able to wear us down. Instead, we will overcome him. "Is not My word like _fire_ [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a _hammer_ that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?" (Jeremiah 23:29).

Satan can't stand up against the power of the Word of God living in our hearts. Many Christians are familiar with the words "resist the devil and he will flee." However, Satan _will not flee_ unless we obey the specific instructions given to us in this passage of Scripture. "... _be subject to God. Resist the devil_ [ _stand firm against him_ ], _and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you_ ..." (James 4:7-8).

We can only resist Satan effectively if we're subject to God. When we're _subject to God_ , we obey the instructions in His Word and we cheerfully yield control of our lives to the Holy Spirit. Satan is afraid of God. When we _draw close to God, He promises to come close to us. Satan will flee_!

Jesus Christ shed His blood so we could overcome Satan. No matter what Satan tries to do to us, we have been given the ability to overcome him through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and by boldly speaking the Word of God. "...they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the _blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony_ ..." (Revelation 12:11).

_We fight spiritual battles with our mouths._ Our hearts are the storehouse for the spiritual ammunition contained in the Word of God. When we study and meditate continually on God's Word, we store up this precious spiritual ammunition. Whenever our hearts are filled with something, our heartfelt beliefs pour out of our mouths. Jesus said, "... _out of the fullness_ ( _the overflow; the superabundance_ ) _of the heart the mouth speaks_ " (Matthew 12:34).

Whenever any of us are faced with a severe crisis, we will react based upon whatever we really believe in our hearts. We are instructed again and again to fill our hearts with the Word of God so that our thoughts, words and actions in a time of crisis will be based upon our Father's instructions to us.

Whenever we're engaged in a long and difficult spiritual battle, we should retaliate by doing the same thing Jesus did when Satan tried to wear Him down during His grueling 40-day fast. Every time Satan tried to get at Jesus, He replied " _It is written_." Jesus then spoke specific Scripture references (see Matthew 4:1-10).

Imagine how weary you might be after fasting for 30 or 35 days on a 40-day fast. How would you react if Satan kept hammering away at you in your weakened condition? Jesus wants us to follow His example. When we're faced with a severe problem, He wants us to _boldly speak the Word of God_. When we're under severe pressure, _our words should line up with God's Word_.

When Satan's evil spirits try to persuade us to give up, _they listen carefully_ to the words that come out of our mouths. They want to hear us speak words that indicate they are getting into our minds and hearts. They _know_ they have been successful if they hear words of discouragement coming out of our mouths. These words are music to their ears.

Our Father wants us to speak His Word boldly. We release God's power when we constantly speak His Word out of a faith-filled heart. Satan can't get at us when we follow these instructions. "... _by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent_ ( _the paths of the destroyer_ )" (Psalm 17:4).

At the beginning of this chapter, we saw that Satan's mission is to steal, kill and destroy. We can avoid the path of the destroyer when our hearts are filled with the Word of God and God's Word continually pours out of our lips. We will always emerge victorious in spiritual warfare if we follow our Father 's instructions.

Every Christian has the responsibility of knowing what the Word of God says about the magnificent victory we have been given over Satan. Our minds and hearts should be filled with many Scripture references pertaining to this victory. When we boldly speak faith-filled words from God's Word, we _actually activate angels to work on our behalf_. "...you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, _hearkening to the voice of His word_ " (Psalm 103:20).

The atmosphere around us is filled with God's angels and Satan's fallen angels. We have just seen that we are able to give angels "marching orders" by the words we speak. On the other hand, we give Satan and his evil spirits power they cannot attain in any other way if the words that come out of our mouths are contrary to God's Word.

_Satan is very persistent, but we should be more persistent_. He can _only_ stop us if we allow Him to _steal_ the victory Jesus Christ won for us. We must persevere against the attacks of Satan. In the next chapter, I'll give practical examples as well as specific instructions from the Word of God telling us how to persevere.

# Chapter 8  
The Importance of Perseverance

I'd like to start this chapter with examples of people who persevered and succeeded. I'll start with an explanation of the benefits of perseverance in my own life. I _don't_ do this to glorify myself. I only give these examples to illustrate how a person like myself with very little natural ability can succeed because of perseverance.

Before I knew anything about spiritual rebirth and the victory of Jesus Christ, I learned a lot about perseverance. While I was a child, I had to deal with several personal and family problems that my friends didn't have to face. I was inhibited by these problems and I became shy and withdrawn. When I graduated from high school, I was voted the most bashful person in my class.

By the grace of God I was able to attend college. I worked throughout high school and college to earn money. I didn't have an automobile or a driver's license until I was 23 years old. I walked almost everywhere I went. When I graduated from college I ranked in the bottom ten percent of my class.

After serving two years in the army, I went into the business world. I was overwhelmed by the skills and intelligence of many people I worked with. Because of my inferiority complex, I didn't see how I could possibly do as well as these people who obviously had much more ability than I did.

I didn't give up. It took many years, but ultimately I was able to enjoy a considerable amount of business success. As I look back, I don't believe this process was unusual. Most people reading this book know people without a lot of natural ability who persevered and succeeded.

Please think back to your class in high school or college. Did you have classmates with a great deal of natural ability who never have amounted to very much in the years since graduation? On the other hand, did you have classmates without much natural ability who have become quite successful over the years because they persevered and refused to give up? _I believe perseverance is much more important than talent._

Because I enjoyed moderate success as an employee in the first ten years after I left the army, I became a self-employed businessman at the age of 34. Our business struggled from the beginning. I was constantly in debt. I wasn't a Christian at that time and I knew virtually nothing about the Bible.

From the age of 34 to 43, I was desperate because of the near failure of my business. Because of my financial problems, I continually read books about positive thinking and success. I also read many biographies of successful men and women who persevered throughout trials.

I read biographies of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman and many others. I read about the Pilgrims and their amazing perseverance after they left England to come to America. I read many other accounts of great perseverance of the early settlers in this country. I did my best to apply the principles I learned from these books.

For approximately nine years I was able to survive because I saturated myself in books about positive thinking and because I constantly read biographies of successful people who persevered. I finally found myself on the verge of bankruptcy. There didn't seem to be any way out. I refused to give up. I disregarded the advice of my attorney and accountant to file bankruptcy.

At the age of 43 I was at the end of my human ability. I didn't know where to tum. At that time a friend of mine told me about Jesus Christ. He said I could overcome the problems in my life if I asked Jesus to be my Savior and if I walked each day in His victory. I asked Jesus that day to live in my heart. I immediately started to study and meditate continually on the Word of God.

I definitely would have failed if I had tried to keep going with my limited human strength and ability. The positive thinking books helped for a while, but I finally realized that I needed much more. Day after day I saturated myself in the holy Scriptures. I wrote hundreds of pages of notes based upon what I learned from the Bible.

I mistakenly failed to attend a church during my first year as a Christian. My Father was gracious to me. I listened continually to Christian radio stations and I watched many Christian television programs. I loved to hear Christians give testimonies explaining how God brought them through seemingly impossible situations. I listened to many Christian cassette tapes that inspired me and enabled me to keep going.

By God's grace, I was able to persevere and succeed in business. I was able to keep going because I saturated myself in the Word of God. I refused to allow anything to distract me. I knew I was on the right track and I refused to be deterred. "...no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine..." (Ephesians 4:14).

I was able to persevere then and I'm able to persevere today by focusing continually on the promises in God's Word. This Bible study and meditation helps me to draw closer to the One Who made these promises. Our Father honors His children who have been broken and humbled and, as a result, study and meditate continually on His Word. "... _this is the man to whom I will look and have regard: he who is humble and of a broken or wounded spirit, and who trembles at My word and reveres My commands_ " (Isaiah 66:2).

I believe our lives here on earth are similar to a marathon. Our Father isn't looking for flashy people who are fast starters. We don't succeed in the most difficult times of life because of human abilities. "...the race is not to the swift nor _the battle to the strong_ ..." (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

As I have studied God's Word over the years, I have become convinced that our Father is looking for _staying power_ , not starting power. His eyes constantly search the earth looking for His children who dare to trust Him and refuse to give up. "...the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him..." (II Chronicles 16:9).

As we go through the marathon of life, we can persevere through extremely difficult times by focusing continually upon Jesus Christ. "... _let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away_ [ _from all that will distract_ ] _to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith_ [ _giving the first incentive for our belief_ ] _and is also its Finisher_ [ _bringing it to maturity and perfection_ ]..." (Hebrews 12:1-2).

I love this passage of Scripture. We are told that we each have to run the appointed course of the race. God had a plan for each of us when He formed us in our mother's womb. Each person is called upon by the Lord to run his or her lifetime marathon. Our Father wants us to run this race with _patient endurance and steady and active persistence_.

We all will come upon times in our lives when we can't go any farther with human ability. When we come to these times, our Father wants us to be patient. We must not allow our emotions to control us. Our Father wants us to endure, to be steady and to do our best. He wants us to let go and trust completely in Him.

We do this by looking away from everything that could distract us. Our Father doesn't want us to focus continually on the problems we face. Once we have identified our problems and acknowledged them, we should _turn away from the problems to focus continually on Jesus Christ_. He won a glorious victory over every problem we will ever face. _He will bring us safely across the finish line if we dare to trust completely in Him and absolutely refuse to give up._

As we attempt to deal with the problems in our lives, many of us will be faced with obstacles that seem to be overwhelming. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, once faced an army that was extremely large and powerful. He said, "...we have _no might_ to stand against this great company that is coming against us. _We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You_ " (II Chronicles 20:12).

When we're faced with problems that seem to be overwhelming, we should do what Jehoshaphat did. Instead of giving up, _we should keep our eyes on the Lord at all times_. The Lord brought Jehoshaphat and his followers through to victory many years ago. He will bring us through our problems today if we refuse to focus on our problems _because our eyes are always on Him._

Our Father promises to protect us and to keep us in perfect peace if we trust completely in Him. " _You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind_ [ _both its inclination and its character_ ] _is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You_ " (Isaiah 26:3).

This is a magnificent promise. Are you going through a difficult ordeal? _Would you like God Himself to guard you and protect you? Would you like Him to keep you in perfect and constant peace? Our Father has promised these benefits to each of His children._

However, this promise is conditional. God will _always_ do His part, but _we must do our part._ Many people who are faced with adversity think about their problems continually. _We must not fall into this trap. We should keep our minds on God at all times_. If we are totally committed to Him, we'll lean on Him and place _all_ of our hope in Him. We'll refuse to give up because we _trust completely_ in Him.

The Bible gives us a wonderful example of this principle when it tells how Moses brought two million Israelites to the Red Sea. The Israelites faced a seemingly impossible situation. The Red Sea was in front of them. They were surrounded by mountains on both sides. Pharaoh and his mighty army were behind them. Moses refused to give up. "... _he never flinched_ but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one _who gazed on Him Who is invisible_ " (Hebrews 11:27).

As Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he refused to flinch. I mentioned previously that we flinch when we draw back from anything that is difficult or dangerous. Moses refused to draw back. He was single-minded. _He was able to endure because he constantly focused his attention on God – on Him Who is invisible_.

The Israelites needed the leadership of Moses because they focused constantly on the problems they faced. They were _terrified_ when they saw the mighty army drawing close to them. "When Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked up, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and _the Israelites were exceedingly frightened and cried out to the Lord_ " (Exodus 14:10).

Instead of focusing on the problem, Moses trusted the Lord. "Moses told the people, _Fear not; stand still_ (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which _He will work for you today_. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. _The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest_ " (Exodus 14:13-14).

This passage of Scripture contains an important lesson for us. Instead of allowing fear to get inside of us, we should stand on our faith in the Lord. He will honor our faith. If we remain at peace and rest in the Lord, _He will fight our battles for us_.

The Lord urged Moses to encourage the Israelites. He told Moses to step out in faith and He gave him specific instructions telling him how to do this. The Lord said, "...Tell the people of Israel to go forward! Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea" (Exodus 14:15-16).

God parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites. Then, the same angel who parted the Red Sea went behind the Israelites and formed a cloud between them and the Egyptians. "...the Angel of God Who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before them and stood behind them..." (Exodus 14:19).

The Egyptians couldn't see through the cloud. They were blinded and they didn't know what was happening in front of them. "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land; and the waters were divided. And the Israelites went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left" (Exodus 14:21-22).

When the Egyptians tried to follow the Israelites into the opening in the Red Sea, God closed down the opening and they were destroyed. "The waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that pursued them; not even one of them remained" (Exodus 14:28).

If our loving Father was able to bring two million Israelites safely through the seemingly impenetrable waters of the Red Sea and He was able to destroy Pharaoh and the entire Egyptian army, _will you believe He can and will bring you safely through the problems you face_? Refuse to flinch. Focus your attention on the Lord at all times. Don't give up. Trust completely in God. "... _be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation_ ..." (Romans 12:12).

It's easy to give up. It isn't easy to be steadfast and patient in the midst of a long, trying ordeal. Our Father doesn't want us to waver. He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to be tenacious, single-minded, determined and unyielding.

# Chapter 9  
Persevere in the Will of God

We all have seen people who aren't Christians who have persevered and reached their goals. Many parents who refused to give up on their children have been rewarded for their perseverance. Inventors who have persisted in spite of persistent failures have been honored for their perseverance. I believe God, by His grace, rewards many people for their perseverance. However, I believe our Father _guarantees_ to reward His children for perseverance when we find _His will_ for our lives and _refuse to give up_.

Our Father has a specific plan for each of us. I believe the following statement He made to Jeremiah applies to every person. " _Before_ I formed you in the womb I _knew_ and _approved_ of you [as My _chosen instrument_ ]..." (Jeremiah 1:5). God knows exactly what He wants to do with our lives. The Psalmist said, "Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book _all the days_ [ _of my life_ ] _were written_ _before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them_ " (Psalm 139:16).

We must believe in our hearts and profess with our mouths that Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins. We must trust completely in Him for eternal salvation. If we do these things, we are reborn spiritually. We are recreated for a specific purpose. "... _we are God's_ [ _own_ ] _handiwork_ ( _His workmanship_ ), _recreated in Christ Jesus_ , [ _born anew_ ] _that we may do those good works which God predestined_ ( _planned beforehand_ ) _for us_ [ _taking paths which He prepared ahead of time_ ], _that we should walk in them_ [ _living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live_ ]" (Ephesians 2:10).

This passage of Scripture explains _why_ we were recreated when we were reborn spiritually. God has a plan for the remainder of our lives after we're born again. If He didn't, all Christians would go immediately to heaven after being reborn spiritually. God's Word says that our Father prepared in advance definite paths for each of His children to follow.

We must realize that _our lives are not our own_. Jesus died for us. He wants us to die to personal goals to live our lives for Him. "...[ _if_ ] _One died for all, then all died; and He died for all so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake_ " (II Corinthians 5:14-15).

We should devote our lives to carrying out God's plans. We should surrender control of our lives to God and give ourselves to Him to use as He desires. "... _offer and yield yourselves to God_ as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, _presenting them as implements of righteousness_ " (Romans 6:13).

The apostle Paul knew that we have to persevere when we attempt to fulfill God's plans for our lives. He said, "...I _press on_ to lay hold of (grasp) and _make my own_ , that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own" (Philippians 3:12). Paul was completely dedicated to do what Jesus Christ called him to do. "... _one thing I do_ [ _it is my one aspiration_ ]; _forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead_ ..." (Philippians 3:13).

Paul was so dedicated to carrying out God's plan for his life that he focused on it continually. Paul said, "... _the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me. But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from_ [ _which was entrusted to me by_ ] _the Lord Jesus_ ..." (Acts 20:23-24).

Paul knew he would face severe adversity on many different occasions. He _never allowed_ problems to move him. He _wasn't interested_ in personal goals. Paul _was consumed_ by the need to persevere to successfully complete the assignment Jesus gave to him.

_Every_ Christian should have a consuming desire to fulfill God's plan for his or her life. Everything we think, everything we say and everything we do ideally should be dedicated to carrying out God's will for our lives. "... _aim at and pursue righteousness_ (all that is virtuous and good, right living, _conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed_ )..." (II Timothy 2:22).

We live in the last days before Jesus returns. Time is short. We shouldn't waste time chasing after selfish goals. " _Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately; not as the unwise and witless, but as wise_ ( _sensible, intelligent people_ ), _making the very most of the time_ [ _buying up each opportunity_ ], _because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is_ " (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Jesus Christ is our example. During His earthly ministry, Jesus never concerned Himself with personal goals. He was completely dedicated to carrying out His Father's will. Jesus said, "...I _do not_ seek or consult My own will [I have _no_ desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but _only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me_ " (John 5:30).

So far in this chapter, I have attempted to explain the importance of finding God's will for our lives. Now, let's see _why it is so important to persevere_ in carrying out the assignment we have been given. "...if this doctrine or purpose or undertaking or movement is of _human origin_ it will _fail_ (be overthrown and come to nothing); but _if it is of God, you will not be able to stop or overthrow or destroy them_ ..." (Acts 5:38-39).

God _doesn't_ promise to honor our perseverance when we pursue _personal_ goals. However, He promises that _nothing can stop us if we persevere in His will for our lives_. Christians should pray continually to ask God to reveal His will for their lives. When we know we are in the center of God's will, our faith should be unyielding. We should persevere continually. _We can't fail because God will not be denied in seeing His will carried out_.

Anyone who has read the Book of Job knows that Job went through some very difficult times. However, Job knew that nothing could stop God. "...Job said to the Lord, I know that _You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted_ " (Job 42:1-2).

If we diligently seek to find and carry out God's will for our lives, _we have every right to believe God will honor our faith and perseverance._ We should _never_ be concerned about anything that comes against us. _Nothing can stop God_! "... _who can resist and withstand His will_?" (Romans 9:19).

Sometimes it seems as if everything we are doing is in vain. Our Father knows what we are doing on His behalf. He wants us to persevere. "...my beloved brethren, _be firm_ ( _steadfast_ ), _immovable_ , always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], _knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile_ [ _it is never wasted or to no purpose_ ]" (I Corinthians 15 :58).

This passage of Scripture has encouraged me many times in the ministry the Lord has given me. On several different occasions I have been in an position where it seemed as if there was no way I could accomplish the assignment I knew the Lord had given to me. However, even though I couldn't see any way out, I persevered and kept going because I was certain I was doing what God called me to do.

Our Father knows exactly what each of His children is going through. He _will_ reward us for our perseverance. "...God is _not_ unrighteous to _forget_ or _overlook_ your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do" (Hebrews 6:10).

We must not allow obstacles to deter us. Our Father wants us to focus continually on His plan for our lives. We should be single-minded and keep moving forward at all times. "Let your eyes look right on [ _with fixed purpose_ ], and let your gaze be _straight_ before you" (Proverbs 4:25).

No matter how difficult it might be to carry out God's will for our lives, we must understand that _God is completely dependable. He will not let us down_. "...those who are ill-treated and suffer _in accordance with God's will_ must do right and commit their souls [in charge as a deposit] to the One Who created [them] and _will never fail_ [ _them_ ]" (I Peter 4:19).

When I'm faced with adversity as I attempt to carry out God's will, I'm often comforted because I know God has provided a multitude of angels to help me. "... _He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways_ [ _of obedience and service_ ]" (Psalm 91:11).

Our Father has given specific angels a definite assignment to stay with us, to defend us and to preserve us in _everything_ we do on His behalf. Our Father also has given us the power of His Word to live in our hearts. He has provided the Holy Spirit to guide and encourage us. We have been given _everything_ we need to carry out God's will for our lives. _We must persevere. We must not give up_!

# Chapter 10  
We Depend Upon Almighty God

When we're committed to carrying out God's will for our lives, we should expect to go through seasons of adversity. Our Father wants us to trust Him completely. God is _omnipotent_ – He is all powerful. He is _omniscient_ – He knows everything. He is _omnipresent_ – He is able to be in many different places at the same time. _Our Father is in complete control of every situation_. "...the Lord our God the Omnipotent (the All-Ruler) _reigns_!" (Revelation 19:6).

Our Father is more than sufficient to bring each of His children through any problem we will face. _We must not allow our problems to seem bigger than God_. Too many of us magnify the problems in our lives when we should be exalting Almighty God and trusting completely in Him. We cannot afford to focus on our problems. We must draw close to our Father.

If we have a distant relationship with our Father, our problems will seem to be immense. God will seem to be small, vague and distant. However, if we continually draw close to our Father, we'll strengthen the belief deep down inside ourselves that He _really_ is much greater than any problem we will face.

Sometimes our Father allows our problems to get to the point where we must turn to Him. He wants each of His children to trust totally in Him. " _I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I_ [ _confidently_ ] _trust_!" (Psalm 91:2).

Many times we will be faced with problems that seem to be absolutely impossible to solve. When every door seems to be closed and there doesn't seem to be any way out, we must realize that God can bring us through if we keep our faith in Him and refuse to give up. "... _With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God_ " (Matthew 19:26).

Whenever a situation looks hopeless, I believe we should say something like this. "Dear Father, I can't see _any_ way out of this problem. However, I know _You_ can see _many_ solutions to this problem. I trust completely in You, dear Father. I know You _will_ bring me safely through. _I will not give up_ because my faith in You is strong and unwavering."

God's ways are much higher than our ways. We must not limit Him. We don't have to fight every battle by ourselves. He is with us every hour of every day. He wants to help us. "... _with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles_ ..." (II Chronicles 32:8).

Too many of us want to give up _because we're trying to fight battles our Father doesn't want us to fight_. Many times we do our best to solve a problem, but nothing we do seems to work. We must not give up. We should persevere because we trust God to fight for us. "... _the battle is not yours, but God's_ " (II Chronicles 20:15).

Most Christians have heard the story of David and Goliath. However, when we're faced with severe problems, it's helpful to have much more than just "head knowledge" of this magnificent story. Let's look into the Word of God to receive inspiration from this wonderful example of God's strength prevailing in the midst of a seemingly impossible situation.

As you read the story of David and Goliath, I suggest that you take any severe problem you might face and call it your "Goliath." If you know you can't solve your problems with your limited human ability, I suggest that you look at yourself as David.

This story tells about a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. The Israelites looked fearfully at a mighty Philistine warrior named Goliath. This giant was _almost ten feet tall_! "And a champion went out of the camp of the Philistines named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span [ _almost ten feet_ ]" (I Samuel 17:4).

The Israelites looked at an opponent who was almost twice as tall as they were. In addition to his size, Goliath was covered with bronze armor. He wore a bronze helmet on his head and he carried a mighty spear. "Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us" (I Samuel 17:8-9).

The Israelites were terrified when they heard what this giant said. When they looked at him and saw how immense and powerful he was, they turned and fled because they were afraid. "And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, _fled from him, terrified_ " (I Samuel 17:24).

Our Father doesn't want us to react to our problems in this manner. We shouldn't allow the imagined consequences of the problems we have to get inside of us. People who do this become terrified and run away from their problems. Instead of reacting this way to the "Goliaths" in our lives, we should emulate David.

David was a young boy who happened to be present in the camp of the Israelites because his father had told him to take bread and cheese to his brothers who were Israelite soldiers. Just as David arrived with these provisions, he heard Goliath's threat _. David wasn't afraid._ " _David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of this Philistine; your servant will go out and fight with him_ " (I Samuel 17:32).

Can you imagine how amazed Saul must have been to hear this young boy speaking these words immediately after his mighty warriors had fled in terror? "And Saul said to David, You are _not_ able to go to fight against this Philistine. _You are only an adolescent_ , and he has been a warrior from his youth" (I Samuel 17:33).

David refused to be discouraged because he _didn't_ trust in his inadequate human strength. He trusted the Lord. "David said, The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, _He will deliver me_ out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, _Go, and the Lord be with you_!" (I Samuel 17:37).

King Saul sent David to fight Goliath because he knew David was trusting completely in the Lord. Can you imagine how Goliath must have laughed when he saw this teenaged boy come out to face him? "And when the Philistine looked around and saw David, he _scorned and despised him_ , for he was but an adolescent, with a healthy reddish color and a fair face" (I Samuel 17:42).

David _stood up_ to his mighty opponent. " _Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear; and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will smite you and cut off your head_ ..." (I Samuel 17:45-46).

David's response to the giant tells us exactly how our Father wants each of us to react when we're faced with a seemingly impossible situation. _We don't have to trust in human resources_. David said, "...the Lord saves _not_ with sword and spear; for _the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands_ " (I Samuel 17:47).

This statement teaches us that God isn't depending upon our human ability, strength and wisdom. Please underline the words _the battle is the Lord's_. These words tell us to trust the Lord and to let Him fight for us instead of thinking we have to do everything ourselves.

David had so much faith in the Lord that he did exactly the opposite of what his countrymen did. Instead of running away from Goliath as the other Israelites did, David did just the opposite. When the giant moved toward David, _he ran toward the giant_. "When the Philistine came forward to meet David, _David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine_ " (I Samuel 17:48).

When David ran toward Goliath, _he stepped out in faith_. God honored his faith. "David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine, sinking into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So _David prevailed_ over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck down the Philistine and slew him. But _no sword_ was in David's hand" (I Samuel 17:49-50).

This story isn't a fairy tale. _This event actually took place_. A young, adolescent boy with a slingshot and a stone actually defeated a mighty giant who was covered with seemingly impenetrable armor. Our Father wants each of His children to do likewise. We must believe He will fight our seemingly impossible battles for us and give us the victory.

Our Father won't let us down. "...[ _God_ ] _Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support._ [ _I will_ ] _not_ [ _I will_ ] _not_ [ _I will_ ] not [ _I will_ ] _not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let_ [ _you_ ] _down_ ( _relax my hold on you_ )! [ _Assuredly not_!] " (Hebrews 13:5).

Notice that the words _I will not_ are used _four_ different times in this one verse of Scripture. Repetition in the Bible is used to emphasize a point. Our Father wants us to be very _certain_ He won't leave us in a helpless situation. He is very _emphatic_ about this promise.

If you are going through a difficult ordeal and it seems as if God doesn't even know you exist, please meditate on this passage of Scripture. Personalize it. Appropriate these promises from Your Father to you. Our Father will _never_ fail us or leave us without support. _We aren't helpless because God is with us_!

Our Father loves us more than we can comprehend. He promises to bring us through _every one_ of our problems _if_ we will trust in His love for us. "... _amid all these things, we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us_ " (Romans 8:37).

Let's examine this passage of Scripture carefully. First, please notice the italicized word _all_. Our Father doesn't promise us victory in _some_ of our problems or _most_ of our problems. If we do our best to obey the instructions in God's Word, to yield control of our lives to the Holy Spirit and to find and carry out God's will for our lives, our Father promises us victory in _all_ of our problems!

Next, please notice the italicized words _more than conquerors_ and _surpassing victory_. Our Father doesn't just promise that we will conquer our problems. He says we will be _more_ than conquerors. He will give us a _surpassing victory_ because the victory Jesus Christ won for us _surpasses_ any problem we will face!

This victory will be brought into manifestation in our lives if we dare to trust in God's love for us. _Nothing_ can separate us from our Father's love. "... _I am persuaded beyond doubt_ ( _am sure_ ) _that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord_ " (Romans 8:38-39).

No problem, no matter how difficult it may seem to be, should separate us from a deep, abiding and continuous consciousness of our Father's love for us. Love is the greatest power in the universe because God and love are the same. "... _God is love_ " (I John 4:8).

This passage of Scripture doesn't say God has love for us. It says God _is_ love. God's love for us is sufficient to bring us through _every_ problem. "Love bears up under _anything_ and _everything_ that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and _it endures everything_ [ _without weakening_ ]. _Love never fails_ ..." (I Corinthians 13:7-8).

We can persevere against any problem if our lives are centered around God's love for us. If we truly center our lives around God's love and if His love within us is extended to other people, _we won't give up. God never fails. God is love. Love never fails_.

This chapter is filled with encouraging promises from the Word of God. If you're faced with severe problems, I urge you to "saturate" yourself in these passages of Scripture. Soak them up. Personalize them. Fill your mind and heart with these precious promises. We _can_ depend on every promise in the word of God. " _God is faithful_ ( _reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on_ )..." (I Corinthians 1:9).

# Chapter 11  
Persevere in the Strength of the Lord

Our Father loves us. Because He loves us, He has made provisions enabling us to persevere in _His strength_. There is _not one place_ in the Bible where we're told to rely completely upon our human ability. Christians who do this make a big mistake. "He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart _is a_ [ _self-confident_ ] _fool_ ..." (Proverbs 28:26).

I like the amplification of the original Greek in this passage of Scripture. We're _foolish_ when we're self-confident. No matter how much natural ability any person might have, we must learn to trust in God and _not_ in ourselves. "...a mighty man is _not_ delivered by [his] much strength" (Psalm 33:16).

God created us. He knows how inadequate we are. His Word warns us against trusting in human ability. " _Not that we are fit_ ( _qualified and sufficient in ability_ ) _of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God_ " (II Corinthians 3:5).

However, no matter how gifted any person might be, no one has what it takes to persevere through some spiritual problems that cannot be solved through human ability. We open the door to Satan if we trust completely in our inadequate human abilities. "... _Cursed_ [with _great evil_ ] is the _strong man_ who trusts in and relies on _frail man_ , making weak [human] flesh his arm, and whose mind and heart tum aside from the Lord" (Jeremiah 17:5).

From a worldly perspective, it is beneficial to be strong, self-confident and self-reliant. Many courses are taught on the subject of self-confidence. Jesus didn't trust in Himself. He said, "I am able to do _nothing_ from Myself [independently, of My own accord – _only_ as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]..." (John 5:30).

I have often thought that one of the biggest liabilities we can have is to have a lot of God-given "natural ability." From a worldly perspective, beauty queens, successful athletes and people in positions of leadership are often revered. God's ways are _different_ from the ways of the world. God says that strong and self-reliant people are _cursed with great evil_.

We must realize how frail and inadequate all human ability is. We make a gigantic mistake if we trust in human ability and turn away from the Lord. We are nothing without Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "...apart from Me [cut off from _vital union_ with Me] you can do _nothing_ " (John 15:5).

When we're in the midst of a long, drawn-out ordeal, _we must turn towards the Lord instead of turning toward our human ability_. Human patience and perseverance often will not be sufficient. Only God can provide the steadfast endurance we need. _It is_ "... _God Who gives the power of patient endurance_ ( _steadfastness_ )..." (Romans 15:5).

Where do we get the patient endurance to keep going when everything seems lost? Where do we get the steadfastness to "hang in there" when there doesn't seem to be any hope? We don't have these qualities in ourselves. They come from God.

Many people give up when they get to the point where they know their human strength and ability are woefully inadequate. Our Father promises to give us the strength we need to persevere. " _The Lord will give_ [ _unyielding and impenetrable_ ] _strength to His people_ ..." (Psalm 29:11).

God's strength is _so great_ that we won't ever have to yield to _any_ problem _if we really believe_ His strength is available to us. God's strength is impenetrable. No problem is greater than His strength. "... _be strong in the Lord_ [ _be empowered through your union with Him_ ]; _draw your strength from Him_ [ _that strength which His boundless might provides_ ]" (Ephesians 6:10).

We can only appropriate God's strength through our union with Him. Christians who have an "arm's length" relationship with God can't appropriate His strength. If we want to utilize God's strength, we must have a close relationship with Him. We must draw close to Him continually.

If we do this, we'll get to the point where our trust in God is much greater than our faith in ourselves. _Why_ would we ever trust in ourselves if we can trust in God? He reigns over the entire universe. His strength is available to _every one of His children_. "... _You reign over all. In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all_." (I Chronicles 29:12).

Please underline or highlight the last word in this passage of Scripture. When God says _all_ , He includes _you_ in this statement! Your Father has promised to give you the strength you need to deal with the problems you face. He has promised to make each of His children great. If we honestly believe what God says, we'll never give up!

The apostle Paul had an intimate relationship with Timothy. Paul knew Timothy was weak in many areas. He encouraged him to keep going in the strength of Jesus Christ. Paul said, "...my son, be strong ( _strengthened inwardly_ ) in the grace (spiritual blessing) _that is_ [ _to be found only_ ] _in Christ Jesus_ " (II Timothy 2:1).

We should be encouraged to realize the magnificent strength that is available to us. No Christian will ever be faced with any problem that is too great for the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. " _I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me_ [ _I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency_ ]" (Philippians 4:13).

This passage of Scripture is my favorite. I can't begin to tell you how many times Philippians 4:13 has strengthened me during the past 20 years. On dozens of occasions when I have been faced with difficult problems, I have opened my mouth and boldly spoken this promise. _When my ears hear my lips speaking this magnificent promise, I am always strengthened on the inside because our faith is always strengthened when our ears hear our mouths boldly speaking the Word of God_. "...faith comes by _hearing_ [what is told]..." (Romans 10:17).

Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves because of our human weakness and inadequacy, we should rejoice that we are so weak and inadequate. When we're faced with difficult problems, our Father wants us to open our mouths and _admit_ how weak we are. Then, in the same breath, we should speak boldly of the strength that is available to us through the Lord. "... _let the weak say_ , _I am strong_ [ _a warrior_ ]!" (Joel 3:10).

No matter how weak we are in human ability, we must realize that the strength of Jesus Christ is more than sufficient to meet every need. "... _for My strength and power are made perfect_ ( _fulfilled and completed_ ) _and show themselves most effective in_ [ _your_ ] _weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ_ ( _the Messiah_ ) _may rest_ ( _yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell_ ) _upon me_!" (II Corinthians 12:9).

We should be _glad_ that we're weak in human strength because the strength of Jesus Christ can _only_ be manifested in our lives _when we know how weak we are_. "So for the sake of Christ, I am _well pleased_ and _take pleasure in_ infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; _for when I am weak_ [ _in human strength_ ], _then am I_ [ _truly_ ] _strong_ ( _able, powerful in divine strength_ )" (II Corinthians 12:10).

Many human beings allow fear to get into their hearts because they know how inadequate they are to deal with the problems they face. We must not allow fear to get inside of our minds and hearts. Fear has an enervating effect upon us. It eats away at us if it gets inside of us. If our lives are truly centered around the Lord, _we won't give in to fear_. "...The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life – _of whom shall I be afraid_?" (Psalm 27:1).

_Why would we ever be afraid of anything if we really believe God lives inside of us? If we continually draw close to Him, we won't be afraid_. " _Fear not_ [ _there is nothing to fear_ ], _for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you_ ..." (Isaiah 41:10).

Before I was a Christian I read the words "I am with you always." During the dark and dreary years before I asked Jesus to live in my heart, I often repeated the words "I am with you always" when I was faced with a severe problem. I didn't really know what those words meant, but it comforted me to think that God was always with me.

Now that I have become a Christian and understand this principle, I am comforted even more by God's presence. I believe the most important thing any Christian can do is to have a continual consciousness – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year – that Jesus Christ lives in our hearts. "... _it is no longer I who live; but Christ_ ( _the Messiah_ ) _lives in me_ ..." (Galatians 2:20).

Jesus Christ has won a total victory over every problem we have had, every problem we have now and every problem we ever will have. He isn't concerned in the slightest with His ability to solve the problems that seem so perplexing to us. Jesus wants us to trust Him to solve our problems instead of trying to do everything ourselves. "God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], _a very present and well-proved help in trouble_ " (Psalm 46:1).

If we take refuge in God and if we really do trust in His strength, the problems in our lives won't be able to penetrate into our minds and hearts. Satan won't be able to tempt us if we place all of our hope in the strength of God. Our Father will help His children who trust completely in Him and refuse to give up. He knows exactly what to do to bring us safely through every problem. "...the Lord _knows how to_ rescue the godly out of temptations and trials..." (II Peter 2:9).

When we're too weak to keep going, our hearts should _sing with_ _joy_ because we _know_ the strength of the Lord will bring us through. " _The Lord is my Strength and my_ [ _impenetrable_ ] _Shield_ ; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, _and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices_ , and with my song will I praise Him" (Psalm 28:7).

The psalmist went through many difficult ordeals. He trusted in the Lord's strength and his heart rejoiced. We should follow his example. Instead of reacting negatively to problems, our Father wants us to be quiet and calm deep down inside of ourselves. "... _in quietness and in_ [ _trusting_ ] _confidence shall be your strength_ " (Isaiah 30:15).

This passage of Scripture tells us the two sources of spiritual strength – _quietness_ and _confidence_. If we really want to appropriate the Lord's strength, we must remain calm and quiet whenever we face severe problems. We block the Lord's strength if we panic. However, _if we remain calm because of our confidence in Him, this quietness and confidence will enable us to appropriate His strength_.

Some people have a "pity party" when they're faced with severe problems. They have a severe case of the "poor me's." Our Father doesn't want us to be depressed. He wants us to _rejoice_ when we're faced with difficult trials. "... _be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold_ " (Nehemiah 8:10).

God always rejoices. No problem is too great for Him. If we really believe this, we won't ever feel sorry for ourselves. Instead, we'll draw strength from the joy of the Lord. His strength is able to invigorate us. If we believe this, we should seek His strength continually. "Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence _continually_!" (I Chronicles 16:11).

Our Father doesn't want us to be in His presence occasionally. We should have a deep yearning to be constantly in His presence. If we yearn for something, _we long for it_. We're _consumed_ by this desire. "Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and _crave Him and His strength_ (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [ _continually_ ] _evermore_ " (Psalm 105:4).

This passage of Scripture tells us what we must do when we need to endure and persevere. If we seek the Lord at all times and crave a close relationship with Him, His strength will sustain us. If we are in the Lord's presence, _nothing_ can hurt us. He will bless us when we trust in His strength. " _Blessed_ ( _happy, fortunate, to be envied_ ) _is the man whose strength is in You_ ..." (Psalm 84:5).

Christians who don't know how to appropriate the strength of the Lord aren't much better off here on earth than unsaved people who can only go through adversity trusting in human strength. If you're faced with a problem you can't solve, _please realize that God isn't depending on you to solve the problem. We must not try to do God's work for Him._

This chapter is filled with Scripture references promising that the Lord will strengthen us. If your strength isn't sufficient, don't give up. Meditate continually on these passages of Scripture. They will strengthen you.

# Chapter 12  
The Holy Spirit Will Help Us to Persevere

When our human ability and strength are insufficient to successfully carry out God's will for our lives, we should know that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to persevere. "... _be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit_ [ _Himself_ ] _indwelling your innermost being and personality_ ]" (Ephesians 3:16).

We don't have to struggle as unsaved people do. Our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to help us carry out the goals He has for us. "...we have _not_ received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but _the Holy Spirit Who is from God_ ..." (I Corinthians 2:12).

When we must persevere in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, we must _know_ deep down in our hearts that _God Himself lives inside of us and that He can and will help us when we're too weak to keep going in our strength_. "... _the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness_ ..." (Romans 8:26).

When Jesus came to earth to carry out His earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit actually led Jesus into the desert to be tested by Satan. "Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit for (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil..." (Luke 4:1-2).

_Why_ did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the desert to be tempted exceedingly by Satan? I believe He did this to prepare Jesus for His earthly ministry. We also must expect to face severe adversity as we seek to carry out God's will for our lives. After completing this 40-day ordeal through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was ready to begin His earthly ministry. "Then Jesus went back _full of and under the power of the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit_ into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about" (Luke 4:14).

Jesus successfully completed His earthly ministry the same way our Father wants each of us to carry out His assignment for our lives. If we yield control of our lives to the Holy Spirit and if we're filled with and controlled by Him, Satan _won't_ be able to stop us. _No_ worldly problems can stop us because "...He Who lives in you is _greater_ (mightier) than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4).

Satan is the god of this world. Jesus triumphed over Satan when He rose from the dead. The battle has been won. _The power of the Holy Spirit in us is greater than any circumstance we'll face in this world_. No matter how difficult our problems might seem to be, we _don't_ have to solve them with our limited ability. "... _Not_ by might, _nor_ by power, but _by My Spirit_ ..." (Zechariah 4:6).

Our Father wants us to study and meditate on His Word continually. If we fill our minds and hearts with the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will help us to live according to God's instructions. "... _I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordinances and do them_ " (Ezekiel 36:27).

If the Holy Spirit had the power to raise Jesus from the dead, He certainly has the power to overcome _any_ problem we'll ever experience. "...if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11).

When we're so weary we don't believe we can keep going, the Holy Spirit _will_ give us the energy and desire to do whatever God wants us to do. We must realize that the Holy Spirit "... _is all the while effectually at work in you_ [ _energizing and creating in you the power and desire_ ], _both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight_ " (Philippians 2:13).

The Holy Spirit doesn't work in us occasionally – He works in us _all the while_. He is always at work inside of us. He works _effectually_ – His work produces great results. The Holy Spirit _energizes_ us. He provides the energy we need to do whatever He wants to do in us and through us. He gives us the power we need. He also gives us the _desire_ to do whatever He wants us to do.

The apostle Paul was noted for his perseverance. Paul refused to give up in the face of many seemingly impossible situations. He knew the Holy Spirit would give him the energy to keep going. Paul said, "For this I labor [unto weariness], _striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me_ " (Colossians 1:29).

We don't have what it takes to persevere under great pressure. All human beings have many "leaks" that show up during times of severe adversity. Because of this fact, it is vitally important for all Christians to "... _ever be filled and stimulated with the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit_ " (Ephesians 5:18).

The _only_ way we can be _filled_ and _stimulated_ with the Holy Spirit is to be _emptied_ of our own selfish desires. All Christians are here on earth to carry out God's will. We must tum away from our desires so the Holy Spirit can fill us with His will for our lives.

The Holy Spirit knows the assignments our Father has given to each of us. If we utilize His power and ability, we _will_ be successful in carrying out these assignments. The Holy Spirit "... _by_ ( _in consequence of_ ) _the_ [ _action of His_ ] _power that is at work within us, is able to_ [ _carry out His purpose and_ ] _do superabundantly far over and above all that we_ [ _dare_ ] _ask or think_ [ _infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams_ ]..." (Ephesians 3:20).

Our Father has a definite plan for each of our lives. The Holy Spirit works inside of us to carry out the assignments our Father has given to us. _If we'll get out of the way and trust Him, He can and will do in our lives much, much more than we dare to ask or think_.

We must dare to trust the Holy Spirit. He knows exactly what He wants to do in our lives. He doesn't want us to attempt to do His work for Him. " _Do not quench_ ( _suppress or subdue_ ) _the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit_ ..." (I Thessalonians 5:19).

If we yield control of our lives to the Holy Spirit and trust completely in Him, there is _no limit_ to what He can and will do in us and through us. He is able to superabundantly guide us to carry out God's will for our lives to a degree that is infinitely beyond anything we would dare to ask or think. He will reveal God's plan to us if we will quiet our minds each day with the sincere desire to hear His voice.

Satan tries to influence us to become discouraged when we're faced with a situation that seems to be hopeless. Satan's evil spirits whisper into our ears telling us to give up. _Nothing is hopeless to the Holy Spirit_. " _May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing_ [ _through the experience of your faith_ ] _that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing_ ( _bubbling over_ ) _with hope_ " (Romans 15 :13).

Would you like to be overflowing with hope? God's Word tells us this blessing is available to us. This passage of Scripture refers to our Father as _the God of your hope_. We are told that He will fill us with joy and peace if we have faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.

_If the Holy Spirit truly is in control of our lives, we won't give up because He will sustain us_. Problems that seem insurmountable to us become opportunities to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He is God. He sees every circumstance in our lives from an eternal perspective. He will give us the power to persevere.

I know I am weak and inadequate. When I go through a difficult ordeal, I often open my mouth and say something like this: "Dear Father, I _don't_ have the strength and ability to keep going in the face of these problems. I _thank_ _You_ for making the magnificent ability of the Holy Spirit available to me. Holy Spirit, _I trust You completely_. I yield control of my life to You. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ asking You to release Your power to solve these problems I face. Thank You, Holy Spirit."

_When we go through the grueling marathon of life and it seems as if we can't possibly reach the finish line, we can persevere because the energy, power strength and ability of the Holy Spirit are available to us. If we'll wait on Him and trust completely in Him, He will bring us safely through every season of adversity_.

# Chapter 13  
Wait for the Lord

We have seen that God will guide us and strengthen us when we're unable to keep going with our human ability. When we're tired, we have been given the ability to partake of His unlimited energy. When we don't know what to do, our Father knows exactly what must be done. "... _The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding_ " (Isaiah 40:28).

God created everything and everyone on the earth. Nothing can cause Him to become weary. When you and I are worn out, God has unlimited energy and stamina. When we can't see any possible solution to our problems, He knows many ways to solve these problems. We can't begin to comprehend what God knows and how much He understands.

I have often been faced with problems that seemed to be hopeless. _God is faithful_. If we refuse to give up and persevere because we trust in Him, He _will_ bring us safely through our problems. Our Father usually doesn't do this the way we think He will or when we think He will do it, but we can depend on Him.

Our Father will give us the power to keep going when we're weary. When we're weak, He can increase our strength to a level beyond our comprehension. " _He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength_ [ _causing it to multiply and making it to abound_ ]" (Isaiah 40:29).

Sometimes our problems are so severe that even young men with all of the energy of youth wouldn't be able to keep going. God still promises to give us the strength to persevere. " _Even youths shall faint and be weary, and_ [ _selected_ ] _young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord_ [ _who expect, look for and hope in Him_ ] _shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up_ [ _close to God_ ] _as eagles_ [ _mount up to the sun_ ]; _they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint or become tired_ " (Isaiah 40:30-31).

I believe this passage of Scripture is one of the most important passages in the Bible for Christians who need to persevere. Imagine being in a situation that requires _so much_ endurance that even the most physically fit young people in the world don't have the strength to keep going. When we find ourselves in such a situation, we are instructed to _wait for the Lord_.

What does it mean to wait for the Lord? I like the amplification in this passage of Scripture. It says that to wait for the Lord is to _expect, look for and hope in Him_. When we can't keep going because of inadequate human strength or ability, we should _expect_ the Lord to help us. He wants us to _look for_ His assistance. _We must not give up hope. We should place all of our hope in the Lord_.

If we persevere and wait for the Lord, the situation will change. God _will renew_ our strength and power. If we stay _close_ to Him, we'll be like _eagles_ who have the power to spread their wings and soar over the top of a storm. _We'll be able to persevere without being weary, faint or tired_.

_God never gives up_. There is no place in God's Word that tells us to give up. No matter how difficult our problems might seem to us, we must wait for the Lord. " _Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord_ " (Psalm 27:14).

When we're faced with a long, grueling season of adversity, Satan and his assistants try to persuade us to give up hope. Our Father wants us to place _all_ of our hope in Him. We should _expect_ Him to help us. He wants us to _endure patiently_ because we have _complete confidence_ in Him.

Whenever we face _any_ problem, our Father wants us to do the _best_ we can with the human ability He has given us. " _Whatever_ your hand finds to do, do it with _all your might_ ..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Once we've done our best, we can't do any more. When we have done our best, we have only _one_ alternative – to continually wait for God and to _expect_ Him to help us. "...wait [ _expectantly_ ] for your God _continually_!" (Hosea 12:6).

While we're waiting, we should spend time with the Lord each day. We should study and meditate on His Word. We should pray and worship Him continually. If we do these things on a daily basis, _we won't give up hope_. We'll _expect_ the Lord to answer our prayers. "...I will wait with _hope_ and _expectancy_ ..." (Micah 7:7).

Whenever we're faced with seemingly impossible problems, our Father wants us to trust so much in Him that we'll wait as long as He requires. _We_ _never wait alone_. The Holy Spirit will help us while we wait for God's answer. "... _through the_ [ _Holy_ ] _Spirit's_ [ _help_ ], _by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing_ ..." (Galatians 5:5).

We should _expect_ the Holy Spirit to help us. Instead of giving up, our faith should be strong enough to anticipate the blessing God has for us. Our thoughts, words and actions while we wait should clearly indicate our faith that God will bless us.

We shouldn't give in to our emotions while we wait. Instead, we should rest in the Lord while we're waiting. "...he who has once entered [God's] rest also _has ceased from_ [ _the weariness and pain_ ] _of human labors_ ..." (Hebrews 4:10).

When we enter into God's rest, we stop worrying and hurrying and trying to make things happen. Many people give up because they believe they have to solve their problems with their abilities. _We can only enter into God's rest when we cease from the weariness and pain of human labor._

We must admit that we don't have what it takes to persevere. We should be constantly aware of God's presence. He is with us every step of the way. He wants us to rest in Him because we know He is always with us. "... _the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest_ " (Exodus 33:14).

The Psalmist David was mature in the Lord. He trusted completely in the Lord and waited for Him. David said, "My soul, wait _only_ upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation _are from Him_. He _only_ is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, _I shall not be moved_ " (Psalm 62:5-6).

Please note that the word _only_ is used twice in this passage of Scripture. Waiting for the Lord often is our _only_ alternative. When we don't have any other option, we should silently submit to God. When we wait for Him, _all_ of our hope and expectation should be in Him. _We should not be moved by our problems._

If we truly trust the Lord, we'll be very consistent while we wait. Immature people go through many emotional ups and downs. Mature Christians should be calm, cool and collected when they face problems. They are able to persevere because they trust the Lord. "... _be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship_ ..." (II Timothy 4:5).

God is always fair. If we wait for Him and refuse to give up, He will pour out blessings upon us. "...the Lord is a God of _justice_. _Blessed_ (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are _all_ those who [ _earnestly_ ] _wait for Him_ , who _expect_ and _look_ and _long for Him_ [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!" (Isaiah 30:18).

Our Father promises to bless _all_ of His children who earnestly wait for Him. This word _all_ includes you! If your problems seem to be so difficult that no one can solve them, realize that God has promised to bless you if you wait for Him. He will never let you down!

We're instructed to wait for the Lord _earnestly_. We should be very serious, determined and intense while we wait for the Lord. We should _expect_ Him and _look for_ Him. We should long for a close relationship with Him.

Our Father will bless us if we wait for Him. His love for us is much greater than we can comprehend. If we really expect Him to help us, we will be able to walk in His peace and His joy while we wait for Him. "The Lord is _good_ to those who _wait hopefully_ and _expectantly_ for Him..." (Lamentations 3:25).

The Word of God repeatedly says the Lord is good to us when we refuse to give up hope. Our Father promises to bring us through if we obey His instructions and have _deep faith_ that He will solve our problems. " _Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you_ ..." (Psalm 37:34).

This passage of Scripture gives us additional instruction on how to wait for the Lord. Once again, we see the familiar instructions to wait for and expect the Lord. While we're waiting, we should do our best to obey the instructions in His Word. If we expect the Lord to help us and if we live our lives according to His instructions, He _will_ lift us above our problems.

God is in complete control. We'll never be disappointed if we wait for Him. No matter how bad our problems might seem to be, we won't be ashamed if we keep our eyes on the Lord and refuse to give up because we fully expect Him to bring us through. "... _I am the Lord; for they shall not be put to shame who wait for look for hope for and expect Me_ " (Isaiah 49:23).

This chapter is filled with promises from God's Word telling us what our Father will do if we wait for Him because we trust Him. In the next chapter, we'll look into the Word of God for detailed instructions telling us _how_ to build ourselves up while we're waiting for the Lord to answer our prayers.

# Chapter 14  
We Must Build Ourselves Up While We Wait

We should work diligently at strengthening our faith while we're waiting for God to answer our prayers. If we do this, we won't waver. Our faith will enable us to stop the attacks of Satan and his evil spirits. "Lift up over _all_ the [covering] shield of _saving faith_ , upon which you can quench _all_ the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]" (Ephesians 6:16).

This passage of Scripture is very encouraging. It says we are able to withstand _all_ of the missiles Satan fires at us. Are you going through a difficult time? Is it hard for you to persevere? Is Satan trying to wear you down? Underline or highlight the word _all_ in this passage of Scripture. This passage of Scripture applies to _you_ and the problems _you_ are going through.

If we keep our faith strong, we'll be able to persevere and bring into manifestation the victory Jesus Christ won for us. However, we can't persevere if our faith is shallow. Christians who don't have deeply rooted faith will ultimately give up. "... _they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while_ ..." (Mark 4:17).

When we go through the storms of life, we are very much like trees in a hurricane. I have looked at trees that were ripped out of the ground by a hurricane. These trees had the most shallow roots. If we want to endure the storms of life, our faith and perseverance must be _deeply rooted_ in the Word of God.

One of the best ways to build ourselves up when we're going through severe problems is to feed ourselves the spiritual food of God's Word each day. In the natural realm, we need to eat good, wholesome food to provide the energy we need. In the spiritual realm, we must feed ourselves good spiritual food to provide the faith to persevere.

The Word of God is our spiritual food. If we feed it to ourselves continually when we go through difficult times, it will build us up spiritually. "...I commend you to _the Word of His grace_ [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. _It is able to build you up and to give you_ [ _your rightful_ ] _inheritance_ among all God's set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul)" (Acts 20:32).

We haven't earned the right to the thousands of precious promises in God's Word. Our Father has given us His Word through His grace. This passage of Scripture tells us that the Word of God is able to build us up so that we will be able to receive the inheritance God has provided for His children who set themselves apart by dedicating their lives entirely to Him.

If we want to build ourselves up we must be _purified_ as a result of the constant cleansing of God's Word. Our souls should be _transformed_ because they are constantly renewed from feeding God's Word into our minds and hearts.

Many years ago anointed men of God wrote the holy Scriptures to give us the encouragement we need to endure and persevere today. "For whatever was thus written in _former days_ was written for our _instruction_ , that by [our _steadfast and patient_ ] _endurance_ and the _encouragement_ [drawn] _from the Scriptures_ we might _hold fast to and cherish hope_ " (Romans 15:4).

Isn't it interesting to realize that God made provisions thousands of years ago for His Word to provide us the instruction we need today? If we continually fill our minds and hearts with the holy Scriptures, _we will be encouraged. We'll receive power to endure steadfastly and patiently. If we hold fast to these promises, we won't give up hope._

I can tell you from many years of experience that it isn't easy to study and meditate continually on the Word of God. I have gone through long seasons of time where I built myself up day after day in the Word of God. No matter how tired I was, I did this every day because I knew how important it was. We must be willing to pay a price when we study and meditate on God's Word.

If you're going through a difficult time, you must have a strong determination to build yourself up spiritually. Make up your mind to pay the price of studying and meditating on the Word of God each and every day. "... _Though our outer man is_ [ _progressively_ ] _decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being_ [ _progressively_ ] _renewed day after day_ " (II Corinthians 4:16).

I love this passage of Scripture. We're told that our bodies progressively decay and waste away. In the world today, many people try to camouflage the aging process with wigs, hair coloring, makeup, girdles, etc. _We can only deal with the aging process from the inside out; not from the outside in._

We should renew our minds on a daily basis at every age, but it is _especially important_ to do this as the aging process accelerates. As our bodies decay more and more, _we must build ourselves up on the inside_. This renewal should be progressive. It must be done _day after day_. We can't persevere during difficult seasons in our lives if we only build ourselves up occasionally. We must be consistent. "... _be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind_ [ _having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude_ ]..." (Ephesians 4:23).

Once again, God's Word instructs us to renew our minds constantly. If we want to stay fresh in our minds and in our hearts, we must build ourselves up continually. When we go through difficult times, we need fresh spiritual food every day.

We should renew our minds constantly so we won't think the way Satan wants us to think. _We can turn away from the ways of the world by focusing constantly on God_. "... _set your minds and keep them set on what is above_ ( _the higher things_ ), _not on the things that are on the earth_ " (Colossians 3 :2).

I'd like to pause here to ask you, the reader of this book, to take a little quiz. I have asked the questions I'm about to ask to dozens of audiences throughout the United States and Canada. I have found that only 10-20% of the Christians in the audience know the correct answer to the following important questions.

The word "success" is mentioned only _once_ in the Bible. _Do you know_ the _only_ place in the Bible where the word "success" is mentioned? _Do you want to be successful in God's eyes_? If so, _do you know the three specific things_ God's Word instructs us to do if we want to be successful and prosperous in everything we do?

You will find the answers to these questions in the following passage of Scripture. We must know, understand and apply these spiritual principles to persevere during the difficult seasons in our lives. " _This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success_ " (Joshua 1:8).

I'd like to comment on the last part of this passage of Scripture first. God says, "... _then_ you shall make your way prosperous, and _then_ you shall deal wisely and have good success." Our Father has given us specific instructions on how to receive His prosperity, wisdom and success, but this promise is _conditional_. We must do our part. _Then_ the Lord will do His part.

Let's look at the three specific instructions our Father has given us. God gave these instructions to Joshua shortly after Moses died and Joshua ascended to the position of leadership of millions of Israelites. The same instructions apply to each of us today.

I prefer to explain this passage of Scripture by explaining the second principle first – _to meditate day and night_ upon the Word of God. _We renew our minds by studying God's Word. I believe the Word of God drops from our minds down into our hearts when we meditate on it day and night._

When we meditate on God's Word we "chew" and "digest" the spiritual food contained in the Word of God. When I meditate upon a passage of Scripture, I personalize it. I put my name in the promise I'm meditating upon. I reflect on the meaning of this passage of Scripture throughout the day and night. I turn the Scripture over and over in my mind, looking at it from many different angles. I absorb everything I can from each passage of Scripture.

Next, Joshua 1:8 says that God's Word _shouldn't depart from our mouths_. We should speak the Word of God constantly. Jesus told us in Matthew 12:34-35 that the words that flow out of our mouths are based upon what we have stored up in our hearts. When we continually meditate on God's Word, we fill our hearts with the holy Scriptures. When our _hearts_ overflow with the Word of God, the words from our _mouths_ will line up more and more with God's Word.

Finally, Joshua 1:8 tells us to _observe and do according to all that is written_ in the Word of God. If we study and meditate continually on God's Word, we program it into our minds and hearts. This process is similar to programming a computer. If we program God's Word into our minds and hearts continually, we will _obey_ its instructions. _If we follow each of the instructions from Joshua 1:8, we will be able to persevere successfully and prosper in everything we do_.

Satan and his evil spirits try to get at us through our minds so they can get down into our hearts. They know that our hearts are the key to our lives. If we constantly meditate on God's Word and fill our _hearts_ with its supernatural power, _we will be able to persevere_ against the attacks of Satan and his evil spirits. "... _the Word of God is_ [ _always_ ] _abiding in you_ ( _in your hearts_ ), _and you have been victorious over the wicked one_ " (I John 2:14).

If you want to be able to persevere against the attacks of Satan, ask yourself if the Word of God constantly abides in your heart. If we build our hearts up _continually_ , we _will_ be able to persevere in the midst of severe pressure. " _Comfort_ and _encourage_ your hearts and _strengthen_ them [make them _steadfast_ and keep them _unswerving_ ] in every good work and word" (II Thessalonians 2:17).

God's Word gives us several specific instructions telling us exactly what our Father wants us to do to build ourselves up spiritually. " _Receive_ , I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth, and _lay up His words in your heart_. If you _return_ to the Almighty [and _submit_ and _humble_ yourself before Him], _you will be built up_ ..." (Job 22:22- 23).

This promise, like many other promises in the Bible, is a _conditional_ promise. If we want to be built up spiritually, we must obey the specific instructions our Father has given us in this passage of Scripture.

First we are told to _receive instruction_ from God. We do this by _filling our hearts_ continually with the Word of God. We must _return to God_ by turning away from personal desires to focus completely on Him. We must _submit to God_ and _humble ourselves_ before Him. If we follow these instructions, our hearts will be built up. Our words will line up with God's Word.

We have seen previously in Psalm 103:20 that words coming out of our mouths that are aligned with God's Word activate angels to work on our behalf. Conversely, words that deny the victory of Jesus Christ give Satan and his evil spirits spiritual power they cannot get in any other way. _We must understand the power of our words_. "How _forcible_ are words of straightforward speech!..." (Job 6:25).

When we go through a long season of adversity, we should build ourselves up daily by speaking the Word of God out of faith-filled hearts. Every word we speak should indicate our faith in the Lord. "... _let us hold fast our confession_ [ _of faith in Him_ ]" (Hebrews 4:14).

When Satan and his evil spirits try to entice us to give up, we can fight back with the words we speak. If our hearts are overflowing with the Word of God, powerful and encouraging words from the holy Scriptures will pour out of our mouths. These faith-filled words will deliver us from the attacks of Satan. "...the mouth of the upright shall _deliver_ them..." (Proverbs 12:6).

When we go through a difficult time, Satan wants us to react emotionally to our problems. _Our Father wants us to react based upon the promises in His Word_. He wants us to persevere by holding tightly on to His Word until the victory of Jesus Christ is manifested in our lives. "...these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, _hold it fast_ in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, _and steadily bring forth fruit with patience_ " (Luke 8:15).

Would you like to be able to _hold fast_ during a prolonged season of adversity? Do you want to be able to _steadily bring forth fruit with patience_? Make the decision to hold tightly on to the Word of God. Your life could depend upon this. " _Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her; for she is your life_ " (Proverbs 4:13).

Our faith must not waver. If we focus continually on God's precious promises and speak these promises constantly, we release spiritual power. "... _let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgment of it, for He Who promised is reliable_ ( _sure_ ) _and faithful to His word_ " (Hebrews 10:23).

This passage of Scripture summarizes everything we have discussed in this chapter. When we go through adversity, we need to _seize_ the promises in the Word of God. When we seize something, we take hold of it forcefully and hang on to it tightly. If we continually _hold fast_ to God's Word while we go through a season of adversity, _our faith will not waver_. _We won't give up hope_. Our hearts will be filled with the encouragement of the Holy Scriptures. Our mouths will confess the glorious promises our Father has given us in His Word.

God is completely reliable. We can depend upon every promise in the Bible. Instead of focusing on our _problems_ , we should focus constantly on the _promises_ our Father has given us. If we do this, we will be strong spiritually. We will be able to persevere. " _The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble_ ..." (Proverbs 18:14).

This chapter is filled with Scripture references telling us how to build ourselves up while we wait on the Lord. I hope these wonderful promises will encourage you as they have encouraged me. In the next chapter, we'll look into God's Word to learn how to stand fast and persevere when we're faced with difficult problems.

# Chapter 15  
Stand on the Word of God

We have learned how to do the best we can with our human ability and then to build ourselves up spiritually, to rest in the Lord and to trust Him as we wait for His answer to our prayers. For many years I have focused on the following passage of Scripture whenever I was faced with a problem that was too difficult for me to handle. "... _having done all_ [ _the crisis demands_ ], _to stand_ [ _firmly in your place_ ]" (Ephesians 6:13).

Whenever we're faced with a crisis situation, we should do our very best to solve the problems we face. Once we have done our best, we should _stand in faith_ that we share in the victory of Jesus Christ. The word "stand" is a military word. When an army moves forward and takes a certain amount of ground, they try to hold on to this ground. "... _hold fast what you have_ ..." (Revelation 3:11).

Jesus Christ has given us victory over every problem. We should hold fast because we trust completely in Him. Our Father wants us to stand just as an army stands. No matter what problems we face – a financial problem, a family problem, a health problem or a problem in any other area, we should _stand_ boldly on our faith in the Lord.

We must not allow Satan to rob us of the magnificent victory Jesus has won for us. We should stand firmly in place because we _know_ this victory has been given to us. "... _in_ [ _your_ ] _faith_ (in your strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God) _you stand firm_ " (I Corinthians 1:24).

We're able to stand against the attacks of Satan because we know Jesus is the Messiah. If we're able to trust Jesus for eternal life in heaven, we certainly can trust Him to bring us through any problems we face here on earth. Jesus has given us victory over death and He has given us victory in every aspect of our lives on earth. We can stand firmly based upon our faith in this victory. "...Christ has made us _free_ [ _and completely liberated_ us]; _stand fast then_ , and do _not_ be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]" (Galatians 5:1).

We must place our total faith in Jesus. He won't let us down. He will honor our faith and perseverance. "... _he who believes in Him_ [ _who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him_ ] _shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations_ " (Romans 9:33).

Are you faced with a seemingly unsolvable problem? Open your mouth and say, " _I will not back up_. I don't care what the situation looks like. I _stand in faith_ on the promises in God's Word. Jesus Christ has given me a total and unconditional victory. I refuse to give up."

Unfortunately, some Christians allow Satan to steal the victory Jesus Christ has provided for us. Some of us have faith for a while, but we don't stand in faith _long enough_. If our faith in the Lord is strong enough, we'll stand firmly in place no matter how long it takes to receive the manifestation of His victory. _If we really believe we have the victory, why would we ever give up_?

When everything is going wrong, we should draw closer to God. We can _only_ stand firmly in place when we're going through severe adversity if we have a _close_ relationship with God. "...the people who _know their God_ shall prove themselves _strong_ and shall _stand firm_ and do exploits [for God]" (Daniel 11:32).

Would you like to stand firm and do great things for God? Do you want to be able to appropriate His strength whenever you face a difficult problem? God's Word says that people who _know their God_ are able to remain strong and stand firmly in place and do exploits for God.

We can't stand firmly in place against a difficult problem if we only have a casual "arm's length" relationship with God. It is very important to draw close to Him each day. When we go through difficult times, it is imperative to set aside time every day to study and meditate on the Word of God. We should worship the Lord and praise Him continually. We should pray constantly.

Also, whenever we're faced with difficult problems, we should join faith with _other Christians_. We should ask our brothers and sisters to stand with us in faith. "...you are _standing firm in united spirit_ and purpose, striving _side by side_ and contending with a _single mind_ for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel)" (Philippians 1:27).

Our Father wants us to be single-minded in our faith in His Word. He wants His children to stand firm in united faith. When we know other Christians are going through a season of adversity, we should reach out _constantly_ to them with encouragement. "...(admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day..." (Hebrews 3:13).

Tremendous spiritual power is released when two or more Christians _stand together_ in strong faith. _Jesus Christ joins with us_ when we stand together in His name. Jesus said, "For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, _there I AM in the midst of them_ " (Matthew 18:20).

We can't stand against the attacks of Satan unless our faith is strong. We must have a deep conviction in the victory we have been given and stand courageously in faith. "... _stand firm in your faith_ (your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and part of it). Act like men and be courageous..." (I Corinthians 16:13).

Christians will face many problems, but Jesus has given us victory over _every problem_. God doesn't promise to deliver us from _some_ of our problems. If we consistently do our best to obey the instructions in His Word, we have every right to believe He will deliver us from _every_ problem. "Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but _the Lord delivers him out of them all_ " (Psalm 34:19).

This chapter is filled with instructions telling us how to stand in faith when we're faced with difficult problems. If you are going through a season of adversity, go back over this chapter with a pen or a highlighter. Highlight or underline every place in this chapter where the word _stand_ is used. Go back over each passage of Scripture and meditate on it continually. _God's Word will help you to stand firmly in faith against the problems you face_.

# Chapter 16  
Get Up – Don't Stay Down!

Life isn't easy. We all can expect to be knocked down many times. However, our Father wants us to _get up_. Satan has learned from many years of experience that he can knock some people down and they'll stay down. Because he has been successful doing this, Satan continues to knock people down. _We must not stay down_!

All Christians are soldiers in the army of Jesus Christ. When soldiers are engaged in a war, they know they will go through difficult times. The apostle Paul told Timothy, " _Take_ [ _with me_ ] _your share of the hardships and suffering_ [ _which you are called to endure_ ] _as a good_ ( _first-class_ ) _soldier of Christ Jesus_ " (II Timothy 2:3).

We must be realistic. We all are called to endure a certain amount of hardship in our lives. Jesus is our Commander-in-Chief. _We please Him when we persevere in the face of adversity_. "No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to _satisfy_ and _please_ the one who enlisted him" (II Timothy 2:4).

We must not give up when we face problems in life. We please Jesus when we stand boldly in faith against these problems. Jesus wants us to endure as soldiers who have been given an unconditional victory by the One Who enlisted us in His army.

Anyone who has studied history knows that victorious armies often lose battles before they ultimately emerge victorious. I'm old enough to remember World War II. The situation looked very grim in the months immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. However, the tide eventually turned and the Allied Forces won victory in the Pacific. This same pattern was repeated on the European front. The Allied Forces didn't give up because they lost some early battles. They persevered and they won the war.

This same principle applies to us. _We may lose some battles, but we'll win the war if we refuse to give up_. We must not surrender just because we get knocked down a few times. We might _bend_ , but we _shouldn't break_. We might _feel_ like giving up, but _we must not give in_ to these feelings.

Have you ever read the story of the life of Abraham Lincoln? This great Christian man lost many battles, but he refused to be defeated. Imagine how Abraham Lincoln must have felt as he went through the following events in his life:

YEAR EVENT

1831 _Failed_ in business

1832 _Defeated_ for the Legislature

1833 _Failed again_ in business

1834 Elected to the Legislature

1835 Fiancée _died_

1836 Suffered a _nervous breakdown_

1838 _Defeated_ for Speaker

1840 _Defeated_ for Elector

1843 _Defeated_ for Land Officer

1844 _Defeated_ for Congress

1846 Elected to Congress

1848 _Defeated_ for Congress

1855 _Defeated_ for Senate

1856 _Defeated_ for Vice President

1858 _Defeated_ for Senate

1860 Elected President

Please go back and read through each of these defeats and failures. I have listed thirteen defeats, but Abraham Lincoln persevered to win three important victories. Try to imagine how easy it would have been for Abraham Lincoln to give up. He was knocked down many times, but he _refused to stay down_.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "When you come to the end of your rope, _tie a knot in it and hang on_." He also said, "My great concern is _not_ whether you have failed, but whether you are _content_ with your failure."

The life of Abraham Lincoln has been an inspiration to many people. The apostle Paul was another wonderful example of someone who persevered through severe trials. He once said, "We are hedged in (pressed) on _every_ side [troubled and oppressed in _every_ way], but _not cramped or crushed_ ; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find the way out, _but not driven to despair_ ; we are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), _but not deserted_ [ _to stand alone_ ]; we are struck down to the ground, _but never struck out and destroyed_ ..." (II Corinthians 4:8-9).

This passage of Scriptures gives us a summation of the severe adversity Paul faced. If you would like to do a detailed study of the problems Paul went through during his ministry, carefully study Paul's epistles (Romans through Philemon) and search for the many examples of the severe problems he faced. You will be encouraged by Paul's perseverance.

The earthly ministry of Jesus Christ gives us another magnificent example of perseverance. Any Christian who is faced with difficult times should read through the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to see how Jesus continually persevered in the face of severe problems. Jesus should be our example in every area of life.

Meditate on the ordeal Jesus went through in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told the apostles who were with him that He was deeply grieved. "...He began to _show grief_ and _distress_ of mind and was _deeply depressed_. Then He said to them, My soul is _very sad_ and _deeply grieved_ , so that I am _almost dying of sorrow_ ..." (Matthew 26:37-38).

Go back and read over these words. Realize that Jesus Christ actually said these things. _Aren't you glad that Jesus persevered and didn't give up_? Because of His perseverance, we can live eternally in heaven and also partake of His victory while we live here on earth. Jesus wants us to persevere just as He persevered.

We must be realistic. We will be knocked down on many occasions. On one occasion when Joshua laid on the ground discouraged, the Lord spoke to him. The same instructions apply to us today. "The Lord said to Joshua, _Get up_! _Why do you lie thus upon your face_?" (Joshua 7:10).

When we're knocked down, we don't have to trust completely in our own strength. The Lord promises to _help_ us to get back up on our feet. "Though he falls, he shall _not_ be utterly cast down, for _the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him_ " (Psalm 37:24).

When we're knocked down, we must realize that Jesus lives inside of us. He lies on the ground with us. He will help us to get up. He _doesn't_ want us to be depressed and give up. " _Arise_ [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a new life]! _Shine_ (be radiant with the glory of the Lord..." (Isaiah 60:1).

Jesus doesn't want us to be victims of the circumstances in our lives. He has given us victory over every circumstance. We must not allow circumstances to cause us to become so depressed that we lie prostrate on the ground. We should _arise_ from our problems and _shine radiantly_ with the glory of the Lord.

Satan's evil spirits rejoice when a Christian is knocked down. 'They whisper into our ears trying to pull us into their darkness. They want us to be gloomy. Our Father wants us to turn away from the darkness and arise and come into His light. " _Rejoice not against Me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me_ " (Micah 7:8).

Can you visualize Satan's evil spirits rejoicing when Christians have been knocked down? We should tell them to _stop rejoicing_. If we're knocked down, we _must not_ identify with the darkness of Satan. _The Lord's light will shine into our lives if we get up and persevere because we trust in Him_.

Satan is extremely persistent. Christians should be _more persistent_. Satan can knock unsaved people down and they may ultimately quit because their strength runs out. _Christians should always get up because we can depend upon Jesus_. "...a righteous man _falls seven times_ _and rises again_ , but the wicked are _overthrown_ by calamity" (Proverbs 24:16).

When we're knocked down, our Father wants to help us. When it looks as if we're about to sink, we should turn to "...God, Who _comforts_ and _encourages_ and _refreshes_ and _cheers_ the depressed and the sinking..." (II Corinthians 7:6).

This chapter contains a lot of information that will encourage us to _get up_ if we're knocked down. In the next chapter, we'll study God's Word to learn the importance of praying continually whenever we go through difficult battles.

# Chapter 17  
Persevere in Prayer

We have seen how to build ourselves up spiritually and how to stand on God's Word while we're waiting on the Lord. We have seen that God wants us to get up when we're knocked down. Whenever we're faced with adversity, our Father wants us to be very patient. He also wants us to pray constantly. "...be _steadfast_ and _patient_ in suffering and tribulation; _be constant in prayer_ " (Romans 12:12).

There are two primary reasons why we don't receive answers to prayer. We don't receive because we _don't ask_ or because we ask with a _wrong motive_. "...You do not have, because you _do not ask_. [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with _wrong purpose and evil selfish motives_. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures" (James 4:2-3).

When we pray with a motive we believe is approved by our Father, we can be _certain_ He hears us _every_ time we pray. "And this is the _confidence_ (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him; [ _we are sure_ ] that if we ask _anything_ (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), _He listens to and hears us_ " (I John 5:14).

In addition to hearing all prayers according to His will, _we also can be certain that our Father will answer all of these prayers_. "And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, _we also know_ [ _with settled and absolute knowledge_ ] _that we have_ [ _granted us as our present possessions_ ] _the requests made of Him_ " (I John 5:15).

We should always do our best to live in obedience to the instructions in God's Word. These instructions are our Father's general will for all of His children. We also should pray continually seeking God's specific will for our individual lives. If we follow these instructions, we _know_ God hears our prayers.

We also _know_ that we have _as our present possessions_ the answer to our prayers. God answers prayers that are made according to His will at the very moment we pray. However, we often must persevere for a period of time before these answers are brought into manifestation. _If we know we have an answer from God, why would we ever give up_? "... _whatever you ask for in prayer; having faith and_ [ _really_ ] _believing, you will receive_ " (Matthew 21 :22).

Please review the passages of Scripture on the previous pages. Do you believe God does what He says He will do? _As you study these passages of Scripture, do you have any doubt that your Father hears you when you pray according to His will and that He definitely will answer your prayer requests_?

If we really want our prayers answered, we should draw closer to Jesus while we wait. Every aspect of our lives should be centered around Him. While we wait for the answers to our prayers to be brought into manifestation, we also should fill our hearts continually with the Word of God. Jesus said, " _If you live in Me_ [ _abide vitally united to Me_ ] _and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you_ " (John 15:7).

Jesus wants us to _live_ in Him. We should _abide vitally_ _united_ to Him. We should stay close to Jesus at all times, but it is especially important to stay close to Him when we go through a season of adversity. Also, Jesus said that His words should _continue_ to live in our hearts. We should feed ourselves spiritually on a daily basis. Christians who are close to the Lord on an ongoing basis and Christians whose hearts are filled with the Word of God can ask whatever they will, knowing that God will answer.

We must persevere in our prayers. _Our Father wants us to pray continually from our hearts_. "... _The earnest_ ( _heartfelt, continued_ ) _prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available_ [ _dynamic in its working_ ]" (James 5:16).

If we want to release the enormous power of God to receive manifestation of the answer to our prayers, we must pray earnestly. Our prayers should be _passionate_ , _intense_ and _fervent_. _The dynamic power of God is available to His children who pray with faith and refuse to give up_!

We must pray continually in the midst of a prolonged season of adversity when God doesn't seem to be answering our prayers. Satan and his evil spirits often try to stop the manifestation of answers to our prayers. When we pray fervently, we usually are engaged in spiritual warfare. Satan and his followers know the power of continual, fervent prayer. They do everything they can to persuade us to give up when it seems as if our prayers aren't being answered.

One of the best examples of the necessity for perseverance in prayer is in our prayers for unsaved loved ones. Satan knows he will live eternally in the lake of fire. He wants _everyone_ to join him in his eternal misery. "...the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into _the fiery lake_ of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be _tormented day and night forever_ and ever (through the ages of the ages)" (Revelation 20:10).

Satan hates to see people reborn spiritually. When this happens, Satan and his followers don't give up. They want the other members of our families to live eternally with them in the lake of fire. They do everything they can to prevent these people from receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Sometimes it seems as if our family members will never come to Christ. _We must persevere in our prayers for the salvation of other people_. When we do this, we fight each day for their eternal future. We should continually ask our Father to draw every person we're praying for to receive salvation. Jesus said, " _No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me_ ..." (John 6:44).

We _can't_ force other people to become Christians. However, we can _pray continually and fervently_ that God will reach down from heaven to draw these people to Him and give them the desire to ask Jesus Christ to be their Savior. _Every person who has been reborn spiritually is drawn by God Himself_. We must not give up on these prayers!

When we pray for the salvation of other people, for our finances, our health or anything else, we must be willing to fight in the spiritual realm for the answer to our prayers. Satan tries to wear us down and discourage us so we'll quit. Our Father often requires us to persevere while we wait for manifestation of the answers to our prayers. Sometimes we're required to persevere in faith for several months and sometimes for many years. _We must understand that God's delay is not necessarily a denial._

All Christians should pray continually. If we fail to pray continually, we disobey the instructions in the Word of God. When we disobey our Father's instructions, we _sin_ against Him. "... _far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you_ ..." (I Samuel 12:23).

All Christians know the Lord's Prayer. Let's look at what God's Word says immediately before and after the familiar words of this prayer. Jesus was asked by His disciples how they should pray. "Then He was praying in a certain place; and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, [just] as John taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1).

Jesus answered with the following words which we call the Lord's Prayer. "And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven. Give us daily our bread [food for the morrow]. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong]. And bring us not into temptation but rescue us from evil" (Luke 11:2-4).

These are wonderful words, but _we must not stop here_. Do you know what Jesus said in the passages of Scripture immediately following these words? "And He said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and will say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread], for a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come, and I have nothing to put before him; and he from within will answer, Do not disturb me; the door is now closed, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and supply you [with anything]? I tell you, _although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs_ " (Luke 11 :5-8).

In this parable, Jesus spoke of a man who visited his friend at midnight asking him to lend him three loaves of bread. His sleepy friend thought this request was unreasonable. He told his friend that he didn't want to be disturbed because he had retired for the night.

However, the friend _refused to be denied_. He wouldn't go away. He kept asking the man for three loaves of bread. He continued to knock on his door. _Friendship wasn't enough to get the other man up, but perseverance caused him to arise_. He gave the other man three loaves of bread because of his persistence.

Jesus explained this parable with the following statement. " _So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened_ " (Luke 11:9-10).

Whenever anything is repeated in the Bible, this repetition is done for purposes of emphasis. Please go back and underline or highlight the number of times the words _keep on_ or _keeps on_ are used in this passage of Scripture. Jesus used these words _six times_. _He wants us to persevere when we pray. We must not give up_!

Shortly after this, Jesus told another parable to further illustrate the importance of perseverance in prayer. This parable is quite long. Let's look at it in three parts. "Also [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought _always to pray and not to turn coward_ ( _faint, lose heart and give up_ ). He said, In a certain city there was a judge who neither reverenced and feared God nor respected or considered man. And there was a widow in that city who _kept coming to him_ and saying, Protect and defend and give me justice against my adversary" (Luke 18:1-3).

This parable starts by telling us we should never give up when we pray. Jesus told the apostles about a judge who wasn't influenced by reverence for God or consideration for other human beings. He told of a widow who _kept coming_ to this judge for justice.

_Was the widow's perseverance effective_? "And for a time he would not; but later he said to himself, Though I have neither reverence or fear for God not respect or consideration for man, _yet because this widow continues to bother me_ , I will defend and protect and avenge her, lest she give me intolerable annoyance and _wear me out by her continual coming_ or at the last she come and rail on me or assault me or strangle me" (Luke 18:4-5).

Even though the judge initially refused to answer the widow's request, he finally decided that, although he had no reverence for God or man, he would answer this request _because of her perseverance_. The widow refused to be denied. Her perseverance was _the only reason_ the judge gave in.

Jesus then closed this parable by _telling us to persevere in our prayers_ just as this widow persevered with the judge. "Then the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says! And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), _who cry to Him day and night_? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. _However; when the Son of Man comes, will He find_ [ _persistence in_ ] _faith on the earth_?" (Luke 18:6-8).

Jesus compared the unjust judge to just God. If this unjust judge would respond because of perseverance, _will not our Father respond even more when we persevere in our prayers_? We should cry out to God day and night. We live in the last days before Jesus returns. _We must add perseverance to our faith when we pray._

This chapter is filled with instructions encouraging us to persevere in prayer. In the next chapter, we'll look into God's Word to see _why_ our Father often requires us to wait to receive the manifestation of His answer to our prayers.

# Chapter 18  
Why Do We Have to Wait?

Most of us want an _immediate_ answer to prayer. We want our answer from God and we want it _now_. We're like the Psalmist David who said, "Answer me _speedily_ , O Lord, for my spirit fails..." (Psalm 143:7).

Many people can't understand why they have to go through long, drawn out ordeals. Our Father knows exactly what the future holds. If we have to go through a prolonged period of adversity to prepare us for the future, our Father knows this season of adversity actually can turn into a blessing.

When we go through difficult times, we should try to see this season of adversity from our Father's perspective. "...My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, _nor lose courage and give up and faint_ when you are reproved or corrected by Him; for the Lord corrects and disciplines _everyone_ whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, _every_ son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes" (Hebrews 12:5-6).

Those of us who are parents often have to discipline our children to help them grow and mature. Our heavenly Father is no different. _We must not give up_ when our Father allows us to go through a season of adversity for purposes of correction. Our Father allows these things to happen _because He loves us_.

The carnal part of us would like to live easy lives without problems. Our Father doesn't look at our lives from this perspective. His Word actually instructs us to rejoice when we go through difficult times. "...[ _let us also be full of joy now_!] _let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance_ ( _fortitude_ ) _develops maturity of character_ ( _approved faith and tried integrity_ ). _And character_ ( _of this sort_ ) _produces_ [ _the habit of_ ] _joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation_ " (Romans 5:3-4).

Let's examine the last part of this passage of Scripture first because this portion tells us the benefits our Father wants us to receive. Would you like to have _maturity of character_? Would you like to have a _strong faith_ that is _proven and dependable_? Would you like to _maintain your integrity at all times_? Most people would answer "Yes" to each of these questions.

Now let's examine the first portion of this passage of Scripture. Our Father says we should be _filled with joy_ when we are faced with trouble. He instructs us to _exult_ in our troubles. We should leap for joy. Our Father actually wants us to be _jubilant_ when we go through difficult times. He wants us to be _glad_ when we're suffering. _God's ways certainly are different from our ways, aren't they_?

Our Father wants us to rejoice because He wants us to understand that pressure, affliction and hardship are able to produce desirable character traits in us. If we react to adversity the way God's Word instructs us to react, _we will become more patient and enduring. Our faith will grow We will be honest at all times._

If we really trust our Father, we'll obey the instructions in His Word. Even though it may seem strange to our carnal nature, God really does want us to rejoice when we go through adversity. " _Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work so that you may be_ [ _people_ ] _perfectly and fully developed_ [ _with no defects_ ], _lacking in nothing_ " (James 1:2-4).

Once again, let's look at the last portion of the passage of Scripture first because this portion tells us the benefits we will receive. Would you like to be _perfectly and fully developed_? Would you like to be a person with _no defects_? Would you like your Father to look at you and say that you _lack nothing_? Would you like to be _more patient, enduring and steadfast_ than you are now? Would you like your _faith_ to be _proven_ and _reliable_?

I believe you will answer "Yes" to each of these questions. There is _only one way_ to develop these very desirable character traits. _We must go through trials and tribulations and react to them according to the instructions in the Word of God_. We should rejoice because of the magnificent opportunities the trials in our lives provide for us. " _Happy_ and _fortunate_ is the man whom God reproves; so do _not_ despise or reject the correction of the Almighty [subjecting you to _trial_ and _suffering_ ]" (Job 5:17).

Many middle-aged and older people have come to realize the things that seemed to be the worst things that ever happened to them often have turned into blessings. Sometimes our Father has to allow us to go through a difficult and prolonged season in our lives so He can mold us and shape us. Although it's difficult to believe when we're in the midst of these problems, we actually are blessed to be corrected by God.

We must trust our Father. Whenever we go through a difficult season of adversity, I believe we should say something like this. "Dear Father, I rejoice because of this _opportunity_ to mature and develop my character. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask You to show me _exactly what You want me to learn_ as I go through this affliction. Please help me to make the necessary changes so I can arrive safely on the other side to become exactly what You want me to become."

Our Father won't allow us to go through something we can't bear. He always provides us with a way of escape. "... _no temptation_ (no trial regarded as enticing to sin, no matter how it comes or where it leads) has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not _common to man_ [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But _God is faithful_ [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and _He_ [ _can be trusted_ ] _not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure_ , but with the temptation He will [ _always_ ] also provide the _way out_ (the means of _escape_ to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it _patiently_ " (I Corinthians 10:13).

These words are encouraging! Sometimes it seems as if we're faced with problems that are greater than we can endure, but God's Word says this isn't so. Our Father is faithful and compassionate. We can trust Him completely. He will _never_ allow us to go through more than we can endure.

This passage of Scripture goes onto say that our Father will _always_ provide us with a way out. We can bear up patiently under our problems if we _know_ our Father will never allow us to face more than we can bear and if we _know_ He will always provide the means of escape. Whenever we face a difficult and enduring problem that doesn't seem to have a solution, I believe we should meditate constantly on the promises in this passage of Scripture.

If we truly seek to carry out God's will for our lives, we must endure patiently. " _Do not_ , therefore, _fling away your fearless confidence_ , for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of _steadfast patience and endurance_ , so that you may perform and fully accomplish the _will of God_ , and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised" (Hebrews 10:35-36).

We must not throw away our confidence. Our Father wants us to endure. We can't carry out His will for our lives if we give up. Great rewards await God's children who persevere with faith to carry out their Father's will for their lives. We will enjoy rewards here on earth as a result of the inner fulfillment we will experience from being in the center of God's will. We also will receive wonderful eternal rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. Our Father promises to provide us with _great and glorious compensation_.

We must trust our Father. _If_ we love Him, and _if_ we strongly desire to carry out His will, we can be assured that He will cause _everything_ to work together for good. " _We are assured and know that_ [ _God being a partner in their labor_ ] _all things work together and are_ [ _fitting into a plan_ ] _for good to and for those who love God and are called according to_ [ _His_ ] _design and purpose_ " (Romans 8:28).

This passage of Scripture often is misunderstood. It doesn't merely say that all things work together for good. There are _conditions_ to this promise. All things work together for good _if_ we love God and _if_ we are called according to His design and purpose for our lives.

If we love God, we will _obey_ His instructions. If we do our best to obey the instructions in God's Word, to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and to wholeheartedly seek His will for our lives, He then promises that all things will work together for good. _We can trust our Father to honor this promise._

The apostle Paul was a mature man of God. He experienced a great deal of adversity in his life. However, he learned to accept these problems and remain contented. Paul said, "... _I have learned how to be content_ ( _satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted_ ) _in whatever state I am_ " (Philippians 4:11).

The Lord will bless us if we learn to remain calm in the midst of adversity. " _Blessed_ ( _happy fortunate, to be envied_ ) _is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity_ ..." (Psalm 94:12-13).

We don't have enough human power to stay calm in the midst of severe adversity. This passage of Scripture says that God gives us this power when He disciplines us and we learn from Him.

_Our Father doesn't want us to allow the problems of life to disturb us. If we really believe He is in complete control of everything, why would we be disturbed? If we really believe our Father is able to cause everything to work together for good, we will be able to remain calm at all times. We will be able to rejoice when we go through a season of adversity_.

We must know and trust the promises in God's Word. Satan wants us to be _impatient pessimists_. Our Father wants us to be _patient optimists_. Our Father promises to provide wonderful blessings to every one of His children who seek His will wholeheartedly and refuse to give up.

We _don't_ develop character and maturity on the _mountain tops_ of life. These desirable qualities are developed in the _valleys_. We can only grow and mature spiritually if we trust our Father completely and persevere continually as we seek to carry out His plan for our lives.

# Conclusion

This book contains _almost 300 Scripture references_ to help you increase your patience and perseverance. When it doesn't seem as if you can go one step farther, these instructions can help you to persevere to carry out your Father 's will for your life.

Please don't make the mistake of reading this book only one time. The Scripture references contained in this book will only help you if you're able to get them up off the printed page, into your mind and then down into your _heart_. We get Scripture into our _minds_ by _studying_ God's Word. Scripture drops from our minds down into our _hearts_ when we continually _meditate_ on it.

This is a book to _study_ , not just a book to read. I urge you to take the test on the following pages to see how much you have absorbed. I believe you'll find that additional study and meditation are required to appropriate the instructions from God's Word that are explained in this book.

Once you have finished the following test, please go back through the book and study and meditate on the areas where additional knowledge is required. Persevere until you believe you have a full understanding of every passage of Scripture in this book. Then, set the book aside for at least thirty days.

After this period of time has elapsed, take the test again. See for yourself how much information about patience, endurance and perseverance you have been able to _retain_. Tests have shown that a high percentage of what we learn disappears completely from our consciousness within thirty days. _Repetition_ is extremely important to spiritual growth.

I pray that this book will be a great blessing to you. I hope you'll share _Never, Never Give Up_ with others. Thank you and God bless you.

# What Did You Learn From This Book?

1. How would you describe someone who is a patient person?

2. How would you describe a persevering person?

3. What quality does the Bible say must be added to our faith to inherit the promises of God?

4. Our Father wants His children to be steadfast. What does it mean to be "steadfast"?

5. How does _The Amplified Bible_ define patience?

6. What quality does the Word of God say we should develop in order to develop steadfastness?

7. If we hope for something that is unseen, what two qualities are required to be present while we wait for what we hope for to be manifested?

8. What three areas of our personality constitute our souls?

9. What qualities did Jesus say were necessary for us to control our souls?

10. Why do pride and impatience go together?

11. Why do humility and patience go together?

12. Many of us hang on to our problems instead of giving them to God. How exactly does the Bible tell us to release our anxieties, worries and concerns to God?

13. Many of us give our problems to God and then take them back when it doesn't seem as if we will get an answer. _The Amplified Bible_ uses four words to tell us how many times we should give our problems to our Father. What are these four words?

14. What does the Bible refer to when it speaks of casting bread upon water and how does this relate to our need for patience?

15. The Word of God compares our need for patience with the patience exhibited by farmers. What comparison would you give between your need for patience and the farmer who had planted a crop?

16. Give examples of the driving habits of many people and the relationship of these driving habits upon their patience?

17. Is there a relationship between rapidly prepared food and our patience?

18. Give examples of several things that most people do today that have an effect upon their level of patience.

19. Is there a relationship between high school dropouts, job hopping and changing churches and our patience?

20. What does the Bible say about "get rich quick" schemes? How does this desire affect our patience?

21. What diversions do lonely and impatient people often rely upon to help them overcome being alone?

22. How would you describe the relationship between athletic teams and the overall patience among people today?

23. What relationship is there between financial debts and impatience?

24. Why is God so patient with the sin in the world today?

25. Jesus Christ made a statement at the age of 12 that gives us a clear indication of His great patience. What did Jesus say and how did this statement indicate that He was extremely patient before the start of His earthly ministry?

26. Jesus exhibited great patience with Saul of Tarsus who spent many years persecuting Christians. After the miracle which changed Saul's name to Paul, how did Paul explain the mercy that was shown to him by Jesus?

27. How did Jesus exhibit patience in the Garden of Gethsemane?

28. Explain how Jesus exhibited patience after He was arrested, during the "trials" He was subjected to and during the ordeal He went through while being crucified.

29. When we go through adversity, why are we told to compare our trials with the trials Jesus went through during His earthly ministry?

30. Was Jesus able to exhibit great patience and perseverance because He is the Son of God?

31. Is the patience of Jesus Christ available to us to use in our lives today?

32. When Noah started to build the ark, why did it seem so unlikely that there ever would be a flood?

33. Noah was required to exhibit great patience when he built the ark. How long did it take him to complete this difficult job?

34. What other assignment did God give to Noah that required a tremendous amount of patience?

35. When Job went through severe trials that required great patience, what did he find to be more important to him than the food he ate?

36. Job exhibited great steadfastness and endurance. Did the Lord honor Job's patience?

37. The Psalmist David at one point seemed to have felt that God had forgotten him. How many times in one passage of Scripture did he cry out to the Lord with the words "How long"?

38. The Psalmist waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord. How did the Lord honor his patience?

39. The apostle Paul had to endure patiently on many different occasions. What enabled Paul to endure and praise the Lord in the midst of so much adversity?

40. Many times it seems to us that the Lord is slow in fulfilling His promises when He really isn't slow at all. What does the Bible say about the difference in God's perspective of time compared with the perspective of most human beings?

41. God says there is a time and a season for everything. How can the word "season" be comforting to us when we are going through a long, difficult ordeal?

42. The prophet Habakkuk was given a vision by the Lord. What did the Lord say to Habakkuk about the time when this vision would be fulfilled and how can God's answer to Habakkuk encourage us?

43. When it seems as if the Lord isn't answering our prayers in a reasonable amount of time, how should we react?

44. Our Father doesn't want us to lose heart and grow weary when we do what He wants us to do. He has promised to honor our patience but this promise is conditional. What must we do to receive a harvest from God?

45. Why does God often require us to go through a period of suffering?

46. The Bible is filled with thousands of promises. Does the Bible tell us anything about when we will receive manifestation of these promises?

47. What specific examples can we see in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ that show us God's specific timing?

48. Does God want us to concern ourselves with the specific time when we believe future events will take place?

49. Our Father will do what His Word says He will do. If we are impatient with Him, what are we actually saying to Him?

50. Instead of hurrying, what specific instructions does the Word of God give us?

51. How do we know exactly when the sun rises and sets each day and when the seasons of the moon will change each month? How should this knowledge encourage us when we're waiting for God to answer our prayers?

52. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, did He immediately rush to the side of Lazarus?

53. What did Jesus find when He arrived at Bethany where Lazarus was?

54. Martha knew her brother would not have died if Jesus had arrived in time. Did she complain about the delay?

55. How did Jesus respond to Martha?

56. When we wait for God to answer our prayers, why is it important for us to turn away from the fast pace of the world we live in?

57. What specific advice did Jesus give us in regard to concerning ourselves about the future?

58. When Jesus asked His Father to provide our bread, what period of time did He ask God to provide for?

59. For what period of time has God promised to provide the strength, rest and security we need?

60. Instead of being concerned with external events, why is it important for us to live from the inside out when we're faced with severe pressure?

61. What specific advice does Psalm 46:10 give us that will quiet and calm us when we're faced with severe pressure?

62. How does God look at our actions when we hurry and rush ahead of Him?

63. What specifically does the Bible tell us will happen to everyone who is impatient and hasty?

64. How does our relationship with the Holy Spirit affect our patience?

65. Jesus Christ won a total victory for every Christian. This victory will be automatic for all of us when we arrive in heaven. What must we do to bring this victory into manifestation here on earth?

66. What one factor does God's Word say is necessary for us to be victorious over the world and to conquer the world?

67. How often does God promise He'll lead us in triumph as trophies of the victory of Jesus Christ?

68. We can expect to experience tribulations and trials in our lives. However, what did Jesus say about the world's power to harm us?

69. Will we ever be disappointed if we trust in Jesus and refuse to give up?

70. Can we depend upon every promise in the Bible?

71. All Christians will reign as kings with Jesus in heaven. What does the Bible tell us about our status in life here on earth?

72. When we're faced with severe problems over a period of time, what must we do in order to bring our triumph in Christ into manifestation?

73. When we're going through a season of adversity, Satan's evil spirits try to whisper into our ears. How do we know that they lie to us?

74. Instead of believing Satan's lies, what does Jesus tell us to do in order to be set free?

75. Satan wants to steal from us, to kill us and to destroy us. However, what does the same passage of Scripture that explains Satan's mission tell us Jesus has provided for us?

76. What does it mean when we read that Satan wants to "sift" us. What should we do when Satan's evil spirits try to do this to us?

77. Some people don't believe that Satan's evil spirits can put thoughts into our minds and into our hearts. How do we know that Satan and his evil spirits can do this?

78. How much authority and power has Jesus given us over Satan and his evil spirits?

79. When Satan attacks us, what weapons can we retaliate with and what weapons should we not try to retaliate with?

80. What exactly does the Word of God tell us we should do when Satan tries to put thoughts into our minds?

81. If we persevere with faith in the face of severe problems and refuse to give up, what sign do we give to Satan and his evil spirits?

82. We should always be on guard against attacks from Satan. How exactly should we be prepared to withstand his attacks?

83. What specific analogies does the Word of God draw between the power of things here on earth and the power of God's Word?

84. Many people know the instructions to resist the devil and he will flee. However, what specifically must we do to resist the devil effectively?

85. What two things give us the ability to overcome Satan?

86. We fight spiritual battles with our mouths. What ammunition do we use when we fight spiritual battles and where do we store this ammunition?

87. What can we learn from observing what Jesus said to Satan when he tried to wear Jesus down during his grueling forty day fast?

88. How can we avoid the violence Satan tries to do to us in order to destroy us?

89. We are surrounded by angels in the atmosphere around us. What specifically should we do to activate angels on our behalf?

90. Can you think of any examples from your own life of people with very little natural ability who succeeded because of their perseverance?

91. Why is it important for Christians to anchor themselves in the Word of God to carry out God's will for their lives.

92. God says, "This is the man to whom I will look and have regard..." What specific qualities does our Father look for?

93. When God looks for someone to carry out a specific assignment, does He look for people with great natural ability?

94. Our Father has a definite plan for the lives of each of His children which requires patient endurance and steady and active persistence. Where should we place the focus of our attention in order to successfully complete what God has called us to do?

95. What can we learn from the way Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced an army that was too large and powerful to fight with his army?

96. God has promised perfect peace to His children. However this promise is conditional. What conditions does our Father require so that we receive His perfect peace?

97. When Moses and his followers were boxed in between the Red Sea, mountains on both sides and Pharaoh and his army behind him, how did Moses react?

98. When the Israelites were extremely frightened and cried out to the Lord, what did Moses tell them to do?

99. What can we learn from the story of our Father bringing two million Israelites through a seemingly impossible situation?

100. How do we know that God has a specific plan for each of our lives?

101. Jesus died on the cross for us. How do we know that He wants us to die to personal goals to live our lives for Him?

102. What can we learn from the apostle Paul in regard to persevering to carry out God's specific plans for our lives?

103. Most Christians believe we live in the last days before Jesus returns. What does the Bible say about how we should spend our time during these last days?

104. Jesus Christ is our example in every area of life. What did Jesus say about His desire to do things that pleased Himself?

105. How can we be guaranteed that faithful perseverance in carrying out God's will for our lives will result in ultimate success?

106. Sometimes we know we are in God's will and we persevere for what seems to be a long period of time only to get the feeling that our Father has forgotten what we are doing. What does God's Word say about this situation?

107. When we obey God and serve Him in the assignment He has given us, how do we know that we have the right to call upon angels to help us?

108. Many people, when they are faced with severe problems, unknowingly allow their problems to seem bigger than God. What must we do in order to get God in His proper perspective and our problems in their proper perspective?

109. When we are faced with a situation that seems to be hopeless and we are pursuing the path that we know the Lord has called us to follow, what should we do?

110. Sometimes we become discouraged and think of giving up because we're actually trying to fight battles our Father doesn't want us to fight. How should we react when we're faced with a situation like this?

111. When the Israelites looked at the mighty Philistine warrior named Goliath they were afraid because of his size. How tall was this giant?

112. When the Israelites fled in terror from Goliath, a young boy named David offered to fight Goliath. Why was David unafraid?

113. When David and Goliath met in battle, why was David able to win even though he didn't have a sword? How does this story apply to us as we go through difficult times in our lives?

114. When words are repeated several times in the Bible, what is the purpose of this repetition? How can we be absolutely certain that our Father will never let us down or leave us without support?

115. Our Father has promised we will always be more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory. What is the source of our security in this promise?

116. When we're going through an extremely difficult time and it's difficult to persevere, how can we be reassured that nothing, no matter how difficult it may seem, can separate us from our Father's love?

117. Why is love so powerful? How can we be certain that love is strong enough to enable us to endure anything without weakening?

118. How does God look at people who lean on, trust in and have confidence in their own minds and hearts?

119. If God has given us a great deal of talent and natural ability, should we trust in ourselves?

120. Jesus should always be our example. Did Jesus trust in Himself?

121. Sometimes we might think we can do some things through our human ability. What did Jesus say we are able to do apart from Him?

122. When our human patience is insufficient, where can we get the power to endure?

123. What should we do when we're attempting to persevere and we know that our human strength and ability is inadequate?

124. Do we have strength within us that is sufficient for all problems we will ever face?

125. What is the source of faith? How can we increase our faith each day of our lives?

126. Many people fail to persevere because they know how weak and inadequate they are. If we know we are weak, what does God's Word tell us to do?

127. How is the strength and power of Jesus Christ perfected in us?

128. Some people are unhappy because they know they are too weak and inadequate to do what God calls them to do. How does God's Word tell us we should react to our inability to deal with difficult situations?

129. Sometimes people don't persevere because they are afraid. What does God's Word tell us to do when this happens?

130. When we're tempted to give up because we feel that we are alone, how can we be certain that we really are not alone?

131. Some people think that Christianity is theoretical. What does God say about the help that is available to us when we are in trouble?

132. Some people's hearts sink when they know they can't persevere in their own strength. How does God's Word tell us our hearts should react in this situation?

133. God's Word tells us the two sources of spiritual strength. What are these two sources?

134. Some people are depressed when they're faced with severe problems. Why does the Word of God tell us we shouldn't be depressed?

135. When we don't have the strength we need to persevere and we need to seek the Lord and His strength, how do we seek His strength?

136. What will the Lord do for His children who trust in His strength?

137. When we don't have the strength to persevere, how can we know for sure that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength we need?

138. When Jesus came to earth to carry out His earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit actually led Jesus into the desert to be tested by Satan. Why did the Holy Spirit do this?

139. Jesus was able to successfully complete His earthly ministry in the same way our Father wants each of us to carry out His assignment for our lives. How do we do this?

140. How do we know the Holy Spirit will help us to live according to the instructions in God's Word?

141. How do we know the same Holy Spirit Who had the power to raise Jesus from the dead lives in us?

142. If we know what God has called us to do, how does God provide the power and desire we will continually need to carry out this assignment?

143. Why was the apostle Paul able to keep going in the face of seemingly impossible situations?

144. We need to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit to carry out God's assignment for our lives. What must we do to be filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit?

145. The Holy Spirit knows the assignments our Father has given to each of us. How can we be assured that He is able to do much more than anything we can possibly comprehend?

146. Satan's evil spirits try to influence us to become discouraged when we're faced with a situation that seems to be hopeless. What does God's Word tell us we should allow the Holy Spirit to do within us when this happens?

147. Sometimes we are too tired and weary to persevere. Sometimes our limited human understanding is insufficient to carry out God's assignment. What should we do when we're faced with either of these situations?

148. Sometimes we'll be faced with a situation that is so difficult that even young people with the energy of youth wouldn't have the strength to persevere. What does God's Word promise to us in this situation?

149. We are instructed to wait for the Lord when we don't have the strength and power to persevere. What does it mean to wait for the Lord?

150. Our Father wants us to do the best we can with the human ability He has given us. Once we've done our best, what does He want us to do then?

151. Whenever we're faced with seemingly impossible problems, our Father doesn't require us to wait alone. How will the Holy Spirit help us?

152. Some people give up because they believe they have to solve their problems with human ability. What does the Word of God tell us to do when we cease from the weariness and pain of human labor?

153. When we are faced with a difficult problem and we need to enter into God's rest, our Father promises to give us rest if we do one thing. What does He want us to understand?

154. When we can't see any way out with our limited vision, why does God's Word tell us twice within one passage of Scripture to wait "only" upon God?

155. Immature people go through many emotional ups and downs when they're faced with a crisis situation. How does our Father want His children to react so we will be able to persevere?

156. Does God promise to bless every one of His children who wait for Him and refuse to give up?

157. What does the Word of God promise the Lord will do if we wait hopefully and expectantly for Him?

158. While we're waiting for the Lord, in addition to expecting the Lord to honor our faith, what other instructions does God's Word give us?

159. Will any of us ever be ashamed if we wait for, look for, hope for and expect God to bring us through?

160. The Word of God says we are able to withstand every attack of Satan. What is required to do this?

161. The Bible tells of some people who are able to only "endure for a little while." What is the characteristic that causes these people to give up rather easily?

162. Most people understand the necessity of building themselves up physically if they want to be able to endure physical problems. How do we build ourselves up spiritually so that we will have the faith we need to persevere?

163. When we're faced with a situation that seems to be hopeless, the Bible tells us what we must do to "hold fast and cherish hope." How can we do this?

164. We all age as we grow older. What does the Word of God tell us we should do to offset the aging process?

165. How often should we renew our minds? What effect will this have on our mental and spiritual attitude?

166. If we want to renew our minds, we must turn away from the ways of the world. How do we accomplish this goal?

167. The word "success" is mentioned only once in the Bible. Do you know the only place in the Bible where this word is mentioned? If so, what are the three specific things we should do to be successful and prosperous from God's perspective?

168. How do we get the Word of God up of the printed page and into our minds? How do we get God's Word from our minds down into our hearts?

169. What does it mean to meditate day and night on the Word of God?

170. Joshua 1:8 says that God's Word shouldn't depart from our mouths. What do we need to do to make certain that God's Word flows out of our mouths continually?

171. The first two requirements of Joshua 1:8 are to meditate day and night on the Word of God and to speak God's Word continually. What is the third requirement that is required for us to be prosperous and successful from God's perspective?

172. What is required so that we will always be victorious over Satan?

173. What three things should we do so that our hearts will be steadfast and unswerving as we serve the Lord?

174. We have previously discussed how to build ourselves up spiritually. What specific information does Job 22:22-23 give us to carry out if we want to build ourselves up?

175. What specific spiritual ammunition do we use to fight against Satan?

176. The Word of God tells us it is possible to "steadily bring forth fruit with patience." What do we need to do to bring this promise into manifestation? 119 177. The Word of God tells us exactly what condition must be present if we want to sustain ourselves when our bodies are in pain or if we want to sustain ourselves during a troublesome situation. What exactly is required to produce these results?

178. Whenever we're faced with a crisis situation we should do the best we can to deal with that problem with the human ability we have been given. Once we have done this, what does the Word of God tell us to do next?

179. What does the word "stand" mean?

180. God's Word tells us the spiritual quality that is required to "stand firm." What is this quality?

181. Why are we enabled to stand fast without submitting again to a yoke of slavery which we have already put off?

182. The Word of God says it is possible for someone to "not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations." What must we do in order to receive these results?

183. God's Word says it is possible for us to prove ourselves strong, to stand firm and to do exploits for God. What spiritual quality is required to achieve these goals?

184. When other people are going through a season of adversity, how often should we encourage them?

185. The Bible tells us that righteous people will be confronted with many evils. How many of these evils does the Lord promise to deliver us from?

186. Christians are soldiers in the army of Jesus Christ. As such, what should we expect?

187. Who said, "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."?

188. On one occasion Joshua was laying on the ground in despair because he was discouraged. God spoke directly to Joshua at that time. What did He say to Joshua?

189. If we're knocked down, do we have to trust completely in our own strength to get back up? Can we expect the Lord to help us when we're in a difficult position?

190. Our Father doesn't want us to lay prostrate because we are depressed. What two things does He want us to do?

191. When we're knocked down in spiritual warfare, we sit in Satan's darkness. How do we bring the Lord's light into our lives?

192. Many people who aren't Christians stay down when they get knocked down enough times because they have to trust completely in their own strength. What does the Bible say a righteous man who falls seven times should do?

193. If we're depressed and ready to go down, what does God promise to do for us?

194. When we're suffering and going through great tribulation, what does the Word of God tell us to do?

195. When we don't receive an answer to prayer, there are usually two primary reasons why our Father doesn't answer. What are these two reasons?

196. The Word of God gives us a conditional promise telling us that God will listen to all of our prayers. What is the one condition for Him to do this?

197. The next verse of Scripture continues this conditional promise. If we meet the condition mentioned in the previous verse of Scripture, how many prayers can we expect God to answer? When does God answer?

198. Jesus promised us that we would receive whatever we ask for in prayer. However, there was a condition to this statement Jesus made. What was this condition?

199. On another occasion, Jesus told us to ask whatever we want in prayer and He said it would be done for us. However, there were two conditions to this promise. What were these conditions?

200. The Word of God says that a certain type of prayer makes the tremendous, dynamic power of God available to us. What type of prayer brings this spiritual power into manifestation?

201. When we pray continually for members of our family to become Christians and they show no sign whatsoever of becoming Christians, what should we do?

202. Almost all Christians know the Lord's prayer. However, do you know what important lesson Jesus taught in a parable immediately following the Lord's prayer?

203. When Jesus explained the meaning of this parable, He used two words six different times. What are these two words and why did Jesus place so much emphasis on them?

204. Shortly after this, Jesus told another parable. He told about a widow who went before a judge with a specific request. The judge eventually granted her request. What was the reason why he granted her request?

205. How did Jesus compare this unjust judge to God? What lesson was Jesus trying to teach in this parable?

206. Sometimes our Father has to correct and discipline us just as those of us who are parents often have to discipline and correct our children. What specific advice does God's Word give us when we are corrected by God?

207. Our Father tells us to be filled with joy and to exult when we go through troubles and to rejoice in our suffering. Why does He tell us to do this?

208. God's Word says we can be perfectly and fully developed and that we will lack nothing. It says that we can increase our patience and our faith. How do we achieve these desirable results?

209. Sometimes it seems as if our problems are more than we can endure. What does the Word of God say about this?

210. Why does the Word of God tell us not to throw away our confidence? What does God promise for His children who refuse to do this because they have steadfast patience and endurance?

211. Romans 8:28 is a familiar verse of Scripture. Most Christians know that it says that all things work together for good. However, there are two conditions to this promise. What are these conditions?

212. What desirable state did the apostle Paul say he had learned to achieve no matter problems he was faced with?

213. Psalm 94:12-13 tells us a specific reason why God disciplines, instructs and teaches us. Why does our Father do this?

# Appendix  
Have You Entered Into the Kingdom of God?

You have just a read a complete set of instructions telling us how to increase our patience and perseverance. These instructions are given to God's children – those human beings who have entered into His kingdom. I ask each reader of this book, " _Have you entered into the Kingdom of God_?"

We _don't_ enter into the kingdom of God by church attendance, baptism, confirmation, teaching Sunday school or living a good life. Jesus Christ paid the price for each and every one of us to enter this kingdom. He said, "... _I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again_ ( _anew; from above_ ), _he cannot ever see_ ( _know; be acquainted with, and experience_ ) _the kingdom of God_ " (John 3:3).

Some people are so caught up with their own religious denomination or their personal beliefs that they completely miss God's instructions on how to enter His kingdom. We must be reborn spiritually! This starts by _admitting_ that we're sinners. Then we must _repent_ of these sins. "... _unless you repent_ ( _change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins_ ) _you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally_ " (Luke 13:5).

Many people miss out on eternal life in heaven because they are trusting in the goodness of their own lives to get them to heaven. This is a tragic mistake! _With the exception of Jesus Christ, every person who has ever lived has been a sinner_. "... _None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one_ " (Romans 3:10).

We are _all_ sinners! "... _all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives_ " (Romans 3:23) God _doesn't_ have degrees of sin. If we have committed _one_ sin, we're _just as guilty_ as someone who has committed many sins! " _For whosoever keeps the Law_ [ _as a_ ] _whole but stumbles and offends in one_ [ _single instance_ ] _has become guilty of_ [ _breaking_ ] _all of it_ " (James 2:10).

In addition to acknowledging our sins and repenting of them, there is _one additional_ step we must take. "... _if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe_ ( _adhere to, trust in and rely on the truth_ ) _that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes_ ( _adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ_ ) _and so is justified_ ( _declared righteous, acceptable to God_ ), _and with the mouth confesses_ ( _declares openly and speaks out freely his faith_ ) _and confirms_ [ _his_ ] _salvation_ " (Romans 10:9-10).

We must do more than pay mental assent to trust Jesus for eternal salvation. _We also must believe this deep in our hearts_. All of our hope for eternal life in heaven must be based on deep faith that Jesus paid the price for our sins.

_If we really believe this truth in our hearts, we'll open our mouths and tell others. We should tell other people that we're Christians and that we trust completely in Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation. We aren't saved until we believe this in our hearts and confess it with our mouths_!

All of us were born naturally on the day our mothers gave birth. In order to be reborn spiritually, we must have a _second_ birth. " _You have been regenerated_ ( _born again_ ), _not from a mortal origin_ ( _seed, sperm_ ), _but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God_ " (I Peter 1:23).

God wants us to come to Him as _little children_. He doesn't reveal Himself to us through our _intellects_. He reveals Himself through our _hearts_. We may be adults in the natural world, but we need to start all over again in the spiritual realm. We must have _childlike faith_. "... _unless you repent_ ( _change, turn about_ ) _and become like little children_ [ _trusting, lowly, loving; forgiving_ ], _you can never enter the kingdom of heaven_ [ _at all_ ]" (Matthew 18:3).

The following prayer will result in your spiritual rebirth if you truly believe these truths in your heart and also tell others what you believe:

"Father God, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ. I admit I am a sinner. I know there is no way I can enter into Your kingdom based upon the sinful life I've led. I'm genuinely sorry for my sins and I ask for Your mercy. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He was born of a virgin and that He died on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe You raised Him from the dead and He is alive today. I trust completely in Him as my only way of entering Your kingdom. Thank You, Father. Amen."

If you pray this prayer from your heart, and tell this exciting news to other people, _you have been reborn spiritually_. You have a fresh, new start. "... _if any person is_ [ _ingrafted_ ] _in Christ_ ( _the Messiah_ ) _he is a new creation_ ( _a new creature altogether_ ); _the old_ [ _previous moral and spiritual condition_ ] _has passed away. Behold the fresh and new has come_!" (I Corinthians 5:17).

_Welcome into the family of God_!

# A Few Words About Lamplight Ministries

Lamplight Ministries, Inc. originally began in 1983 as Lamplight Publications. After ten years as a publishing firm with a goal of selling Christian books Lamplight Ministries was founded in 1993. Jack and Judy Hartman founded Lamplight Ministries with a mission of continuing to sell their publications and also to give large numbers of these publications free of charge to needy people all over the world.

Lamplight Ministries was created to allow people who have been blessed by our publications to share in financing the translation, printing and distribution of our books into other languages and also to distribute our publications free of charge to jails and prisons. Over the years many partners of Lamplight Ministries have shared Jack and Judy's vision. As the years have gone by Lamplight Ministries' giving has increased with each passing year. Thousands of people in jails and prisons and in Third World countries have received our publications free of charge.

Our books and Scripture Meditation Cards have been translated into eleven foreign languages – Armenian, Danish, Greek, Hebrew, German, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and the Tamil dialect in India. The translations in these languages are not available from Lamplight Ministries in the United States. These translations can only be obtained in the countries where they have been printed.

The pastors of many churches in Third World countries have written to say that they consistently preach sermons in their churches based on the scriptural contents of our publications. We believe that people in several churches in many different countries consistently hear sermons that are based on the scriptural contents of our publications. Praise the Lord!

Jack Hartman was the sole author of twelve Christian books. After co-authoring one book with Judy, Jack and Judy co-authored ten sets of Scripture Meditation Cards. Judy's contributions to _God's Wisdom Is Available To You, Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace, Unshakable Faith in Almighty God, Receive Healing from the Lord, What Does God Say?, Victory over Adversity_ and _God's Joy Regardless of Circumstances_ were so significant that she is the co-author of these books. Jack and Judy currently are working on other books that they believe the Lord is leading them to write as co-authors.

We invite you to request our newsletters to stay in touch with us, to learn of our latest publications and to read comments from people all over the world. Please write, fax, call or email us. You are very special to us. We love you and thank God for you. Our heart is to take the gospel to the world and for our books to be available in every known language. Hallelujah!

Lamplight Ministries, Inc.,

PO Box 1307 - Dunedin, Florida, 34697. USA

Phone: 1-800-540-1597 • Fax: 1-727-784-2980

website: lamplight.net • email: lamplight@lamplight.net

# A request to our readers

If this book has helped you, we would like to receive your comments so that we can share them with others. Your comments can encourage other people to study our publications to learn from the scriptural contents of these publications.

When we receive a letter containing comments on any of our books, cassette tapes or Scripture Meditation Cards, we prayerfully take out excerpts from these letters. These selected excerpts are included in our newsletters and occasionally in our advertising and promotional materials.

If any of our publications have been a blessing to you, please share your comments with us so that we can share them with others. Tell us in your own words what a specific publication has meant to you and why you would recommend it to others. Please give as much specific information as possible. We prefer three or four paragraphs so that we can condense this into one paragraph.

Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to encourage other people to learn from the scripture references in our publications.

# Books written by Jack Hartman

_Trust God for Your Finances_

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Never, Never Give Up

How to Study the Bible

Quiet Confidence in the Lord

One Hundred Years from Today

Nuggets of Faith

God's Will for Your Life

# Books co-authored by Jack and Judy Hartman

You Can Hear the Voice of God

Effective Prayer

Overcoming Fear

A Close and Intimate Relationship with God

God's Joy Regardless of Circumstances

Victory Over Adversity

What Does God Say?

Receive Healing from the Lord

Unshakable Faith in Almighty God

Exchange Your Worries for God's Perfect Peace

God's Wisdom Is Available to You

Increased Energy and Vitality

# Scripture Meditation Cards co-authored by Jack and Judy Hartman

Receive Healing from the Lord

Freedom from Worry and Fear

Enjoy God's Wonderful Peace

God Is Always with You

Continually Increasing Faith in God

Receive God's Blessings in Adversity

Financial Instructions from God

Find God's Will for Your Life

A Closer Relationship with the Lord

Our Father's Wonderful Love

Effective Prayer

We invite you to visit our website: http://www.lamplight.net. You also can see all of our other Bible-based books with the first chapter of each book free for you to read. You can sign up to receive our free monthly newsletter either by mail or by email, to receive a daily Devotional from one of our Scripture Meditation Cards or a free weekly download of a Bible teaching.

Jack and Judy Hartman

Lamplight Ministries Inc

PO Box 1307

Dunedin, Florida 34697-2921

Telephone: 1-800-540-1597

FAX: 1-727-784-2980

Website: lamplight.net

Email: lamplight@lamplight.net

