Last week we ended with the phrase in Revelation 13:10 \u201cthis calls for patient endurance and faithfulness.\u201d In the face of persecution, in the face of living out what Jesus promised, that \u201cin this life you will have trouble\u201d how do we embrace the second part of what Jesus said \u201cI have overcome the world?\u201d How do we live that sort of life? How do we embody \u201cpatient endurance and faithfulness?\u201d How do we overcome?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By putting God\u2019s words in our minds and then choosing to act them out with our hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you have no money and the rent is due, how do you face that? How do you focus on God when your loved one is sick and in the hospital? How do you have faith when the Gestapo is at your door? How do you keep believing when ISIS has come to cut off your head?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have to decide, with each moment, each choice, at each turning point, in the middle of each crisis to remember God and to rely on God. And how does God help us? Mostly by using the people around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It isn\u2019t easy. Ever. It is hard. Always. And it is ongoing. And you may be scared. And you may not have things turn out as you\u2019d like. You may lose it all. You may die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What good are the Bible verses in frames on your wall then? What good is \u201cI love you\u201d when your heart is broken? And yet, from the thought, follows the action. Saying \u201cbe warmed and filled\u201d is fine. We need polite words, good words, encouraging words, kind words. Telling people you love them, care about them, and will pray for them is good. But if it is in your power to do something, then shut up and do something. When you see someone hungry, give them food. When someone is lonely, spend time with them. When someone is fallen, pick them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okay, so maybe it is easy; just messy sometimes, and inconvenient, and sometimes it costs something. Talk is cheap. Solutions are costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So. Choose you this day who you will serve. Consider Isaiah\u2019s reaction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, \u201cWhom shall I send? And who will go for us?\u201d
And I said, \u201cHere am I. Send me!\u201d (Isaiah 6:8)<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/nettelhorst.com\/blog1\/wp-content\/plugins\/send-to-kindle\/media\/white-15.png\")
Send to Kindle<\/span><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Uttering the words \u201cbe warm and filled\u201d provides no warmth against freezing conditions nor food for empty stomachs. The apostle James writes that faith leads to action. If it is real faith, there will be practical consequences. Faith is not … Continue reading