Today we're talking about grit and determination, which go a long way in helping find success in life. And they're contagious.

 

Winston Churchill was almost 70 when his country needed him most, when he stared down Hitler's war machine. The British Prime Minister's signature line was, “We shall fight on the beaches,” but the essence of his message came with these words, “We shall go on to the end.” 

 

Luke 18:1 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” And it is a partnership because God keeps his word. Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

 

There's a great practical application in scripture. These old words that are always new were not meant to be just some nice thing to say. God does what he says he will do. If you feel like you have no way out of your troubles today, tell God that. Remember the scriptural promises and remind yourself that countless people have done the same and come out okay on the other side. Don't give up, and see what the Lord will do.

 

Let's pray. 

 

Lord, we give you our fear and our uncertainty. We can't cope with the situation we're in alone, but we trust you to give us strength not to quit. We believe for the victory over these circumstances, and God we find rest in your mercies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

You want to be a winner, right? You want to be part of a winning team. That’s what we all want. The question is, how do you do it?

 

We just finished another Super Bowl. Hundreds of pro players who want to win it all practice hard every year with that goal in mind. The truth is though, at the beginning of the season, none of them know which team to join to win a Super Bowl.

 

1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

 

Unlike human endeavors, we can know which ultimate victory can be ours. As Christians, that means accepting the Good News of Christ’s victory over sin. Forever! 1 John 5:4 tells us exactly how to win for eternity. To be born again means we tell others that we believe God sent Jesus as a human, that He took our place for sin, and was resurrected from the dead.

 

As a believer, you are on the winning team, and that has implications for the next life, too. Jesus won the victory 2,000 years ago, and that makes you the ultimate winner.

 

Believe it, and tell others about it today!

 

Let’s pray. 

 

Lord, thank you for overcoming this amazing but flawed world. We believe your claims. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Usually, when we’re looking for some kind of emotional lifeline to get us through the day, we only want to know what God can do for us.

 

How do we get that peace of mind that we desperately need?

 

One component is obedience. At first, this sounds like a test that’s too hard. We need relief right now!

 

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

That sounds like real peace of mind. 

 

It requires that we concentrate on ejecting all the junk in our heads, and replacing it with God’s Word. Learning obedience is key, because it reveals the Father’s perfect will for our lives.

 

In this way, we almost back-into the peace that we were already looking for. This brings us into harmony with our Creator.

 

A renewed, fresh and clean mind…it’s also a mind that is at rest.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, teach us your ways. Help us uncover the peace of mind that those without You don’t have. Then help us show them the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

A huge benefit of being a believer is the knowledge that we can help others after going through the valley ourselves.

 

It’s one thing to endure and overcome and find our joy, but it’s maybe even better when you see a friend emerge into the light because you were there for them.

 

Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

 

When you’re in the middle of something difficult, it’s hard to even think. Scripture tells us the way out, but it helps to have someone in your life who has been there, done that. Even having a friend gently remind you that it might take time to recover is a help. Being reminded to be faithful and consistent in prayer tips the balance.

 

As we learn to rejoice in hope, attaining that abundant life Jesus talked about, let us remember others who are in trouble.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, you are always faithful. You never let us down. Thank you for the joy that comes from overcoming. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Whenever we have to overcome an obstacle in our lives, we’re thinking about a million different things. Our minds race. We might even be aware that our Creator is there to help.

 

But have you ever considered that even when life gets tough, you can still have joy?

 

Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

 

Sheila Walsh has said that what got her through a bout of depression was the knowledge that God the Father loved her and wanted the best for her.

 

Today, one of her missions in life is to help others recover their joy, by pointing them to the Lord. The truth is, this life sometimes beats us up, but those circumstances don’t have to win. It isn’t inevitable.

 

It’s when we learn to rejoice while clinging to hope that true joy comes.

 

Let’s pray. 

 

Lord, in our lowest moments, we cling to you and your promises. Thank you for that joy. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

 

Have you ever felt without hope? It’s a pretty desperate place to be. It’s been said that hope is the one thing a human being can’t be without.

 

Beth was once accused of some pretty terrible things. She wasn’t guilty of any of them, but it took two years and serious legal hurdles to clear her name. Her future was uncertain.

 

In the end, she told reporters that her best ally was the Lord. Her story was itself a great witness.

 

Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

 

Truthfully, God isn’t obligated to do anything for us. He does it because He loves us. That’s it. But within each difficult night and day, it is important that we take the scripture to heart. Keep your joy, be patient, and pray.

 

If you’re in a dark place, pray to the Lord for help. Even if you’re emotionally exhausted, take the time to simply talk to Him.

 

He’s promised that He’ll be listening.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Oh Lord, may we never be hopeless! May we never be without your love. Remind us daily that You will never leave us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Billy Joel says that his hit song, “Pressure” really is about the pressures of daily life: providing for your family, putting food on the table, and career obstacles.

 

Even the way he sings the song, with power and anger, makes the point. It’s quite a statement on life. 

 

And we’ve all felt it.

 

2 Corinthians 1:8 says, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.”

 

But as believers, we can take heart in the fact that Paul then writes that difficulties happen in life so that we will rely only on God. The apostle reminds us that God has delivered us from desperate times, and will again.

 

What a powerful promise!

 

The pressures of life sometimes come suddenly, leaving us off-balance and fearful. When that happens, remind yourself of the promises of God’s Word. He knows where you are and where you’re going.

 

He’ll be waiting for you when you get there.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, sometimes we feel like we’re going to explode. We thank you that you never abandon us, and are always ready to protect us and preserve us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What is true love? The question has been asked forever. Not everyone agrees. There's a startling answer found in the Bible. The prophet Hosea marries a prostitute named Gomer. She's predictably unfaithful to him, but God tells him something that's strange to us. He told Hosea to take his wife back and restore her.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn't envy, it doesn't boast, it's not proud. It doesn't dishonor others, it's not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.”

 

How often does this world seem interested in redeeming anything? Rarely. That's why we need God to model perfect love for us, love that restores and heals. Hosea did not keep score. He only loved, and that's a picture of how God deals with us, his chief creation. We reject him, cause pain, but always he's there waiting with open arms. I think we can do at least as much for someone in our lives. 

 

Let's pray. 

 

Lord, you're a forgiving God. Thank you for loving us in our sin, in our filth. You long to restore us and we love you for that, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Kyle hurt Jenny emotionally many times, and then he left her because he said he wanted to have fun in life. His young wife could barely function at first, but as she got her bearings, she decided to wait before making a final decision about her marriage.

 

Then the day came. A series of circumstances left Kyle broken in spirit, and in body. He had burned so many bridges, no one was coming to help him.

 

Except Jenny.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

 

Jenny made a choice to love her husband through his stupidity and poor choices. When he returned to their home, humiliated in his community, he came home to a warm place. 

 

Today, through dedication and hard work, their marriage is a model for others to follow, and this husband has been transformed.

 

All because his wife’s love didn’t give in to hard feelings. 

 

Let’s pray.

 

Lord, we all mess up, sometimes horribly. But you always extend us grace. Help us extend that same grace to those who hurt us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you ever congratulated someone for a huge win in life, and then silently envied them? We all do it. But the problem is that kind of thing can grow into a monster if we're not careful. All of a sudden, we're so focused on what the other person has we lose sight of the wins in our own life.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 says, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, doesn't boast, it's not proud. It doesn't dishonor others. It's not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.”

 

Cain envied his brother's relationship with God, and he killed him over it. That's when that monster that covets was born. We've been struggling with it ever since. True love does not covet what our neighbor has. True love rejoices in grace showered on others.

 

And if this problem lives in you, meditate on these verses and decide today to change your thinking, and your heart will follow. 

 

Let's pray. 

 

Lord, the enemy wants us to focus on what others have so that we lose sight of what you've given us. Christ is our standard. In Jesus' name. Amen.