THAT was a fun game to watch! So close! The word for this week is "persevere". The two verses we'll be looking at are both from the Amplified Bible:
1 Timothy 4:16 Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you. AMP
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I [am ready to] persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect [God's chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory. AMP
In the first verse it is the Greek word "epimeno". Strong's Concordance says: to stay over, to remain. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: still to abide. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to continue long. In the second verse it is the Greek word "hupomeno". Strong's Concordance says: to stay under; to undergo; have fortitude. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to bear bravely and calmly. The Theological Dictionary says: to stand firm and Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to bear up courageously. The dictionary definition of perseverance is: steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. The world's idea of perseverance is to hold on for dear life when things get tough. The Bible idea is to hold on to HIM and the promises in His Word. A vital part of THIS perseverance is faith. We know that faith comes by hearing (and hearing and hearing) the Word of God (Romans 10:17). When we know what the Word promises concerning each situation we face, we can then cast the care of that situation on Him and simply live in the expectation of the victory (1 Peter 5:7)! This doesn't make sense to those who are not born again or those Christians who don't know the Word. This is how we can live our lives before them in the peace, joy and confidence that will cause THEM to ask US about that hope in us (1 Peter 3:15)! I am fully expecting that 2015 is going to be the best year yet for your family! I am blessed to be a part of it! We love you all so much! Here is Hillsong Live with "Thank You" in honor of this week's Holiday! Have a wonderful and very blessed Thanksgiving!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
