July 27, 2008, Hold On

Hold On

2 Corinthians 6:4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet
possessing everything.

Do you ever wonder how we live, how we hold on? Constantly being reduced to bring endurance and patience. This is our entire lives as we strive until we are released from this body. It is endurance and although we here in the United States can honestly say we don't have the foggiest idea what real hardship or imprisonment or hunger is, our hardship and lack is in love and relationships. Either void, forces us to rely on the Lord to continually fill the gaps and sometimes be the only Source of love and comfort expressed through His Words.

Yes, we are dying yet we live on. Life is unfair, and with others who understand and exhort (forceful, impelling encouragement) we find strength to live on. We are constantly being reduced and we find some way to hold on with only One Source for eternal life.

Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Don't be misdirected and turn your back on each other, but love
one another while it is still today.

Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

We all have tribulations, even feel alone even in the midst of family and friends. If we are truthful we will admit it. When we can find the right perspective and can be honest in those situations which reduce us, all we see is hope because somehow even in these tribulations we will always find peace in Him alone. The absolute truth, we are covered 'in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love and in the power
of God'.

http://static.flickr.com/109/287198954_e48d86f924.jpg

Video & Song
'Bring the Rain' Mercy Me
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU