For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

This verse underscores the reason we read the Bible and give our lives to its truth. The Apostle Paul talks about how “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable,” and when we look at the Scriptures, we see account after account of God’s faithfulness throughout the generations (2 Timothy 3:16).

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Hebrews 11:32-34

When we look in the rear view mirror of history and see the patterns that were set in the Scriptures, we can take away something personal: Instead of letting the battles of life reduce us to a state of survival and maintenance, we find that we too are called to rule and reign and to carry the Gospel of Jesus around the world.

We are to be people filled with hope. Don’t conform to the bitterness and misery of the culture around you. Instead, get in the Word and find out who you are and what you have been called to in Jesus. You are a child of God and He is not weak toward you but mighty in you (2 Corinthians 13:3)! You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14; Genesis 1:27-28). You are called to change the world, to be fruitful and multiply, to meet and influence people, and to pray big prayers of faith. You can go into workplaces, schools, economies, cities and nations and make a difference by the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

Press on,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4-5

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

The historical accounts we read in the Bible reveal a pattern of how God consistently helps people. When we run into alarming situations, we can turn to the Scriptures to see examples of God’s faithfulness through the ages.

Take Daniel for example. Getting thrown into a lions’ den qualifies as a really bad day. When that happened he had no natural hope against the hungry lions. We’ve all had times like that, when circumstances betray us and there is no help in human terms.

Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice…“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me.” Daniel 6:19-21a

At the break of day we see that God had rescued Daniel from the situation that was designed to take him out. Daniel’s God is your God. Whatever battle you are in (even if it’s a protracted one)—your “break of day” is coming! Continue to stand. Follow Daniel’s example (Daniel 6:10) and consistently press into the promises of God. Pray and seek God. Spend time in praise and worship, even when the circumstances are pressuring you to do the opposite.

There is no pit so deep that God can’t pull you out (Psalm 103:2-4; 139:8). Even when the odds are overwhelming and the situation looks hopeless, God is right there with you, working things out for good (Romans 8:28).The God of hope will give you perseverance and encouragement—so face your battles with confidence, knowing that God will deliver you.

More than a conqueror in 2012,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Press on. An effective driver glances at the rearview mirror but spends most of the time looking through the windshield. Think of your life in the same way: look ahead at what God has in store for you, but only glance at your past. This doesn’t mean you bury your head in the sand. It just means you look at life through the eyes of grace. It’s good to remember what God has delivered you from—He’s covered your old sins (Romans 4:6-8; Psalm 32:1). But in Christ you are a new person (1 Corinthians 5:17) and you’re free to fix your eyes on what He has for you.

Life matters. Though this life is brief, it counts. Paul did not wince at the full-spectrum nature of life— trials, bewilderment, and all. He learned the secret of being full and of going hungry (Philippians 4:12), and he thrived on challenge. But he didn’t do it in his own power. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him [Jesus] who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

God’s Word is power. We aren’t sissies who shrink back in fear, but neither are we superheroes trying to do things in our own power. God’s power is available to us, and He has packed specific gifts, resources, and usefulness into each cell of our being. I pray we get so tuned into Jesus and so filled up with His Word that, instead of buzz words or religious affectation, God’s life flows out of us and people can tell we’ve been with Him.

God’s at work in you. Endeavor to live worthy of the calling, investing all your life and energy into Jesus. If you feel like you are a crummy Christian, know that God is at work in you. He is looking for people whose hearts are open to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). If you give God a thimble full of devotion, He’ll expand it as big as heaven. Give Him a mustard seed of faith, and He’ll respond (Matthew 17:20).

God is faithful!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

God is faithful. Whatever you are going through, Jesus is right there wanting to sustain you and give you direction and breakthrough. He’s in the details. He gave His life to restore your access to God. You can trust Him!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:2

What the devil or others have meant for harm in your life, God turns around for good—even for the furtherance of the gospel!

Now I (Paul the Apostle) want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. Philippians 1:12

And as for you [Joseph’s obnoxious brothers], you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:20

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Don’t back down for a minute. We’re not in heaven yet. Keep pressing on, knowing that even though life has challenges, the present result is that we are saved from eternal death, and as we keep relying on the faithfulness of God, we will see
situations turn around!

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:25

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

God has a way of redeeming everything! Shake off the “what-ifs” and the “could’ve beens” and lift your eyes to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

It’s so good to know Jesus!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2

There is a law of sin and death, but there is a higher and overriding law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The superseding law of what God will do in our lives is as real as the “law of lift” that Orville and Wilbur Wright discovered when they first flew an airplane. And this life in Christ Jesus will enable us to face and override anything the devil throws our way.

When we face obstacles with the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus backing us up, we know that as we hit rough headwinds God will make us “ride on the high places of the earth” (Deuteronomy 32:13). Trust God in every situation and stay engaged in the fight. Pray a little bit, get in the Word, and pray a little more to get your mind renewed. You can address your obstacles with the confidence that God who has begun a good work in you will complete it! (Philippians 1:6).

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

God is at work in you causing advancement and change in your life. So when you encounter tough circumstances, remember that “the new spiritual principle of life in Christ lifts [you] out of the old vicious circle of sin and death” (Romans 8:2 Phillips). Whenever the wind starts to blow, turn and face it with the confidence that you have the victory and are called by God to carry this good news to the world!

Press on!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright ©2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright ©1960-1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Copyright ©1958-1972 by JB Phillips; The Gospels.