We can be like a tree

                                                                   Perseverance #3

Perseverance could be compared like that of an old oak tree that stands in the middle of a green pasture. The tree’s gnarled and twisted branches reach out willingly to give shelter to those who flock underneath. Heavy gales and storms begin to hurl through the area year after year, pruning the needful sections upon our tree. Droughts come and bake the earth into a hard terra-cotta and without a word, he continues to flourish. Our oak tree becomes a legend of hard core perseverance that flourishes in a time of fiery trials, for its roots were planted deep in good rich soil and became immoveable in time of trouble.  

Perseverance will command your faith to boldly rise up, be increased and not be compromised. Your steely faith will be determined by the fortitude of who you are in Christ. Through the fires we are transformed minute by minute. Without a single crumb wasted, the offerings of our humility, prayer, worship, studies, obedience, experiences, testings and trials are all formed and meshed into the likeness of our Father’s son’s by His love. Why? Because His love never fails us. The eyes of the Holy Spirit looks into our hearts and sees our deepest motives and intents. We walk through these times, in a time of daily examination of our hearts and repentance and begin to draw closer and listen to what He has to say to us.

When our faith is purged, we will get back on track and one by one, begin to drop the clutter of the world. Only then, can we see more closely just how narrow the path is we are to walk. 

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart

And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,

And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.

It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]

And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8 amp.

If we are trusting in ourselves more than God, have we placed ourselves above the one who rescued us? Trusting in our Father means you breathe, speak, walk in full confidence of every word He has spoken in your heart. Like the oak tree, you will stand firm through all of the storms. The Bible says we are to give thanks over everything. Can you see His hand in your life? Are you acknowledging Him in all your ways? Bless Him through all things. Persevering is a steadfastness, not be fearful by anything we see or hear in the world, but be immoveable like the oak tree. There isn’t anything we cannot do in Christ, if we have the faith to believe in His word.

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” Mark 11:23-26

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 

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Let’s pray

Heavenly Father,

We are thankful we have the freedom to pray. We are thankful for the immeasurable love you continually given to us. Your eyes go deep inside of our hearts and your Holy Spirit begins to blow upon all of our wounds of our past and you heal us from all of our anxieties, doubts, worries, brokenness, abuse and all our short comings. You are so faithful Father. You are a Father who is gentle, kind, loving, faithful and one who always correct us. You even fight our battles for us. We thank you for your son Jesus. You have replaced our doubt with faith, healed our broken hearts,  given us peace and have enabled us to forgive those who have hurt us.  Right now, we give you all honor, praise, love, with everything inside of us! We love you Father and it is our deepest desire for you to smile over us, for we delight in you every morning. In your son we lift up this prayer. Amen.