Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1-3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Faith is taking God’s promises and daring to believe them. – Alpha Guide, page 25
“…the classic Christian tradition has always valued rationality, and does not hold that faith involves the complete abandonments of reason…” – -Peter S. Williams, peterswilliams.com
Faith is not a blind leap, but a step forward, based on evidence. – Alpha Guide, page 24
Perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. -Dictionary.com
“A bend in the road is not the end of the road… Unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins, not through strength but by perseverance.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:4 NRSV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NRSV
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NRSV
Here’s one description you won’t hear from my friends: triple-amputee veteran of the Iraq War.
That description is accurate – up to a point. Yes, I fought in Iraq. I was wounded in an IED blast. And I lost both of my legs
and my left hand. But none of that defines me. It has been 11 years since my injury. And it has been 11 years since I last thought being wounded in war would ruin my life.
– Bryan Anderson, Guideposts (7/16, pg. 30)
“You know you have basically two options here, right?”
I nodded. “Yup. Move on – or roll over and die.”
“And you’re going to…”
“Move on,” I said.
I still remember that moment in the hospital when Mom asked me what I planned to do — roll over and die, or move on. In a way, it’s a question everyone faces at some point in their lives. Sometimes people have to ask that question every day. Now you know why my answer is move on, move up, keep going. What happens to you is not an accident, not a cruel twist of fate. It’s the life God intended for you to live. Live it. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll live it at top speed.
Perseverance
(Running the Race: Enduring to the End by Diane Drew):
Desire – Preparation – Discipline – Obedience
SO WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you taking God’s promises and daring to believe them?
Are you running the race with faithful perseverance?