When someone says, “I’ll pray for you.” You expect that person will immediately hold to their word and pray for you that day. In my early 30 thirties, my mind was full of worries about finances, and my commitment to educating our three children in a safe and friendly environment kept me busy the entire week. I realized when I said, “I’ll pray for you.” I simply forgot to do it even if my heart went to that person. When I shamefully recalled it, I prayed for that person and asked Jesus for forgiveness for my lack of commitment to His people.

Now that I’m in my late 50 fifties, if possible, I prayed with the person on the spot after they had shared their need for prayer. You would think now that all my children are young adults, I wouldn’t have negative-nagging-worries thoughts, but they are still part of my daily life. It never ends! Oh, I shall say to myself who listened to such lies as those negative-nagging-worried thoughts, “Be Quiet!”. I shall praise Jesus above all other gods and let His goodness and loving-kindness reign in my heart.

"Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered.  At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him."

Wear Your Shield, Christians!

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”— Acts 14:22

Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts.

It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, “Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me.” So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you.

Your motto must be, “Excelsior.” He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war’s trumpet is blown no more.

Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair.

The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. “It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare.”

Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest.

He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, “Curse God, and die.” Or he will attack your steadfastness: “What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do.”

Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: “Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times.”

Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end.

Charles Spurgeon

I hope you had a great long weekend, and I encouraged you that you’re not alone whatever you’re going through. Ask someone to pray for you or ask that person to share a word of encouragement and comfort.

Let’s go pray!

RESOURCES

Evening & morning with Charles Spurgeon: https://spurgeonsmorningandevening.com/2021/05/26/evening-may-26th-2021/