SEPTEMBER 26

2 Corinthians 11:24-27

                                    PAUL ENDURED

When you look at the list of trials Paul went through, from beatings and shipwrecks to hunger and imprisonment, you might wonder how he could have endured so much. Why didn’t he give up? He had endured such injustice, yet he kept going, hurdle after hurdle. He was not deterred but kept pressing on toward the __________ (unscramble EIPZR) (Philippians 3:14) and because his goal was __________ (NLEEART) (2 Corinthians 4:17).

God is pleased with our resolve to give Him our best and not take the easy way out. Some people have the habit of quitting whenever the going gets tough. If we give up half way, we don’t learn to persevere and grow. It affects our spiritual life.

How can a Christian child learn to persevere? It is to have a solid foundation in the fundamentals. These fundamental skills require diligence and endurance and a willingness to repeat them over and over again. What are these basic skills? They are regular Bible reading, prayer, attending Bible studies and going to church. Are you doing these regularly? These will build your relationship with God. Apostle Paul had these basics right and so he had the spiritual strength and endurance for hardships. If you do not have a solid foundation, you will stumble in your faith and backslide when you face trials and obstacles.

When the Chicago Bulls won six National Basketball Association championships, their coach said the strength of his team was the players’ solid fundamentals.The Bulls started every practice with time devoted to drills on basic skills. That was why they could play so well under pressure as a team. So in the same way, your regular practice of Bible reading and praying will help you function well spiritually and keep you from quitting.

Thought: What are the Christian basic skills that you must learn and practice?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me practise the fundamentals daily so that when a setback happens, I will not give up my faith. Instead, I will endure with the grace and strength You give me to overcome difficulties. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.