Endurance

Life is a marathon. We're not in it for the sprint. Some miles are easier than others, but the finish line is worth it!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:3-6 ESV)

Grace Abounds

Living for God isn't about being a good person or about keeping all the rules, because the truth is that we can never be good enough, we can never play by all the rules. We need a help, we need grace, we need freedom, we need forgiveness, we need hope, we need the love of a Savior.

"God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." --Romans 5:20, 21 NLT