May 2015 Study. Endurance: Refusing to Quit in Hard Times. 1. Welcome/Introduce new sisters 2. News and Updates 3. Pray In!

Transcription

1 May 2015 Study Endurance: Refusing to Quit in Hard Times 1. Welcome/Introduce new sisters 2. News and Updates 3. Pray In! The word endurance is defined as the ability of an organism to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wound, or fatigue. The hardest part about accepting the fight to endure is that we don't often know when we will cross the finish line. As this definition states deciding to endure means that we are deciding to resist, withstand and recover from any attack that comes our way. The scripture states that we are called to live a life of endurance, we were never promised a life without trials but we were promised a God who is bigger than our trials. We were promised that if we place our faith and hope in the God who is bigger than anything in this world, than He is faithful to bring us to a place of peace despite our earthly circumstances. Let's take a few minutes to really evaluate our current circumstances. Think of some areas in your life that seem like they are never going to end. What is going on in your life that you really need the Lord to intervene and bring peace and provision?

2 If you want to share with the group do so after you have taken a few minutes to think. If you don't feel like sharing that's ok, but be sure to pray throughout this study that the Lord would reveal to you ways to endure your current circumstance. The reality is that sometimes it is a lot easier to SAY that we accept our circumstance than it is to actually stand with endurance in every area of our life. So let's talk about strategies that we can implement in our lives when we experience hardships that make us feel helpless. 1. Decide. Making the decision to endure means that we are making the decision to rest. The bible tells us to be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer make your requests known to God. Write down your requests to God. What are you believing God for, where in your life do you need to let God in and work on your behalf? Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, " Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Often times we experience hard times and instead of enduring the process we seek any and all ways to leave, get out, and remove the burden from our lives. Sometimes, God is simply calling us to endure the situations we face, to seek His presence, and to ask for His help. God is our Father and He is our teacher, He want us to come out better than before, He wants us to have more wisdom than before, He wants us to understand and know His word more than before, He wants us to endure. The more we look for exit strategies the less likely we are to experience God in

3 supernatural ways. God works the best stuff out when we can surrender our will for His. Our flesh for His. Our thoughts for His. Our desires for His. Our words for His Word. Can you decide to do that? What do these decisions look like for you? Is God revealing anything specific to you? If so, share! 2. Trust. Psalm 9:10 - Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I will trust in You. Proverbs 3:5&6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. God wants you to trust! The minute you decide to endure and bear your daily cross, the enemy will fill you will lies and deception, he will offer you ways that will seem enticing they will seem like good options but they will not produce any fruit. Trusting that the Lord will provide, that He will sustain, that He will walk with you and never leave. Unlike the enemy when you trust in the Lord your life will produce good fruit; love, PEACE, joy, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. The devil wants you to have none of those things. So before you go seeking for the quickest way out, make sure that you are developing spiritual muscles that develop spiritual fruit. What does trusting the Lord look like for you? In what areas of your live could you implement God's trust?

4 3. Rest. Endurance is having faith that even at our weakest moments God will not forsake us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 describes God's grace as always being sufficient. It says in our weakest moments God's grace is most perfect. This scripture also says that when we accept our weakness and allow God to work His power will rest on us! God fills in the gap when our strength is depleted, when we have exhausted our options, after we have sought council and when we have done all we can do, the Lord promises to pick us up right at the point where we can do nothing. The truth is that at our weakest moments is when our God is able to be our greatest strength. Knowing this should build confidence in us as believers and as disciples here on earth because there is safety in trusting God. There is provision and favor in loving and placing our life in the hands of God. Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find REST for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." What are some strategies you use to trust and rest in the Lord during heavy trials? Share with the group? Maybe you heard someone share tonight and they are going through something similar to what you have gone through, can you share any wisdom or testimony on how the Lord brought you to victory?

5 In closing, remember that our passion should always be to please God and to fulfill our current assignment. If your passion is God's presence and you stay focused on fulfilling your present assignment, you will discover that what you are doing now is actually preparing you for what your next role is going to be. As you continue your week keep this following scripture with you. Let it be comfort and strength to combat any lies the enemy may throw you're way. James 1:2-4...when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow! For when your endurance is fully developed you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Challenge: Be transparent and honest with others this month about what is going on in your life. As God leads you, share your testimony with others, online by blogging or social media or wherever the Holy Sprit leads you. We need more believers in the body of Christ that will be honest about their tests and how God has brought you out. Endurance is something we all experience, share how you ve endured and trusted God with others to encourage them in their walk.