|
Perseverance
versus Panic
Let us run with endurance
the race set before us,
looking unto Jesus,
the Author and Finisher of our faith.
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
My journey the past 6 months as a full-time missionary (as a vocation) has called for a perseverance that is way beyond me.
I am realizing my journey is a call to devote with delight all of my time for nurturing and making relationships. Therefore, perseverance is not just for me, but is much more for others.
I've sensed the enemy's attempt to pervert the perseverance God has created good in me through Christ. The enemy tempts me to panic instead. However, Christ shows me:
Perseverance is an proactive rest.
Panic is a reactive busyness.
I fall for the temptation to panic when my focus is on the outcome, and not on the journey. The choice to get busy in a panic has devastating impacts rooted in 3 lies:
1. Fear that God will fail in my eyes to provide my every need.
2. Fear that I will fail to be successful in the eyes of people.
3. The more subtle lack of fear from believing that if I am successful, I will be a better man.
These are deceptions to live in an unreal future without enjoying the real present.
When I by faith choose perseverance (my true heart), my focus is on the journey, not the outcome. The journey is my moment-by-moment relationship with Christ. I am free to choose Christ for each step.
Sometimes I feel like and look like I'm in a panic. However, I am free to persevere in all that I am in Christ (physically, mentally, emotionally) and with every resource I have in Christ from heaven and on earth...confident I am forever secure in Him.
Taking this rest stop to affirm my perseverance for us,
P.S. I am indebted to Preston Gillham for helping me write on paper what God has been writing on my heart for the past 6 months. See Preston's article that means so much to me at the following link:
JOURNEY IN CHRIST
UPCOMING EVENTS
Michael Chalmers teaching Grace Life Conference
Holly Ridge Baptist Church, Simpsonville, SC
Friday, October 8 (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm)
Saturday, October 9 (9:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Gregg chaplain at Boys Home of the South
Chapel on Hwy 25 near Belton, SC
Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Visitors welcome!
Gregg attending men's Bible study
Haven of Rest Men's Training Center Belton, SC
Thursdays 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Contact Gregg if you are interested in training to minister to men with addictive lifestyles.
|
|
|
LINKS AND MESSAGES |
|
Your friends can subscribe to
Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop through sign-up forms
at the above websites.
I am a missionary
with Journey in Christ, Inc.,
a discipleship counseling
and training ministry.
Let me know if you'd like
to know more about being
a ministry partner with me.
I would love to hear from you!
Contact me at the following email link, phone, or address:
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
JOURNEY IN CHRIST
Attn: Gregg Gibbons
926 NE Main Street
Suite F-155
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Click here for
|
|
|
* ANNOUNCEMENT *
BOBBY RICHARDSON
Speaker for Journey in Christ
Fellowship & Worship Service
Thursday October 21
7:00 to 8:15 pm
Holly Ridge Baptist Church
Simpsonville, SC
Quote by Preston Gillham:
Jesus taught that we are secure in Him -- secure enough to accept opinion, receive counsel, consider alternatives, and that we are secure enough to lay our lives down on behalf of another. |
|
