oct 5-11-08 persistence determination

Persistence & Determination

There is a well-known local coach in Fullerton, California, whose

thirty-five-plus years in athletics have been eminently successful.


His incredible career in Southern California speaks for itself. When

he was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times, the sportswriter

wanted to know his secret.


What was it that made him so successful? Without hesitation Coach Sherbeck said that his credo could best be stated in

words written by an anonymous author.


Ever since he was a boy growing up in Big Sandy, Montana, he has

lived by these words:


Press on;Nothing in the world can take the

place of persistence. Talent will not;

Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.


Genius will not;Unrewarded genius is

almost a proverb.Education will not:The world is full of educated derelicts.


Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Coach Sherbeck had no quick and easy formula for success; he lives

by his strong commitment to persistence and determination.


Don't misunderstand. I have in mind being determined to accomplish what is right. When the objective is good

and the motive is pure, there is nothing more valuable in the pathway leading to genuine success than persistence

and determination.


Following one's dream requires these disciplines. The thing that

makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the

right direction over the long haul, following your dream, staying at

the task.


Just as there is no thing such as instant failure, neither is there

automatic or instant success. But success is the direct result of a

process that is long, arduous, and often unappreciated by others.


It also includes a willingness to sacrifice.... In our world of instant everything, these thoughts are not

very popular.


If we really want to soar like an eagle, we must- keep on

continually pursuing—we must keep on seeking.

(From LivingAbove the Level of Mediocrity

by Charles Swindoll)

A Journey Of Faith

Although Ezra had previously remained in Babylon compiling a

historical record, he obtained permission to return to Jerusalem.

He led the Jews to a spiritual renewal.

(Max Lucado Devotional Bible)

A Journey Of Faith

The skills that qualified Ezra to be a scribe were a detailed, technical knowledge of the Law and the ability to teach it. to others.

A Journey Of Faith

Officials called scribes had been known during the monarchy, but they were mostly recorders and

secretaries.

A Journey Of Faith

The era of scribes as custodians of the Law began on the return of the exiles to Palestine, with men like

Ezra. (Word in Life Study Bible)

A Journey Of Faith

Ezra's careful study of Scripture throughout his life enabled him to be an effective minister to those in

need. (Max Lucado Devotional Bible)

A Journey Of Faith

It is one thing to boldly proclaim what God can do. It is quite

another to actually trust that God will do what He has promised.

A Journey Of Faith

Ezra had been telling King Artaxerxes about the divine

protection that God's people could expect.

A Journey Of Faith

Ezra 8:22 NET I was embarrassed to request soldiers and horsemen from the king to protect us from

the enemy along the way, because we had said to the king,

A Journey Of Faith

"The good hand of our God is on everyone who is seeking him, but

his great anger is against everyone who forsakes him."

A Journey Of Faith

But then he was allowed to lead a group of exiles back to Palestine. At that point, Ezra determined that

he needed to demonstrate his faith by declining an armed escort.

A Journey Of Faith

The Persians must have thought the choice ludicrous. The route from Babylon to Jerusalem that

Ezra selected followed the northern border of the Arabian

Desert.

A Journey Of Faith

At 900 miles, it was shorter than the northern route through Aleppo and

Hamath, but it was also more dangerous.

A Journey Of Faith

Bandits and warring clans frequented the highway and its

watering holes, waiting to ambush travelers and caravans.

A Journey Of Faith

To travel without soldiers virtually invited disaster, especially given the precious cargo that the group was carrying. Yet God rewarded

the people's faith with an uneventful journey.

A Journey Of Faith

Ezra 8:31 NET On the twelfth day of the first month we began traveling from

the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from our enemy and

from bandits along the way.

A Journey Of Faith

The trip took about four months to complete, averaging seven or eight miles per day. Such a

relatively slow pace was perhaps due to the many children and

elderly who made the journey.

A Journey Of Faith

Ezra's courage is a challenge to God's people today to follow

through on their statements of faith, especially when unbelievers

are watching the outcome.

A Journey Of Faith

What good does it do to talk about trusting solely or primarily in God, only to abandon that position as

soon as things get tough?

A Journey Of Faith

We need to act in a way that is consistent with the faith we proclaim.

Was Ezra's decision to refuse an entourage of soldiers intended to be

an unbreakable standard for all believers everywhere?

A Journey Of Faith

Can God also use human help and protection to provide for His

people? Nehemiah accepted a military escort. Was he acting with

a lack of faith? (Word in Life Study Bible)

Excellence in Obedience

Leviticus 25:18 NET You must obey my statutes and my regulations; you

must be sure to keep them so that you may live securely in the land.


19 " 'The land will give its fruit and you may eat until you are

satisfied, and you may live securely in the land.


Joshua 23:6 NET Be very strong! Carefully obey all that is written in

the law scroll of Moses so you won't swerve from it to the right or

the left,


Psalms 1:1 NET How blessed is the one who does not follow the

advice of the wicked,or stand in the pathway with

sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers!


2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD's commands; he meditates on his commands

day and night.


Psalms 18:21 NET For I have obeyed the LORD's commands;

I have not rebelled against my God. 22 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. 23 I was

innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning.


2 Corinthians 8:7 NET But as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in

knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you —

make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.


James 1:25 NET But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and

fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out — he will be

blessed in what he does.


Is there a specific goal you recently gave up? Reexamine your motive for doing so. Is it possible that you

gave up too soon?


Would God want you to persist? If so, recommit yourself to the task.

Talk to a friend who can encourage you to reach your goal.

(Max Lucado Devotional Bible)


Are weWALKING the WALK,

or justTALKING the TALK?


Perhaps it’s not realistic to think we could know the Scriptures as Ezra

did, but, on the other hand, we have so much more written

information in the Bible than he did.


We have the very Words of Jesus, God the Son, The Redeemer of

mankind.He gave His life for us

and bore our sins upon the cross.


Do we dare take this so lightly by not reading His Word regularly? It

should be our goal to know our Savior better than we know each

other.


We must strive to know him so well we can

Excel in Obedience.How can we obey without knowing

what He wants?

oct 5-11-08 persistence determination

Education

life study

live securely

persistence

persistence

king

success

ezra

goal