By Joyce Meyer -

There are usually two sides to everything.  The cross has two:  a crucifixion side and a resurrection side.  Jesus had to endure one side to get to the other. But if e he hadn't endured, then we'd all still be left without a Savior and no forgiveness of our sins.

Hebrew 12:2 says that Jesus, for the joy of obtaining the prize on the other side of the cross, the resurrection, endured the pain.  Like Jesus, we have to endure bad things.  To endure means  to outlast the devil; to be steadfast long enough to let the trial do whatever it's going to do in our lives and get from one side of the cross to the other.

Whether we're hit by an unexpected circumstance, suffering for doing something wrong or for resisting temptation and sin by doing what's right, we have to go through things.  But waiting for you on the other side of the hard times is the joy of obtaining the prize, the good result.

Today, be encouraged by the way Jesus handled trials.  He knew the joy that wass before Him and persevered until the end.  He's given you the power to do the same.

Hebrews 12:2 - Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Prayer Starter:  God, I want to endure like Jesus.  Help me to get a vision for the joy of obtaining the prize that awaits me so that I can endure whatever trial comes my way.

Here at Jesus Persevered, we want Jesus Christ to literally and spiritually have living water flow from us.  

As we help bring clean drinking water to these people in need across the world, sharing the story of Jesus will enable us to do exactly as this verse says!

By Joyce Meyer - 

God wants us to have joy in the midst of our ordinary, everyday life, even on the worst days of our life.

There were times in my life when I dreaded facing each day.  All I could think about was my circumstances, wondering how Dave and I were going to pay the bills or get everything done that we needed to do .  Sometimes I wanted to pull the covers over my head and just stay in bed.

I was so wrapped up in worry that I was missing the point:  God had created a new day, and He created it so that I could enjoy it.  Every single day is filled with all kinds of situations that could upset you, things like losing your car keys or getting caught in a traffic jam.  But you can choose to be at peace and in control in the midst of them.

When you and I take our minds off of ourselves and our circumstances and put our focus on God and loving others, we are embracing an attitude that will bring honor to Him and enable us to view every day as an exciting, new gift from God.

Psalm 118:24 - The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Prayer Starter:  God, thank you for the gift of a new day.  Instead of focusing on the frustrating things in life, I choose to be at peace in You and rejoice and be glad in it!

By Joyce Meyer -

When we experience terrible tragedy, being angry with God is quite common.  People frequently ask, "if God is good, all-powerful and full of love for us, why didin't He stop the thing that caused the pain?"

This is where Satan seeks to build a wall between God and the hurting person.  He seizes the opportunity to say, "God isn't good, and He can't be trusted."  However, we know according to the Word of God, the truth is not in Satan, he is a liar and the father of lies.

Read James 1:17.  Everything good comes from God. God is good, and He cannot be anything else.  Furthermore, He isn't one way one time and another way another time.  He doesn't change.  He is good, and that's the way He is.

It's obvious that God doesn't always stop tragedy, and we honestly don't always know why bad things happen.  First Corinthians 13:12 says, "...Now I know in part (imperfectly)..."  We have to remember that faith will always require us to accept unanswered questions, and we must come to the place where we're satisfied to know the One who knows and place our trust in Him.

JAMES 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Prayer Starter:  God, I may not always understand why bad things happen, but I know that You are good.  When I don't understand why, I will find my comfort in You.

Romans 12:9-13

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

The film “PURPOSE” was produced by the Ride Nature organization in a collaborative effort with Walking on Water, Nations Foundation, Skate Bible, and This IZ My Story, to bring the truth of Jesus Christ to the world through action sports outreach and evangelism.

Featuring footage, testimonies, and scripture shared by 33 Christian athletes from the surf, skate, wake, and snow industries, along with the support of renowned author and speaker, Francis Chan, this film is one that was truly created to “Impact the world through action sports!”

To learn more about the Ride Nature organization and the long-term vision behind this film visit ridenature.org or purposefilm.com.

© The Ride Nature Organization and THE PURPOSE FILM. All rights reserved.

[To DOWNLOAD the film, just CLICK the DOWNLOAD link below and select what format you would like to DOWNLOAD. Any DONATIONS given toward this project through the "TIP JAR" will be used to continue translating the film into new languages with the goal of reaching the world with the TRUTH of Jesus Christ!]

Do Persevere in Jesus

The whole structure of Revelation 1, 2, and 3 is about Jesus and his people, and how we are to persevere individually in Jesus and persevere collectively as Jesus' people. And he says that there will be tribulation. Until the day Jesus returns, there will be trouble, trial, and tribulation. So don't let it shock you, but let it compel you to persevere in Jesus, to hang in there.

This clip is excerpted from the sermon "A Message to Seven Churches," part #2 of our current sermon series, the Seven. This sermon was preached out of Revelation 1:9--20 by Pastor Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church Downtown Bellevue and released online on April 22.

Watch the full sermon here:  http://marshill.com/media/the-seven/a-message-to-seven-churches

Let the Storm Subside

By  Joyce Meyer -

I have faced so many storms in my life, some like the quick afternoon storms that are common in the summertime and some that seemed like category four hurricanes!

If I have learned anything about weathering those storms, it has been that they don't last forever, and I don't need to make major decisions in the midst of them.

Thoughts and feelings run wild in the midst of crises, but those are exactly the times we need to be careful about making decisions. I often say to myself, "Let emotions subside before you decide."

We must remain calm and discipline ourselves to focus on doing what we can do and trust God to do what we can't do.

Instead of drowning in worry and fear, get in touch with God, who sees past the storm and orchestrates the big picture.

He makes sure everything that needs to happen in our lives happens at the right time, moves at the appropriate speed, and causes us to arrive safely at the destinations He has planned for us.

Psalm 46: 1-11
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Prayer Starter:  God, I know that I can't control everything, so I will do what I can and trust You to do what I can't do. The storms of life do not control me. I trust Your plans for me.

Source:  https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/199-promises-for-your-everyday-life/day/47