HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!!...Endurance

These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Since you've kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Revelation 3:7-8,10

The key of David represents Christ's authority to open the door of invitation into His future kingdom. After the door is opened, no one can close it - salvation is assured. Once it is closed, no one can open it - judgment is certain. Some people believe that "I will also keep you from the hour of trial" means that there will be a future time of great tribulation from which true believers will be spared. Others interpret this to mean that the church will go through the time of tribulation, and that God will keep them strong in the midst of it. Still others believe this refers to times of great distress in general, the church's suffering through the ages. Whatever the case, our emphasis should be on patiently obeying God, no matter what we face.
Whenever we are going through, we have to look to Him. We have to acknowledge God in all our ways. We have to praise Him when we are up, AND when we are down. So many of us need something bad to happen to us before we give God any attention at all. Pray against that selfishness right now, and understand that all good things come from above. Accept the gifts that God has given you and use them for His Glory. After all, to whom much is given, much is required. Your purpose and destiny in Christ is revealed slowly through the process of doing and striving; not waiting for the clouds to open up and have God reveal everything then and there. We are still His children and He knows how much we are able to handle. He gives us just enough to get us to next step and then He gives us a little bit more. He encourages us and lets us rely on Him and as we rely on Him, we will one day open our eyes and realize that we have moved further than we ever imagined we could. Nothing is impossible with God. Accept it. Believe it. Live it.

God Bless you,

J.H.