Words To Remember - "What's Next?"

In our last two postings, we talked about "The Order of Faith."  And we said that the order of faith speaks on this wise:  The primary purpose and function of faith is not to get a bigger house, get a nicer car, get more money, etc.  But rather, the primary purpose and function of faith is to please God.  And in connection with this, we named at least three ways in which we can please God, which are: right living, right attitude, and right testimony.  

Now, after we have utilized our faith in accordance with its primary purpose and function, which is to please God, the question can then be easily asked, "What's Next?"  What more do I need or need to do in order to see things and circumstances change in my life, after all, I am living right; I do have a right attitude; and I do possess a right testimony, so what's next?  Aren't I suppose to be rewarded for pleasing God?  However, it seems like I am being passed over and that the reward is for some reason being delayed and even denied. So, what's next?

Well, in answer to the question, "What's Next?", we turn to the Scripture found in Hebrews 10:35-37 wherein the writer says the following:  "Do not therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward.  For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  For yet 'in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay." (NRSV).  The "What's Next" that is needed in our lives after we have pleased (done the will of) God is endurance (patience)!  Now understand that when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, that it is not just simply saying that we need to wait, although it is involved.  But when the Scripture says that we need endurance/patience, it is saying (according to the BDAG Greek Lexicon) that we need "the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty."  That means that in having endurance/ patience, we will have enough room to put up with the situation, the unfavorable circumstance, the troublesome issue that continues to stare us in the face until our change comes.

So, how do we do have and even increase in this much needed endurance/patience?  Well, I believe that there are at least three things that we need to do in order to have and increase in the endurance/patience that we need; and these things are:
1) Keep looking at Jesus - Hebrews 12:1-3  
2) Keep rejoicing in Jesus - Philippians 4:4
3) Keep standing in Jesus - Ephesians 6:13

So, what's next after we have pleased God?  Endurance/Patience. And what is endurance/patience?  The capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.  And how do we obtain and even increase in endurance/patience?  By continuing to look at, rejoice, and stand in Jesus.  God bless you.