5 Minutes Longer
"Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:8
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer." It encourages my heart each time I read it. It brings to mind the the scene at the Last Supper we read of in John 13:1 which says, "Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." It’s the last sentence that encourages my heart and I pray it does yours today too, loved one. It says Jesus "loved them to the end". The implication is not that somehow Jesus love for His friends ended when He went to the Cross. No, it is far better. The text reminds us that Jesus has never stopped loving us, He has never quit on us, even though all quit on Him. Actually worse, we crucified Him.
As I think about Jesus words so many scriptures came to mind as well as stories I have grown to appreciate from life about staying the course and finishing the race before us. Most of us have heard reference made to a speech that Winston Churchill made regarding quitting. It took place on October 29, 1941, when United Kingdom (Great Britain) Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Harrow School to to hear the traditional songs he had sung there as a youth, as well as to speak to the students. This visit became one of his most quoted speeches, and not so much because of the content or the quality of what he spoke of but due to distortions that evolved about what he actually said that day.
The myth is that Churchill stood before the graduating students and said, "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up." Then he sat down. In reality, he made a complete speech that included words similar to what is often misquoted. What he actually said in his speech that day was, "Never ever, ever, ever ever give in. Never give in, Never give in. Never give in." What Winston Churchill was exhorting the students to do that day was to persevere, to stay the course, don't compromise and in many ways understand the words of another great leader and innovator of his own day, Thomas A. Edison, who knew from personal experience that, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
If anyone understood failure and the desire to quit it was Edison. On a cold December night in 1914, Thomas Edison’s factory burst into flames that consumed all of his current projects and much of his life’s work. At 67 years old he sat on a grassy knoll and watched everything he had worked for being destroyed in front of his own eyes. His wife was worried that he would become distraught over the loss and she sent the children to find their father who was sitting there almost as it were with a grin watching his life's work being consumed before his very eyes. The next morning, Mr.Edison looked at the ruins of his factory and said of his loss: “There’s value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God, we can start anew and now more intelligently.”
Have you ever felt as if your life was like watching a warehouse burn to the ground and all you could do is sit by hopelessly and watch? Been there done that! If you have ever suffered loss you probably have to one degree or another. The good news this morning, loved one, if you are a child of God, you can like Edison thank God and start anew as the book of Lamentations so graciously reminds us in chapter 3:22-23, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Did you get that, loved one, in a world where everything is one day going to go up in a puff of smoke one thing remains, and that is the mercy of God. His compassion for you and me along with His great faithfulness never fails, it never gives in! That is so good to know! Don’t give up today, beloved of God, don’t give in! Make it your prayer as I make it mine today too, loved one, "God grant me the faith and the strength to hold on five minutes longer. Help me to see today through the eyes of faith and fill me overflowing with the power of love, for love never fails. In Jesus name!"
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:9
I LOVE YOU!
1 Corinthians 13:8
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer." It encourages my heart each time I read it. It brings to mind the the scene at the Last Supper we read of in John 13:1 which says, "Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." It’s the last sentence that encourages my heart and I pray it does yours today too, loved one. It says Jesus "loved them to the end". The implication is not that somehow Jesus love for His friends ended when He went to the Cross. No, it is far better. The text reminds us that Jesus has never stopped loving us, He has never quit on us, even though all quit on Him. Actually worse, we crucified Him.
As I think about Jesus words so many scriptures came to mind as well as stories I have grown to appreciate from life about staying the course and finishing the race before us. Most of us have heard reference made to a speech that Winston Churchill made regarding quitting. It took place on October 29, 1941, when United Kingdom (Great Britain) Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Harrow School to to hear the traditional songs he had sung there as a youth, as well as to speak to the students. This visit became one of his most quoted speeches, and not so much because of the content or the quality of what he spoke of but due to distortions that evolved about what he actually said that day.
The myth is that Churchill stood before the graduating students and said, "Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up." Then he sat down. In reality, he made a complete speech that included words similar to what is often misquoted. What he actually said in his speech that day was, "Never ever, ever, ever ever give in. Never give in, Never give in. Never give in." What Winston Churchill was exhorting the students to do that day was to persevere, to stay the course, don't compromise and in many ways understand the words of another great leader and innovator of his own day, Thomas A. Edison, who knew from personal experience that, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
If anyone understood failure and the desire to quit it was Edison. On a cold December night in 1914, Thomas Edison’s factory burst into flames that consumed all of his current projects and much of his life’s work. At 67 years old he sat on a grassy knoll and watched everything he had worked for being destroyed in front of his own eyes. His wife was worried that he would become distraught over the loss and she sent the children to find their father who was sitting there almost as it were with a grin watching his life's work being consumed before his very eyes. The next morning, Mr.Edison looked at the ruins of his factory and said of his loss: “There’s value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God, we can start anew and now more intelligently.”
Have you ever felt as if your life was like watching a warehouse burn to the ground and all you could do is sit by hopelessly and watch? Been there done that! If you have ever suffered loss you probably have to one degree or another. The good news this morning, loved one, if you are a child of God, you can like Edison thank God and start anew as the book of Lamentations so graciously reminds us in chapter 3:22-23, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Did you get that, loved one, in a world where everything is one day going to go up in a puff of smoke one thing remains, and that is the mercy of God. His compassion for you and me along with His great faithfulness never fails, it never gives in! That is so good to know! Don’t give up today, beloved of God, don’t give in! Make it your prayer as I make it mine today too, loved one, "God grant me the faith and the strength to hold on five minutes longer. Help me to see today through the eyes of faith and fill me overflowing with the power of love, for love never fails. In Jesus name!"
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:9
I LOVE YOU!
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Test PositiveHow Not To ForgetYour Best Year EverRelationship Over RulesKeep The Main Thing The Main ThingBonding FiresTake Me To ChurchWeight Gain Is GoodNot Seeing Is Believing Everything You Need To KnowLove Wins!Servants Not Slaves8 P's and 7 B'sWhat The World Needs NowThe World Is Falling... Into Place10 Minutes That Change The World
2020
January
February
March
Why We Can Be FriendsBe What You Want Other's To BeThere Is A Song In Your HeartThe Afterward of FailureWhy God WhispersDon''t Worry, Be Happy!I Can See Clearly NowI'm In It For The Long HaulTrade In Your Fears For PeaceDaddy Hold YouThe EndA Guy Can't Just Sit AroundThe Birthday Boy!Worry Never WorksPromises PromisesTwenty Inches From BlissFit From HomeThe Silver Lining of SufferingThe Gift of PainDo Not Be Afraid
April
Two Tickets To ParadiseI'll Trade YouNo Substitute For TrustOur Greatest NeedHope DispensersYour Finest HourDreams Do Come True!How To Survive A PandemicFeeling ChippieThe Good In Good Friday!The Dark Before The DawnHow Stars Are BornOne A Day, And Leap Year Too!Please, Breathe On MeYou Can't Afford To WorryChristmas In AprilAre You Jesus?Comfort FoodSocial DistancingNew NormalThe Beauty of SelflessnessThrive Not SurviveDon't Ask Why Ask WhatEmpty Is GoodI Miss Your FaceGet Out Of Jail Free
May
Marriage IS WorkYou Are EssentialThe DestinationCourage Looks Like LoveLive The AmenRelentlessYou're Never AloneOpen For BusinessYour're ContagiousGod's Got Big EarsHigher EducationA Season, A Reason, A LifetimeTo Grope Is DopeYou PickWomen Like GodMaking A DifferenceOne Way LoveBlessed To BlessPeople God Uses
June
How To Defeat RacismDon't Be An AnimalJesus IS The AnswerBefore Not AfterDreams Do Come True!ImagineTell It Like It Can BePeace MakersHold OnThe Name Above ALL NamesThe Real You!Don\'t Lose Your PassionA Tale of Four Father\'sJust Do It For Jesus!IfIn or Out?Stay FocusedPriorities MatterGod's Green Thumb
July
August
Whistle While You WorkDon't Worry, Be Happy!Holy Moly, Just Look At You!You Can Do Hard ThingsJoy Is On The Way!Why Not Me?What's Your Backstory?ForgivenessJesus Is Our RainbowJesus In, Jesus OutThe 7 Factors of FriendshipBecause of YouLord, Teach Me To PrayHopeless End or Endless Hope?The Stress RelieverDefining MomentsA Supernaturally Scheduled DayWho's In Your Boat?
September
Hang In There 5 Minutes More!You Can Do It!What You See is What You GetMountains Were Made To ClimbLet Go, Let GodThe Third OptionWhat Will You Be?Better Than New!You Are A Best Seller!Heaven On EarthPray, Don't PreyTo love Is To ObeyIf I Could Live My Life Over AgainLet It Shine!Need A Hug?A Beautiful MessRun Through The TapeCause and EffectLife Is The PitsJust Say Yes
October
How To Have A RevivalLord, Teach Us To PrayBroken and BeautifulWhy God WhispersDig DeepThings Are Not As They AppearChildlike FaithGreat JobWhat On Earth Am I Here ForSafe In God's HandYou Be JesusYou Never Have To Advertise A FireRetraining ElephantsMission PossibleGo Nuts Today!Don't Hide The CracksOne Step AheadWho's Your Caddy?THINKPeter's Favorite PsalmFound Together
November
Success Through FailureNo FearAgainst All OddsGod Works For You But Not For YouThe Worship of TearsThank God For FleasHow To Thank A VeteranSoar Like An EagleOne Out Of TenHow To Get Through A StormCling OnKeep SwingingChoose Winning!The BlessingLessons From My Washing MachineHow To Put Happy Into Your ThanksgivingWe Exist To AppreciateThe Gift That Keeps On Giving
December
Peace On EarthHope In The DarkLessons From Long LinesHe's Making A List And Checking It TwiceKeep Rolling!You Have A ReservationWhen Heaven Met EarthThe Great Gift ExchangeA Thrill of HopeThe Real DealThe Perfect GiftFace Your FearsWinning Over WorryStability From A StableThe "awe" of HeavenJoy That LastsMessage From The MangerChristmas In Three WordsLook Up Not ForwardJust Because
2019
February
Heavenly RemindersThings Are Not Always As They AppearZihuatanejoSatisfied Wanting MoreGet In The Game!Always The Nails, Never The HammerA Four Footed EnemyAll InWhat's Love Got To Do With It?Lessons From A LeperLessons From A Former LeperNo MatchYour Mess Is Your MessageLessons From Your GPS"Ooooo ooooo ohoohohoo"Jesus MarveledShe Walks In BeautyShaken or Stirred?Bring The Rain
March
I Can't Love You AnymoreThe Gift of AttentivenessWha't Outside Your Tent?I'll Carry YouIt’s Worth The PainWorship On The BrainA Door of HopeGet Busy LivingHow Knowledge Becomes Power Please Do Not DisturbNew Normal5 Minutes LongerOur Conquering KingA Matter of PerspectiveAge Old WisdomFaith Your FearsThe Best Day Of Your Life… Starts Now!Who Grace Looks LikeHow To Have Lifetime JoyTo Know You Is To Love YouMistaken Identity
April
Life After The End Of The RopeLet's Get RealWhy God Made MountainsForgive And ForgetLoving You Is EasySweetly Broken Keep The Main Thing The Main ThingKnow God Know PeaceWisdom Never Gets OldOut of the WhirlwindMonday: A Pure and Holy PassionTuesday: The Passion Of JesusThe Passion Week: WednesdayJesus Love From Head To ToeFriday: The Passion JesusThe Ta-da of HeavenWhat's The World Coming To?A Love InvasionThe Gift of YouI'm With You AlwaysHow Is Your Balance?Bring The Rain
May
In Regards To HeavenHope WinsIshteeLove Is A VerbFinishing WellYour New Favorite BookGod Has No GrandchildrenCrossing GuardsYou Were Made For MomentsLiving Like A Rock StarA Wonder Filled DayLess is MoreAll Washed UpIf Your Child Goes Astray... Pray!Like Parent Like ChildBring Back The KingWith God You ARE The MajorityJesus IS EnoughWe Will RememberYou Are Stronger Than You ThinkEscape ArtistsYou Can't Back Into Your FutureThe Worship of Tears
June
For HankGod's 'GPS'A Friend Like YouDesire Discipline DelightDesire, Discipline, DelightYou Be JesusYour WorthA Living Love StoryThe Gift of GraceThe Power of AmenA Dad For All SesonsStuck On YouJust OneI Hope You DanceIt's Your Turn To ShineGlorious Day!Ancient Social MediaA Door of HopeLiving Like JesusPlease, Don't Shoot The Messenger!
July
Flawed Instruments Glorify GodHelp Is On The WayMay You Always Remain As You Are TodayOne Nation Under GodDivine AppointmentsDon't Trip Over Your PastWho's Counting?ShineLove Is A VerbBig Shoes To FillYou Never Have To Advertise A FireLet The Walls Fall DownOne Small Step, One Giant LeapOur God Rocks!Stirred To ActionThe Power of LoveTo Know Him Is To Love HimJesus Loves Pizza
August
September
October
Broken and BeautifulIn The Hands of The PotterRecognitionExtraordinarily OrdinaryBonded By A BonfireColor EverywhereWords To Live ByThe Best of MeJust Say YesChoose HappyThe Best Weekend Ever!Three Yet OneJust KISSGame ChangerHow To Beat An Escape RoomIt's What's Inside That CountsWhen Longer Isn't Long EnoughThe Whisperer
November
The Healing Power of a HugA Work In ProgressThe Best Day of Your Life Starts... NowYou Have Beautiful EyesLord, Teach Me To PrayFive Star FaithDebt Free LivingWhen Close Isn't Close EnoughHave I Got Something Just For You!Perfect In Any LightYour Strength Is Your WeaknessIt's Only A TestYou're Living An Adventure
Slow The PaceThe Art of AppreciationLasting MemoriesBlack Friday Saved My Life
Categories
no categories