The ministry of the Apostle Paul exemplifies the power of Promise and how the four Ps of Promise work together. 

The first P, pivotal decision, motivated Paul to follow Christ. His letters to the earliest Christian churches sketched the second P, path he traveled to share the gospel. The third P, persistence, demonstrates that Paul was anything but persistent as he proclaimed the gospel to Jew and Gentile alike.

The final P we will reflection upon today is perseverance. Hear Paul's words:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Timothy 4:7

The language of promise is based in covenant; God's promise of grace in which God chooses to share a loving relationship with us. Throughout the scriptures we witness God's loving pursuit of humankind and our efforts to love God in return. The faith God places in us and our faith in God strengthens our ability to persevere. Through the ups and downs, the good times and the bad, and adversity and abundance, Paul reminds us that the perseverance of God's promises are found in these three; faith, hope, and love. When  we practice faith, hope, and love in all things and at all times we too can say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith!"

I think this picture is worth a million words and illustrates the 4 Ps of Promise...

Take a few moments to study the picture. How do you see the Ps in this couple's lives?
Pivotal decision
Path
Persistence
Perseverance

I'd be delighted if you would share your thoughts with me about how this picture and our discussion of Promise helped you examine your relationship with God, neighbor, and self.

Prayer for Today

Grant us the perseverance of faith, O Lord, to fight the good fight, run the good race, and keep faith with you in times of adversity and abundance. Amen.