Text: Matthew 24:9-14
Memory verse:
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬ ‭
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One of the most interesting stories I love sharing with our students is about the Wright brothers, the bicycle mechanics who pioneered manned motorized flight in the early twentieth century. Most people had expected Prof Samuel Langley to lead the breakthrough. He had done extensive successful works with unmanned plane models but had failed twice with the manned motorized plane. After this second failure and with a lot of public criticisms, Langley gave up his dream and ended his decades-long pursuit of flight without ever having one of his planes piloted to success.
Just days later, uneducated and unknown Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their plane “Flyer I”!
Persistence is about finishing. While the beginning of a thing is very important, God places more value on the end. “The end of a thing is better than its beginning…” ‭‭(Eccl‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬)
In our memory text, our Lord leaves us with no excuse for quitting. Yes, multiplication of wickedness and evil may cause many to fall but you must persevere to the end. Anyone can start but not everyone has the willingness to confront the odds against continuing. This is the quality of perseverance that we must develop. Finishing a task is not only about gifts, talents or skills but willingness to hold on in spite of the opposition. Success is more of your will than your skill. There are so many skilled, talented, gifted and educated folks who are unsuccessful. Our God is not the God of abandoned projects (Matt 28:20; Phil 1:6; 1 Thes 5:24). Our Lord also, in His earthly days determined to finish His mission and He did (John 4:34; 19:30). Friends, do you find yourself often quitting halfway after starting a project? Is it always difficult for you to complete tasks? Break that long habit of always quitting today.

Prayer points
1. Father, inbuilt in me the staying-on-power and strengthen my resolve to always finish what I start in Jesus name.
2. I break the habit of always quitting my set goals and I receive finishing grace to follow through in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. I have the Spirit of God in me for I always finish what I start.
2. I will not miss the joy of finishing and finishing well.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng