Perseverance is defined as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Perseverance is persistence. Steadiness.

In order to be Steady, to be persistent, we need to trust the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 says:

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.
⁸ “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.

When we focus on the Lord and not what’s coming against us, we will make it through. We will be steady and persevere! You see, when we have our eyes fixed on the Lord, we don’t see the problems, we don’t act like anything is different because, we see that God, who takes care of his children, has it all in his plans, that the end result is ultimately his. We have no reason to worry, because it isn’t our trouble to bear.

It says in the book of James that when we trust God it perfects our faith. That in trial, we should choose joy because the testing of our faith produces endurance. When we endure we can be steady.

When you focus on the Father, good times or bad, He will help you through. He will help you through when you are fixed on Him! When we are fixed on Him we will not waiver, and that unwavering persistent faith, that is Perseverance!

Lauren Sullivan is a Graduate intern in the Management Associate Program at the Honor Academy that works in the Marketing Department.

We’ve all had those days. Those days where everything goes from bad to worse. Those days that make you question why you ever started. We’ve all had bad days, the trick is to not let those bad days take you out of a good season.

The Quitting Myth

The myth is that successful leaders never quit. That they somehow just push and push and push until they get to the other side. That somehow the failing business or ministry they lead just comes together by their own sheer force of will. The truth is actually the exact opposite. Successful leaders know when and what to quit and do so immediately. The difference is that successful leaders set up standards that will let them know when it’s time to quit in advance, before the rough season hits. They push and push, fixing what’s broken until the terms they laid out for them to leave have been met.

In particular, leaders that endure wisely practice four things:

Enduring Leaders Set Their Own Terms.

What are the standards that you’ve set to keep you from quitting on a whim, or enduring foolishly? Is it a time frame? Losing key leaders? A level of debt? Is it a time frame or a circumstance? How long do things need to go from bad to worse before you can clearly see that God is moving you? Every person who has achieved any success in life has made sacrifices to do so. There is no success without sacrifice and endurance, but only if you’re enduring for the things that God has actually called you to. (Proverbs 24:10, Hebrews 12:3, Job 4:5, Jeremiah 51:46)

Enduring Leaders Reevaluate.

Where are we at? What’s working? What’s not? Narrow it down. Evaluate the situation. Find what’s working and quit what’s not. Enduring suffering that can be fixed doesn’t make you “spiritual” or “tough” it proves you’re foolish (which may have gotten you into the situation in the first place). Scripture is full of wisdom to help, read Proverbs in particular to gain insight and wisdom. (Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 19:20)

Enduring Leaders Reinvent.

It may be a season to demolish what’s not working and rebuild it until it does. Things may look great on paper but work terribly in practice. Attitudes, styles, methods may ultimately be ineffective to get the results you’re looking for. You may need to reinvent to see change happen. By asking God “What are you trying to teach me?” instead of “Why isn’t this working?” your heart becomes softer, more moldable, helping you to change your own heart and life just as much as the situation you’re trying to fix. (Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:23)

Enduring Leaders Temporarily Retreat.

Enduring leaders know when it’s time to stop and take a couple steps back. Even the greatest soldiers need a break from the front lines and you are no exception. These breaks are temporary, and shouldn’t happen for too long, but it may be just what you need to go at it again with more fervor and energy. Retreating isn’t quitting. Retreating is smart. Give up a battle here or there so that you can win the war. That’s not weakness, that’s being a good steward. Endure smarter, not harder. (Proverbs 23:4)

Here’s the big idea; If you’re going to quit, quit on your own terms. Don’t let a bad day, season, or encounter, cause you to drop out of the race. Too often we as people tap out right when things are about to change for the better. As any runner will tell you, it’s the last mile that’s the hardest, but we only get the prize if we actually cross the finish line. You’re already suffering, at least get the reward for it and finish the race. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Acts 20:24)

Make it a point to endure hard seasons until you reach the other side of it. Then you can make an informed decision on whether or not you should hang in there. If the hard times aren’t matching the standards you’ve created to let you know when it’s time to quit, endure.

Reevaluate, reinvent, or even temporarily retreat if needed but don’t quit. Purposely set up objectives, markers, that will let you know when God is moving you. Until then, hang in there. Choices based on bad circumstances and rough emotions are never a good place to plan your life from. By quitting on your own terms, you can gain the perseverance and spiritual toughness needed to succeed, even if this particular project doesn’t work out.

Bio: Pastor Garrhet Sampson is an Honor Academy Alumnus and a Lead Pastor, Missionary, and Church Planter for Awaken Ministries, a recent church plant in Missoula, Mt. For more content or to find out more about their ministry, go to www.awaken-ministries.com

Something that has helped me through the many lessons and trials is Paul’s perspective of Moses.

One verse in particular has had the most impact during my year; Hebrews 11:27.

This is what is known as “the faith chapter;” it is full of the patriarch’s and prophet’s great acts of faith in times of strife.Verse 27 says,

 ”By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.”

Upon looking deeper into this verse and what it meant, I found that the Greek translation of perseverance is Kartereo; this is the only occurrence of this translation in the New Testament. Kartereo is far more enduring than the typical form of perseverance; it means to show lasting strength and endurance; to stand with fearlessness. Moses faced the fury of the king, he faced death, and being exiled. How much we have to learn from Moses in just this one verse!

Moses was able to keep his eyes fixed on a God that is unseen and remain faithful under severe persecution.

My year at Teen Mania has stretched me in every way possible, but what has helped me keep my eyes focused on God is the strength God has given me to stand.

I came to the Honor Academy having so many walls up and realizing that I had never let the Lord in, that I didn’t trust Him or people, and I eventually had to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. As the year progressed, I found myself relying on a works based faith in God. It wasn’t enough for me or Him. So began my struggle of trying to live by the grace of God and allowing my heart to embrace everything that my head had learned about Him.

Something that I had aspired to live for for 11 years was wrecked and was, what I thought, knocked back to square one.

It’s in moments like these when we’re faced with difficult choices that we must KARTEREO. Just as Moses was able to stand up under persecution so must we show strength and fearlessness when we are faced with circumstances that try our faith.

The choice to stand in grace is a minute by minute battle that I face; trying to overcome my works mentality and checking the motives of my heart. By the strength of God I am able to overcome just as Moses was able to persevere. Be encouraged that, in the midst of trials, the Lord is always there, ready to stand on your behalf, carry your burdens, and rebuild your life when you find it in shambles.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand…stand!” Ephesians 6:13

Jade Daniel is currently an August Intern at the Honor Academy and works in the Acquire the Fire Call Center.  She enjoys beauty, worshipping the LORD through worship and art, and continues to go after the LORD in all she does. 

In Proverbs 29:18, Solomon writes, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

Sometimes it can seem as if the importance of vision is forgotten in the generation of 14-22 year olds.  Many of us live in the now, and fight just to stay afloat in the juggling war of school, relationships, work, and now and again thoughts of what we want for our future.  Subsequently we see the effects of this now-centered mentality in the lack of care taken in attitudes, lifestyle, and heart.

Remember the phrase “You Only Live Once”?  Either the thought before or after was what I do now won’t really matter.  This might be a mistake, but what is life without mistakes to look back on.

At the Honor Academy, I have been given different opportunities to truly think about my future and the reality of it all belonging to God.  As interns we are continually reminded to keep Christ at the center; reigning in preeminence of all we say and do.  Him being our everything brings Him right back into the determining of our next steps- of our vision.

What good is vision?

Part of my vision for the future is to speak truth and give glory to God in my lifestyle.  This gives me a foundation in my actions alongside my ultimate foundation and identity in Christ.  When I look at jobs to help me through University, I think How will I be able to glorify God in this job?  Will this give me skills/expertise in the journalism/speaking environment?  What kind of lifestyle must I be prepared to live with this job?

Having vision is a launching pad into living a purposeful life.  Without it, as Solomon said, we live wild lives because there is nothing to really anchor and direct us.

How do you get vision?

If you aren’t continually doing this, I would suggest you take some time to get to know who God is.  As you do this, you will get to know who you are in Him and then your identity will be shaped and unquestionable.

After getting a clear understanding of your identity and who it is found in, take some time to write out your interests.  What stirs your heart?  What burns within you to be accomplished and if it’s not you’ll die?

Write those things down and I’m sure you’ll begin to see some connections in your desires.  If not, don’t worry, those things are inside you, and God sure does know how to work it out for His glory.

In your time reading the Bible and listening to the promptings the LORD gives to your heart, ask Him what vision it is that He has for your life.  You now would have a better understanding of your desires and have a clear-cut ability to listen to His will.

Seek out God’s direction for your life.  Have a vision.  Move with purpose in your life because it will determine much of what you do and whom you get to know.

Get Vision. Be Passionate.  Change our world.

Raquel A. Russell is an Intern from Toronto, Ontario, working in Honor Academy Marketing.  She enjoys many things in life, like reading and worship, but ultimately seeks to bring glory to God.  Love God. Love People. 

My name is Logan and I have been going on missions since the 6th grade, and since then I have been hooked. What do you mean by hooked, you may ask? By hooked, I mean the barb on the hook is stuck in me and it will not let go of searching and seeking to making Christ’s name known. The passion that was developed at an early age has been cultivated over and over again through the process of gaining vision for the world. This vision based out of Ephesians 6:19-20,

“Pray also for me that whenever I speak, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray the I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

The focus is to take the vision off of myself and putting it on the world. Asking questions like the following:

Will this effect me or the world?
Is this for eternity or or for selfish satisfaction?
Am I doing this to please someone or for His name to be glorified?

These questions do not come lightly; they have such an impact and true reverence on what one’s life is focused on. It amazes me how we focus so much on ourselves daily. In reality, we know the focus should be on him. Just as the verses previously mention state, we are to make him known, not ourselves. It is sad that the way the world’s focus has become, we focus on our own self gratification and what we want in this life and not what the King of King desires. Jesus even tells us in John 6:40, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”

As we follow Christ that should be our example and vision to live upon. To fix our eyes and wonder on the one who made, created, and calls us to higher than we can imagine should be the desire of our hearts.

So from the beginning, when Jesus has called me, He has called me to have a world vision focus. I have learned to not focus upon myself or what I can do, but to focus and give up all to the Lord of Lords. Why, you may ask.  Because he has changed me and set a light to follow in my life. I do not want to follow or seek something that is dark, because I will get lost, and I have done that before. Since, finding who he is and finding the light of my life I have found vision to give that to the world.

My challenge to you is what will your vision be? Whom will you find your joy, hope, peace, and love in? Where will it take you or will it take you anywhere?

Think about these questions and apply them to your life and seek King Jesus. Do not take this lightly, these are questions are fixed for eternity. Questions to ponder and pray about to do with your life.  Connect with other believers who have the same heart and encourage each other.  Places like the Honor Academy are wonderful for a time set-apart to seek what the LORD has for you to do.  Here you will be stretched and encouraged to think how you in every way your life can be used to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.  For your life is not your own, it is the Lord’s, so take the time to think about what His vision is for your life.

This is my vision and desire: to make Him known.

The best Sci-Fi writers of western civilization all have one thing in common. They are able, through their words alone, to paint within the minds of their readers visions of another world. With little more than paper and ink they are able to captivate people and take them on a journey, one the reader relishes in, enjoys, and follows every step of the way. Vision is the story that we are telling about our lives (or the life of our organization). Where we come from, where we are, and more importantly, where we want to go before our journeys end. Worry less about creating a great goal list and more about creating a great story.

Consider the biographies and success stories of successful men and women. Pioneers and entrepreneurs that created great organizations and conquered many obstacles to create social and cultural change. Their stories inspire us and for a moment their humanity touches us and we join them, not only on the mountain top, but on the journey. That’s why we’re so captivated by stories of the successful underdog, the abused and downtrodden, and the hero whose back is up against the wall. It is no coincidence that the majority of the book we as Christians read and rely upon is written as a narrative. When it comes to great stories we relate on a heart level. When these stories are told they show us visions of another world.

When it comes to small stories though, small visions, visions that include little humanity and little inspiration or wonder they have little power to move the hearts of people.

Many leaders become frustrated at the lack of response to a vision within their organization. I am convinced that the problem isn’t necessarily the vision itself, or the people. It’s the story the leader is telling them. It’s the internal narrative that we are telling about ourselves and where we’re heading that’s off. It’s not clear, it’s not compelling, it’s not worth it. Without vision as people we perish. (Proverbs 29:18) Without a compelling story, our life becomes aimless.

What if the reason your life is aimless is because the story you are writing about your life isn’t actually worth retelling?

What if people are not captivated by the vision you’re putting before them because the story you’re telling about the future is not actually captivating?

What if the reason why the church in North America is in decline because the redemptive story that God has called us to be a part of is no longer central in our pulpits?

These questions are harsh, but worth seriously considering.

At Teen Mania’s Honor Academy you have a unique opportunity to create a vision for your life that would make an inspiring epic. The stories of alumni and leaders that are serving on the front lines of ministry are there as pure inspiration to creating the life you want to live. The choice is up to you to take advantage of it.

Create a great story that you love telling and that others love hearing. That is the true power in vision. Dream, plan, and structure your life in such a way that brings honor to God and joy to others, relishing in the adventure both behind and before you. Because when it comes to vision, what moves people isn’t the success, it’s the humanity. The journey you’re inviting others to be a part of. In creating a great story for your life you move from inviting others to watch, to inviting others to take part in your joy, and my friends, that is how lives are changed.

There is a dream inside of you that is waiting to be lived out, an inward call of God that resounds to your very soul. Its destination may be uncertain, its risks apparent, but as surely as its song draws you onward to unsure places, follow it. Be committed to the journey, be determined to make the trip worth a retelling, and never look back.

Attached here is a list of questions, provided by the church I pastor, to help you through the process of creating a vision for your life that makes a great story.

Bio: Pastor Garrhet Sampson is an Honor Academy Alumnus and a Lead Pastor, Missionary, and Church Planter for Awaken Ministries, a recent church plant in Missoula, Mt. For more content or to find out more about their ministry, go to www.awaken-ministries.com

So many changes happen in life and there are those who try to speak into those changes. We might put so much stock into the advice of a person that their word affects what actions we commit to.  A best friend, a pastor, a group of peers, and/or a celebrity are some of those people we look to at different points in our lives.

My parents were a voice of reason when I was choosing what high school to attend, what university to apply for, and whether or not to come to the Honor Academy.  They have been instrumental parts in shaping the person I am today, and for that I am so grateful.

But there’s a point when there must be a balance…a prioritizing of whose voice and direction comes first.

In Philippians 1, Paul writes to the believers  in Philippi and encouraged them in their walk with the LORD.  In verse nine, he begins, “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

Paul points out that the ability to approve what is excellent, and subsequently pure before Christ, is to grow in love, knowledge and discernment.  Perfect love comes from God and it is His Holy Spirit that gives us the gift of discernment.  This causes me to believe that in order to get any clear direction, to get any good understanding, I must draw closer to God.

This might sound like a common question in the Christian community, but how often do we run to others asking them about what life decision we should make and leave asking God to the last minute or last thought?

James 3:17 says that the wisdom of God is first pure, so we can be sure that whatever the LORD has for us to do is good and for good.  The question never has to be asked, “Does God know what He’s doing?”  God can be trusted.  He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

So next time you need to make a big life decision…stop and check who immediately came to your mind to seek wisdom from.  If it’s not God, go back to Him.  If He is the first one you go to, be open to what He places on your heart and be ready to obey.*

There are many areas in my life that all require a unique sense of focus but I have had to learn exactly how to master the balance of them all without “dropping the ball.”

Before the Honor Academy, I was in college and it was a huge juggling circus for me. I had 2 part-time jobs, served in the youth ministry at my church and was taking a full load of classes. I am the type of person that will take on anything and everything and not realize how much of a task I have taken on until after the fact. I tend to think that if I don’t take on this duty, then who will?

I was reminded of the scripture in 2 Peter 3:17 which says, “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.” I had to learn the hard way during my four years of college that I wasn’t the only person capable of handling jobs but with God’s wisdom, knowledge and strength, I was able to balance these areas in my life that were all equally important to me and began to learn how to say “no” when I knew there was a chance I would get overwhelmed. Little did I know, God was teaching me some crucial life lessons about balance that I needed to be confident in before my life as an Honor Academy intern.

After I graduated college, I made a commitment to attend the Honor Academy in hopes of finding my identity in Him and gain some more professional experience and do a bit of traveling. When I arrived on campus and all of the interns and myself were briefed on the rules and expectations along with our work load, I was taken aback by how I was thankful that God had brought me through the juggling season of my life because I knew immediately what I needed to do in order to not fall behind. I literally did not think that the work load was going to be anywhere near what it was like in college but that’s what I get for falsely assuming, I guess.

Getting into a familiar routine on campus proved not to be as challenging at first but when challenges came and tasks were being handed at me left and right, either from School of Worship or the Honor Academy itself, I was more prepared for how to deal with them. God is always the whisper in my ear telling me, “With me, you can do all things…” which always motivates me not to forget to balance my life according to His word and move forward in life. It’s only going to get even busier after the Honor Academy, so now is the time where I can continue to go back to the drawing board and improve my methods of balance and priorities in life and see what fits best and allow God to teach me His ways. I would much rather learn here, at the Honor Academy, how to do this, than anywhere else, especially before my adult life gets catapulted out there.

All I know is what the Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 is true: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Eleana Rivera is currently an Honor Academy/School of Worship Intern.  In all she does she seeks to glorify God. 

How do you balance work, fun, and spending time with Jesus with the busy life of a Christian Internship?

Something I learned early on here at the Honor Academy is that if its important, you need to make it a priority! I had many things that were important in my life but just going through life without a plan, I was compromising on what got done, or I simply felt I didn’t have time. Making a schedule alleviated this for me.

Having a written plan helped me accomplish what I needed to do while leaving myself time for fun as well. I realized when I did things in specific orders, and even made them routine, my life kind of flowed into place. I had plenty of time for quiet times, hang out times, homework and even to pick up intensively training to run a 10k race. When you make a list of your proprieties and schedule them out, you find that you really do have enough time!

Don’t get me wrong, I love to be spontaneous and do random things, but you can plan to be spontaneous. How? By allotting free time. Once you have planned out what’s important, you can use that free time for other things!

Where did this free time come from?

A question I asked myself once I scheduled out my time. I realized when I didn’t have a schedule I spent more time figuring out what I needed to do next than if I had a plan. If you spend time planning what to do all at once, then once you are done with your list you will find you have much more time!

It takes at least eight minutes to get back on track after being interrupted from a task, so the same is true between tasks… if you know what’s next, you wont get out of your focused mindset as much and will actually be more productive!

Lauren Sullivan is a Graduate Intern that works in our Marketing Department.  She enjoys spending quality time with people and painting. 

Would it be comfort and security? Fame and success? A paycheck? A home? Strong relationships? When it comes to the gospel are you all in or are you holding back?

I find questions like this both inspiring and troubling. Inspiring, because it forces me to really call into question my motives. Troubling, because at their core I think they miss the point.

I know, it’s not the statement you were expecting. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think they miss the point because they are not deep and profound, it’s not because they don’t reveal the heart of a person, I find them troubling because without one question tying them all together they become meaningless.

“What has been sacrificed on your behalf?” 

The constant instruction of Scripture is that the act of us laying something down has never been enough to pay our way. (Hebrews 10:1) It was by faith that Abraham and the people of the Old Testament were saved. By faith they looked forward to the work of Christ (Hebrews 11:10) in the same way that we now look back by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).  In the Old Testament, taking part in sacrifices were merely shadows meant to point believers to the day their Savior would come, providing the sacrifice for his people  (Isaiah 53:5-12).

God doesn’t do atoning sacrifices anymore, Christ was the final payment on our behalf. Christ was the final sacrifice and the only one that could pay our debt. He was the only spotless lamb. It is him who lived the life we couldn’t live, died the death we should have died, paying the price for our rebellion and sin once and for all. Upon his shoulders he took upon himself the burden for us all, through him we have received redemption, and by his blood we have received reconciliation. It’s over, there are no more sacrifices left to give. Only offerings of praise for his finished work.

Christ’s sacrifice was final and effective. It worked. We don’t need to add to it. Hebrews 10:12–14, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Knowing that transforms the meaning of sacrifice. Your life becomes the offering. You lay it down joyfully, not to pay, but because the cost has been paid. Not to pay back, but to praise.

This is exactly what Paul is talking about in Romans 1:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” You want to give? Give out of joy. You want to serve? Don’t do it because you’re somehow doing God a favor, do it out of thankfulness and obedience to Christ.

See, I don’t think we think about it that way in Christianity. More often than not we see the sacrifice in the act of giving up something rather than stepping up to something. We see sacrifice as an act motivated by fear rather than  through joy.

This is the biblical meaning of sacrifice: Choosing the greater joys of following Christ, given to us through the gospel, over the temporal distractions of the world.

At the end of the day, in Christ, sacrifice comes from a place of praise. What can be called a sacrifice when that which we have in Christ we can never lose? What can we lay down that the Father has not already given us?

It’s knowledge of his sacrifice that draws us to sacrifice all for the advance of the Gospel. Echoing Hebrews 10:19-25, it’s this sacrifice that draws us to be [all in].

Hebrews 10:19-25, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Bio: Pastor Garrhet Sampson is an Honor Academy Alumnus and a Lead Pastor, Missionary, and Church Planter for Awaken Ministries, a recent church plant in Missoula, Mt. For more content or to find out more about their ministry, go to www.awaken-ministries.com