PERSISTENCE

Genesis chapter 1




Today we are walking in: Persistence






Today we look to the word-LEADER- H5057 nagiyd-- leader, ruler, captain, prince; excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler.



The Torah Testifies.............................

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The prophets proclaim...............



Isaiah 55:4 - Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader H5057 and commander to the people.








The writings bear witness.............



2Chronicles 32:21 - And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders H5057 and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword






CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Attitude #8 Persistence


Change is inevitable; growth is optional.


All true leaders cultivate the attitude of persistence. The spirit of leadership never gives up until it achieves its goal. It is a spirit that never quits.


Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not—nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not—unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not—the world is filled with educated derelicts. Persistence and determination, however, are powerful forces.


Persistence is the product of faith that is generated by a purpose. It is—


• the power to hold on, in spite of everything.


• the power to endure.


• the ability to face defeat again and again and not give up.


• the knack for pushing on in the face of difficulty, knowing that victory is yours.


• taking pains to overcome every obstacle and to do what is necessary to reach your goals.


Leaders persist because they have a firm grasp of their purposes, know where they are going, and are confident that they will arrive there. Their persistence is a manifestation that they hold a conviction about their futures based on the visions they have been given for their lives. True leaders believe that the attainment of their purposes is not optional, but that it is an obligation and a necessity, so they would never think of giving up.


THE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP IS A SPIRIT THAT NEVER QUITS.


Yahusha told a wonderful parable that gives us a perfect picture of persistence. It is recorded in the gospel written by Luke, the first-century physician:


In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared Yah nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.” For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear Yah or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!” And the Most High said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not Yah bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”


This parable illustrates the power that persistence can have in accomplishing what we truly desire. At another time, Yahusha told a similar parable that encourages us that success comes to those who persist—not only in the natural realm, but in the spiritual realm, as well.


Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.” Then the one inside answers, “Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.” I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.


As you develop the leadership spirit of persistence, remember these truths about the nature of your Creator and his own persistence in carrying out his purposes for you: (1) Yah is faithful; (2) Yah does not lie; (3) Yah has established his Word; (4) your purpose is already completed in him; (5) Yah delights in you and considers you his child.


Here are some encouraging and thought-provoking sayings about the value of persistence:


Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. —William Feather


Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit. —Napoleon Hill


All great achievements require time. —Anne Frank

Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.

—Conrad Hilton


It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles. —Claude M. Bristol


Success is failure turned inside out. —Anonymous

If you have stumbled in pursuing your purpose, start again, make new plans to take the place of old ones that aren’t working, and stop only when you are finished!