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Who said enlightenment is difficult?
Enlightenment is an "illumination" and ability to ascertain what beliefs are true and what actions are or were right. Socrates searched for truth through dialogue and discussion in the solitude of his own thinking insisting upon clear and distinct ideas and arguments based upon the "light of reason." This philosophy cuts through the clouds of prejudice and unreliable opinions to find truth and distinguish it from falsehoods.
Enlightenment comes from growing beyond identification with the ego, the little self, and that one must identify with the truth of the immortal Self or the soul.
The stone that the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the Cornerstone .
Sometimes the seeds of hope are contained in the very thing that’s troubling us. Consider the builders who tried to lay a foundation without Jesus. They rejected the very stone they needed to create a solid structure. What good is a magnificent structure, even a golden temple, if Jesus is not under its roof? In the same way, we have to look more carefully at the thorn digging into our flesh, whether it’s a person or circumstance. It may seem like eliminating the irritation will solve the problem. But sometimes the truth is that we are the problem and the thorn is just letting us know things are not as they should be.
Endurance is the key!!
1. Genesis 8:22
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
Genesis 8:21-22 (in Context) Genesis 8 (Whole Chapter)
2. 1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."
1 Samuel 13:13-15 (in Context) 1 Samuel 13 (Whole Chapter)
6. 2 Chronicles 5:13
The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud,
2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 5 (Whole Chapter)
7. 2 Chronicles 7:3
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "He is good; his love endures forever."
2 Chronicles 7:2-4 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 7 (Whole Chapter)
8. 2 Chronicles 7:6
The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, "His love endures forever." Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.
2 Chronicles 7:5-7 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 7 (Whole Chapter)
9. 2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
2 Chronicles 20:20-22 (in Context) 2 Chronicles 20 (Whole Chapter)
10. Ezra 3:11
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD : "He is good; his love toIsrael endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezra 3:10-12 (in Context) Ezra 3 (Whole Chapter)
11. Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:3-5 (in Context) Romans 15 (Whole Chapter)
12. Romans 15:5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:4-6 (in Context) Romans 15 (Whole Chapter)
13. 2 Corinthians 1:6
If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter)
17. 1 Timothy 6:11
[ Paul's Charge to Timothy ] But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:10-12 (in Context) 1 Timothy 6 (Whole Chapter)
18. 2 Timothy 3:10
[ Paul's Charge to Timothy ] You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
2 Timothy 3:9-11 (in Context) 2 Timothy 3 (Whole Chapter)
19. Titus 2:2
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Titus 2:1-3 (in Context) Titus 2 (Whole Chapter)
20. Revelation 1:9
[ One like a Son of Man ] I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 1:8-10 (in Context) Revelation 1 (Whole Chapter)
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