What makes a Brave Heart a True Heart?

S - Hebrews 10:19-23, 36 (NRSV): "Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary 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 approach 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 to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. … For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised."

O - The way of Jesus is living, confident, hope-filled but not without the requirement of endurance - an endurance which 'holds fast' not only to what has been promised and believed for but one which holds fast to who has done the promising. This is the sign of a "true heart" -- one which will not surrender the awesome One to delays, apparent dead ends or to the intoxication of promises and blessings received. This keeps the way of Jesus living IN US. With or without us He is life and His way is always the living way. He brings life and we bring endurance and both are offered in an unqualified and unhesitating fashion from one to the other in a very personal exchange.

A - I honestly wish that my part did not require endurance. It seems almost a contradiction to think that life, abundant and flowing, would insist that endurance would also be a part of the dynamic of God's will, promises received and an unfettered conscience in bold approach to God. Jesus brings what I cannot - life and life that required him to endure:). He dignifies and elevates my place by allowing (and requiring) me to offer the same component - endurance. The shower of His grace prepares the way and leads the way to the shaping in His Image … Heaven's work and will coupled with my own.

P - Dear Lord of Life and Lord who did and does endure,
Thank you for your awesome and unending endurance. Your love, your name, your word, your mercy, your grace ALL endure for ever … more than shelf life … they are relentless, unfaltering and without flicker. My endurance is not so resilient but can and must be consistent. So, please receive my heart-felt repentance for despairing of endurance. You honor me/us with this "like-you" quality. Thank you for not requiring me to engage such flawlessly but blamelessly. I admit that I have NEED of endurance since I've had the privilege of doing your will. I realize that a brave heart may not be a true heart unless that bravery, action and endurance is directly and permanently attached to your person -- not just an outcome. Like Abraham, I want to endure unto your glory and goodness seen in the land of the living. Lord, I do love you back and today, while it is called today, I will believe, welcome your promises, obey and endure unto your will on earth (and in me) as it happens in heaven. I am so very grateful to belong to you by right and by grace.
Steve