Keep On Keeping On! Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Keep On Keeping On! Keywords: "perseverance" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Romans 15:4-5* 4. For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Questions 1. When Paul mentions the things written "in earlier times," he refers to the Old Testament. According to these two verses, what does the Old Testament do for us?   2. God and Scripture are linked in these two verses. In what way are they linked?   Practical help A long-standing habit is difficult to shake. Whether it is nail biting, cigarette smoking or porn viewing, once a habit gets ingrained, we can feel "stuck." Oh, a day or two might pass without a smoke or without logging on, but inevitably we feel the pull of the habit we hate calling us back. Persevering in a commitment to stay away from porn is the tough part. Romans 15:4-5 to the rescue! In the space of two verses, Paul tells us that God is the source of the perseverance we need AND how to access the perseverance He longs to give us. We access His perseverance by reading and meditating on Scripture! God wants you to persevere in the daily battle to be done with porn. He is the One who can give you the perseverance to make good on your commitment. And He has provided you with the Bible to equip you to persevere. Practical help? You bet. Next time you're tempted by porn, run to the Word! And keep on keeping on! Hint: Don't use the Bible as a magic charm, though. The best way to release the life-changing power of the Bible is through a steady, consistent diet of planned readings. There are lots of plans available. Check out the Internet or a Christian bookstore near you to get help starting in your "perseverance training." eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999, 2004 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."