2 Corinthians 1:18-22Amplified Bible

¹⁸ But [as surely as] God is faithful and means what He says, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No” [at the same time]. ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but has proved to be “Yes” in Him [true and faithful, the divine “Yes” affirming God’s promises]. ²⁰ For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God. ²¹ Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; ²² it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

When we endeavor to look more closely at where many Christians are at in their lives, and what they are (or are not) successfully accomplishing, or miserably failing at, we inevitably realize we do have to keep encouraging one another to enable us to successfully fulfill the calling and purpose of God for our lives.

He has not called us to walk and live in defeat; to be discouraged; to give-up and become negative and defeated about life generally.

Jesus came to give us much more than that!

He came, that we might know Him, to give us “Life, and life more abundantly (“super-abundant, excessive, above the ordinary measure”)” (John 10:10).

Know that the life Jesus gives us is so totally different ~ and far better ~ than any other kind of life that can be found this side of eternity. Do not forget that.

Far too often we give in too quickly.

Far too quickly we give up on God, the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The great cacophony of “Yes!” and “Amen!” loses its deeper meanings to us.

If it does not work out exactly right the first time, we often do not try again, thinking it is not God’s will for us, or that the devil is trying to deceive us, etc.

Faith is something that supposedly causes us to press onwards, upwards and outwards ~ to persevere and to press through until we see the required result.

I am here reminded of what Elijah said to his servant in 1 Kings 18:43-46.

Elijah the Prophet had declared that “there is a sound of abundance of rain” ~ but there was no evidence at all of any clouds or signs of rain (after three-and-a-half years of no rain – James 5:17-18).

He sent his servant up a hill to look for the clouds.

He returned with a negative word ~ there was nothing to be seen.

Elijah the Prophet was not going to to be put-off by that report and sent him again, even seven times – there would be no quitting on God’s Promises here!

Six times there was nothing to be seen. 

Maybe Elijah the Prophet had got it wrong?

But no!

No Quit Here!

On the seventh time the servant came back with a report of a little cloud in the sky the size of a man’s hand.

That was all the goo news Elijah required.

He jumped into action and it was not long before the sky was black with rain clouds and heavy rain began to pour down. He prevailed!

We, too, need to have the word of the Lord in our hearts, in our souls and in our strengths in such a way that we know, without any questions or errors, it is God.

1 Samuel 17:41-47Amplified Bible

⁴¹ The Philistine came and approached David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. ⁴² When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he derided and disparaged him because he was [just] a young man, with a ruddy complexion, and a handsome appearance. ⁴³ The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with [shepherd’s] staffs?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. ⁴⁴ The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.” ⁴⁵ Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a ^[a]javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. ⁴⁶ This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, ⁴⁷ and that this entire assembly may know that the Lord does not save with the sword or with the spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will hand you over to us.”

Often, when He speaks to us, there is no physical or outward evidence it is so.

But faith comes with the hearing and responding an actually acting upon the voice of the Lord, and when we choose to press on through regardless of what our mind tries to communicate to us, what other people tell us, circumstances tell us, etc., we will find that we inherit the promises. (David versus Goliath)

They will come to pass!

Know also that God uses these “delays” to work something precious into our spirits, so that we are prepared and equipped for even greater things ahead.

We have to be refined for His purposes.

It is easy to give up, but giving up does not accomplish anything in God.

Naaman the Syrian was told by Elisha to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River.

It greatly offended him and touched his pride, causing him to “storm off” in indignation. 

But when he humbled himself and did as the prophet declared, he was healed of his leprosy.

I am simple enough to believe that if he only dipped five or six times, he would not have been healed (see 2 Kings 5:1-14).

He had to persevere in spite of his pride and arrogance. God used it to humble the man and cause him to acknowledge that there is no god like Elisha’s God.

CONSIDER JESUS

We are exhorted to be like Jesus and to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Christianity is a marathon race, not a sprint. It calls for endurance (“to stay, stand fast, continue, abide; to remain behind after others have gone; to keep one’s ground, hold out; a brave bearing up against sufferings.”

It is keeping focused and keeping going in that which God has called us to. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9-10).

If Jesus Himself needed to endure, then so do we. Have we got our eyes focused on what is ahead, or are we allowing present, natural, negative circumstances to discourage us and make us give up?

WHAT has GOD PROMISED YOU?

What has God promised you that is yet unfulfilled in your life?

Have you given-up on it, thought it was too difficult, caused too much criticism and opposition against you, etc.?

What God promises He desires to deliver on.

He wants to fulfill His sure promises in your life in our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Be encouraged to pick up those promises again and to press on until you see the victory. 

Know that He does not change His mind about you.

Do not allow negative thoughts, things, people, circumstances, criticisms, opposition, persecutions, etc., rob you of the blessings of a Super-Abundant God Who wants only the very best for you.

Press in and press through until the victory is yours!

It is so worth it and you will accomplish so much more as you keep pressing through, enduring and not giving up on that which God has promised YOU!

Even believers get discouraged. Rediscover what leads to true joy.

The Bible tells us that even believers struggle with trusting God because life is hard and cruel at times.

But we know there is hope and we know that immeasurable, indescribable joy is possible because of the eternal life we have through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, God wants each of us to be full of lively faith and grow in His divine direction, comforted by the Holy Spirit. In this complete trust of our Lord and Savior, we can share the Gospel message of real life with true peace and joy.

One day, When you and I feel like giving up?

The answers are all in the Bible – the Word of God for the Children of God.

It is in the Bible, 2 Timothy 2:16-17 Amplified

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; ¹⁷ so that the ^[a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Challenge yourself and wrestle with God for the truth(s) you need to be healed.

It is in the Bible, Genesis 32:24-28 Amplified

Jacob Wrestles

²⁴ So Jacob was left alone, and a ^[a]Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵ When the Man saw that He had not prevailed against Jacob, He touched his hip joint; and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with Him. ²⁶ Then He said, “Let Me go, for day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me.” ²⁷ So He asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” ²⁸ And He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but ^[b]Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Team up with God and challenge yourself to wrestle with the Word of God against what is generating the thoughts and feelings of quitting on God.

It is in the Bible, Psalm 119:9-16 Amplified

Beth.

⁹ 
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
¹⁰ 
With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];
Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience].
¹¹ 
Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
¹² 
Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
¹³ 
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
¹⁴ 
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
¹⁵ 
I will meditate on Your precepts
And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts].
¹⁶ 
I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

Let it ALL go, Go Hardcore – Be brutally honest with God about your feelings. 

It’s in the Bible, Psalm 13:1-2, NIV.

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?”

Ready to Give up because of a very negative experience with your Church?

It is in the Bible, Psalm 42, English Standard Version

Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?

To the choirmaster. A Maskil^[a] of the Sons of Korah.

42 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?^[b]
3 My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
    and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
    a multitude keeping festival.

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation^[c] 6 and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
⁸ By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
⁹ I say to God, my rock:
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?”
¹⁰ As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

God has promised strength when we need it. 

It’s in the Bible, Colossians 1:11-12, NKJV.

“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

Giving up often causes us to miss the best God has to offer. 

It’s in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, NKJV.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”

When our hearts condemn us, we should not give up. 

It’s in the Bible, 1 John 3:19-20, NKJV.

“And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”

God’s presence is not always a glorious, fantastic, awesome display—He might be in a still small voice. 

It’s in the Bible, 1 Kings 19:11-12, NKJV.

“Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.’ And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”

You are not alone. 

It is in the Bible, Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Though we make mistakes, we are still in God’s hands. 

It is in the Bible, Psalm 37:23-24, NKJV.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”

Mistakes happen and sometimes we fall—don’t give up, get back up. 

It’s in the Bible, Proverbs 24:16,

NKJV. “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.”

Nothing can separate us from God’s love. 

It’s in the Bible, Romans 8:38-39, NKJV.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Trust God and wait on Him. 

It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 25:9, NKJV.

“And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.'”

God will not fail you in your day of adversity. 

It’s in the Bible, Psalm 57:2-3, NKJV. 

“I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.”

Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on God. 

It’s in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV.

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Today, you and I have the opportunity to renew our eternal perspectives.

God is a redeemer and restorer and rebuilder of all our most “ancient ruins.”

It is in the Bible, Isaiah 58:6-12 English Standard Version

⁶ “Is not this the fast that I choose:
    to loose the bonds of wickedness,
    to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed^[b] go free,
    and to break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
    and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
⁸ Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
    the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
    you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
    the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
¹⁰ if you pour yourself out for the hungry
    and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
    and your gloom be as the noonday.
¹¹ And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.
¹² And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
    you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
    the restorer of streets to dwell in.

The compassionate invitation to Rebuild, Restore and Redeem is Always Open.

It is in the Bible, Isaiah 55:1-3 English Standard Version

The Compassion of the Lord

55 “Come, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.
³ Incline your ear, and come to me;
    hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
    my steadfast, sure love for David.

Be Persistent

It is in the Bible, Luke 18:1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. ³ And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Be encouraged and learn to walk through the Word of God for the Children of God each day, searching for old truth with a joyful spirit and a refocused mind.

It is in the Bible, Colossians 2:1-4 English Standard Version

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Because in the name of God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

For you are constantly and continuously being prayed for by the saints.

It is in the Bible, Ephesians 3:14-21 English Standard Version

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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