Never Give Up!

Human beings’ most significant quest beyond trusting in Christ Jesus is searching for a soul mate who will be a best friend for life. Just what is a soul mate? A soul mate is someone you can trust completely with your vulnerabilities, joys, and sorrows and who feels the same toward you.

So many couples submit to the temptation to settle for less than God intended out of fear there might never be another opportunity. Temptation tests your endurance, strength, and faith as well as your willingness to settle for less than God’s best. This is a major cause of regret and grief.

To give in is an easy option when temptation appears overwhelming. Yet you do not have to face temptation’s power in your own strength. God’s gift of faith is your ally in the battle against temptation’s power and allurement. His wisdom also exposes every deception hurled toward you. Never give up in your search for what God has prepared for you. Then you will rejoice and be glad.  

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If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

~Galatians 5:25 The Living Bible

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Trusting the Giver of Hope

Renewing hope that’s beaten down hinges on looking beyond hurt and sadness to God’s future purpose for you. Where there is loss of hope, life appears dark and empty, but by permitting even a flicker of hope to exist, the promise for a good future is possible. Hope can be battered and bruised but it never gives up or quits.

Hope looks forward to a good future like an expectant mother anticipates holding and nurturing a newborn baby. For the Christian, hope waits for God’s future provision and guidance. Hopelessness, however, is barren and unable to give birth to possibilities. Hopelessness must be rejected for it diminishes the initiative to reach for the future.

Believe that God is the giver of hope and strength to endure your present situation. Hope inspires endurance that’s anchored in Christ Jesus. While grief impacts the human spirit, hope inspired by faith makes it possible to endure whatever Christ has placed before you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.  

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“The Lord is all I have,” says my soul, “Therefore I will trust in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who searches for him. It is good to hope and wait patiently for the Lord’s salvation.  

~Lamentations 3:24-26 International Standard Version

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Trading Old Habits for God's New Way of Life

For some new believers in Jesus Christ, old habits from a previous lifestyle can remain appealing. What is not often understood is that new habits such as reading the Bible, worshiping God, and making new friends must be formed and nurtured daily.

The Israelites refused to believe that God was aware of their troubles as they made their way to the Promised Land. They began to regress to behaviors they had learned from the Egyptians. This regression proved to be painful with severe consequences.

It's impossible to escape the stress and strife that visit each person’s life. However, Christians can face problems with confidence because God never abandons his people regardless of the way stress is defined or of its source. Jesus gives us this invitation: "Come unto me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me and you will find rest for your soul."  Never give up when troubles abound, for God loves you and will send help.  

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I waited patiently for God to help me; then he listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him.

~Psalm 40:1-3 The Living Bible

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At the Right Time

Listen to this encouragement from God’s word. "Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not become too discouraged and give up.” For many people it seems that there is just no way out of a slump, yet St. Paul tells us to press on, continue doing good even in the worst of times.

          Joseph helped a former servant from the palace of Pharaoh, King of Egypt to be restored to his position. As a trusted servant he had tested everything the King would eat or drink. This man promised Joseph he would recommend him to Pharaoh when the opportunity arose. There are times when we desperately count on others to help even at great risk to themselves.  

Waiting for God's timing is difficult when we expect instant satisfaction. I can imagine Joseph waiting day after day wondering what happened to the man who promised to help him get out of prison. When we wait patiently for God's timing, we can be assured the results will be exactly what God planned for us.          

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“When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly.

I am the Lord!”

~Isaiah 60:22b Good News Bible

God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future.

~Ecclesiastes 3:11 Contemporary English Version

Blessed for Doing Good

In the movie Papillon Steve McQueen plays a character who was falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison in French Guiana. Although punished for trying to escape, he never gave up and finally discovered a way to freedom. When Joseph was falsely accused and sent to prison, he made every effort to use his talents constructively.

Joseph was a conscientious worker who viewed each task as worthy of his best effort. His work ethic was noticed by prison officials, who delegated more responsibility and privileges to him. God richly blessed Joseph as he demonstrated he could be trusted with responsibility. God's design for Joseph was to be successful.

Joseph was successful because he applied himself completely to whatever he was asked to do. Joseph implemented a basic principle for success by choosing to take advantage of every opportunity to excel. He used his talents and intelligence for the good of others, including the prison officials. God rewarded Joseph for making good choices.  

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The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

~Proverbs 11:25 The Message

Endure: Don't Give In or Give Up - Part 3

Numerous examples of endurance derive from exceptional individuals who are handicapped. I sat beside a young woman in a college class and did not discover she was severely hearing impaired until the end of the semester. She took notes by reading the professor's lips. Can you imagine being deaf and attending a state university and being an A+ student?

When I'm faced with situations requiring value clarification and perseverance, I’m reminded of this young woman. Jesus' words from Matthew 7:13 speak to the issue. "For the gate is narrow and the way hard that leads to life, and those that find it are few." Every worthwhile endeavor may have a narrow gate and eventually require endurance.

The temptation might be to give up because the way is difficult. The alternative is to look for an easy way, the path of least resistance. Jesus was offered this alternative, but chose instead the narrow gate, leading to the cross. Consider the consequence for us, if he had chosen the easy way.  

Never Give Up! God Will Send Help - Part 1

Jesus' parable in Luke 18 illustrates two critical components of resilience. One is persistence, which is required for getting legitimate personal needs met with satisfaction. The other demonstrates the limitations of resilience by refusing to do the right thing. Godly stubbornness or steadfastness always seeks justice and goodness.

Listen as Jesus teaches about praying constantly and with determination. "There was a judge who never gave God a thought and cared less for people. However a widow kept after him seeking justice: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me'. After this went on and on, he said to himself, 'I care nothing about what God or people think, but this woman won't quit badgering me. I'll  see that she gets justice - otherwise I'm going to be beaten black and blue by her pounding.'"

Isn't that a wonderful story? The point is, God rewards persistent faith. He shows respect for resilience, which is a quality of character that will not give up or give in to rejection, no matter what its source.