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DON'T GIVE UP-EVER October 5, 2006 Galatians 6:9-10 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Some of you may be weary today. One of the most discouraging things we can experience is having a breakthrough and then feel like all--or at least some of the problems have come back.
It’s hard to keep pressing forward and being strong. God never said it would be easy; He just said it would never be more than we could handle.
There are times we get weary and even discouraged, but those are the times we need to really dig in our heels and keep going. We don't always SEE what's happening but, often, the times we see nothing are the times that the most is happening spiritually.
There will be the reward---the blessing---the harvest. But, we cannot give up or we won't be there to reap the benefits of our labor.
One of the hardest things to deal with is when we have made progress—reached a new level and overcome difficulties—and then, something happens that makes us feel like we’re losing everything we’ve gained. It seems like bad things are starting to happen again—things we believed were part of the past. Strongholds we’ve broken through seem to be back. Or situations we’ve overcome seem to be a problem again. Maybe illness or symptoms are back. And, that brings back old patterns and habits—old mindsets. If we start thinking about it and “buy it”, we will be scared, miserable, lose hope—or all of the above.
And that’s just what the devil wants us to think because he goes about LIKE a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But, he’s NOT a roaring lion and he CAN’T devour you unless you lie down on the ground and offer yourself up as a sacrifice.
Don’t “buy the package”. Don’t believe the lie. You are not where you used to be—you are going FORWARD—and going forward means breaking new ground and getting through NEW OBSTACLES. Also, when you are succeeding satan will not just play dead and leave you alone. With every victory there is a backlash. If you have NO victory, you just live in permanent backlash, but when you are victorious, the backlash is fleeting IF YOU DON’T LET IT STOP YOU.
SO LET’S NOT LET IT STOP US!
When the early church was successful in bringing many souls to Jesus, they began to encounter persecution. It was uncomfortable, but it caused them to grow even more because they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus.
MAYBE YOU ARE ENCOUNTERING PERSECUTION.
Don’t retaliate. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who despitefully use you—and then press on. God will bless you.
I suggest Hebrews 12 as good reading when we are encountering opposition or struggles or discouragement.
Hebrews 12:1-4 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
MAYBE YOU’RE ENCOUNTERING GOD’S DISCIPLINE OR PRUNING:
John 15:1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
THAT MEANS EVERY—NONE LEFT OUT. IF YOU ARE FRUITFUL YOU WILL BE PRUNED. IT HURTS BUT IT’S BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE. REMEMBER, He brews 12: 5-7 (AMP) 5And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; 6For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes. PRAISE GOD IF YOU’RE BEING DISCIPLINED. THAT’S GOD’S LOVE. THE ALTERNATIVE IS UNTHINKABLE. VS 11 SAYS: 11For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness--in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].
MAYBE YOU ARE REALLY FEELING BAD AT THE MOMENT. I KNOW I’VE HAD SOME DIFFICULT TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. PHYSICALLY, I’VE BEEN REALLY WEAK. PARTS OF THIS DESCRIPTION SEEM TO FIT ME AND THEY MIGHT FIT YOU TOO:
Hebrews 12:12-13 12So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakened and drooping hands and strengthen your feeble and palsied and tottering knees, 13And cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths that go in the right direction], so that the lame and halting [limbs] may not be put out of joint, but rather may be cured.
HERE’S WHAT WE SHOULD DO…
Trust God. Keep doing the work of the Kingdom. If you need to adjust something, do it, but don't condemn yourself for it. There is a big difference between repentance and self-condemnation. Repentance is God-given and productive. It brings wholeness and deliverance. Self-condemnation is not God-given and it never brings good---only harm. It is destructive. When God speaks to you, it is to correct you, not to condemn you. And He will always tell you something specific to work on--you won't have vague feelings of misery, guilt, or shame. God is CONstructive--not destructive.
So...keep on working in God's fields and don't ever give up. Your blessing will come. Galatians 6:9-10 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
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