Never Give Up

Can you stand against any deterrent to your faith and be an over-comer, finishing with a strong faith in these last days?  There are going to be trying times ahead for all of us believers but don’t forget what the Word says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Some believers take this to mean they can do anything, but remember we are not God, He is the only one that can do everything, we are His children, so keep this in the right context of what Paul was talking about here.  Whatever God’s will is for our lives we can accomplish through Him and Paul knew that, so he was content in all things whether he had a lot or a little or whether he was persecuted and suffered, he never gave up because he kept his eyes on the mark of the high calling and trusted the Lord to help him get through whatever he had to face.      

I am writing this to believers that have been contending for the faith for a short or very long time that may be discouraged, disillusioned or just wore out or burned out because I want you to hang in there and not give up the fight that you have been struggling to win.  I feel that as time goes on things are going to get harder, with more of our rights being taken away and more persecution taking place, which many in the church today have never faced.  But no matter what we might face we know that the Lord will help us get through it if we don’t throw in the towel and give up.  We need to strive for perfection, keeping our eyes on the perfecter and finisher of our faith, for it is only Jesus Christ and our dependency on Him that will help us be an overcomer and make us a pure bride without spot or wrinkle. The Word says when the Lord comes back He is coming for a bride that is without spot or wrinkle.

The Word speaks of this in Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

And also in Colossians 1:21-22, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”

While we wait for our Messiah to come we need to be preparing ourselves so that we will be ready for His return by studying the Word and having a consistent prayer life, spending more time with Him in fellowship and also fellowshipping with others in the body of Christ.  You may try fasting and praying and thanking and praising the Lord, not just with singing but more importantly with how you live your life. Like I related to earlier in this Tidbit I know things are getting harder and they probably won’t get much better in the future, but remember there is a great reward waiting each of us that belong to the Lord if we continue in the faith, grounded and settled, not being moved from the hope of the gospel which we have heard and received.

I hope this has been an encouragement to all who read this and may the good Lord shower you and yours with His blessings of peace, love and joy and may your day be prosperous!!