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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Don't Give Up

In August 2007 I received a word from the Lord that propelled me forward to a specific position.

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

At the time of receiving this word, I was physically tired, experiencing severe back pain and my flesh felt like throwing in the towel. But GOD knows how to send us His God breathed word just when we need it. 

I believe that God masterfully ordains and orchestrates times of refreshing for His children. He positions us for the next level of intense anointing which ultimately prepares us for our operational call. 

Now, having said that remember the enemy of our soul will not sit idly by and assist us to reach unprecedented levels of new anointing. I believe he literally turns up his attack – and believe me he plays dirty. He hits below the belt, kicks, bites and uses illegal holds. He is doing everything he can to tear us down and destroy us. (John 10:10)

As a result of this constant badgering and turbulent attack, there are many in the body of Christ who are becoming of the mindset to just throw in the towel and give up.
  • Perhaps you’re tired.
  • Sick and tired.
  • Tired of coming up short.
  • Tired of fighting.
  • Tired of the pain.
  • Tired of the attacks.
  • Tired of always feeling like you don’t have enough to make it.
  • Tired of feeling defeated.
  • Tired of never being able to get ahead.
  • Tired of feeling like you’ll never be victorious.
Perhaps you’re just ready to give up.  If you feel like that, you need to know that God has a Word you for today… It may not make you feel good, but it’s the Word that’s for you… It may not feel good to you, but it’s good for you… For those of you ready to throw in the towel and give up, the Lord would have me to tell you today simply this: YOU CAN’T GIVE UP!!!
  • Sure, you’re going to get tired.
  • Sure, you feel like you’re ready to give up.
  • Sure, you’re discouraged at times.
  • Sure, it seems that God doesn’t hear you.
  • Sure, it seems that your prayers aren’t getting through.
  • Sure, it seems like you can’t get a breakthrough.
But I hear the Spirit of the Lord declaring….YOU CAN’T GIVE UP!!!

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
  • Don’t lose heart while you’re doing good.
  • Don’t faint while when you’re doing the right thing.
  • Don’t get discouraged and give up.
Friend, there are some dangers in quitting.

If you give up today you will CRUCIFY YOUR CONFESSION!
  • Hebrews 10:35-38 35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. 36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
If you give up today you will CONTAMINATE YOUR CHARACTER!
  • Job gives us an excellent example of character… Job was a man of impeccable character… The Scripture says that; “there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil; and still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause (Job 2:3)…”
In a matter of days he lost his:
  • Business
  • Wealth
  • Family
  • Health
But he never blamed God!

What does that say about character?

  • You see, there’s a difference between your character and your reputation.
  • Your reputation is who people think I am. 
  • Your character is who God knows me to be.

Job had lost all, and to add insult to injury, his friends began to turn on him and speculate as to why all this happened… They said it was because he had hidden sin in his life… (Sounds like people today…) But look how Job responded… From chapters 4-37, he defends his stance against friends and his wife, as to why he remains ‘on the Lord’s side…’ Through the midst of all hell and havoc, Job says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him…”

No matter what comes your way, you’ve got to be like Job and hang in there for the long haul…
  • In chapter 38, God begins to reveal Himself and His purpose to Job… He asks Job; “Who are you to question me…? Who are you to question me about what I allow you to go through in life…?” God is answering Job in response to him asking God to “explain” himself.
  • Even in the midst of the questioning (rebuke) from God, Job still maintains his integrity and character by admitting that he is nothing is comparison to God.
  • Real character will always keep you in check as it relates to where you stand with God.
  • Job didn’t contaminate himself (his character) by succumbing to the attacks of the enemy, by allowing his friends to persuade him in the midst of his trying times.
  • Job reinforces to us indeed that in the worst of adversities, that YOU CAN’T GIVE UP!
I want to encourage you today that YOU WILL RECEIVE A GREAT REWARD!
  • The first thing God did in response to Job maintaining his character was rebuke his friends.
  • After he rebukes his friends, he restored his fortunes.
  • The Bible says the he received double of everything that he had.
  • Why? Because he didn’t give up.
  • He understood that YOU CAN’T GIVE UP!
There is an anointing flowing at Bethel Family Worship Center. Because of your connection here – that anointing rests on you also! You are going to need that anointing to transition to the next level. But you’ll never get it if you GIVE UP.
  • Your family won’t run after God with fervency if you GIVE UP.
  • Your victory will not come if you GIVE UP.
  • Your struggle will continue to cause you to stumble if you GIVE UP.
I declare to you today that GIVING UP IS NOT OPTION!
  • Don’t give up Worship
  • Don’t give up Fellowship
  • Don’t give up Discipleship
  • Don’t give up Relationship
  • Don’t give up Stewardship
  • Don’t give up Membership
Stay connected and you’ll flourish. Disconnect and you’ll become aimless and end up making decisions in the time of despondency that will cause you more grief later.
Stay the course! Ride the wave! Keep the faith! Fight the good fight!
You will reap if you FAINT NOT!