Don’t Give Up – March 15, 2009

Don’t Give Up

Galatians 6:9-10

Jim Stephens

03-15-09

 

Scripture:

 

9 So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.  10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. (Galatians 6:9-10 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

Paul worked hard, sacrificed much, and suffered in many ways to keep the message of God’s Good News pure and simple.  There were so many people who resisted and opposed him – for such a variety of reasons – that it must have been really hard not to just get discouraged and give up.  I don’t know who encouraged him when he was at his lowest point, but I know he has encouraged me a lot of times through the years.

 

God has used these two verses over and over again to encourage me and to remind me that there will be a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.  I believe God.  I believe God’s Word.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I believe your Word.  I receive your encouraging reminder.  I won’t give up and I will use the opportunities you give to do good to others.  Amen.

Tired Hands Shaky Legs

Tired Hands Shaky Legs

Hebrews 12:12-13

Jim Stephens

12-14-08

 

Scripture:

 

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong. (Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

So often in life, it seems as if the greatest challenges come not when we’re rested and ready, but when we’re already tired and shaky.  God says, “Take a new grip with your tired hands.  Stand firm on your shaky legs.”

 

That’s faith.  Pure and simple faith is what it takes to grab the rope with tired hands and keep pulling.  Pure and simple faith is what it takes to plant your sore feet and lean into the storm on shaky legs.

 

Application:

 

We don’t really need Superheroes as examples to follow.  Who can measure up to that?  We need to be believers who take a new grip with tired hands and step up on shaky legs and hold fast and stand firm in faith.

 

That’s what will give hope to those who follow us.  We’ll be the tired and shaky examples leading a weak and lame army to victory!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I know that there are a lot of your kids who want to follow on the right path, but they feel really weak and lame.  Help me and those of my spiritual generation not to try and be superheroes, but to be “New grip and stand firm” examples to them.  Amen.