I QUIT! May We NOT GIVE UP Before God Finishes With Us
Let us NOT GIVE UP Before God Finishes With Us.
Currently, I am struggling with a back that seems to be aging faster than my number of birthdays I have lived. Furthermore, I find myself burdened with legs filled with sudden cramps, ones that plague me as I walk, as I sit, as I stretch, as I swim, and as I sleep. Finally, I am suffering with a left hip that just doesn’t seem to work properly and brings me pain throughout every day.
In a nutshell, I think my body is Falling Apart, and truthfully, I am unsure how to stop this downward spiral. Recently, I filled out a form at the pain clinic, one that required me to “check off” the things I have tried in my pursuit to get better. So, with pen in hand, I began checking, moving down the list, placing a check mark next to every item but one. I had tried (almost) everything.
That “check off” list differs from the list of other things I have tried in my pursuit to receive healing. Today, let me share with you my “other list.”
- I have prayed.
- I have attended doctor visits.
- I have complained.
- I have begun walking (on purpose).
- I have seen therapists monthly.
- I have groaned.
- I have recently begun swimming (hoping this will help).
- I have endured spine and hip injections.
- I have listened to a surgeon speak of two necessary surgeries that could provide 60% healing.
- I have cried.
- I have spoken with specialists.
- I have prayed for direction.
- I have prayed for healing.
- I have asked God to perform a miracle within my body.
- I have felt like there’s surely nothing that can be done, that this is the way I will BE until the end of my life.
On this day, I am beginning to see my problem with clarity; everything listed begins WRONG. Looking back over my list, I see my blatant error: “I have . . .” I have done this & I have sought that. “I”—HAVE! Even in praying, I have prayed about the things I have done.
God is not listed anywhere on my list.
I QUIT!
May We NOT GIVE UP Before God Finishes With Us.
Today, God has my attention.
Today, God has brought us to the prophet Jeremiah, reminding us of His promises.
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
(Jeremiah 29: 11 NASB 2020)
Today, God shows us (again) who HE is and who we are—Not.
This day begins a newness: a new thinking, a new faith-walk, and a new hope.
Here is the TRUTH—GOD’S PROMISES ARE UNCHANGING!
The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said: “God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” Today, may we be encouraged & may we be reminded & may we remember what EXACTLY God promises us!
Go with me into God’s Holy and Infallible Word. Let us read the Apostle John’s first letter.
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
(1 John 3: 2-3 NASB 2020)
“we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. . . .”
The writer of Hebrews gives us a list of those who came before us, those who faced trials and sufferings, and those who walked in FAITH. We see within this text how we have ONE—PURPOSE!
We are reminded how we are surrounded by these witnesses.
We are encouraged to lay aside those things that create obstacles within our lives.
We are told to rid ourselves of the entrapments.
We are reminded that we are running a race for the ultimate prize.
We are to “look only at Jesus” as we run this “life-race.”
We are to focus only upon Him—JESUS—THE ONE WHO IS OUR ONLY EXAMPLE WE SHOULD EVER WANT TO FOLLOW!
“we are children of God, . . .”
Jesus Christ endured the cross & died—for us!
Jesus Did!
Jesus Christ raised from the dead—so we could be saved!
Jesus Did!
Jesus Christ ascended back to heaven and sat down next to Almighty God—finishing what God sent Him to do!
Jesus Did!
Jesus Christ is coming again—for us!
Jesus Will!
“And everyone who has this hope set on Him . . .”
IT IS THE GOSPEL TRUTH—GOD’S PROMISES ARE UNCHANGING!
“He is pure.”
“For the moment, [this present time we are living] all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
(Hebrews 12: 11 NASB 2020)
- God knows us; He created us.
- God knows our struggles; He fashioned us.
- God knows our weakness; He remembers we are dust.
- God loves us; He sent Jesus!
- God knocks at our heart’s door; He knows whether we are His children & if we are not!
- God cares for us; He sent His Holy Spirit as a pledge!
I QUIT!
- We cannot allow these two words to take root within our heart.
- We must not give these two words any space within our mind.
- We must never allow the devil to steal the joy as he destroys our testimony & witness to the lost.
- We must NOT QUIT before God is finished with our earthly existence.
- We must rely upon our Father.
- We must lean upon our Father.
- We must walk close beside Him, following His will.
- We must keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus our Savior.
- We must continually follow His example.
- We must not live as disobedient children: obstinate, head-strong, & unruly.
- We must remember: God Is GOD & we are not!
May we faithfully make time to study God’s Word as we make it part of our every day.
May we with diligence select a quiet place, free of distractions, as we share intimate time with God each day.
May we be disciplined in our endeavor to set apart our daily time with God.
If time allows you this day, listen to the melody “For All My Life” by the Christian artist TAYA and be reassured and encouraged.
- May we PRAY for others & May we PRAISE our Father & May we SEEK God’s will for our day.
- May we LISTEN as God speaks to us.
- May we be DISCIPLINED as we live for JESUS.
- May we be FAITHFUL in our walk with our LORD.
- May we KEEP our eyes upon our SAVIOR.
- May we FORGET all the things we have done.
- May we RECALL ALL THAT JESUS HAS DONE—FOR US!
- May we NEVER FORGET how the CROSS of CALVARY was not easy!
- May we NOT GIVE UP Before God Finishes With Us!
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
(Jeremiah 29: 11 NASB 2020)