DON’T GIVE UP

DEVOTIONAL-GRAPHIC-1600x900_93

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

Let’s be honest, we are impatient people and we want results now. We want a godly husband, now. We want our children serving the Lord, now. We want to lose 20 pounds, now. We want the promotion at work, now. All of these desires are great and actually these are Biblical promises that God wants us to have. So the question isn’t “if” we will reap a harvest. The question is “when” will we reap a harvest? These are the moments when endurance, character and diligence are formed in every believer’s life. It’s a process that we can’t avoid. In order for us to grow in Christ, we need to develop a high tolerance for endurance. A never-give-up attitude!

I don’t believe people ever get tired of the actual task of doing good. I believe we get tired when we’re not seeing the results. The waiting period is a difficult process. It truly is the separator of fear and faith. When we’re in fear and don’t see the results we want, in the timeframe we want, we begin to question God and start to make things happen on our own. We start putting demands on our family to serve the Lord and use scriptures to bring condemnation, or we start using deception to get that promotion. Fear causes us to compromise. This will only produce temporary results.

When we’re in faith and don’t see the results we want, in the timeframe we want, our response is much different. We begin to thank God for His perfect timing and trust Him in the process. We continue to be a blessing to our family and those around us while carrying a spirit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
I remember when Joshua 24:15 was first shared with me, “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” I was beyond excited because I was at a place that God just restored my marriage and brought my family back together. So at that time, my family was my #1 motivator. A fire was stirred in my spirit and I was on a mission, eager to serve, eager to get connected, eager to lead a Life Group. After a few months, years even, I didn’t see the same fire in my family to serve the Lord; however, I continued to stand on this promise.

In the years that followed, as I was growing in my relationship with God, it seemed as though things were getting worse. In November of 2012, my husband served me with divorce papers and told me it’s because I’m spending too much time at the church. In a desperate attempt to save my marriage, I quickly made adjustments to limit my time; however, his decision was settled and later moved out of our home.

This was one of the hardest times of my life. This wasn’t a part of the plan. Why was this happening? I cried out to God for help. I didn’t want to lose my husband. “Please help me, my soul is hurting! Tell me what to do.” As I took refuge under His wings (Psalms 91:4), and He poured His love into my life, He spoke to my spirit and said “My daughter, this is not your fight. He is My son; give him to me and I will bring him home.” At that moment, I released him to the Lord and I released him every day that my emotions would rise up. I would say “Lord, restore him and bring him home.”

Four months later, my husband came home and when he did, I never asked him what he did while he was away. I was just happy he was home and rejoicing in God’s promise. Today, my husband has wholeheartedly surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Being used by God to be an influence to our sons and the men around him. He is dedicated to be who God has called him to be – a soul winner and disciple maker. (Samantha DeCorte)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“Lord, You are always on time. I have a spirit of endurance because I never give up.”

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

    • Old Testament: 2 Kings 18-19; Psalms 119:169-176
    • New Testament: Luke 6:27-36; Philippians 3:15-21

DON’T GIVE UP