Never Give Up

 

Never Give Up

1 John 5:1-5

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

 

Sometimes, life will surprise us when we encounter kindness, love, and favor from people who we do not know. 1 John 4:12-13 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. That is God’s love and grace raining abundantly upon our lives. Because we know that He is the creator of all things and everything that we see and things unseen He created. Colossians 1:15-18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

God has made peace with us through His beloved Son, Jesus. We have the freedom to learn God’s Word and be His children who love and obey Him. Our free will is surrendered when we come to Jesus and declare by faith that we believe He is the Son of God. The Word of God is living within us as we meditate on it day and night. The power of God is in His Word. If we live right, we will see and experience the wonder working power of the blood of Jesus in our lives.

We must grow to understand that this is a personal choice to live for God. He is calling many, but they are not willing to come nor are they ready. However, if we hear Him and come our entire lives will be changed and blessed beyond our imaginations. Psalm 103:1-5, Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. verses 17-18 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. These are some of the blessings that we receive when we live right and honor God with our lives. He first loved us and desire that we love Him.

It is difficult at times when we must let go of the people that we desire to have in our lives. But the Lord is always with us every step of the way. Mark 10:29-31 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” As we grow to believe many will not follow Jesus even in our own households, but we cannot allow it to hinder us. There is a great reward for our faith and obedience. The good news of the gospel is not for some people it is for the entire world. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

There will be some hard times and rough roads to walk, but our hope must remain in the promises of God. His love is eternal and His right hand is outstretched toward us and strong and mighty. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and His Word is everlasting. We cannot find rest in the world because it doesn’t know or love God. 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Remember, the Lord is always revealing to us the truth, it is written in the scriptures. The Holy Spirit is within us patiently helping and encouraging us to hold on. Our lives are accounted for as Christ’s sheep. We must submit our will and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. As God, the Holy Spirit is working to keep us until the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. There is more to come after our time here is over. We belong to the good Shepherd and have the good news to trust in God’s plan of salvation to save the righteous. Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Meantime, we must continue to seek the kingdom of God. The Lord has set us apart for good works to glorify Him with our purpose, gifts, and abilities to serve. Our hearts and minds must agree with the Word and will of the Lord, so that we will continuously be blessed and grow in the Word and Spirit. The fruit that is produced in our lives will bear more fruit as the Father prunes us for more good works.

There is so much more that the Lord is doing in us as we ponder on what is our purpose and how should we serve others in the body of Christ. Every step in our lives have been ordered by the Lord. Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way? God’s Word is leading us on a path that will produce holiness and righteous living. His wisdom is worth more than silver and gold because it will never lose its value and worth. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. We must first trust in Him and obey no matter what is happening to us or around us. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

The years seem like days because time is passing quickly as we age. It is an honor to grow in the Lord and live to tell others about how He did great things for us. This helps them to lay aside their biased opinions and pride. The words of our testimonies are to witness who Jesus is and how He worked in our lives. We have no clue in how powerful the Word of God cuts into the hearts and minds of the wicked, lost and hurting people in the world. That’s why we must press on in the Lord because somebody is listening, and they may not ever tell us. The righteous are not forsaken we have been bought by the blood of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 7:22-24 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

As we grow in our walk and understanding of the knowledge of Christ, we must focus on Jesus. Because we have been molded and reshaped as living vessels of clay to do the Lord’s work. He has placed within us a treasure that the world cannot find nor take away. John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Our lives are being used for greater works and for God’s glory. We are no longer our own this is the work of Christ making us complete in Him. This is the power of the blood that redeemed us. The mercies and glory of God is being revealed in us through the scriptures, our testimonies, prayers, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us be reconciled and united in Christ as we cry out to God. The power of the gospel is reaching many because we are the fruit of the harvest. Colossians 1:3-6 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

 

 

Bright Morning Star

 

Each sunrise that I witness

Enlightens my life to believe

 When I cry you wipe my tears away

I sit and wonder why You love me

I’m not the person that I need to be

If You didn’t love me, I would give up

Lord You are the Light of the world

Hallelujah, I pray for Your love

Beautiful You are to behold

 My soul cannot fathom or understand

As I wake each morning with praise

There’s no greater joy in saying thank you 

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”