See It Through, Don’t Give Up!

Posted on March 22, 2015by 
In a previous post, I told you about the coach of our High School track team, and how he only had one expectation if your were going to try out for the team. He told each one of us that if we decided to try out, once we began the route he had mapped out for us (which was what today we call 5K), we could not quit. He didn’t care if it took us all day or night, we had to finish! Now you have to remember that this was back in 1975, and we didn’t have cell phones to call our moms to come pick us up. So before we began the tryout . . . we knew we had better be serious about it!
I brought this up because I think the Lord wants to encourage us not to give up; not to quit and go home. Once you start following Him, you need to finish the journey you are on. We must learn to endure. That is the reality of our faith. Remember what Paul wrote to the church in Galatia? “Don’t lose heart and grow weary doing right, because in due time and at the appointed season, you will reap your reward, [now get this:] if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint”! See? That is what we have to remember. Jesus said it this way:
“If any of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t he first sit down and work out the cost of it, to see if he can afford to finish it? Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and found himself unable to complete the building, everyone who sees it will begin to jeer at him, saying, ‘This is the man who started to build a tower but couldn’t finish it!” (Luke 14:28–30).
Look, Jesus knew many of those who chose to follow Him would not have what it took to see them through. He knew they would quit and not finish the race. Frankly, I feel that is the most tragic condition for a believer — you start out . . . and well, you just give up.
I’ll warn you now, we have an enemy who will bring circumstances into your life and set up imaginations in your mind that will cause you to lose your courage. Remember that saying I told you about? T.I.S? Thoughts, Ideas, and Suggestions? Those are his only weapons against you and if you start listening to his lies, he will trip you and ruin your drive and ambitious goal of honoring the Lord!
When his attacks come, you will indeed feel like giving up and quiting. Like a runner who sees their goal just ahead, but flat out loses their drive and sits on the sidewalk. But friends, that is when you must stand and withstand! That is when you must go back to your original intent to win! If you can make that declaration one more time, your Father will help you stand! Suddenly the Holy Spirit will give you the courage and the strength and the fearless spunk to keep going — and to win the Victor’s Crown of Glory!
Don’t give the enemy the satisfaction of stopping you or even slowing you down — even if he knocks you down through a stumbling block of temptations. Get back on your feet and run even harder after your Father’s will or your life. The Spirit of God is with you and He will give you the Grace you need to win!
Oh boy! Father, when I feel like giving up, help me to refocus on the vision you have given me. Let me once again see as young Christian declared, “the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy One; for ‘there you shall see him as he is.’”
Show me the ‘big picture.’ When I am discouraged, help me get back on my feet again and return to my pursuit of Your Holiness and Righteousness. I want to run this race worthy of the calling You have given me. My desire is to fulfill everything You have called me to do.
Above all else, I want YOU glorified in my life! I want people to see YOU in my life and know, with doubt, that YOU are alive and rule in my life!
Nickolas
(I send out messages like this each morning in emails, and if you are interested in receiving them, send me your email address and I will add you to the list: Mail List)
With these Morning Messages, I take you on guided tours to, as Bunyan described, the Celestial City. At times we linger at corners familiar and unseen. And explore the depths of our faith along the way.
The trail is long, but there’s no hurry. Though we do need to stock up on supplies for the way, and that’s where I need your help. If you enjoy these messages, please consider becoming a contributing member of this tour group. It will be very much appreciated.
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