NEVER A QUITTER

By Richard De Haan

Be steadfast . . . in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain. —1 Corinthians 15:58

A preacher who was growing weary in the ministry had a dream. He saw himself pounding away at a huge chunk of granite with a pick-axe. It was his job to break it into small pieces. But hard as he tried, he couldn’t chip off even a tiny piece. At last, tired and disappointed, he decided to give up.

Just then a stranger appeared and said, “Weren’t you given orders to do that work? Your duty is to give your best regardless of what happens.” The preacher, with a renewed determination, lifted the pick-axe high in the air and gave the granite a crushing blow. It broke into a thousand pieces. He had almost quit—one blow too soon.

The Lord wants us to keep working at our God-given task no matter how difficult it might be. Even when success seems remote or impossible, we are to remain steadfast, assured that there will be an ample reward for those who persevere.

Have you grown tired in your service for God? Have you become so discouraged that you’re tempted to “throw in the towel”? Remember that preacher’s dream. Better still, remember God’s promise spoken by Paul: “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).

The service that we give to Christ,
If steadfast we will be,
Is sure to reap a rich reward
That someday we will see. —Sper

Failure is not defeat unless you stop trying.

 

Devotional forwarded to you by:

UP CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

NCCP Ecumenical Ministry – Church of the Risen Lord

University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, QC

 

KEEP ASKING

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking,
and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7, NLT.

Sometimes, people get discouraged in life because things didn’t turn

out the  way they hoped on the first try. Maybe they put energy into a

relationship but it didn’t work out. They tried that new business venture,

but they are still struggling with their finances.  Now they think it’s never

going to happen.  But, one thing we have to learn is that God honors
perseverance.  On the way to your “yes” you may encounter some “no’s.”

You may encounter some closed doors, but that doesn’t mean it’s the

final answer. It just means “keep going.”

Remember, if God promised it, He is going to bring it to pass. Scripture
tells us that through faith and patience we inherit God’s promises. This
is where patience comes in; this is where perseverance comes in.  This

is where trust comes in.  Just because you don’t see things happen right

away doesn’t mean you should quit.  No, instead, rise up and press forward.  Keep believing, keep hoping, keep enduring and keep asking because our God is always faithful to His word!

Prayer for Today

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. I choose today to

believe Your Word. I choose to trust Your promises. I choose to keep
standing, keep believing and keep asking because I will receive, in

Jesus’ name! Amen!

 

Forwarded to you by UP CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

NCCP Ecumenical Ministry – Church of the Risen Lord

University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, QC

Possessing Your Promised Land

“The Lord your God will thrust them out from before you and drive them out
of your sight, and you shall possess their land, as the Lord your God
promised you…” Joshua 23:5, AMP.

We all have giants or obstacles that try to keep us from possessing what
God has promised, especially in our dreams. We have two choices: we can
quit and live in mediocrity, or we can fight and take hold of the victory.

In the Bible, the children of Israel were camped right next door to their
Promised Land. God had already told them He would give them the victory;
all they had to do was go in and fight for the land. But, when they heard
how big their opponents were, they had such a weak, defeated mentality
that they just gave up. Their attitude was, “What is the use of even trying?

We’ll never defeat those people. We might as well just stay out here in the

wilderness.” They settled for mediocrity because they were not willing to

fight.

Friend, do not let that be you! The battle you have to fight today is in your

mind. You have to change your thinking in order to possess God’s promises.

Start choosing thoughts of faith and victory. Declare that you are an over-

comer. As you stand and fight and win the battle in your mind, you will

move forward and embrace the promises and dreams that God has for

you!

Prayer for Today

Father, today I come to You believing that You have given me the victory.
I will not focus on the obstacles before me; instead, I will focus on You.
Help me to stand strong and keep my heart and mind focused on the

victory You have in store for me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

forwarded to you by UP CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

NCCP Ecumenical Ministry – Church of the Risen Lord

University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC

Pastor Bart B. Kimwell