Never Give Up

• Are you in difficult circumstances and do not understand why?
  
  I have had this experience: I did not understand why I was going through hard times. I was in pain, confusion, loss, distress, etc.
  
  Later, however, I realized what God had done for me through those things. I learned more than I thought possible. I grew closer to Him. I realized more of why I am here... and so much more.
  
  Now, even if I could, I would not undo any of it. Though they were difficult and painful times, what I gained from them is just too valuable to give up.
  
  I hope you can say the same. Maybe now. Maybe later. I just want you to know it can be possible. Don't give up hope.

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For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Cor 4:11-15 NIV)

Determination

• 
  Flint is a very hard form of quartz. It is extremely strong, unyielding to pressure applied against it. It does not readily break down. Ancient peoples used it to make tools such as axes and arrowheads because of its extreme hardness and durability.
  
  "...unyielding to pressure applied against it." Like we should stand in our faith, in believing what God has promised? I think so...

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Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. (Isa 50:7 NIV)

Use your gift

• I believe we are here for a reason--a specific reason commissioned by God. However, not everyone of us accomplishes his or her purpose. (Not even ministers are immune...)
  
  For me, sometimes the necessities of life are in direct conflict with what I believe is my purpose. Some days I overcome. Others, I am grateful for God's grace. It is a problem, no doubt about it.
  
  So, what do we do? Our best. And trust the relationship.

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Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you. (1 Tim 4:14-16 NLT)

Something to think about.

Proverbs 16:7 KJV

[7] When a man's ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Reciprocate!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:12-13 NIV)

Some just don't believe

Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."  But you are a shield around me, O LORD;   you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.   To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.  I lie down and sleep;  I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.  I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.  (Psa 3:2-6 NIV)

Faith

• Uncertainty has become an unwelcomed part of our lives: many things we once depended on and took for granted are no longer as dependable as they were--governments, economies, jobs, businesses, families, relationships... Change affects all of us in some way or another.
  
  But there is one thing that does not change--and that is the One who does not change.

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Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Heb 11:1-3 NIV)

Our Rock

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My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah (Psa 62:7-8 NIV)

It's all about trust

• Sometimes, when you call on God, it does not feel like He has heard You. (I know you know what I am talking about.) In such times, what I believe must override what I feel. Here is how that works for me:
  
  I have learned to trust that God hears me (if only because He promised), act like He hears me, and know that the answer will come even if I do not feel so or understand how. It always does--sometimes sooner, sometimes later. And if it has not come, I know I just have not waited long enough yet.

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Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. (Psa 86:3-7 NIV)

No it all!

• hey always have an answer and advice for you (whether you want it or not). They have to be the "spiritual" person in a gathering. And they act like their opinion is God's wisdom.
  
  Maybe they are right... and maybe they are not.
  
  Best to go to God first. Seek His wisdom. He is always right. He always has your best interests at heart. Don't be misled.

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Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, deliver me from the hand of the enemy, ransom me from the clutches of the ruthless'? "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? (Job 6:21-25 NIV)

Don't have a clue

• Ever heard someone say, "He's his own worst enemy..."?
  
  We can be that when we sabotage the good things God has for us by our own hardheadedness, immaturity, selfishness, etc. Then we wonder why our prayers are not answered.
  
  When they are not, the first place we should begin looking for the reason is... ourselves.

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"Hear, O my people, and I will warn you--if you would but listen to me, O Israel! You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. (Psa 81:8-12 NIV)

Wait on The Lord

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others-- it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land. In a little while, the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. Those who are gentle and lowly will possess the land; they will live in prosperous security. (Psa 37:7-11 NLT)

Love

• Remember those "young loves"? Most people had someone they really liked but were afraid to tell them. I did, but I didn't "confess with my mouth": she never knew because I was afraid to tell her.
  
  That was a long time ago and I have learned a lot since then. However, for a long time I wished I had said something.
  
  So I encourage you not to make that mistake with God: Acknowledge your feelings and what you believe. You need to say it and He needs to hear it. Today would be a good day...

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But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Rom 10:8-10 NIV) 

Relationship

• nowing God (relationship): not dispassionate knowledge of God, but personal, genuine, intimate relationship with Him.
  
  How important is that? The most important thing there is, according to Jesus. He said it IS eternal life. He did not say, "...eternal life is like...". No. He said, "...this is eternal life..."
  
  1. Do you know Him like that?
  2. What are you willing to do to attain/maintain such a relationship?

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After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:1-3 NIV)

Amen!

Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. (I pray you will always love & live by discipline.)

Just trust him!

• Sometimes God does not make sense--to us anyway.
  
  That is when have to let faith override logic and emotion, and trust that He knows what He is doing and that He is doing what is best even if we cannot see or feel it at the time.

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But the LORD told Gideon, "There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will sort out who will go with you and who will not." Only three hundred of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. The LORD told Gideon, "With these three hundred men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home." (Judg 7:4,6-7 NLT)

The Witness of God is greater

Who has believed our message? To whom will the LORD reveal his saving power? My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! (Isa 53:1-5 NLT)

He want you to

• Have you ever hesitated to ask God for help because you felt like you were bothering Him?
  
  (For the record: I do not believe that it is possible to bother Him.)

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While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:35-36 NIV)

Pray for step children

So she turned to Abraham and demanded, "Get rid of that servant and her son. He is not going to share the family inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won't have it!" This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. But God told Abraham, "Do not be upset over the boy and your servant wife. Do just as Sarah says, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. But I will make a nation of the descendants of Hagar's son because he also is your son." So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food for the journey, and strapped a container of water to Hagar's shoulders. He sent her away with their son, and she walked out into the wilderness of Beersheba, wandering aimlessly. (Gen 21:10-14 NLT)

If Job waited, why caint I

• You "wait on God", but He is slow in responding. You are "believing God for...", but He is not delivering. Been there? Maybe even now?
  
  In a crisis, most people want action: relief and answers. Their point of "faith failure" is usually when the action does not happen when they think it should or in the way they want. 
  
  It took me a long time and a lot of pain to finally understand that God never failed me. Not once. I know that now. I have learned to wait--and His answer will come, but not necessarily in the ways I expect, want, or sometimes even recognize at first.
  
  But the wait is always worth it.

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I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit and out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. (Psa 40:1-3 NIV)

What?

• So much of what we do (or do not do) is encouraged, inspired, limited, or outright dominated by the opinions of other people. We allow them too much influence in our lives... in my opinion.

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Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you -- for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. (Eccl7:21-22 NIV)