Don’t quit!

In this life it seems that everything is about competition, when you pull up to a light the car next to you tries to get off faster than you, or when you try to change lanes it seems like everyone speeds up to keep you from getting in front of them. In the grocery store it always seems as if everyone waits until I get ready to check my groceries out to come and crowd into the lane before I do! Do you watch reality shows on TV? Well I watch several of them, Dancing with the Stars, Amazing Race, Survivor, Top Chef, the point is that everyone wants to get ahead and win! The Apostle Paul says:  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. 

Whenever you are doing your best, it seems that the devil steps in with something to try to stop you or embarrass you into shutting up! You know I have an example here, right? My grandfather had preached a sermon at a great revival on the healing power of Jesus! He had a wonderful response, the altar was filled with people seeking healing and giving their hearts to the Lord, he was very happy as he went into his house that night. There he saw his wife sitting with their toddler on her lap by the fireplace. The child was burning with fever, the fever that had taken the lives of other children in their 1930’s community. In his heart he heard the devil mocking him, saying “Where is your healing Jesus now?” The town doctor got word of the sick child and stopped to see her, and sadly he told them that she wouldn’t live through the night. My granddad began to cry out to the Lord, reminding Him of every scripture he had used in his great sermon, asking Him to heal his baby in the name of Jesus. My mother was ten years old and was so frightened seeing her dad praying so earnestly, kneeling there by the fire. Finally, exhausted, he fell asleep, with Mama still sitting there with the baby on her lap. About the time the sun came up, so did the little one, her eyes were bright and she was asking for cereal! “I’m hungry,” she was saying, “I want cereal.” As she was eating, there was a knock on the door, it was the doctor coming to give his condolences and see if he could be of any assistance. My granddad invited him to come in and see the miracle! She was eating; she looked up and began to sing him a song! As he left that house, there were tears rolling down his cheeks and a new belief in the “healing Jesus” of this young evangelist! Anytime you give a testimony, expect to be tested, for where is the proof of your testimony without the test? We are competing with the devil every day of our life to keep our joy, peace and even our eternal salvation! Don’t give up the fight. Paul asks the question, “You did run well, who hindered you?” Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your victory you are in this fight for your very life! You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you! Philippians 4:13

After getting my patience tried several times in the past few days I think I will just say: “Have thine own way Lord” and trust Him for what He brings! Remember, you can’t win if you give up the fight!