EVENING REFLECTION: Do Not Give Up!

40-Forward BLESSers, throwing in the towel is not an option!

• Why? You are not here by accident.
• Why? Your Kingdom assignment is not yet complete.
• Why? God has entrusted you with this TEST and on the other side someone is awaiting your TESTimony.

If we know no other disciple, we know (or have heard of) Peter. His story is a Holywood blockbuster and a Times bestseller, but the bible holds the copyright.

Peter was bold. He walked on water. He spoke up when everyone else kept quiet. He was one of Jesus’ right-hand men. The Holy Spirit used him to make a divine declaration about the church. He had it all together.

It was to Peter that Jesus spoke these words:

Luke 22:31-32 [AMP] – 31 “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain;32 but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

Matthew 16:23 [KJV] – But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Surely, this could not be the same Peter that I was just described!

Oh, come with me to Matthew 26:33-35,69-75 KJV, his story gets better …

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. [34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [35] Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. [69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. [70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. [71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. [72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. [73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. [74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

How many of us could come back from this? BUT God! This is not the end of Peter’s story.

Are you in a position of “hiding” because you did something that offended God? Come out of hiding and go to Him.

Let’s get back to Peter’s story …

When the three ladies came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, he was not there. But the young man that was there said these words, “…Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here … But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee …” (Mark 16:6-7)

Jesus did not give up on Peter thou he had erred. The same is true for you (and for me).

Like Peter, your Kingdom assignment is not complete. Like Peter, someone is waiting to hear about the goodness of Jesus from you. Like Peter, your TESTimony will help to deliver and save many.

What could have been the outcome if Peter had decided to remain in shame and not come out of hiding? The book of Acts as we know it, and live by it, would be different.

We cannot (and must not) give up. When we give up, we give up on God! (Selah)

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If we are persuaded that the God in whom we believe is the God of the Impossible (Genesis 18:14; Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 59:1; Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; 1 Corinthians 10:13), then we must erase giving up from off our agenda and out of our psyche!

In your tightest spot, most tumultuous storm and darkest situation, He is in the fight with you! Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you – praying you through the process. When you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit maketh intercession on your behalf. Don’t give up!

How many times have you sang these lyrics, “Don’t give up on God, cause He won’t give up on you. He’s able!” Do you believe it? Then show Him. Act like you believe Him!

40-Forwarders, I will always remind you that Jeremiah 29:11 (that we oftentimes quote) was spoken to the children of Israel while they were in bondage.

I will leave you with this …

The day Jesus took His last breath on the Cross, the enemy thought that was how Jesus’s story would end. BUT God!

The same power that, 3 days later, rose Jesus from the dead, is in you today! Don’t give up!

The gospel duo, Mary Mary, sang these words, “I just can’t give up now. I’ve come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me that the road would be easy. I don’t believe He has brought me this far to leave me.”

(Selah)