Tag Archives: Hard Times

Don’t Give Up

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Sometimes in life, we really just want to quit. We want to lay down, just stop, and give up. We want to give in. There’s no point in going on, no point in trying, no point in worrying.

Why try?

Why worry?

What’s the point? There’s no point in it all.

Why pray? God doesn’t care, surely not. God isn’t worried about it. Why pray. Just quit.

I’m sure you’ve thought that way before. I know I have. I’m sure you’ve just wanted to lay down and quit before. I know have.

But you know what? Don’t give up. Listen to what happened in Luke 18: 35-43:

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

106225_20130427_103353_IMG_20130426_234324This guy was blind. Just getting as far as he did in life was a real accomplishment. But he hears Jesus is coming. This is his chance. This is the moment that he can be healed.

After all, Jesus has been going around everywhere healing folks all over the place. This is the moment. This is when it can happen.

So, he goes to find Jesus. He goes to be healed. And folks tell him. No. Be quiet. Jesus doesn’t have time for this. He has others to attend to. He has other things that He had to do.

Go.

Leave.

So, he could. He could quit. He could leave. He could lay down and continue as it is. Or, he could say no! I will not quit! I will not lay down! I will keep going! I will keep doing! I will keep yelling louder, and louder, and louder for Jesus until He does something.

And Jesus does. He heals him. Because he wouldn’t quit. He wouldn’t give up. He keeps pushing; he kept the faith. He didn’t quit.

And neither should you. Keep fighting. Keep working. Keep striving. Keep going. Keep doing it.

You can. Keep at it. Don’t quit. No matter what. Keeping going.

You can do it. Keep at it. Good things will come. Even if you tire, or scared, or worried, or whatever.

Keep going. No matter what.

You can do it.

Dont’ give up.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones, and you thought our app, you can now watch our worship services from Asbury too!

In the Hard Times

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Hard-Times-Grey-Fisted1None of us like tough times or challenges.  None of us like times of trial, or times of worry, or times of stress.  These are all times that we turn away from, times we we don’t like, times we great, and yes, even times that will haunt us and stay with us for a long while.

There are times in our life that are so hard, that literally feel like days, months, or years of our lives are wasted and gone, time we will never get back, time that is gone for us.  These times trial can cause us to even think that God is not there, that we have failed, that our faith is crushed.

You may be going through a tough time right now, and that’s how you feel.  You may be going through a hard time right now, and you’re wondering, where is God, how is this going to get better, how is this going to change, how can I keep going?

Today, listen to the words of James 1: 2-4.  This time of trial may be a great blessing to you, believe it or not:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Count these times joy.  I know it doesn’t sound right. I know it doesn’t even make sense. But it’s true.  These tough times, they will make us strong. They will make us better.  We will grow.  We will find our way.  We will find that God is there.

See, that’s the thing that I’ve come to realize about times of trial.  We feel like God’s not there. We all feel that way. But what we come to find out, in time, is that it is God that is carrying us.  It is God that is giving us the strength to keep going.  It is God that is pulling us forward, holding us close, giving us strength.

No matter how hard the challenge is today, God is with you.  Know that. Remember that.  Don’t give up.  Don’t give up.  Don’t give up.

Even if you don’t feel it, God is there. Don’t give up.

For this time of trial, it will grow you.  It will change you.  It will make you better.  It will.  Believe that. Keep going.

Even in the hard times.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone