DON'T LET GO!

DON'T LET GO

When my son was younger, one Sunday, I asked him what he had learned in the teen ministry. He said they taught on faith and worship. I noticed he had a bandage on his hand and wondered how he got it. He told me they had also had a fun round of tug-of-war and they won the first, but lost the second. My son is 5'11" and about 200lbs. He's bigger than the average 16yr old. I figured if he was on the winning team the first round, what happened the second time? He said, "We were winning when the rope burned my hand and I let go." Oh, I knew there had to be a logical reason why they lost, especially with his strength pulling for them. Then God helped me make a connection between the scripture lesson and the physical lesson and I pointed it out to him.

My son had everything going for him to win. So do you. What do you need to win life's tug-of-wars? 

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 )
Faith is not wishful thinking or will power or mind over matter. Faith is only as good as who or what you place it in. Many place their faith in people who let them down or turn out to be someone other than they thought. Some put their faith in the government until they realize that it doesn't always deliver on its promises. Many put faith in jobs and money and we have seen who quickly one can lose one or both. There is only one object of faith you can count on to never fail; God. He has been tried and tested and always comes through! Have faith in God and grab hold of that rope!

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Notice where the strength is coming from; God. God gives you the strength and power to endure and break through any and all situations. Don't rely on yourself, pray to God to make you strong and He will answer. When we depend on ourselves, all our weaknesses are brought to light. These are the times when God's power shines the brightest. You don't have to be a heavyweight to win life's tug-of-war, let God make you strong!

The LORD gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

I have heard the cries and have seen the pain and felt the despair. Life is not going to be easy on you; it can be unfair and brutal. God has given you faith and strength, now you must fight and never surrender! Persevere. Never give up. There was a song by Christina Aguilera, "Fighter". The "hook" line is: "thanks for making me a fighter." God wants to make you a fighter, not a scared infant with any help available. When you learn to fight, you will win and you will thank God! Keep pulling that rope, don't give up!

Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Now that you have stepped up into the arena and grabbed hold of the other end of life's rope and are prepared to persevere, now what? You are competing against some very formidable opponents:

SIN: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned"Romans 5:12 Sin will continue to fight us and make us do wrong against God until we are perfected in heaven. Do not give him too much ground, unless he destroys you! Watch yourself and ask for forgiveness when you slip.

FLESH: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.--Romans 8:5 The flesh is strong also. He will try consistently to pull you away from God's plans to chase your own desires. This is a trap to lead you to destruction and unhappiness!

THE DEVIL: Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26) The devil as mentioned earlier, seeks whom he can devour. Don't let it be you! He is crafty and has millenniums of experience. He can come to you hostile or deceitfully loving. To defeat him is to know the word of God so you will not gain ground in your life.

These three are on the other end of that rope in your tug-of-war. In every circumstance you will ever face in this life, behind it will be on of them or all three! Do not fear because God has you covered if you know how to fight back. When you stand up and fight, you will win. My son let go because of the pain. Hold on no matter what!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3)

VICTORY
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

You must understand that victory and victorious living does not rest in your hands! Victory comes from above, from God! I wish so much that I can walk each of you through life, holding your hand and showing you the pitfalls and the traps along the way. God can do a far better job than I! He has given you Jesus, His Word and His Holy Spirit. Many Christians live defeated lives because the fail to let God work in them and through them. In God is everything you need. Great weapons are only useful when used correctly.

I know many want change. I know you are sick and tired of being sick and tired. It's up to you to decide how serious are you going to be! How bad do you want to win? Your enemy the devil doesn't care if you want to fight or not. He will attempt to crush you without mercy. If you MUST fight, fight to win! Learn to fight to win! 

No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30-31)

God Bless,

http://waitonboaz.com