Pain is Temporary… but Quitting is Permanent! (Part 2)
Thank you so much for joining me for Part 2 of this powerful, in-depth look into my recent message, “Pain is Temporary… but Quitting is Permanent!”
Please hear this… Nobody else can answer your purpose or call but you! We have to quit the competition. Don’t worry about it… ONLY YOU CAN BE YOU! Fulfilling your life’s purpose is not about works when you think about it this way.
We live in a world that makes us jump through hoops to gain success, and it’s what you do that makes you, you. When you live by those rules you become a slave to everyone who helped get you there.
However, when you build your life over who you are… then NOBODY owns you. When you make a plan to no longer seek anyone else’s resources, call, or responsibility—desiring only what God has created for you—then Godliness with contentment is great peace, because no one else can be you!
He makes no mistakes. However you came into this world is how God intended it to be. God makes NO mistakes.
So many of us believe that only people, who have a spotless past, with perfect families, can receive from the Lord. But did you know that there is no such thing as a perfect person. Each of us must get past all of our messes and reach out to our heavenly Father, Abba, knowing that He planned for our arrival and placed us into being.
He knew us before time began. You are prefect in His eyes…
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”—2 Timothy 1:12
One of the most difficult things to do in ministry is stand when our witness appears to be marred by horrible circumstances. Just as Paul experienced persecution from brothers in the faith as they saw him experiencing hardship and trials, the Believer can often experience this too. But we must follow his example, understanding that through those trials our faith in Christ is being perfected, despite what some may choose to believe about our character.
In times like that it is important to bless those who curse us, while not allowing them to have authority over our call. Their words and actions have no right to destroy the work that Christ is doing in us. If we go through seasons of suffering, we must know that we grow in stature as Jesus also grew and increased in favor with God. Do not let circumstances or naysayers steal your sanctification in Messiah! Don’t do it!
“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”—2 Timothy 2:12
Pain is temporary. Don’t quit your faith by saying that this doesn’t work. Take responsibility for your own actions, stand in faith and repent of areas where you have missed it. ENDURE IT!
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”—2 Timothy 3:12
It’s going to happen. If you are standing in correct alignment, it is going to happen. We must maintain our soul, understanding that persecutions will come. But it CANNOT be allowed to change your course. Focus on the love of God, and the pain of persecution will become less painful.
I deal with it like this… “Lord, thank you for allowing me to share in a little bit of Your suffering, because they must recognize a little bit of You, in me. I choose to rejoice in that.” Then I forgive those who have come against me. They really don’t know what they are doing.
Many times, pioneers are persecuted because people fear trailblazers. People are afraid because, what if we are right? What if the religion they have believed in all of their lives is dead works, and there really is something to what we have been saying all along? Respond to them in love… then just maybe they will see that it is really real, and then understand the love of their heavenly Father in a way like never before.
If you preach the true gospel… expect to be criticized.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…”—2 Timothy 1:8
The simplicity of the gospel message is this… The blood of Jesus expunges sin. Unfortunately, most people don’t want to hear that message. Why? They don’t want to admit to the sin in their lives. And more than that, they don’t want to become a Believer when they find out that they will need to stop the sinful patterns in their lives.
Dead religion is like a country club. People often feel that if they just belong to a denomination, then many will say that they are good people. But just because you attend a church doesn’t mean that you don’t lie, cheat, or steal. Not everyone who goes to church walks in the fear of the Lord.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”—Philippians 4:4-9
You know where gentleness comes from with old street kids like me? It’s when you realize just how much God loves you even during your roughest times of Christian growth. He is gentle with you… always there, never deserting you.
Always remember that pain is temporary, but quitting is permanent…
Your response to times of testing will not only determine the outcome, but will also stand as your witness. I encourage you to begin evaluating the cycles of brokenness in your past. Ask the Lord to help you deal with the root causes of those issues, so that your character will be prepared to receive the promotions that God is bringing in this next season. Remember that the pain is only temporary…
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