Hey all,
Don't quit! You have what it takes! Don't quit!
Wow....I was reminded of this in such a cool way this weekend.
Check this out.
About four years ago, I was leading a Men's group at a local church. The message was one of "Freedom and Life". At the core of the message, we (my friend Dan and I) were relaying the message of John 10:10 (the header of this blog). The message is that while the "enemy came only to steal, kill, and destroy.......Jesus came that we could have life and have it to the full". We wanted the men to know that they could be set free from the shackles of this world. They could be free of the bondage. And once they were free.....they could experience life. Life to the full. It was all through the power of Jesus.
But we also told them that it was opposed. There is an enemy. And it is real. The enemy was against them. If only they could recognize that....they could battle against it with the gospel of Jesus. And they would prevail. Always. Jesus defeated the enemy at the cross. Sin was won. The victory was done. If we realize this....then we can really live. A full life. The life set out for us.
Every man (and woman) in this world has a role to play....and if they don't do it....no one will. Each of us are called to be all that God set out for us. This is our destiny. Again, if we don't do it, no one will.
But how often we quit. We just do. It is too hard.
So back to the story.
Attending that Men's group four years ago was a guy who has since become a great friend of mine. He not only heard the message that weekend, but he had the courage to pursue the reality of the message of John 10:10. He believed the message. He believed that there was an enemy. He decided to walk the path. He didn't know what it would look like....but he walked in faith.
And it didn't come easy. But he stayed with it. Already a believer, his wonderful bride came along side him.....encouraging and pushing him. She was(is) his spiritual partner and his encouragement. His biggest fan. Again, it still wasn't easy. But they pressed on. Together. They walked the path. The path they believed that God laid out for them. Together.
And then it started to take shape. They started to "hear" what they were to do. They started to "hear" God calling them to action. They knew.
But how? How would they do it? It seemed too big? Who were they to do something like that? How could they have an impact? Why would God choose them to do something like that? Was it worth it? Surely, they could not make an impact on people's lives. Why them? It would be so much easier to just keep the "status quo" and just live their life. SO MUCH EASIER.
But it would not be living......and they knew it.
So they moved forward. They acted. They pressed on. They took a step.......and another........and another.
And guess what........it got harder. Not easier.....but harder. Alot harder. Remember...the enemy is against us, so it was opposed. But in their heart they knew if was right. They could not deny it. But even they they knew it was a "calling"....they still often wanted to quit. And they DID want to quit. Many times. It was too hard. It was too much of a pain. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't meant to be. The enemy constantly whispered this in their ears. "Just give up." "Who are you to make a difference?"
But even when they tried to quit....the Lord reminded them that it was HIS plan and not theirs. If they don't do it, no one will. They have a role to play. Something happened to get them "back on track". A God thing. So they pressed on even though they were opposed. In faith.
Along the journey......they started to really believe the idea that they had a role to play......and if they didn't do it.....no one would. It started to become clear. They knew it in their heart. They had to do it.
And so they did. And guess what...............God is fulfilling his plan through them.
My friends spoke this week at my Church (which was literally broadcast world wide) about their journey of faith and the impact they are having on many, many kids lives here and around the country. You can check it out at www.tc521.org. Click on the Blueprint series sermon from 2/3/13.
Thanks to their faithfulness and testimony.......I was reminded of my own journey. About not quitting. I realized that during the years since that message my friend and I gave at the Church.....I have been told by the enemy to quit doing it. That it is not worth it. It didn't really matter. And in many ways......I have quit.
Until now.
Thanks Ron and Laura. I love you guys. You are an inspiration to me and many others. Don't ever give up. You have what it takes.
Go Big or Go Home.
Strength and Honor.
-S
Don't quit! You have what it takes! Don't quit!
Wow....I was reminded of this in such a cool way this weekend.Check this out.
About four years ago, I was leading a Men's group at a local church. The message was one of "Freedom and Life". At the core of the message, we (my friend Dan and I) were relaying the message of John 10:10 (the header of this blog). The message is that while the "enemy came only to steal, kill, and destroy.......Jesus came that we could have life and have it to the full". We wanted the men to know that they could be set free from the shackles of this world. They could be free of the bondage. And once they were free.....they could experience life. Life to the full. It was all through the power of Jesus.
But we also told them that it was opposed. There is an enemy. And it is real. The enemy was against them. If only they could recognize that....they could battle against it with the gospel of Jesus. And they would prevail. Always. Jesus defeated the enemy at the cross. Sin was won. The victory was done. If we realize this....then we can really live. A full life. The life set out for us.
Every man (and woman) in this world has a role to play....and if they don't do it....no one will. Each of us are called to be all that God set out for us. This is our destiny. Again, if we don't do it, no one will.
But how often we quit. We just do. It is too hard.
So back to the story.
Attending that Men's group four years ago was a guy who has since become a great friend of mine. He not only heard the message that weekend, but he had the courage to pursue the reality of the message of John 10:10. He believed the message. He believed that there was an enemy. He decided to walk the path. He didn't know what it would look like....but he walked in faith.
And it didn't come easy. But he stayed with it. Already a believer, his wonderful bride came along side him.....encouraging and pushing him. She was(is) his spiritual partner and his encouragement. His biggest fan. Again, it still wasn't easy. But they pressed on. Together. They walked the path. The path they believed that God laid out for them. Together.
And then it started to take shape. They started to "hear" what they were to do. They started to "hear" God calling them to action. They knew.
But how? How would they do it? It seemed too big? Who were they to do something like that? How could they have an impact? Why would God choose them to do something like that? Was it worth it? Surely, they could not make an impact on people's lives. Why them? It would be so much easier to just keep the "status quo" and just live their life. SO MUCH EASIER.
But it would not be living......and they knew it.
So they moved forward. They acted. They pressed on. They took a step.......and another........and another.
And guess what........it got harder. Not easier.....but harder. Alot harder. Remember...the enemy is against us, so it was opposed. But in their heart they knew if was right. They could not deny it. But even they they knew it was a "calling"....they still often wanted to quit. And they DID want to quit. Many times. It was too hard. It was too much of a pain. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't meant to be. The enemy constantly whispered this in their ears. "Just give up." "Who are you to make a difference?"
But even when they tried to quit....the Lord reminded them that it was HIS plan and not theirs. If they don't do it, no one will. They have a role to play. Something happened to get them "back on track". A God thing. So they pressed on even though they were opposed. In faith.
Along the journey......they started to really believe the idea that they had a role to play......and if they didn't do it.....no one would. It started to become clear. They knew it in their heart. They had to do it.
And so they did. And guess what...............God is fulfilling his plan through them.
My friends spoke this week at my Church (which was literally broadcast world wide) about their journey of faith and the impact they are having on many, many kids lives here and around the country. You can check it out at www.tc521.org. Click on the Blueprint series sermon from 2/3/13.
Thanks to their faithfulness and testimony.......I was reminded of my own journey. About not quitting. I realized that during the years since that message my friend and I gave at the Church.....I have been told by the enemy to quit doing it. That it is not worth it. It didn't really matter. And in many ways......I have quit.
Until now.
Thanks Ron and Laura. I love you guys. You are an inspiration to me and many others. Don't ever give up. You have what it takes.
Go Big or Go Home.
Strength and Honor.
-S
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