Don't Give Up

Everyone gets tired.

Even people who serve the Lord.

In fact, burnout is a problem pastors face.

Even those of us who serve the Lord in other ways can find ourselves running on fumes.

Let’s face it, serving the Lord can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Fortunately, scripture helps remind us not to give up.

Jesus reminds us we must push forward.

Luke 9:62 (NET) - Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Paul reminds us in one of his letters that we must press onward.

He even tells us what we can expect if we do.

Galatians 6:9 (NET) - So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.

Paul has another reminder for us,

Philippians 3:14 (NET) - with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Perhaps Paul’s best advice comes in the next chapter.

In it, he reminds us that we are not in it alone.

Philippians 4:13 (NET) - I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.

I lovingly refer to this as my “go to” verse whenever I find myself struggling.

Paul also puts it another way.

Colossians 1:29 (NET) - Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me.

Yes, serving the Lord can be difficult at times.

But we must never give up or give in!

We must persevere!

We must remember the Lord is with us.

If we do, in the end we can say what Paul said.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NET) - I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

Then the Lord may have something to say to us.

Jesus gave us a foretaste of it in one of His parables.

Matthew 25:21 (NIV) - “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 7, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 14, 2019

When Life Gets Hard

Some friends of mine and I recently faced challenging circumstances.

One friend suggested to me that I enjoyed them.

But more on that in a moment.

Scripture tells us the things we must do.

We may not enjoy them.

In fact, we may find some of them difficult.

Scripture tells us to love our neighbor.

Galatians 5:14 (NET) - For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

One of the greatest ironies in life is that those who need love the most are often the most difficult to love.

Scripture tells us to forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 (NET) - Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Yet forgiveness is probably the one thing Christians struggle with most.

Scripture reminds us to be patient.

Philippians 4:6 (NET) - Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

But patience tends to fall by the wayside in a world of instant gratification.

Scripture has other reminders, but among my favorites comes from another of Paul’s letters.

This one came to mind when my friend suggested I liked the circumstances.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Now faith is a wonderful thing.

And who among us does not like to have hope?

But Paul reminds us that love is the greatest of the three.

Upon recalling this verse, I knew how to respond to my friend.

I told him that I did not like the circumstances any better than he did.

I then added that I refuse to allow the circumstance to dictate how I interact with others.

I believe one thing the world has lost touch with is that it is okay to disagree with people.

We do not have to like or approve of what they say or do.

We certainly do not have to adopt these ways ourselves.

We are, however, obligated to love them.

It is okay for us to disagree.

It is not okay for us to become disagreeable in the process!

The things we find most difficult in life are the result of us relying on our own strength.

Perhaps we should rely on His strength instead.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 17, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 24, 2019