Have you ever wanted to give up when things got tough? You are not alone.
Yet the Bible encourages us to press on and never give up.
The apostle Paul wrote about pressing on in Philippians 3:12, "...
but I press on to take hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
" Verse 14 says, "I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ.
" The word "press" means to exert (put out) steady (firm) weight or force against; to advance eagerly; to push forward.
The mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus is the path He has chosen for you.
God's plan for you is always better than your plan.
In the Bible, we see the perfect example of pressing on in the person of David.
David, the shepherd boy, pressed on as we see in I Samuel 14:48, "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly TOWARD the battle line to meet him (Goliath).
" This is how we ought to be in our spiritual walk.
Despite obstacles, distractions, and defeats, we must press on.
God has called us for a purpose.
Through opposition, you press forward.
It may not be easy at times but it can be done.
How do we press on? Here are a few ways: o We need to always pray, watch and be ready.
In Nehemiah 4:17-18 it says, "Everyone with one of his hands worked in the work, and with the other held his weapon.
Everyone had his sword girded by his side and so built.
" In other words, while we go about our business, we need to always have a weapon on hand just in case we confront the enemy.
What weapon you say? The Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit.
o Memorize scriptures so you can declare them in times of adversity.
Declare the scriptures that contradict your situation and that push away the enemy.
o We need to put on the armor of God as discussed in Ephesians 6:13-17.
"Therefore, put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day (of danger), and having done all (the crisis demands), to stand (firmly in your place).
o Keep the faith and never doubt.
James 1:6 says, "...
he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
" o Be steadfast.
I Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord`s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
" o Avoid putting all your attention on the things that distract you.
Do not lose focus of your goal.
o Be obedient despite circumstances and disappointment.
o Take authority.
David took authority when fighting Goliath as found in I Samuel 17:45.
"David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
" o Have confidence.
David never doubted for a second that he could defeat Goliath because he knew God was on his side.
I Samuel 17:46 says, "This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head...
" If that's not confidence, I don't know what is.
o Never give up.
Jesus told a parable about a persistent woman and a judge.
Luke 18:1 says, "Also (Jesus) told them a parable, to the effect that they must always pray and not give up.
" This means...
PRESS ON! I encourage you to continue to press on because in the end it will all work out.
2012 copyright Mary L.
Rivera
Yet the Bible encourages us to press on and never give up.
The apostle Paul wrote about pressing on in Philippians 3:12, "...
but I press on to take hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
" Verse 14 says, "I press on toward the goal to win the (supreme and heavenly) prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ.
" The word "press" means to exert (put out) steady (firm) weight or force against; to advance eagerly; to push forward.
The mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus is the path He has chosen for you.
God's plan for you is always better than your plan.
In the Bible, we see the perfect example of pressing on in the person of David.
David, the shepherd boy, pressed on as we see in I Samuel 14:48, "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly TOWARD the battle line to meet him (Goliath).
" This is how we ought to be in our spiritual walk.
Despite obstacles, distractions, and defeats, we must press on.
God has called us for a purpose.
Through opposition, you press forward.
It may not be easy at times but it can be done.
How do we press on? Here are a few ways: o We need to always pray, watch and be ready.
In Nehemiah 4:17-18 it says, "Everyone with one of his hands worked in the work, and with the other held his weapon.
Everyone had his sword girded by his side and so built.
" In other words, while we go about our business, we need to always have a weapon on hand just in case we confront the enemy.
What weapon you say? The Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit.
o Memorize scriptures so you can declare them in times of adversity.
Declare the scriptures that contradict your situation and that push away the enemy.
o We need to put on the armor of God as discussed in Ephesians 6:13-17.
"Therefore, put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day (of danger), and having done all (the crisis demands), to stand (firmly in your place).
o Keep the faith and never doubt.
James 1:6 says, "...
he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
" o Be steadfast.
I Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord`s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
" o Avoid putting all your attention on the things that distract you.
Do not lose focus of your goal.
o Be obedient despite circumstances and disappointment.
o Take authority.
David took authority when fighting Goliath as found in I Samuel 17:45.
"David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
" o Have confidence.
David never doubted for a second that he could defeat Goliath because he knew God was on his side.
I Samuel 17:46 says, "This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head...
" If that's not confidence, I don't know what is.
o Never give up.
Jesus told a parable about a persistent woman and a judge.
Luke 18:1 says, "Also (Jesus) told them a parable, to the effect that they must always pray and not give up.
" This means...
PRESS ON! I encourage you to continue to press on because in the end it will all work out.
2012 copyright Mary L.
Rivera
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