You're Too Close To Quit!

Revelation 14:12
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

As the time of Jesus’ return gets closer the devil’s attack is going to increase because he knows his time is short. No one knows the time or day when Jesus will return but we can recognize the signs of the time; Wars and rumors of war, plagues, famines, and persecution of those who follow Jesus. It’s enough to make you want to give up. Many of us have suffered from Post Traumatic Stress disorder. It’s what most soldiers suffer with after they have been through the trauma of war and been through prolonged fight or flight. Although soldiers go through ten times worse trauma than we could ever imagine still our minds are fatigued from the stress of living through this recession.

This past year has made many of us entertain giving up the fight. One lady the other day said, “I’m tired, I can’t do this anymore. I just want to end my life.” I wanted to encourage you and her this morning by saying, “you’re too close to quit now!” There is a breakthrough, a turn around waiting on the Body of Christ. 2011 God is going to come through and restore much of what we lost last year. This economy is recovering but we have got to patiently endure or we will miss the turn around.

As Christians, we must practice patient endurance. The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to those that endure to the end. Those that wait on the Lord will renew their strength they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get weary. They will walk and not faint.

How do we patiently endure?

1. We have to encourage each other. As Christians, we have to consistently encourage each other through words of affirmation, inbox, texts and telephone calls. You should send someone a note of encouragement this morning. It could be the difference between life and death for them. I Thes 5:11

2. We have to encourage ourselves in the Lord. I Sam 30:6 sometimes instead of waiting on somebody to encourage you, you have to encourage yourself like David did.

3. Regularly attend worship. Hebrews 10:25 It’s in worship where we encounter the spirit of God and we can touch & agree with other believers through the power of prayer.

4. Obey God’s commandments. James 1:23 Jesus said if you love me then keep my commandments.

5. Remain Faithful to Jesus. Revelation 21:7

Dear God, give us the strength to endure. Our reward awaits us if we do not shrink back. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. Weeping may endure for the night but Joy comes in the morning. Thank you for getting me through the night. Its morning Time!

In Jesus Name,
Amen