Hell-o ... anybody out there? I haven't posted anything for a year. I keep asking myself why I'm posting one now, had no comments on the last two. Well, when the Lord tells me to do something I at least try. I hope this helps someone.

I Give Up
By
Bradley C. Barnett
Inspired by the Holy Spirit


How many times have you just wanted to give up? Nothing in your life is going right; the plans you have made, the plans you want to make, a family member has left you hanging or maybe even your marriage is taking a strain, you feel like your world is collapsing in around you. The dictionary explains giving up as, hand over; deliver; surrender, stop having or doing, stop trying, have no more hope for, a yielding to force or pressure. Any of those sound familiar? I have experienced all of them, at once! Many of them at this very moment.
Why haven’t I just totally lost it? Because my faith in God’s Word. I look at people in the Bible like Moses, David, Job, Ruth and many more, all the way Paul and that’s including Jesus too. Did they ever feel like giving up? I’m sure they did, but what kept them going was their faith in God. Look at Psalms 102:4-8, part of the “prayer of the afflicted”; 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. Are you afflicted and overwhelmed at times like I am? It says in Matthew 10:29-33, and I shine with the words that Jesus spoke; 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Let’s stop here for a few minutes and pray. Thank God for all that He has done in our lives, confess our sins and ask forgiveness, then pour out our hearts for His mercy and be blessed with His grace when it comes, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Throughout the Bible men, and women, were fighting trials and tribulations, pressing on to do God’s will. Should we do any less?
I taught my children as they grew old enough to understand that if they take their hurt, whatever it may be, physical pain, sadness, whatever, and multiply it by 10 or 100 or even 1000 fold, that is what somebody else may be going through. There is always somebody, somewhere, worse off than you.
I am not the man I once was and at times I want to just give up. My faith in God will not let me. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews says a lot about faith but verse six says it all; 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. By faith, by faith, by faith, and it is the same today as it was 2,000, even 3,000 years ago, by faith I/We can have, as long as we give the glory to God.
So, do we give up or give in to the powers of God through His mercy and grace? My faith in the word of God will keep me afloat as I face sometimes a multitude of trials.

Give up? NEVER! Thank you father God for all that you have done, all that you are doing and all that is yet to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen

MGBYAKY + remember JLY

Bradley C. Barnett
10 Jan. 2012