Don’t Give Up - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Don’t Give Up

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12-13, NKJV)

Cross country runners face it, approaching, at last, the long, steep hill climb to complete the race. Boxers in the 7^th round feel it when exhaustion burns in their tightening arm muscles. Wrestlers going into the third period of a fierce competition, against a ruthless opponent, know it, and must call up the strength within them to get to the final bell and not get pinned, but get the win.

They can’t quit. They must not give up, even moments before when that prized victory shout is about to happen, while slightly, even so slightly, they consider that it might not come.

A young mother, carrying the ever growing new life within, holds on to make it to the end of the nine long months, hoping, but yet a bit uncertain, if all will come out right, with their child having the ten fingers and the ten toes that will be just perfect.

Even the pastor of 12 years, having given as much as he thought he had to give out, must not stop and give up, nor give in. He must still call upon the name of the Lord, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. He must keep looking to the One who started him on this journey, and not let discouragement and lack of results end the still young man’s initial dream.

We all will face the temptation to call it quits, to end what was started, having begun with so many large expectations, only to look back and think it will never, ever happen. Those big plans and deep desires, instilled years before, seem to be fading away, with the sun setting once again, ending the day the way it began.

Through it all, we must not quit. We must not let the daily grind wear us down, wring us out, or leave us laying on the side of the road. Despair, hopelessness, exhaustion, nor failed dreams must not keep us from that which our Lord Jesus has called us to. With the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we can fight the good fight, rise to the call on our lives, and finish that which He has started.

How? With His ever-present grace, His unending mercy, and through His love which is continually poured out on us His beloved. That is how we can do it. That is who we are because that is Who He made us to be.

Whether you are 18, going on 37, or have reached the “60 and older” plateau of life, we can, we must, we will be continually assured that the One who saved us, redeemed us, called us into His life to share with us, will keep us and deliver us to the glory that awaits us at the end.

We cannot do it on our own, but He can and will do that which He has planned and purposed for us. His sure promises of fulfilling those deep desires, the heavenly hopes, the daily dreams that He Himself put within us at the beginning of time, will come to pass. Of this, I am certain, for He truly is the Faithful God we serve.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.” (Revelations 19:11-12, NASU)

Our Lord is not sitting upon His throne, just watching to see if we are going to make it. He is actively involved, certain of the beginning and the end, and will ride in victory once His eternal plan is completed. And through it all, He is protecting, directing, establishing and fulfilling His will in each of our lives, bringing encouragement and certainty as we keep our eyes fixed on Him.

This we can be assured of. For the Bible tells us so.

Don’t give up. Don’t quit before the light of day comes forth. Keep pressing on and grab hold of the beautiful plan He has for our lives. It may be tough at times, but the end is going to be worth it all.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

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Now Think On This #358 - in the year of our Lord 10.25.18 – “Don’t Give Up”, Thursday, 5:05 am 

Christy Johnston: "A Season of Replenishment and Repositioning" - THE ELIJAH LIST

Christy Johnston: "A Season of Replenishment and Repositioning"

Jul 16, 2017

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

I think we ALL need replenishment and refreshing along our journey...if you are in need of that RIGHT NOW, you have got to read this awesome word and vision from Christy Johnston of Australia.

In this word Christy shares a vision about weary and wounded warriors:

I saw these warriors were not only restored and refreshed but RE-ENERGIZED with GREATER RESOLVE to fulfill the call of God upon their lives – they had a fire in their eyes unlike any I have seen before. The enemy's attempts to scream his lies and threats to them fell on deaf ears as their once weary bodies and spirits were REVIVED with the TRUTH. I watched as they marched back onto the path God had prepared for them and I saw MANY following behind them.

Whatever challenges you may be facing...let God strengthen and replenish you right in the middle of your path! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Enjoy! And thanks for forwarding this to your friends! They can subscribe here.

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News 
http://www.elijahlist.com

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"A Season of Replenishment and Repositioning"

Christy Johnston, Gold Coast, Australia

A Whisper About a Juniper Tree

A number of weeks ago, I woke up after literally hearing the Holy Spirit whispering to me all night long in my sleep. It was bizarre because although it is quite normal for me to dream almost nightly, this was no dream. I can only describe it as though the Holy Spirit was right up in my ear with His soothing voice and whispering into my spirit just two words repetitively as I slept. He simply whispered, "Juniper Tree."

I woke up somewhat perplexed and immediately wrote it down and then did not think much else of it, until I was sitting with my daughters later that morning watching one of their favorite shows with them. One of the characters on this children's "horse" show suddenly mentioned out of nowhere how he had made for himself a saddle, out of...you guessed it...A JUNIPER TREE! I almost fell off the couch and said out loud, "Okay Holy Spirit, You have my attention!"

The last few weeks have been a treasure hunt of sorts and I believe Holy Spirit's message relating to this tree is a word to the Body of Christ – particularly to those who have been "battle weary" and exhausted.

"I am Replenishing Your Strength"

"I saw these warriors were not only restored and refreshed but RE-ENERGIZED with GREATER RESOLVE to fulfill the call of God upon their lives – they had a fire in their eyes unlike any I have seen before."

Immediately, I was drawn to the story of Elijah, where the showdown with the false prophets of Baal had just taken place (See 1 Kings 19). In a time where Elijah should have been celebrating the victory God delivered through him, he was instead weary and susceptible to the lies and threats of the enemy. Rather than finding solace in the Father, whom moments ago He was entirely dependent upon, he suddenly found himself running from an empty and powerless threat. He wandered into the wilderness and found refuge under a Juniper tree and asked God to take his life.

Here, I saw a vision of many of God's children that have found themselves in recent weeks in this same position. I saw a picture of sons and daughters alike who were covered in dirt, blood and scars. They had seen many ongoing days of warfare and were contending for victory. Some were on the other side of their victory while others were still in the thick of the battle, but both looked utterly fatigued.

The fight had brought them to a place of weariness and exhaustion and they were dragging their feet, barely able to stand up as they wandered around aimlessly. Like Elijah, I saw that they felt as though they could not fight anymore and just wanted to give up entirely.

I felt the Father's compassion and love for these soldiers – His beloved ones. I then saw that these weary warriors were susceptible to the lies and empty threats of the enemy. I could hear the enemy as he began taunting and his lies rung out through the atmosphere and it sounded powerful and daunting.

I was drawn closer to the enemy himself and I saw he was holding a megaphone. His feeble voice sounded intimidating and it was causing these warriors to run and hide from his threats. In actuality, his words were bluff and they carried NO weight or credibility – it was merely projected in a tone that appeared loud and frightening but he had no power to do anything. I then saw these warriors scattering and running to evade the apparent danger. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

"Find Rest Under My Covering"

As they ran, the fear of the enemy's empty intimidation had misguided them into a wilderness and they were crying out to God, "Where are You? Have You forgotten me?" They were beyond depleted, both physically and spiritually. Again, I felt the Father's compassion for them. They were searching for cover and shade, susceptible to mirages and lies and they were feeling as though God had abandoned them. When suddenly, I saw Juniper trees begin to sprout up alongside streams of gushing water that came forth in the MIDDLE of the desert.

The Father had NOT forgotten them nor had He abandoned them. He made a way for them in the MIDDLE of their exhaustion and weariness. Knowing they could not take another step, He provided REST, COVERING and REPLENISHMENT to them in the middle of the desert heat and hid them under the umbrella of His protection.

Juniper trees are a fascinating prophetic image. They are known to grow in deserts alongside streams of water and they are used as a shelter and a covering from scorching conditions. They are a part of the evergreen family – which means their leaves are always green, no matter the season, and they can grow in harsh environments. Ironically, the Juniper is shaped like an umbrella.

Just recently, a beautiful friend gave me Juniper Essential Oil and in researching about it, I found that it carries many healing properties – essentially it helps to protect wounds from infection and it helps to improve blood circulation, which aids in removing toxins from the body.

"In a time where Elijah should have been celebrating the victory God delivered through him, he was instead weary and susceptible to the lies and threats of the enemy."

I believe the Juniper is a picture of the Father's wings, covering and protecting His beloved ones, providing rest, replenishment and healing. He removes toxins and prevents our wounds from becoming "infected" when we hide under His shadow.

As this vision continued, I heard the Father say to His warriors hiding under His shelter, "Beloved, arise and EAT!" I then saw them pick up a loaf of bread that had the word TRUTH engraved onto it. It had been laid before them and they literally devoured it. They were eating of His Word in their weariness and I watched as the countenance upon their faces was REPLENISHED and miraculously strengthened.

A Time of Repositioning

When Elijah too, ate the food prepared for him a second time, this food then strengthened him to go on a journey for forty days to the mountain of God. It was at this very mountain that God came to him in a still small voice and repositioned him on the path he needed to go.

I then saw in the vision a picture of these warriors also being REPOSITIONED. Where they had lost the strength to fight, God was not only RESTORING the strength that was lost in the previous battle, He was equipping them with SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH by guiding them back into the heart of His presence.

It was in this place of surrender and quiet stillness that the Father REPOSITIONED their hearts with a RESOLVE of a new purpose for their heavenly assignments. I saw that NO ground had been lost and that this season of refreshing was needed to RE-EQUIP them with tools and supernatural strength to raise up others like them to bring the manifest Kingdom of God to the earth (see 1 Kings 19:19).

I saw these warriors were not only restored and refreshed but RE-ENERGIZED with GREATER RESOLVE to fulfill the call of God upon their lives – they had a fire in their eyes unlike any I have seen before.The enemy's attempts to scream his lies and threats to them fell on deaf ears as their once weary bodies and spirits were REVIVED with the TRUTH. I watched as they marched back onto the path God had prepared for them and I saw MANY following behind them. (Photo via Pixabay)

The trail behind them was blazing with FIRE as their heavenly assignment became a light in the darkness, calling others back to where they belonged and equipping them to also fulfill the call of God on their lives. The strength that was restored to them under the Juniper tree became the very strength they rode upon as a saddle. These trailblazing warriors burned with FRESH purpose and unquenchable fire in their eyes.

Everlasting Strength in Place of Weariness

I prophesy and declare over those who have been battle weary:

Your season of replenishment is upon you. Just as the Juniper is an evergreen, I see that your STRENGTH will supernaturally EVER-LAST. It will be an ongoing strength in every season as a testimony for others of the Lord's goodness over your life. The Father is restoring and repositioning you for greater days ahead. Arise and eat, warrior! Your days of exhaustion and weariness are behind you.

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the Juniper, and instead of briers the Myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever." (Isaiah 55:12-13)

Nate and Christy Johnston

Everyday Revivalists
Email: nateandchristy@everydayrevivalists.com
Website: www.everydayrevivalists.com

Christy Johnston was born and raised in Australia. After living the majority of her life plagued with insecurity and fear, she came to learn the power of her identity in Christ. She now lives with the mandate to breathe fresh hope and life into God's sons and daughters through her passion of writing, uncovering the truths of living in grace and freedom through our identity in Christ. Nate and Christy have two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie, and currently live on the Gold Coast in Australia.

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