ABOVE ALL NEVER,NEVER,NEVER,NEVER,NEVER QUIT!
Gal. 6:9
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I have ransacked the Scriptures to find a Scripture which will encourage each of you to stay in the battle, and I found it in Gal. 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (NKJ) “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” (Living Bible).
Please note with me the nuggets of liberating truth therein:
1. The word “WEARY” is the word that actually depicts a person who is TEMPTED TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AND QUIT.
2. God then commands us not to surrender to such a temptation.
3. For He promises in “DUE SEASON” to give us a harvest we don’t quit.
4. “DUE SEASON” means a specific, individual time when our effort will produce a harvest.
5. The words “WE SHALL REAP” describes a future, fixed event.
6. PROVIDED “IF WE FAINT NOT.” Or quit.
7. The Greek word “FAINT NOT” PICTURES A PERSON WHO HAS BECOME SO WEARY THAT HE GIVES UP AND FORFEITS WHAT HE HAS BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR AND THAT HE WAS SO CLOSE TO REAPING. BUT IN ORDER TO REACH THE POINT OF REAPING, YOU MUST HOLD TIGHT TO WHAT GOD HAS COMMANDED YOU TO DO AND REMEMBER THAT GOD HIMSELF HAS SET A SEASON WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD AND WILL WILL PRODUCE IF YOU WON’T DISRUPT THE PROCESS.
Application to Mentoring Men for the Master Int’l:
1. What an incredible joy I have witnessed for many years – a growing number of mentorees who have stayed in the battle, thorough pain and problems and who today are reaping a wonderful relationship with Jesus, their families, the lost, etc. and introducing others to the path of victory which has brought such joy to their lives.
2. But alas, what an incredible sorrow to witness too many who begin Mentoring Men for the Master with high expectations for a time, then grow weary as they face the pain of consistent attendance, accountability with their partner, memorizing a few verses weekly, etc.
3. Completely ignoring the warning of Hebrews 12:11, “ Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (KJV). “ Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.” (Living Bible).
4. Please revisit the compassionate appeal of Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJ) “ Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.” (Living Bible)
Conclusion:
AT THE VERY OUTSET of our new Module, I beseech you, because of the promise and power of God, to make an “ADVANCE DECISION”, this week, if you have not already, to “NOT GROW WEARY BUT STAY IN THE BATTLE AND CLAIM THE VICTORY GOD PROMISES IN “DUE SEASON,” WHICH WILL NOT FAIL TO COME because God who “cannot lie” (Titus 1:3) has promised.
AND NEVER FORGET, IT’S ALWAYS TOO EARLY TO QUIT, for NO ONE FAILS AS LONG AS HE STAYS IN THE BATTLE, NO MATTER HOW TOUGH.
AND NO ONE WINS WHO QUITS – God forbid that you not, for His glory and your exceeding great joy!
Your Fellow Struggler, In It to Win It Alongside You, Until He Comes,
Bill Bennett
POINTS TO PONDER:
1. There are 16 Weeks in a Module.
2. If you come 16 weeks and do the simple weekly assignments, you will have a perfect attendance, and you may reap and certainly grow closer to the harvest.
3. If you come ¾ of the time (12 Weeks), you are still in the battle.
4. If you come ½ of the time (8 Weeks), you are in grave danger of quitting.
5. If you come ¼ of the time (4 Weeks), you can’t possibly reap the harvest.
6. If you come less than ¼, you have lost the battle.
7. ANY HOPE NOW: YES, YOU CAN RETURN, which some have, and reaped a brilliant harvest.
8. But most never return and I am literally heart-broken as I see the defeat and disaster in their lives.
Question to Ponder:
IS THERE A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE FREQUENCY OF YOUR ATTENDANCE AT M3 AND YOUR DEGREE OF INTIMACY WITH JESUS? IF SO, HOW AND WHY?