13 Reasons To Keep GoingЗразок

GOD NEVER GIVES UP ON YOU “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities He screwed up – over and over and over again. That was the story of his life: mistakes, immoral decisions, letting anger, pride, and lust motivate his choices and determine his destiny. He had started with so much potential. So many great expectations. His mother was unable to bear a child. Until an angel appeared and declared that she would have a son. The boy would be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from even before birth. And he would grow up to “take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” The words of the angel were fulfilled. The woman gave birth and named her son Samson. “He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him.” The end. Not. Instead of following the Lord and living as a Nazirite, Samson began to follow his own physical appetites. He violated his vows by touching a corpse, he married a Philistine woman, he made crazy wagers, he went berserk when he lost bests, he visited prostitutes... Inexplicably (read: by the grace of God), Samson was given incredible strength and the Spirit of the Lord remained upon him throughout these frat boy-style escapades. The conclusion of Samson’s out of control life found him captive to his enemies, his eyes gouged out, and without the strength he was famous for. Yet even then, God responded to Samson’s cry for help. Brought into the Temple of Dagon to entertain the people, he asked God to restore his strength. God did, and Samson destroyed the place: “Thus he killed many more when he died than when he lived.” While he doesn’t make a great role model, Samson’s life is proof that God’s love is patient and enduring. He doesn’t give up on those who serve him – even those who screw up continually and monumentally. Maybe you’ve done things that you think God could never forgive. Or maybe you’re convinced He’s given up on you. Impossible. That’s not God. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” PRAYER: If you’ve made mistakes, ask God to forgive you. No matter what’s gone on in your life, remember that, like Samson, God can use you. He hears you when you pray. And He responds. Tell Him what you need.