"The Fruit of Never Giving Up"

Reflections4Life™ January 13, 2019

“The Fruit of Not Giving Up”

“…holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:16

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 12:14; 14:14; Matthew 7; 1 Corinthians 15; Galatians 2

©Ruthe McDonald. "Through the Storms"

Every promise ever made by God is happening. However, it may seem to be taking a long time. And in the time of waiting, trials, tests, and circumstances out of our control can take place. They will both strengthen us and teach us lessons, or they will break us and have us giving up. While we are waiting, we are working; working towards the goals that God has ordained for our lives. We are also striving and determining not to give up. There is a harvest that comes from not giving up, the fruit of our labor. When we do not give up; when we press forward believing what God has spoken, having and walking in faith, we are creating an atmosphere conducive to the blessings of God waiting to manifest in our lives.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Beloved, be determined to run the race. Do not give up on the promises of God for your life and for the lives of those you love and have been praying for. Seek the Father. Pray earnestly and often. There is a harvest with your name on it. Good fruit from the labor, and prayers you have diligently given.

Sometimes in life, we reach a road in our lives that feel like things are at a standstill or, are going backward. It seems like there is no progression taking place when all we want to see are answers to our prayers, solutions to our problems, promises coming to pass. We are holding on, keeping the faith, continuing to believe in the word and promises of God. Yet, the opposition against us grows heavy, and the enemy’s whispers and taunts grow louder and bolder.

We are nearing the end of a race. The finish line—though not in sight—is actually right around the corner but the enemy would have us to believe it is much further along; that we are too far away to ever cross the finish line of our hopes, dreams, and visions. God, in His infinite love and mercies, has sent us encouragers, angels in both natural and supernatural form, to help us cross the finish line. Only, we have to cross that on our own. They are only there to bring encouragement and remind us of the promises of God. Only we can run our race but if we pay attention, at many junctures, Christ has been carrying us. Right at those times, we thought we’d die; that we believed we couldn’t go on. Through the storms, the fires, the losses, the heartaches, and heartbreaks—Jesus has been carrying us, encouraging us to push forward; to not give up no matter what things appear to be.

The Father knows what waits for us, and so do we if we would dare to believe what God has promised us, and what we have asked for has been granted. Many of us are at a crossroads in our lives, wondering if all that we believed in and waited for was a wise choice or if we have been lied to, or made the wrong choice, or went the wrong way. It is often hard to see the finish line or to recognize the markers on the road that tell us we are almost to our destination because we have been distracted by the whispers and lies of the enemy. We have taken our eyes off God, stopped speaking what He has spoken over our lives, and have not pulled down the strongholds nor denounced the lies of the enemy, but instead, entertained them.

There will be brick walls, ditches, roadblocks, potholes, naysayers, liars, distractions, and a host of things along our life’s journey that we can and will overcome because God has said so, and we have made up our minds to believe the report of the Lord, and not turn away or turn back. This stance—never giving up—produces a harvest of great fruit in our lives. We are closer to our breakthrough and miracles than we know. When we do not give up, we are producing strength, character, faith, and great fruit. Whatever God has spoken and declared over your life, believe Him, and walk accordingly.

I have held on, believing the word of God. I have kept it hidden in my heart, even when I had no understanding. Now the fog is lifting, and I am seeing the meaning behind so many trials and tests. My praying was not in vain. Neither was my labor. I now understand I was not ready for the magnitude of the blessings of God …then. Now I am ready. Hallelujah!

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Do not rush the process or try to move ahead of God. Allow His will to unfold in your life as God has an abundance of things He desires to make known in your life. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. Let the reward of never giving up be your portion today and every day that God grants you. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing.

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.