Never give up
My dear friends, I want you to know that what has happened to me has helped to spread the good news. The Roman guards and all the others know I am here in jail because I serve Christ. Now most of the Lord’s followers have become brave and are fearlessly telling the message. Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help. They love Christ and know I am here to defend the good news about him. But the ones who are jealous of us are not sincere. They just want to cause trouble for me while I am in jail. But that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that people are telling about Christ, whether they are sincere or not. Philippians 1:12-18
The people I really massively respect in life are all determined. They face a challenge and they don’t give up, whatever is thrown at them the just keep going. And I really respect that. I know that success in life isn’t how smart you are, or where you were born, or what school you went to, but success in life is all about
never giving up
Thomas Edison, one of the 21st Century’s greatest inventors whose inventions included the phonograph, the light bulb (see original design above) and the motion picture camera stated:
None of my inventions came by accident. I see a worthwhile need to be met and I make trial after trial until it comes. What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.
If I am determined and apply myself I will eventually find a solution, I will eventually find success. But this includes failure, it includes getting things completely wrong and that is fine. Failure is all about refinement, all about working out what is the right way to go and the wrong way to go.
And it is the same with my faith, I have days where I feel discouraged and down, where I wonder how I can truly serve God given my sin, my ability to be greatly distracted by pointless stuff, to be tempted by the world. But I don’t ever give up. I keep on going!
And I see that in Paul, this amazing giant of the New Testament who just kept going despite being imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and bitten by snakes: he never gave up.
So here he is in jail, no doubt being treated very badly, sleeping poorly, being fed poorly and he remains positive, he remains determined to achieve one thing : All that matters is that people are telling about Christ. Wow.
The greek for telling about Christ means to announce, to proclaim, to celebrate. So what Paul is focused on, what he is encouraging the Philippians to share is the wonderful news of Jesus Christ, how Christ died on the cross so that we might come into the presence of God.
And this is a wonderful focus to have! And in pursuing this, in whatever I do I must never give up, just keep going and eventually it will happen.
Praise God!!
God bless ya
Mark
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Thank you
I needed this today! Thank you!!
Great one!,this peace came just at the time i needed it most.God bless you and keep up the good work.
Thanks I really couldn’t put into words what happens to me all the time. I am continually distracted to pointless stuff!! Then I don’t fell His closeness. One of the pointless stuff is the internet but praise God you are on here bringing back to God! And I soon hope to be part of a ministry that evangelizes on the internet! Praise God it won’t be pointless any more!!!
Thank you, that’s just what I needed to hear today!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Wonderful message.
I actually feel like switching off the tv and studying now 🙂 thanks
i love jesus christ. Amen
PEOPLE HAVE OFTEN ASKED ME HOW I KEEP ON GOING AFTER ALL I’VE BEEN THROUGH IN MY LIFE. I JUST TELL THEM GOD NEVER GAVE UP ON ME, I CAN’T GIVE UP EITHER. AFTER I GOT SICK MY HUSBAND WENT SHOPPING 1 DAY AND HE CALLED ME FROM THE STORE TO ASK ME IF I WOULD LIKE HIM TO BUY ME A BATH ROBE,AND WHAT COLOR DID I WANT. I TOLD HIM TO PLEASE GET ME A PINK ONE. HE ASKED ME WHY PINK,SO I TOLD HIM THAT WHENEVER HE SAW ME WALKING IN MY PINK BATHROBE I WANTED HIM TO THINK OF ME AS THE ENERGIZER BUNNY, BECAUSE LIKE THAT BUNNY I’M GOING TO KEEP GOING AND GOING, AND GOING.I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!!!
thanks alot mark..i reaally needed to hear this today…and if there are more encouraging and inspirational,blessing informatio please just send it to me in my email address
I know that success in life isn’t how smart you are, or where you were born, or what school you went to, but success in life is all about
never giving up I agree; however,
for some people, this would be second. First would be our salvation. It is sometimes taken for granted.
A honest thank you. A timely thought indeed, because I been having the same thought for weeks, where there were days, where the works I do seems to never work or it didn’t turn out as what I think it would be; be it worship or fellowship serivces.. and there were days where I am spiritually high and there were days where temptation and falling in sin is everywhere. But the Lord did whisper a few times to me, to never give up and keep pushing in. And turns out, I’m not the only one with that thought.. So, an honest thank you.
Thank you so much. I have been discouraged, on the verge of giving up; this has energized me. let me go right now for choir practice although poorly attended, I’ll try ‘never to give up’ hope I’ll succeed.
Thanx for this bolg. Never give up…seems to be something i need to focused on. It has been the theme of most of the conversations i have been having with people for the past week.
god bless keep on with gods work u can not go wrong stay incourage and keep incouragin t
others
That was awesome. Very encouraging and what I needed to hear. No matter what, don’t give up.
Wow, this is my life. I have fallen, felt defeated, lost two of my children, had two divorces, was hospitalized in a mental institution and have had financial crisis…But, my faith in my God has sustained me through it all. If you see me now, you would never imagine what I have been through. When we put all our trust in him especially in the hard times, he does not fail us and we become the biggest testimony of the power of God in our lives. His glory is visible in our suffering and ultimately in our victories…God Bless!!!!
Wonderful… 🙂
Tanks alot,l’m at d verge of givin up completly bt dis message gives life back in2 me n energy 2 drive on wit life…
What a wonderment the Word of God is…the Word is always giving you new perspective in your life. Today, it is about not giving up and talking about Christ. I always get a smile on my face when something refreshing hits me in the face that is found in the Word of God. I am smiling right now.
Well… I woke up this morning and my 13 year old threw a little piece of plastic and hit his 12 year old brother in the eye. This comes after I have found out that my ministry with youth in the inner city is continue to come upon road blocks. I’m trying to stay focused, but it is getting difficult. This passage is SO PERFECT for my day. Thanks. I won’t give up. Paul was blinded on the way to Damascus but he certainly sees the Gospel clearly now in this passage. This is my sons second Eye Injury. The first was somebody accidentally shooting him with an Airsoft Gun. My son has almost been blinded on two occasions. While the nurse was putting this ointment in my sons eye this morning, all I could think about was Ananias laying hands on Saul and the scales dropping off. My son sees fine because he has God. God healed him this morning and like a 75 year old woman once said to me about being a Christian “Just Keep Plowing Forward”.
I REFUSE TO GIVE UP AND GIVE SATAN A VICTORY. I KNOW THE WAR I’M FIGHTING AND HOW THE BATTLES ARE WON. THEY ARE WON BY THE POWER OF GOD ALMIGHTY AND BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS MY LORD AND SAVIOR. I GET UP EACH DAY AND THANK GOD FOR THE NEW DAY HE HAS GIVEN ME, AND THEN I YELL AT THE DEVIL AND I TELL HIM, TODAY I’M GOING TO PISS YOU OFF AND LIVE.
Thank-you for today’s message. After returning to college to get my bachelor’s degree, there were times I became discouraged and almost gave up. I prayed, and no matter the difficulties I encountered, I continued to stay with the program and am about to graduate. With prayer and determination, we can make it through the difficult times.
Thank you Mark…..I know that not giving up is hard at times……we get so caught up in the flesh and momentarily forget who we are……Praise God for you and others like you who help us stay focused on the MOST HIGH GOD and all of HIS blessings…..
Diana
I am truely thankful for this timely encouragement. I am experiencing my share of failure and disappointment, but i vowed in my heart by God’s grace and mercy that i will not give up..Its good to know that I am not alone, we can all identify in this area of our lives, and we can encourage each other, indeed “iron sharpens iron’. Our testimonies will give someone the courage to hold on a little longer. God bless u and let us keep on keeping on.
AMEN!!
Wow indeed! I have been studying Philippians and Romans, and I have been struck by the same things you mentioned Mark. Never distracted, always focused, and the most eloquent and passionate letters where his love and passion for Christ oozes from the pages! I also strive for that same kind of focus and determination to not allow worldly things to distract me. Thank you again for your blog! I look forward to it every day! Blessings!
It was encouraging… thanks
“Success in life is all about never giving up”
yes,no mater what colors yours . White black yellow .
You know, inside everybody one is most important thing is red. We’re doing well and keep the red healthy.
thank you.
BACK IN THE MID 1980S I FELT CALLED TO DO A STREET MINISTRY IN THE CITY I LIVED IN.I DIDN’T THINK I NEEDED A PERMIT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AS I WAS SPEAKING TO PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALKS,A PUBLIC WALK WAY AND WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ,AND I WASN’T ADVOCATING VIOLENCE OR ANY KIND OF TROUBLE IN ANY WAY. NUT I WAS APPROACHED BY A POLICE MAN AND WHEN I TOLD HIM WHAT I WAS DOING, HE TOOK ME TO CITY HALL AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO GET A PERMIT. CITY HALL KEPT GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS TIL A POLICEMAN I KNEW WENT TO BAT FOR ME. WHEN I WAS READY TO GIVE UP GOD SENT HELP. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE MINISTRY WAS A REALITY. I STILL HAD TROUBLE AS FAR AS PEOPLE WHO WOULD OR SHOULD I SAY WOULDN’T VOLUNTEER TO GO OUT WITH ME AND I KNEW GOD DIDN’T WANT ME GOING OUT BY MYSELF. BUT WE DID GET A FEW THINGS GOING. THEN MY HUSBAND GOT TRANSFERRED AND WE HAD TO MOVE TO MAINE. BUT THE STREET MINISTRY WENT ON AND GREW. BUT WHAT WOULD’VE HAPPENED IF I HAD GIVEN UP?
Wonderful post. This was exactly what I needed to hear today.
God bless you Mark!
Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration, at this point in my life i really needed this, again I say thanks
Mark, my brother, I need your advice. I am currently a teenager at school. In afew months time I will have he opportunity to apply for prefectship and head boy – these are positions that I’d love to try for and others have said that I have a good chance of getting them. I thank God for that. However, I feel that I am thinking too much about this and becoming prideful. Its as if I’m now trying to impress people and almost suck up to people so I can get that role. I know that getting it could be a great opportunity to glorify God – however I know also that I want the personal honour. I often possibly criticise and judge myself too harshly and overanalyse my actions, sometimes falsely and unnecessarily. I don’t know what God wants for me – I don’t know whether I should pull out all together because I’m thinking about it too much. I really want it though – I guess for myself rather than God, even though I could use the position for his glory. I can’t get it out of my mind and just try and live for God, leaving him to sort it out. I don’t know what to do or how to rid myself of these thoughts – I don’t know what God wants. I would really really appreciate your advice as it would be so helpful.
Thank you. God bless
Mark, I really appreciate this message on never giving up. It is much needed in the world we live in today. It is so easy to give up. We are pressured on every side, relationships, finances, family, health, jobs, etc. I’ve found that even when I don’t understand and don’t know what to do, if I don’t cave in to the pressure, eventually God helps me go through to the other side. There are still some things I am waiting to see manifest and I know I cannot give up if I want to experience the joy of seeing God’s Word fulfilled in my life. I have come to realize that it really is darkest right before dawn. Thanks for sharing!
I so needed words of encouragement today thank you Mark!
God bless you x
That’s a wonderful message!! Thank you…
Thank you, Mark for an encouraging message. God is Good!
After 10 long years… in December I will finally be the first college graduate in my family to have a Bachelor’s Degree! I am so excited and I feel so accomplished!!!!
My childhood wasn’t awful but it was far from perfect. I’ve had so many emotional setbacks that had me in a rollercoaster at times. I’ve worked full time since the day I was 18 yrs old (when most kids my age are partying in college in the States), and I dropped out of high school my senior year.
The day I decided I was going to have a college degree I NEVER GAVE UP on that dream! Now I work for a Fortune 500 company working in an executive department and my future looks brighter and brighter everyday! Thanks to the Glory of my Lord and Savior… Jesus Christ!!!!
It’s not to say that I don’t have trials and tribulations. I wouldn’t be who I am today with out those experiences. God know’s I will have further trials in the future. But I know that I can always look back and remember NOT TO GIVE UP because it is what allows me to move forward. Amen!
What a great message. Really spoke to me.
Mothers Day is soon.The Joy of the LORD is my strength! Many trials are coming my way as a mother I had wanted a way out……..I almost wanted to give up but I remembered these words “Come to me all who are burdened & I will give you rest!!!I will cling on LORD to you for I know you will not put me in a situation where I’m not able to handle.Be with me …in times when I thought I did not see your footsteps behind me I can be SURE you have carried me through!!!!
Praise be to God Almighty.What an awesome God we serve. I too, like all of you have gotten into a dry spell about being close to God. It reflects in my prayer life. But then there is something that brings me back to not giving up on a God who love me so much that he did’nt spare his son so he could give us all a new life. I also go back to all that he has gotten me thru. I could’nt have done it without him and I know that whatever comes my way I can always rely on Jesus who gave up his life to save me. We serve a God that has done wonderous deeds in the past and will always do wonderous deeds in the present and the future. Jesus has given me the beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit to help me thru all. So that is why I don’t give up. I cling to the cross and I don’t let go.I thank you all for the encouragement I get when we share our thoughts. God Blessings to all.
I really enjoy your emails. This one especially because I have had many friends who have thrown in the towel and given up, to find out that life continues and they need to get back on the right track. I do the same in small ways in many areas of my life. I am from Compton and its difficult to follow Christ when many people dont understand the bigger picture of how important Jesus is and how He will continue to shape us daily if we follow Him. As for a Edisen, it shows that life is learning to get up the next day to try and make a better choice without giving up so that everyday you get closer to that light at the end of the tunnel
Thanks Mark,
The encouragement to (in the words of winston churchill) ‘Never, never, never give up” is very relevant. as it seem to be for a lot of people.
Hmm I wonder if thats because we find ourselves facing surmountable (I didn’s say Insurmountable because well later in Phillipians we get pauls assertion that he can do all things in CHRIST who strengthenes him) odds in life and without as much encouragement as we need
Your insights are tasteful and add a creamy dimension to the succulent dish of the Holy Scriptures. However, I am bothered by the monotony of basic learning perpetuated throughout the younger Church body. Maybe you are sharing your journey of learning as you go along and keeping the less educated Christians up-to-date with your personal growth. If that is the case, then I commend you again for your excellent point of view.
Once again, I mention the however!
The true power of God is mental/physical/spiritual/emotional healing, resurrection, deliverance from anything including chains, prisons, addictions or demonic possession. I would like to add that my faith in God is absolute so I will include regeneration of body parts as well. To ignore this power is to ignore the Holy Spirit and anyone who’s studied the Holy Scriptures knows that you do not want to do that.