If You Persist, You Will Prevail

'...Don't give up.' Galatians 6:9 NLT

I woke up this morning feeling my right hand and I commented to Amy that it felt like I had a fight with someone last night. I said, you better check I didn't smack you or something by accident. She laughed and said no I'm sure I would feel it this morning. So I asked God what's going on? I immediately knew I was in a spiritual fight last night. The battle for the second part of this weeks message is already on. Am I going to compromise the word and give up or stick it to the devil and prevail through Christ...What happens when stuff like that happens to you? Do you give up? Or do you Prevail? Most of us underestimate the time it takes to achieve anything of lasting value. You've got to be willing to pay your dues. Cutting corners is a sign of impatience and poor self-discipline. The secret of every breakthrough is to follow through. Albert Gray says, 'The common denominator of all success lies in forming the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do.' If you find yourself continually giving in to your moods, you need to change your approach to doing things. To do this, you must set standards for yourself that require accountability. Suffering a consequence for not following through will keep you on track like nothing else. Once your new standards are in place, work according to them, not your moods; that will get you going in the right direction. Self-discipline is a quality that's won only through practice. Successful people have learned to do what doesn't come naturally. They are willing to confront discomfort, distractions and doubt, and act in spite of them because they know with "Christ all things are possible!" RH Macy, founder of Macy's department stores, failed at five different professions-whaler, retail clerk, gold miner, stockbroker, real estate broker-before he finally succeeded. When asked what sustained him through failure after failure he replied, 'Purpose and persistence.' That's what separates those who achieve from those who merely dream! It's why Paul wrote: 'Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.' (Galatians 6:9 NLT) You are loved...