DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - FRIDAY - WE PRESS ON. Part 2.

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. - Calvin Coolidge.

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - 2Tim 4:13-18. ESV .

Yesterday in Part, we discussed that there were times in the life of Paul, when he would like to have retreated, but on his greatest moments of human despondency, we always find these words of encouragement... I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Phi 3:14.

We said that there will be times in our lives as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, that we will feel like retreating, we will ask the question, "Is it really worth it?" and we will just feel like giving up, and some of the reasons that make us feel like giving up... People, Problems and Pressure, but we would find encouragement from the words of Paul... “I PRESS ON...”

WE PRESS ON EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN DESERTED and WE PRESS ON THROUGH FORGIVENESS! In our final part...

WE PRESS ON BECAUSE WE HAVE A FRIEND
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, - 2 Tim 4:17a. Demas had forsaken Paul, Titus was many miles away, but, CHRIST WAS FAITHFUL! He will always be faithful...

By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest truth, the heartiest counsel, and the greatest union of minds of which brave men and women are capable. Jeremy Taylor.

WE PRESS ON BECAUSE MANY FOLLOW US
so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. - 2 Tim 4:17b. Paul had won many converts to Christ, and he knew that if he did not go on, many would follow in his footsteps. He didn’t want to be a stumbling block.

So many times I have seen Christians retreat and return to the world, and I watch as young Christians are hurt and disappointed, and soon they follow in the footsteps of those who retreat.

A young Pastor was leaving his church for a new Church. Someone said, "Pastor I guess you are packing." The Pastor said that he had only a few things to pack into boxes. Then this person said, "There is one thing that you will not be able to pack, and you will have to leave it behind." "What is that", the pastor asked. "Your influence!" he said. – Source unknown.

WE MUST PRESS ON BECAUSE WE HAVE A FUTURE
So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - 2 Tim 4:17c-18. Paul knew somewhere in his heart that heaven would be worth it all. The day of great exchange:

• LONELINESS TO LIGHT
• SADNESS TO SATISFACTION
• HURTS TO HALLELUJAHS
• DESPERATION TO DELIGHT
• HIS CROSS FOR A CROWN
  
  

And the Lord shall deliver us, from every evil work! None of the evil plans formed against us to make us unfaithful or unstable, to cause us to save our lives at the expense of faith and a good conscience, shall ever prosper; our life may go, but He will preserve us unto His heavenly kingdom.

Each of us, bears that same hope for a blessed future, a future with Jesus. And on that truth we can declare, "We don’t regret an inch we’ve travelled for the Lord!"

During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often closed his speeches with the story of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. One day in 1789, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand.

Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, "The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought."

Rather than fearing what is to come, we are to be faithful till Christ returns. Instead of fearing the dark, we're to be lights as we watch and wait. - Harry Heintz.

WE PRESS ON! WE MUST, ALL OF US… PRESS ON, FOR THE GLORY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR… JESUS!

Loving Father, I thank you for the example that Jesus and Paul has set for me, in the arena of pressing on! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to understand that there are times when I will have to stand on my own, but Jesus will be there beside me. Help me Lord to press on through forgiveness, knowing that I will be an example to many on the way, and that my future lies in you, for your glory! In Jesus wonderful name I pray! Amen!

GBYAY