Winston Churchill
"Never Surrender“
"We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!"
—House of Commons, 4 June 1940, following the evacuation of British and French armies from Dunkirk as the German tide swept through France
My Grand Father who recently joined the Lord was present at Dunkirk as a Royal Engineer, one of the last to be snatched from the beach, I thank God he was he deliverd on his calling and his gifts and stand in his spirit as a shield bearer in our current war.
"Never Give In"
"This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
—Harrow School, 29 October 1941. It is commonly believed that Churchill stood up, gave the three-word speech, "Never give in!," and sat down. This is incorrect, as is the suggestion, variously reported, that the speech occurred at Oxford or Cambridge. It was on his first visit to his old school, Harrow, where he would continue to return for the annual "Songs," making his last appearance in 1961.
Never Give up..
We should never ever give up
We need to keep confidence in God and trust in him for all things
Jeremiah 17:7 - 8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.“
The key thing is keeping trust in God and believe me we need to as we are in deep in a war zone well behind enemy lines
If we could see the spiritual landscape around us its more like world war II than the green and pleasant land our eyes tell us
It a War zone it’s a place of conflict and strife and I have to tell you this you have a deadly enemy who is seeking your destruction
He is satan the devil, the evil one against all things of God
Seeking to rob you of your joy and peace
Seeking to use you to bring pain and hate into this world
Seeking to use you and abuse you
He will if you let him, we need to stand firm, never give in and never ever surrender
Take heart we have a greater defender than our enemy
In fact the truth is our enemy is defeated but still in occupation
Yes take heart lets consider our hearts before we journey onwards
Our Hearts
Have you ever thought what it is the God treasures
I mean really loves, really is desperate to win and hold?
Not the universe, he made that and could make more if he wanted
No I believe the precious things of God are our hearts
The heart of man, set free from God by the gift of free will, God want us to love him to seek him to be passionate for him and him alone above all others things and desires
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him
1 Samuel 16: 7 Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
Proverbs 27 :19 As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
Luke 12: 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Malachi 3:17-18 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Matthew 6: 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
2 Corinthians 4: 6 – 8 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, "made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair
Not in despair, we should never give up as God loves us
Never Give up on our Calling
Each of us has a unique calling from God
I believe that God has for each of us a unique plan and purpose, if you like a destiny for each of us
This is something the enemy will not want you to achieve, will try and deflect you, make you give in turn away from your calling
Ever hear that voice that says “your not good enough”, or perhaps as you hear me the thought is its not me I’m not special, bet God doesn’t even know I’m here, how can I be special have a destiny and on it goes
This my friends is not from God, its not even from your heart your heart is good, its rooted in lies, so it comes from the prince of lies, trying to make you give up, surrender before you begin, because he’s afraid of what you can be what God will help you be
Perhaps your afraid to, Esther was when the time for her calling came
An evil man named Haman convince King Xerxes to exterminate all of the Jews (sound like recent history?), Mordecai a Jew had an adopted Jewish daughter Ester. Ester was very beautiful and as in the process of being prepared for the Kings harem, this involved being bathed in perfume and oils for a year. She would be executed if she did not follow the rules, especially if she went un summoned into the presence of the King, her only hope then was for the king to extend the gold scepter to her and spare her life, if he did not she was dead. Mordecai knew that the only hope for Jewish people was for Ester to beg for mercy from the King, we join the story just after Mordecai told Ester this.
Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, "All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Never Give up on our Calling
Ester went, the King made her Queen and Haman was undone for his evil, hanged and Mordecai was given his position in the Kings favour, the Jewish people were delivered and saved a great example of not giving up on your calling
Do you get it, you to are in your position for a time such as this
You could be on the verge on achieving the purpose God has for you
By giving up who knows what might not happen or what might happen in terms of evil gaining the upper hand
Stand firm your King is mightier than any earthly king
As it says in Galatians 6:9 – 10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Find your calling, your kingdom task and stick with it, how you may ask, well ask God in prayer he will tell you
And also follow your heart, what do you enjoy doing, what do you dream of doing, what do you think you can do but would never tell anyone as it is just so big so grand they would laugh at you, its not big for God, you’re his child ask and seek find your heart and calling and defend it, stand firm hold on
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Stand firm
1 Peter 5:8-10 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Stand firm never give up on your calling
Never Give up your Gifts
Hebrews 2: 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
When we give our heart to Jesus we are sealed in the Holy Spirit, being sealed in the holy Sprit we are also given gifts, which satan definitely does not want us or the church to use and unpack, why?
The gifts have the purpose of building up, edifying, to strengthen the church and the body of believers
The gifts simply allow then for believers to do what God has called us to do, allowing his divine power into our lives our hearts and through that act we then can be used to bring Glory to God and advance his kingdom his purposes here on earth
The gifts allow God to use you fully for his purposes take you beyond what you in your own strength could achieve, when we face the Lords judgement seat we all will be asked how we used the gifts or talents given us, so get using….
So what are these gifts, well just to give a brief over view:
1 Corinthians 12:27-29 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
No but we have our part and without the whole the church will not function or be a power against evil it is called to be
Gifts of the Spirit - What Are They?
Gifts of the Spirit - The Definitions The gift of wisdom seems to be the ability to make decisions and give guidance that is according to God’s will.
The gift of knowledge is the ability to have an in-depth understanding of a spiritual issue or situation.
The gift of faith is being able to trust God and encourage others to trust God, no matter the circumstances.
The gift of healing is the miraculous ability to use God’s healing power to restore a person who is sick, injured, or suffering.
The gift of miracles is being able to perform signs and wonders that give authenticity to God’s Word and the Gospel message.
The gift of prophecy is being able to proclaim a message from God.
The gift of discerning spirits is the ability to determine whether or not a message, person, or event is truly from God.
The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in a foreign language that you do not have knowledge of, in order to communicate with someone who speaks that language.
The gift of interpreting tongues is the ability to translate the tongues speaking and communicate it back to others in your own language.
The gift of administration is being able to keep things organized and in accordance with God’s principles.
The gift of helps is always having the desire and ability to help others, to do whatever it takes to get a task accomplished.
Gifts of the Spirit - What Are the Gifts Used For?
The gifts of the Spirit are equally valid, but not equally valuable.
Their value is determined by their worth to the church.
The service of each Christian should be in proportion to the gifts which he possesses.
All believers, as members of the body of Christ, must be serving together in order for the body to be fully-functional. That is why a church needs pastors, teachers, helpers, servants, administrators, those with great faith, etc.
All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit working together are needed to produce the full potential of the church.
Since the gifts of the Spirit are gifts of grace, their use must be controlled by the rule of love - the greatest of all the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 13)
Never Give up your Gifts
So all believers need to:
Learn about our gifts and Use our gifts; 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant
Not lack in any gift; 1 Corinthians 1:5-7 For in him you have been enriched in every way, in all your speaking and in all your knowledge, because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
Pursue love and "eagerly" desire spiritual gifts; 1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy
Avoid thinking our gifts make us better than other Christians
You can be absolutely sure that satan does not want you to find your gifts, does not want you to stir up your gifts to start using your gifts
You need to use them to grow into them, its like any exercise the more training the more fit, stronger and more stamina you have, using the gifts is our spiritual training
The devils greatest hold on the church and the body of believers in these times are the lies and fear he perpetuates concerning the gifts of the sprit
If you fear these gifts, fear letting God take control, fear letting the Holy spirit lead you on, then ask your self this were do these lies and fear come from, what will it be like in heaven and ultimately what you need to ask in your heart is do I trust God?
Jesus said John 14: 25 – 26: "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”.
There is nothing to fear in the gifts of the Holy Spirt the only ones who should fear them are
satan and his followers, for Holy Spirit filled Christians using the gifts are mountain shakers,
history makers and will advance the kingdom of God by force!
So never give up on your Gifts, eagerly seek them, hold on to them and trust God to use them!
Never Give up your Confidence, There is more to you than you might think!
Romans 8: 28 – 30: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
So do we get this, God works good in those who love him, God gives us purpose, God has justified us and is making us like Jesus
This is “awesome” stuff, does this not stir your spirit, does this not fan into flame your faith
Think on it God is with you, it more than that, far more
Did you hear me God is with you, for you, supporting you, strengthening you, helping you, fighting for you and above all these actions Loving you
You see the key message I need to share with you in is God Loves you
This is not a passive “I love you” sort of love, this is full on passion shouting across the universe I LOVE YOU will die for you type love, sacrificial and all consuming love, love that will last for ever, love that is not earned is freely given Love that rules and binds
This is a love that will not let go will not give up will not surrender will not accept rejection
This is a love for which all things were created by which all things were created, its is the very force of creation the light the darkness knows not, its love that transcends life and death
It is love eternal and true it is God it is Jesus it is the Holy Spirit
It’s a Love that is seeking you, so don’t give in hold firm
Victory – Freedom!!
Romans 8: 33 - 35: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Jesus won the victory on the cross, the devil and his kingdom all of his authority and rule was defeated in that moment
In that moment our sins, our failure was taken from us and removed as far as east is from west, God knew you before you were created, knows your every though, every action, every thing about you and me and still loves us, will never reject us - Its amazing Grace indeed
So hold on, don’t give in your victory could be so close, your breakthrough could be the next breath away, don’t let the enemy in
Have every confidence in God in Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you
Hold on for your families, your communities, your church, your nation hold on stand firm and let the kingdom of Jesus Christ have dominion
Romans 8 37 – 39: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Never give in, Never surrender – Jesus gives us the victory the freedom!!!
Lets pray and if you need prayer for guidance in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, for support, healing or whatever your need please ask someone don’t leave this place without your gifts, your strength and your confidence in God fully in place
Thanks to my Brothers at the Hillsong Church for their message of hope that helped to inspire this one, stand firm for the Kingdom, the Lords will will be done!
