GET TOGETHER- DON’T QUIT NOW

Ro 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Last weekend one of the most faithful servants that I have ever had the pleasure of being their Pastor went home to be with the Lord. His name was George Childree. Several of you reading this knew George, prayed for him during his battle with COVID-19 and like me were at first disappointed that his healing did not take place here on this earth. Others of you who are reading this perhaps have had someone that you loved very much and prayed hard for go home to be with the Lord after you had prayed for them everyway that you knew that the Holy Spirit was leading you to pray. And perhaps some of you heard that voice from the evil one telling you that it didn’t do any good to pray, or perhaps you didn’t have enough faith.
First of all, going home to be with the Lord is never second place. It isn’t a consolation prize. It is the ultimate prize. On the other hand, we are to contend in prayer for healing on this earth as long as the Holy Spirit leads us to pray. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful Biblical teachings that the Lord has had me to study about the healing power of Jesus and how He still heals the sick today. I am so thankful for the many times that we have experienced healing through prayer and have seen others healed through prayer.
When the enemy began to attack my mind about how it didn’t do any good to pray for our dear brother George, the Holy Spirit reminded me of how many times that God had worked supernaturally in George’s life. At one time he had a gun in his mouth and was going to commit suicide. He pulled the trigger and the gun didn’t go off. Somebody was praying! I remember visiting him at St Vincent’s hospital with a heart condition over fifteen years ago. Somebody was praying! At one time in his life, he was practically homeless. Then the Lord put him with his faithful wife Delores. Somebody was praying! He and Delores came to 3:00 am prayer meetings when they were a part of our congregation. Somebody was praying! They served in so many ways at our congregation that I won’t list them all here. Somebody was praying! After being practically homeless at one time in his life when he went to be with the Lord, he and Delores own a condominium in Foley. Somebody was praying! Delores told me today that after George got saved, he found his Mother’s Bible and there was a prayer request in there: Lord Jesus, please save my children. Somebody was praying!
In the passage above Paul is writing to a church that had either seen, or would see Christians have oiled poured on them and be used to light the Emperor Nero’s race track and party garden. Others would have to fight the wild beasts in the Roman Coliseum and yet Paul would write to them to be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation and continue to steadfast in prayer.
The Greek term for hope in this passage is elpis. It means to look forward with confidence. The Greek term for tribulation is thlipsis. It means pressure, anguish, persecution, tribulation, trouble. Many are experiencing anguish at this time from love ones suffering and leaving this walk of life. Many Christians throughout the world are facing persecution and hard times. And even here in the United States although not yet to the degree as in other parts of the world Christians are beginning to face persecution here. And yet we are to be steadfast in prayer. we are to never quit. What if those Christians in Rome had quit praying? I might not be typing this and you might not be reading this. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi some words that I believe would also encourage us not to give up in praying for the sick, the lost, and praying for our nation, and praying for the church throughout the world in Php 3:12,13 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
I believe that if I could talk to my brother George Childree today, I believe that he would tell me to keep praying for those patients that are on ventilators. He would tell me to tell people to keep pleading the Blood of Jesus and to stand on the promises of God in Psalm 91. I believe that he would tell me to pray for a Holy Spirit Awakening in this nation. Don’t quit! Don’t quit! Don’t quit! Remember the greatest victories come after the greatest battles.
I don’t know the answer to why some get healed on this earth who may never have been to church as a result of someone’s prayers while some of the people that I have prayed for had as much faith as anyone and believed in healing as much as anyone that I know have gone on to Heaven. but I do know this just like I believe that George would tell us they would also say Don’t quit! Don’t quit! Don’t quit!

Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus today first of all we pray that you will be with all of those who have had a love one go home to be with you during this past year. We pray also for those that are battling Covid now. May you bring healing to their mortal bodies today. We pray that they will mount up with wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk and not faint. Lord we want to thank You for those that have experienced Your healing power and that You have chose to remain upon the earth. May each of these fulfill the destiny and purpose that You have created them for on this earth. We pray for ourselves. Help us to be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation, and to continue steadfast in prayer.
In Jesus Name
Amen

Don’t quit Praying! Don’t quit believing
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston