Introduction

         There is something bad I used to do my entire life(I'm sorry I 

can't tell you what it was.LOL). I tried really hard to stop doing 

this 'thing' but I couldn't. On October 5 2013, when I surrendered 

my heart to Jesus(i.e became saved), I thought this terrible act was 

going to stop but I kept doing it over and over. In fact, I was 

addicted to it. I kept saying "Acha you can do this, Acha you can 

this"; instead of saying "Jesus you can do this". And every time I 

did this thing, I felt really guilty and condemned(because of God's 

law). Three months later, on January 1 2014, I went down on my 

knees and said "Lord Jesus, please help me. I have tried to stop this 

'thing' but I just can't. I know I am already holy in you BUT please 

help me to stop doing this 'thing' which constantly makes me 

guilty. In your holy name I pray". Believe me when I say that ever 

since then, I stopped doing that particular 'thing' and it happened 

naturally.

      The two mistakes I did were: first, I never presented this 

particular problem to Jesus in prayer. Secondly, I was trying on my 

own(self-effort) instead of depending on God(Grace-effort). 

Thirdly, I wasn't supposed to feel guilty or condemned(see Rom 

8:1) because when you are in Christ, you are not under any 

law(and I'm not encouraging anyone to do bad). So here is my 

conclusion to the story: when you try so hard to stop sinning, stop 

trying and let Jesus in. In other words, let go and let God. No one 

has the right to condemn you. One surprising day, you will find 

yourself not doing that particular sin anymore; naturally. No one 

would have to tell you to stop. It will happen naturally. That is the 

power of Grace(Jesus).        
   
         Assuming that you are currently a student at the University of 

Maryland. For some reason, the president of the school gives you a 

call and tells you that he will place you on a full scholarship and a 

free room. He says that you don't have to pay for anything because 

he has made arrangements for you to study and live for free. 

Suddenly, a former employee at the school's office tells you that 

you must deposit some money for tuition and rents. Will you 

honestly be worried by that statement? You have full confidence 

because you know that the 'commander in chief' of the school has 

spoken.  So your response most likely will be "the president of the 

school said I have full scholarship which means free education". 

So you have full confidence because you understand the authority 

of the president, right?

     Also assume that you are from Ethiopia(East Africa) and then 

the secretary of homeland security(in charge of immigration) gives 

you his word that you will never be repatriated(or sent back) to 

your country of origin. And then, suddenly, a former employee of 

the homeland security department tells you that you will be 

repatriated(or sent back) to your country of origin(Ethiopia). Will 

you honestly be bothered about that statement? The boss has 

already assured you that you will never be sent back. So, your 

sentence most likely will be "the boss told me that I will never be 

sent back(repatriated)". That is because you understand the 

authority of the boss. So, in other words, the boss said he is with 

you. In the same way, JESUS said "…I am with you always, to the 

end of the age"(Matt 28:20). If King Jesus has said he is with you 

and that everything is okay, who on earth is satan(a former 

employee of heaven) to tell you that it is not okay?  When satan 

tells you that it is not okay, your response should be "the boss(king 

Jesus) said it is okay and that He is with me always".  

      My dear friends, please never give up in life okay? Don't give 

up on God as well because He is not finished with you yet. He is 

only getting started with you. Rely on Him and see for yourself the 

marvelous miracles that have and will continue to take place. In 

French, we say ‘veuillez ne pas donner de’ which means “don’t 

give up”.  

     Whenever you feel like giving up, ask yourself this one 

question. Am I still breathing? The fact that you are still breathing 

one proof that God hasn’t given up on you right? So, if God 

himself has not given up on you, why on earth would you want to 

give up on yourself? Food for thought. 

     You can’t abandon God’s plan for you. You can’t change God; 

God changes who you think you are to make you become who he 

created you to be. So please don’t give up because God made you 

for a greater purpose. A purpose that only him can see. Why? 

Because God knows the end from the beginning (Is 46:10). 

*Discouragement:

      Let us look describe 'giving up' as losing hope or 

discouragement . Folks often give up in life because of 

discouragement. So, let us define the word discouragement. 

The Merriam-webster dictionary defines 'discouragement' as "to 

make someone less determined, less hopeful, or less confident". 

Now, my questions are: 

1.Why would you feel less determined when God is your 

determining factor? 

2.Why would you feel less hopeful when God is your only source 

of hope? 

3. Why would you feel less confident when God is very confident 

in what He created you for?      

*Difficult to understand God:

       Some people would say to themselves "I refuse to accept Jesus 

in my heart because he is too complicated. His words are hard to 

understand". So let me ask you these: Is it easy to make money? Is 

it easy to take care of children? Is it easy to do the things you do 

on a daily basis? Why then do you choose not to give up on those 

things? If you can't give up on those things, then don't give up on 

God. If you are not a quitter, then don't quit on the bible. Don't quit 

on God because you are not a quitter. If you never give up on your 

job or marriage or friends, then never give up on the bible(God's 

word). You see, understanding the bible(revelation of grace) is 

even more important because it is the key for your eternal 

destiny(eternal life). So, even if it is compacted, it is worth being 

patient. It is worth never giving up on him because in the end, you 

will enjoy eternal life in Heaven. Every opportunity here on earth 

is fun but is only temporal. Our permanent everlasting joy is up 

above. 

   

                     * There is a difference between self confidence and Grace(Christ confidence) *