Superhero: Righteous League

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 11 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love!

In this message (Part 11), we will see that relationship matters and teamwork works!

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When was the last time you felt a desire to be loved? We all possess an innate desire to be loved. You know this to be true from your own personal experiences, but it is also evident by humankind’s creations and entertainment choices. From books, to music, to movies, love is prominent and even dominant. Even in the hustle and bustle of New York, where busy businessmen buzz by the bystanders to get to the office buildings, love is showcased and seemingly celebrated in the form of a big 13-ft. high sculpture in Manhattan:

Granted, music, books, and movies often confuse love for lust; however, even when people confuse love for lust, love is still the ubiquitous message intended to connect with the audience. But because people often confuse love for lust, it is imperative that we know and understand the definition of love. If you need a reminder as to what defines love, refer back to chapter 3 in this Superhero series: “What Is Love?“

Humans possess an innate desire to be loved because we were all created by Love; GOD is love (1John 4:8,16). GOD – who is Love – created us out from love and for the purpose to love. But because GOD gave us the great gift of free will, relationship matters. In fact, GOD’s Word reveals to us that relationship is more important than religion (Isaiah 1:10-17; 58:6-12; Hosea 6:6; Zechariah 7:4-6; Micah 6:6-8). True religion is relationship with GOD and doing GOD’s will (Matthew 7:21; 12:50; 22:36-40; John 13:34-35; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25; 1John 2:4). But we can’t do GOD’s will and have a relationship with GOD unless we know GOD (Matthew 16:13-17; John 8:19). Do you know GOD? We can know GOD by knowing GOD’s Word and spending time in prayer. Relationship matters.

GOD gave us the awesome opportunity to experience the greatness of love through relationships. We are not meant to live life alone. If you live life alone, you will end up like the character, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), in the 2000 movie, Cast Away, who spent his time talking to a volleyball!

In Genesis 2:18-24, GOD said that it was not good for man to be alone and so He created Eve. And Adam basically responded by saying, “Wow! A suitable companion! A perfect partner!”

Love matters because relationship simply isn’t possible without it. Relationship is a reflection of love and is necessary to showcase a covenant union. And because relationship matters, fellowship matters. All throughout the Bible, it is evident that people need relationship. Even Moses needed others. First and foremost, Moses needed GOD (Exodus 3:11-12). But he also needed Aaron’s strengths in order to help fill in the gaps of his own weaknesses (Exodus 4:10-16). And finally, we see that Moses needed others because he simply couldn’t do everything by himself (Exodus 17:8-13; 18:13-27).

Teamwork makes the dream work! Teamwork works! Consider sports. Boxing and wrestling are solo sports where teammates don’t exist. The upside to solo sports is the fact that you own every victory. The downside to solo sports is that the competitor is never allowed to have a bad day or else he/she loses; in a one-on-one fight, just one bad decision can cause a great upset and loss. The following video reveals some amazing comeback fights in MMA. Take notice that for the person who lost, it took mere seconds within one bad decision to feel the devastating consequences of that bad decision.

However, in sports such as football, soccer, hockey, baseball, and basketball, the individual can have a bad day and still end up winning the game because of the other teammates. In life, we need teammates to help carry us to victory if we ever have a bad day. Consider this example: In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Iron Man saved Spider-Man. Ponder on that. Yes – superheroes save other superheroes. Why? Because no superhero is perfect.

 

Now, examine the three images (above). What do these three images have in common? What message do these three images convey? Well, the Justice League – a fictional group of superheroes – is the altruistic ideal that was created from the same concept by which the historic Peloponnesian League was formed in ancient Greece: The purpose was mutual protection. Greater than the sum of their awe-inspiring parts, an alliance was formed to respond to threats too massive for any single hero. In fact, that’s why the Avengers formed! That’s why X-Men teamed up together! Consider the legendary Spartans who were known for their elite warriors. Each Spartan hoplite came together to form the phalanx; all Spartans came together to act as one Sparta. Leonidas – the leader of Sparta – wasn’t great alone. (He was a great warrior, but that does not make him great.) In fact, Sparta wasn’t able to be great alone and that’s why the Peloponnesian League formed. Think about it: many people consider Superman to be the greatest; however, even Superman chose to be a single link in a mighty chain called the Justice League.

Muhammad Ali is considered to be one of the greatest boxers in history. In fact, during his prime, Ali often proclaimed to both the contender and audience at large, “I am the greatest!” However, in 1981, Ali was forced to admit that he had been defeated and that his body simply could no longer perform as it once had been able to do in the past. Question: if someone is the greatest, how can that person be defeated? Truly, if you can be defeated (and I assure you that you can), then you’re not the greatest.

Therein lies the problem with riding solo: losing is inevitable. The wisdom found in Proverbs 6:6 tells us to consider the ant. Though that specific passage is about work ethic, comparing a person’s laziness to the ants’ diligence, the wisdom to consider the ant still applies for this message. Ants work as a team. Teamwork works! Consider the ant: in a flood, a bunch of ants were discovered floating because they linked together so as not to sink and drown; their unity kept them alive. Together, we can accomplish more than we can accomplish alone.

Christ Himself – who is the greatest – single-handedly defeated evil, conquered death and saved us! However, Jesus also showed us the importance of teamwork by forming the ‘Righteous League,’ which consisted of 12 unique disciples (and then expanded from there). Further, Jesus emphasized the importance of fellowship which highlighted humanity’s inability to live life alone. But then again, GOD made that evident when He created Eve for Adam (Genesis 2:18-24).

The Peloponnesian League remained in existence until the 360s when Corinth and other member states were obliged to quit and separate after Sparta’s defeat by Thebes. But why did the Peloponnesian League fail? The foundation was built on quicksand: Sparta only cared about itself; the alliance was superficial. In stark contrast, it is the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus that is the ultimate standard by which we should all strive to reflect and connect with others. Christ is the Cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-21), the foundation on which all creation firmly stands; all other ground is sinking sand.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:24-27) -ESV

Examine that comparison. Two different lives. They both build, they both hear, and they both experience the storm of life; however, only one is called wise and survived the storm. The difference is that the wise person took action after hearing Jesus’ words. The wise person lives according to the Word of GOD.

“For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.”
(Romans 2:13) -ESV

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:22) -ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 7:21) -ESV

The point I’m trying to make is that superheroes simply cannot be superheroes if they never take action. Spider-Man would not be a superhero if he knew he should save someone but didn’t do it (James 4:17). It doesn’t matter what you’re capable of doing if you refuse to take action. That’s called wasted potential. Possessing superpowers is useless unless you use them. What good would Superman be if he decided not to use his powers but decided instead to watch television all day? But as we’ve already learned, even an active solo superhero can lose the battle due to one bad decision. Let’s consider the active ants and join together as a team. Even the superhero Ant-Man teamed up with the Wasp. But even if we come together as a team, we need to take action. A phalanx doesn’t remain stationary, hiding behind their shields. An inactive phalanx is as intimidating and ineffective as a turtle that refuses to come out of its shell. A turtle may have a fairly good defense, but how long can its shell withstand the hammer’s blow before cracking under the consistent pressure? Love is active.

The Righteous League’s Leader (Jesus) became the servant and the sacrifice in order to insure the protection of everyone who seeks to be covered; and this is why He is the Savior. From servant, to sacrifice, to Savior, Jesus Christ is the greatest insurance policy you will ever be able to obtain. Nationwide Insurance might claim to be on your side (as their slogan suggests), but they are more like a leech that latches onto your side to suck your blood. Jesus isn’t on your side – He leads the way in front of you, clearing paths before you, yet He also completely covers you! Christ doesn’t take your blood, didn’t require your blood for sacrifice like Sparta demanded of its hoplites; instead, Jesus covered you with His own blood. The Righteous League is not a superficial alliance that easily separates! And why not? Because it is a bond linked together by agape love.

We (Christians) are the Righteous League! Rise in righteousness! Not as a self-righteous and self-proclaimed super saint who believes him/herself to be superior over others – no! In fact, we huddle together in humility, knowing we are saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)! We are not an elite group who excludes others; rather, we invite everyone to join. It’s time to form our own phalanx; however, rather than creating a wall of physical shields that act as barriers and carrying dangerous spears that can take lives, let us hold up our shields of faith as our defense, stand firmly on the foundation of GOD’s Word, and outstretch our arms with love in order to combat evil and save lives. Get into formation! The movement is on the way! Peter instructed us to be sober-minded, alert, to keep watch, and resist the devil (1Peter 5:8-9); James also instructed us to resist the devil (James 4:7). Paul instructed us to put on the full armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20). As a member of the Righteous League, I exhort you to heed the wise advice found in the Word:

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) -NLT

Superheroes desire to be loved as much as they love others and long for meaningful relationships. Spider-Man (Peter Parker) accepted love from Mary Jane Watson and Superman (Clark Kent) accepted love from Lois Lane. Because superheroes are motivated by love, they also long for love. But superheroes don’t just long for eros love, but also phileo love. Batman was a good fighter, but he teamed up with Robin; Iron Man was smart, but he still linked up with the Avengers; even Superman linked up with the Justice League!

As Christians, we should form a phileo phalanx of fellowship, uniting together, holding up the impenetrable shield of faith. We are the Righteous League! We are called to overcome evil by doing good (Romans 12:21). That means we are active! We are not turtles who hide in our shells! Turtles that hide in their shells don’t experience life and can’t help anyone. Christians are supposed to be active and more like the fearless Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! And just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we are not meant to live life alone! Those found in isolation become victims of the predator who preys upon the lonely. Not only was that true in the 1990 movie of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where Raphael was targeted because he was alone, but it is also true in nature. Does not the lion hunt the isolated victim? The one who falls behind without covering is highly susceptible to attack.

Don’t allow the predator to prey upon you; instead, pray to GOD for strength and security found through fellowship. And if you need somebody to lean on, then lean on me. And then together, we will lean on the immovable Cornerstone of Christ.

 

Superhero: Never Give Up

 

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 9 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty.

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But what good would it do for a superhero to start traveling the extra mile journey if he/she quits halfway through? If we make a commitment to go the extra mile, then we need to follow through and see that we go the distance to complete the second mile. In this message (Part 9), we will see that superheroes might get tripped up and fall down. Superheroes might even get beaten up and knocked down, but they do not stay down! Superheroes never give up! To help us understand this message, let’s examine two examples from real life situations: boxing and racing.

Boxing: Get Back Up!

Muhammad Ali, who is arguably the greatest boxer of all time, said, “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” One of the greatest victories I’ve ever seen was in the 2005 boxing match of Corrales vs. Castillo. Corrales got knocked down twice in the 10th round, only to get back up and walk away as the winner:

Another one of my favorite boxing matches was the 1990 match of Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas. Tyson was undefeated and had a 42-0 record. Douglas – the obvious underdog – was knocked down in the 8th round and didn’t even get back up until it was almost too late at the 9-second mark. But in the 10th round, Douglas managed to knock Tyson down and out for the win.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”
(2Corinthians 4:8-10) –NIV

We are not impervious to attacks from the enemy. We’re going to get tripped up and fall down. We’re going to get beat up and knocked down. Unless you’re Rocky Marciano or Floyd Mayweather, you’re going to experience a loss at some point in your life. But truth be told, even if you are undefeated in life, you can still lose in death. Are you living life in preparation for death? Rocky Marciano died on August 31, 1969 (the eve of his 46th birthday) in a plane crash. Did Marciano go to Heaven or Hell? Only GOD knows. But even conquerers in life can end up being conquered in death. And this is why it is of utmost importance that we never give up and finish the race well. And if I could tell Floyd Mayweather and anyone else currently undefeated only one thing, I would share this:

“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
(Luke 9:25) -ESV

Those who are motivated by money or propelled by the pursuit for power typically stay down if the winnings of their worldly ways comes to an end and they experience a loss. Because if your treasure is only found in this world, you are destined for disappointment.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:19-21) -ESV

Where is your heart? If you know your ‘why,’ then you will refuse to lose, you will get back up, and you will never give up. In a post-fight interview with Buster Douglas, it was later revealed that he won the fight against Mike Tyson because his ‘why’ was more powerful than Tyson’s punches. Only 23 days before the legendary fight took place that took Tyson’s “0” and gave him a “1” in his losses, Douglas’ mother died. Before she died, she told Douglas that he was going to beat Mike Tyson. Simply put, love is what won the fight for Douglas. And truth be told, love is what we need to persevere! Love compels us to get back up and never give up. In the amazing 2005 movie, Cinderella Man, based on the boxer, James Walter Braddock, there’s a scene where the press is asking him why he’s winning fights. Russell Crowe (Braddock) states he knows what he’s fighting for: milk. The motivation behind the action was love for his family. This movie showcases the power of the ‘why.’

Racing: Finish The Race!
A man by the name of John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in the marathon at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He wounded his knee and dislocated a joint in a fall, but he got back up and continued the race. He finished last place. By the time he crossed the finish line, it was dark outside and most of the audience had already gone home. When later interviewed and asked why he continued running, he said, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

It was the greatest last place finish ever! John Stephen Akhwari didn’t come in first place in that race; however, he was a winner because he finished the race! There are many people in this world who do not finish the race. In fact, suicide prevents many people from finishing the race. Too many people give up before reaching the finish line.

This world teaches that in order to win we must be first or the greatest. But is that true? Even if you are the last person to arrive in Heaven, you still achieved what others who never arrived never achieved. Last place can most certainly be the best finish. In fact, Jesus told us that those who are now last would be first and the first would be last (Matthew 19:30; 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30). Jesus also told us that If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all (Mark 9:35).

When John Stephen Akhwari finally finished the race, it was dark outside and most of the audience had already left. And so it is with life. The majority of people that will be around when you start the race might not be there when you finish. Also, people typically only want to be with you during your greatest moments and tend to disappear during your struggles. And when that happens, it may feel like it’s dark outside and the empty bleachers might make you feel as if no one cares. But the people who truly care about you will stay with you while you are down, struggling, and out of the spotlight. But even if you feel alone and abandoned, know that love will help you finish the race so that you may finish well. Be encouraged: Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him when He got arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). But Jesus’ love for others was the ‘why’ that compelled Him to finish what He started (John 19:30).

As I have written before in one of my songs, I don’t care to win over the crowd – I’m fulfilling all that I have vowed. With or without audience applause, I’m going to do what I do because I do it for the cause. Love compels me to continue and because of that, I care to finish the race so that I may finish well.

I am grateful for John Stephen Akhwari and for many other people like him for being an inspiration and reminding me of what is truly important in life. Indeed, the struggle is real, but our GOD is greater than our problems. What’s truly important is finishing well.

I may not be the best at anything or ever receive praise for any of my efforts, but if I get knocked down, I will always get back up after I fall. I will not stay down. And even if I get injured along the way, I will finish the marathon that is known as life! GOD did not bring me here to merely start my journey – GOD brought me here to finish the race and to finish well! It doesn’t matter how long it will take me to cross the finish line. The goal is to do my best until my last breath.

Persistence, Purpose, Endurance, Eternity:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
(2Timothy 4:7) -ESV

The apostle Paul wrote these words near the end of his life. These three statements reflect Paul’s struggles in preaching the Gospel of Christ and his victory over those struggles. In the 1st century, the Romans celebrated both the Olympic Games and the Isthmian Games. Competitors would spend up to ten months in demanding and difficult physical training. Because the Corinthians were familiar with these events, Paul used the games as an analogy for a believer’s life of faithfulness. He wrote to the church in Corinth saying, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1Corinthians 9:24-25). Paul’s exhortation is that believers should be as focused and dedicated as those ancient runners in the games. Our motivation in serving Christ is much higher; we “run” not for a temporary crown, but for an eternal one. So, by declaring “I have finished the race,” Paul told Timothy that he had put every effort into the work of proclaiming the Gospel. He had completed the course set before him; he had left nothing undone; he did his best. He was ready to cross the finish line into Heaven. And to finish the race well is to experience victory.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2) -ESV

If we are to finish well, we will need persistence with purpose and endurance for eternity. First, we need purposeful persistence in prayer. In seeking GOD’s will, we will find all we need:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
(Matthew 7:7-11) -ESV

But here is the special stipulation to this promise:

“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
(James 4:2-3) -ESV

Our desires need to be in alignment with GOD’s will. But knowing GOD takes faith, focus, and follow-through. Jesus promises a reward for the passionate pursuit of seeking GOD’s will. We should be asking ourselves three important questions while being persistent in our prayers:

1. What are you asking for?
2. Why are you asking for it?
3. Will it benefit the Kingdom of GOD?

In order to finish the race well, we also need endurance. In fact, GOD calls us to endure until the end. Each of the seven letters to the churches in the book of Revelation contained a promise to the “victor.” In order to receive the promises, you must be a victor. How do we become a victor? Stay in alignment with GOD’s Word and His absolute moral standard! Keep the faith and endure until the end! The only way to be a victor is to fight the good fight, endure it until the end, and finish the race. Everyone who finishes the race will be exhausted, but they will also come into rest. Just as GOD rested from His work on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), we too will come into rest on our ‘seventh day.’ We can picture this life here on Earth as our six days of work and the New Earth under the new heavens will be our seventh day of rest. Everything we accomplish in life here on this Earth within our ‘six days’ falls short of perfection. It is only in our ‘seventh day’ that we will come into perfection and receive rest. Along with the good news of Christ’s return and ultimate victory, the main theme found in the book of Revelation running parallel to the good news is that we must endure until the very end, remaining faithful and obedient (Matthew 10:28; 1Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:14-16; 1Timothy 6:11-16; 2Timothy 4:3-5; Hebrews 10:35-39; 2Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 3:16).

Conclusion:
Remember: opportunistic predators wait until either you are too weak to fight or complacent and cannot see the attack coming. Demons don’t need to beat you while you are at your best; rather, demons simply need to slowly chip away at your defense until you become too tired and weak to defend yourself.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
(1Peter 5:6-10) -ESV

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
(James 4:7-8) -ESV

Satan only cares about the outcome, the final decision. Do not give up. Do not ever give up. We are in it to win it. It’s not over until it’s over. We must finish well. Starting is pointless unless we finish. We must fight the good fight. Get back up, go back in. Love never dies (1Corinthians 13:8).

GOD passionately pursues us with the mission of relentless rescue. And if we are to accurately reflect the love of Christ, we need to go above and beyond in love and endure until the end.

“Bow down to the Lord. He will lift you up.”
(James 4:10) –NIRV

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:14-21) -NLT

The person who kneels humbly before GOD can stand up confidently in the name of Christ and resist the devil and watch him flee. GOD provides us with a way to escape temptations and to live through any circumstance until He calls us Home (1Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:11-13). Never give up!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
(Galatians 6:9) -NLT

Listen! If I can’t inspire you, then I’ll just let Shia LaBeouf do it: