Harland David Sanders enjoyed frying chicken. In fact, he loved it so much he wanted to share his creation with the world.
However … he was rejected while attempting to sell his fried chicken recipe … ONE THOUSAND and nine times. But … Colonel Sanders persevered … and today, because he didn’t quit, there are over 24,000 Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets in the world.
Hello friend and welcome to “5 Minutes of Hope”
Today’s topic is: It Will be Worth it All
You may find yourself in the most difficult time of your life and EVERYTHING within you is SCREAMING “quit,” “give up,” “throw in the towel!” “God has abandoned you!” “GIVE … IT … UP!”
The Apostle Paul declared:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
♫ It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.
♫ One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ.
Andrew Brunson and his sister had hands laid upon them at the age of three and were dedicated to the service of God. In 1993, he and his wife moved to Turkey to serve as missionaries. They faced plenty of challenges and endured many threats, but they also succeeded in starting new churches, training believers, aiding refugees, and ran a house of prayer in Turkey for 23 years.
In 2016, they were arrested, falsely accused, and he was imprisoned for just over two years.
Andrew suffered greatly for his faith.
A portion of his story reads like this:
“I had arrived at Buca (his third prison) a broken man. But now I did something that changed my trajectory.
I realized I could not do much to fight for my freedom, but I could fight for my faith. If I did not survive spiritually, I knew I would lose everything. I had spent so many hours pacing the courtyard or lying on my bunk, accusing God, confused, and often angry and offended at him. But now I made a solemn decision, and announced it to God, almost in defiance: Whatever you do or do not do, I will follow you.
This became the basis of my declaration, and I added to it.
If you do not speak to me, I will follow you.
If you do not let me sense your presence, I will follow you.
If you do not show your gentleness or kindness, I will follow you.
If you allow me to be deceived, I will follow you.
If you leave me in prison, I will follow you!
I had no illusion that I could make it without God’s help. But insofar as it was up to me, I determined to persevere.
I made a decision: I will not give up!
I may be terrified, I may be weak, I may be broken, but I am going to hold on.
I will look to Jesus, not away from him. I will run to Jesus or, if necessary, crawl to Jesus.”
Dear one, hang on! Fight! Your faith will be rewarded!
Mighty God, help us trust you no matter what. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray. Amen
Friend, may you be filled with hope today and share it with others.
5 Minutes of Hope 