I want to encourage and strengthen your “nevertheless!” Your “nevertheless” represents your decision, commitment and resolve to do something in spite of, or in opposition to something. It is a word I believe the Lord wants to use to increase positive resolve into your walk with God, and pave the way for greater victory and blessings! The word nevertheless means: in spite of, even though, even so, regardless.
Your “nevertheless” represents your personal resolve. Resolve means: to come to a definite or earnest decision, to determine to do something. No where in the bible is it promised that the Christian walk with God would be easy! In scripture, the word “nevertheless” represents a pivotal action [decision, commitment, resolve] that greatly impacts our destiny either positively or negatively [victory or defeat].
Listen, a strong “nevertheless” empowers us to do great things in Christ in the face of hardships and opposition! It vitally helps us to achieve our greatest goals, realize our grandest dreams, and fulfill our God ordained destinies!
Things that weaken your “nevertheless!”
Remember, my purpose is to encourage and strengthen your “nevertheless!” However, it is important that you know and understand that your “nevertheless” can impact your life and destiny negatively if the word of God is not the foundation of your “nevertheless!” For example, a negative instance of this word is given in the thirteenth chapter of numbers that teaches us that ignoring what God says about something because of the presence of challenges or difficulties will greatly impact our lives and destinies.
Numbers 13:28 – Nevertheless [italics my emphasis] the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
Under the leadership of Moses, God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt with mighty miracles and brought them to the threshold of the promised land. Moses sent men to go spy out the land, but ten of the men came back with an evil report [unbelief]. They said it’s just like God says it is and here is the fruit of it, BUT… (Nevertheless) we can’t do what God says we can do! Reading the full account of this story, you will discover a number of things that weaken or diminish our Nevertheless(resolve):
1. Listening to the unbelief of others
2. Believing what unbelievers say more than what God says
3. Focusing on the size of your problem more than the greatness of God
4. Blaming, murmuring, complaining and making excuses
5. Dwelling in the past: guilt, anger & disappointments
The “nevertheless” that brings victory & blessings!
Remember, we are looking at this word “nevertheless,” so God can strengthen and encourage our resolve in our walk with Him. Jesus knew the purpose for his life here on earth! He knew he must suffer the death for the sins of the world on the cross! He believed God the Father would raise him from the dead, but he still did not want to experience the pains of death! Thank God Jesus had a strong healthy “nevertheless” that brought victory and blessings to all humanity that put their faith in Him!
Jesus would soon be betrayed by one of his disciples and be crucified on the cross. He was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying. Check out Jesus’ strong “nevertheless!”
Luke 22:41-42 – And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless [italics my emphasis] not my will, but thine, be done.
A strong “nevertheless” empowers us to do God’s will and not our own will! Our nevertheless (resolve) impacts not only our own lives but the lives of others. Our “nevertheless” is a vital part of our steering mechanism to keep us committed to staying on course to our God ordained destinies and grandest dreams! Without a strong nevertheless in our hearts we will quit or abort our assignments and destinies!
We learn from Peter that a “nevertheless” that has the word of God as its foundation can lead to great success and prosperity! Peter, who was a professional fisherman had toiled all night with his crew and came up with a goose egg, nada! He was tired, frustrated and ready to knock-off work when Jesus approached him and requested that Peter allow Him to teach the people from his boat. Peter agreed and afterwards Jesus told Peter to launch out into the deep and let down his nets for a great catch!
Luke 5:5 – Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless [italics my emphasis] at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, the word of God must be the foundation of our nevertheless! Your “nevertheless” will empower yo to move beyond your past experience: fatigue, disappointments and professional bias to experience God’s divine provision!
Like the psalmist David, don’t stop praying and trusting God! David felt like he was cut off from God! It looked like his situation would never change but he kept on praying!
Psalm 31:22 – For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless [italics my emphasis] thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
David was in utmost distress! He felt cut off from God, yet, he would not stop praying! His faith was at its lowest ebb! Which by the way shows the goodness, grace and mercy of God!
Finally, as a believer and especially a leader in the Body of Christ, don’t allow the things you suffer in your service to God make you ashamed of the gospel! Listen to what Paul told young pastor Timothy:
2 Timothy 1:12 – For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless [italics my emphasis] I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul had been imprisoned and had to deal with a host of other trials. Yet, his “nevertheless” would kick in to keep him trusting and serving God in the gospel! Even though you are a disciple of Christ, but you still experience an attack on your body, your finances, your marriage , your children, your ministry or business, DON’T BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL! I pray your “Nevertheless” is stirred up, strengthened and encouraged!