Synonyms: renounce, relinquish, dispense with, forswear, disclaim, disown, disavow, discard, wash one's hands of, give up, stop, cease, drop, forgo, desist from, have done with, abjure, abstain from, discontinue, break off, refrain from, set/lay aside, desert, leave, leave high and dry, turn one's back on, cast aside, break (up) with, vacate, quit, evacuate, withdraw from, surrender, cede, yield, indulge in, give way to, give oneself up to, yield to, lose oneself to/in, uninhibitedness, recklessness, lack of restraint, lack of inhibition, unruliness, wildness, impulsiveness, impetuosity, immoderation, wantonness
Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on
Showing 376 to 400 of 579 results
376. The Last Compact
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Sermon
Ken Lentz
... . However, Gerhardt, though seemingly obsessed by the pain and suffering of life at times, saw beyond the event of the cross the splendor of the heavens beyond. Gerhardt praised "patience," as a gift from God that enables the traveler in the world to persevere in the face of earthly travail. Spiritual patience drives one to trust in the passion and death of Jesus. Like Gerhardt, C. S. Lewis experienced the pain, isolation, injustice, hunger, thirst, and exposure of WWII. The memories of the war haunted his ...
377. The Real Underdog!
1 Samuel 17:1, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49
Sermon
William J. Carl, III
... a whopping sword, David knew immediately that he would be lost out there loaded down with this extra weight. The author of Hebrews must have had David in mind when he penned his two famous verses at the beginning of chapter 12: "Let us run with perseverance the race that is before us, laying aside every weight and sin that clings so closely." Another translation, The New English Bible, says "... we must throw off every encumbrance...." David knew he couldn't be in "the zone" if we wore all that armor. What ...
Sermon
Robert A. Hausman
... suffering forgotten. In MacLeish's play, JB, Nickles says, "Job won't take it! Job won't touch it! Job will fling it in God's face with half his guts to make it spatter!"2 While such a response is understandable, we must acknowledge the human ability to persevere, as, for example, in Rwanda. Just as after tragedy, with God's help one must learn to live again, to deal with memories, and go on with the story, so must Job. In fact, he becomes an intermediary, a priest, again. Just as he had made sacrifices for ...
379. A Wise Husband
Illustration
... our prayers). Lower your expectations (you're not going to see fireworks every night). Do the little things (without expecting anything in return). Show her she's the most cherished woman on earth (she'll probably faint the first time you do this). Above all, persevere (you're in this for the long haul). A wise husband builds his mate's self-esteem, realizing that the subtle words and actions of a sinful world constantly assault her sense of self-worth. He remains sensitive to her needs and is always ready ...
380. Old Scrap Iron
Illustration
Jon Johnston
... arm in pain, but determined to continue. He resembled a POW with tape, splints, braces, and other kinds of paraphernalia that wounded people wear. Some made fun of him calling him a masochist. Insane. Others remember him as a true champion. His life is a profile in long-suffering and perseverance.
381. Perot's Presents
Illustration
Staff
This happened some time ago but it's a testament to kindness backed up with perseverance. During the Vietnam War the Texas Computer millionaire Ross Perot decided he would give a Christmas present to every American prisoner of war in Vietnam. According to David Frost, who tells the story, Perot had thousands of packages wrapped and prepared for shipping. He chartered a fleet of Boeing 707s ...
382. Lincoln's Record
Illustration
Staff
The value of courage, persistence, and perseverance has rarely been illustrated more convincingly than in the life story of Abraham Lincoln. You know about his defeats and how he kept going: Failed in business at 22 Ran for Legislature defeated at 23 Again failed in business at 24 Elected to Legislature at 25 Sweetheart died at 26 ...
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... regions. For Mary, a virgin, betrothed to a good, respectable man, a member of the House of David, to become pregnant before her marriage was not just inexcusable behavior. It was executable behavior. Yet Mary’s response is without a sense of panic or self-perseverance. Her response is only to the great goodness of the news she has received. She does not protest the hardships this “good news” will no doubt inflict upon her. Mary’s response to the news that she must report on her wedding night to her ...
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... flawed or even fake “diamonds” out there, claiming they are reflections of Christ’s person and message. How can we tell a genuine reflection of Christ from a “fake diamond?” We are used to seeing a rainbow as a positive sign, a promise, a perseverance. But the message of the church is filtered through the purifying focus of the one true light, the purest “diamond” ever perceived. And the one clear, brilliant light, the love light that God sent to us, is the person of the Son, Jesus Christ. We ...
385. Climb the Mountain Together
Ephesians 6:10-20
Illustration
Maxie Dunnam
... ." Her immediate reply was, "If I can't climb the mountain with you, I'd be ashamed to meet you at the top." That says it, but I would adapt the young woman's words for us this morning. If we don't climb the mountain together with courage and perseverance, there will be no meeting at the top.
Sermon
Richard Gribble
... or even reverse course in our journey to God. We will experience difficult times in our lives, with our jobs, our families, and the church, challenges that may seem to be impossible missions. But if we, like Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and Jesus, can persevere and continue on the road, then God will recognize and reward our efforts. The task will not be easy; the road to God has pitfalls and obstacles. Saint Paul advised his friend, Timothy, of this reality, "Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony ...
387. The Joy of the Lord
Nehemiah 7:73b--8:18
Sermon
King Duncan
... of the camp did weaken him. What kept him alive for so long? His attitude. His determination. In a sense, his faith. The joy of the Lord really was his strength. As you read the story of Nehemiah working against great odds and encouraging his men to persevere, you have to be struck by his attitude the attitude that because God was with him he would not be defeated. Nehemiah had a positive attitude. And Nehemiah had a powerful purpose. Some of you who have read those first seven chapters of his story will ...
388. Extreme Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Sermon
King Duncan
... not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part ...
Sermon
King Duncan
... to the king of this renowned group and asked, “Why is it that every single time you dance, it rains?” The king replied, “It’s very simple, actually. We dance until it rains.” (3) That’s a good lesson, not in magic, but in perseverance. Droughts have always been with us. The worst famine in recorded history occurred in China from 1876-1879. This drought destroyed food crops, resulting in the deaths of approximately 13 million people. (4) Droughts will always be with us. Much of our nation was ...
390. Good Hearts
Romans 5:1-11
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... still living in this broken world, is a condition worthy of “boasting” about. Keeping this “faith under pressure,” Paul preaches, results in the development of unique qualities. Suffering “produces endurance” (“hypomone”) — that is, a “steadfast perseverance” or one might even say stubbornness, living a life of faithfulness every day, no matter what pressures the world piles on. Such suffering also produces what Paul calls “character” (“dokime”) — a uniquely Pauline term. For ...
391. Luke 12:13-21
Luke 12:13-21
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... then uses the seemingly unrelated concerns of this man to connect both the larger crowd and Jesus’ own chosen disciples to a clearer vision of true faithfulness and the nature of followership. Jesus had been speaking to the crowd about the need for perseverance in the face of persecution. His focus was on the need for fearless faithfulness because of the assurance of God’s love and concern. Suddenly he is interrupted by a man demanding (obviously not requesting) that Jesus act as a legal arbitrator in ...
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... then uses the seemingly unrelated concerns of this man to connect both the larger crowd and Jesus’ own chosen disciples to a clearer vision of true faithfulness and the nature of followership. Jesus had been speaking to the crowd about the need for perseverance in the face of persecution. His focus was on the need for fearless faithfulness because of the assurance of God’s love and concern. Suddenly he is interrupted by a man demanding (obviously not requesting) that Jesus act as a legal arbitrator in ...
393. Let Them Eat Cake
2 Timothy 1:1-2:13
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... for the ride. That is the good-news/bad-news message brought by Paul in this week’s epistle text. The apostle both prepares his protégée for what he might expect, and encourages Timothy, and future generations of Jesus followers, to persevere. At the beginning of this section of his letter, Paul implores Timothy, “my child,” to “be strong.” Now he gives his stalwart companion in spreading the gospel some of the “gory details” that staying strong will entail. But before he begins to itemize ...
394. 2 Timothy 2:8-15
2 Timothy 1:1-2:13
Sweet
Leonard Sweet
... for the ride. That is the good-news/bad-news message brought by Paul in this week’s epistle text. The apostle both prepares his protégée for what he might expect, and encourages Timothy, and future generations of Jesus followers, to persevere. At the beginning of this section of his letter, Paul implores Timothy, “my child,” to “be strong.” Now he gives his stalwart companion in spreading the gospel some of the “gory details” that staying strong will entail. But before he begins to itemize ...
Sermon
King Duncan
On August 3, 1970, sixty‑two‑year‑old Miriam Hargrave of Yorkshire, England, finally passed her driving test. It was her fortieth attempt. After so much struggle and perseverance, one would assume she started driving right away. But unfortunately, after spending so much money on driving lessons $720 she couldn’t afford to buy a car. (1) Maybe it’s just as well. How comfortable would you be knowing that the driver coming at you had failed the driving ...
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... lines in our life stories. Instead we have complex plot-lines, with paths not taken, wrong turns made, and double-backs to new beginnings. Our circuitous, ox-bow lives make up our “testimonies,” our personal story of God’s persistent presence and perseverance in our lives. We are all “scattered sheep” looking for the guiding and good shepherd to take us home. In this week’s First Testament or “First Story” text, Jeremiah had just finished berating a series of cruel and unjust kings. It is ...
397. One Thing
Philippians 3:12-4:1
Sermon
James Merritt
... , “Today if I don’t do anything else, this one thing I will do.” That is where Baby Boomers, like me, have a problem. We have been raised to view success as something easy. Our generation doesn’t know a whole lot about determination, perseverance, and endurance. We have the attitude today when the boss gets unreasonable you just quit. When the subject gets too difficult just drop out of class. When the marriage gets unbearable just get a divorce. I am asking you, today, to take a totally different ...
398. The Knot: Bound
Genesis 2:4-25
Sermon
James Merritt
... to” or “to be cemented to.” Do you know what every husband is to do with his wife once he marries her? He is to hold on to her for dear life – no matter what. It is that process of holding on that builds us. It builds character. It builds perseverance. It builds faith. It builds trust and it builds love. When God ties the knot it is because we allow Him to bring us together. We allow Him to bind us together and then… III. We Must Allow God To Bind Us Together The result of a knot that God ...
Sermon
James Merritt
... stay in abusive situations and I believe there are situations where even a couple may need to separate for a time, but if divorce ever kicks in it is because of the hardness of our heart, the unwillingness to obey God and trust God and persevere until the problem is worked out. Now that we know the reason behind divorce… II. Understand the Restriction On Divorce Now Jesus finally gives a specific answer to their question, “Are there any biblical grounds for divorce? Any reason that God permits divorce ...
Sermon
King Duncan
... really know your Bible, you already know that. In fact, we read in the first verse of the Epistle of James, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (2-3). Well, I don’t know about you, but whenever I am in a storm that is threatening to overwhelm me, I rarely feel joy, pure or otherwise. Joy comes when the storm has finally passed. I’m like Jesus’ disciples. You remember their ...
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