Have you ever had someone give up on you?

A teacher who felt that you would never understand Algebra II?

A spouse who felt you’d never get that better job you wanted?

An employer who got frustrated because you didn’t understand the company’s computer program and software applications?

No matter what you’ve done or not done. . .no matter how many times you’ve messed up. . .or how often you’ve lost your way. . .there is one person who will never give up on you. . .your loving Heavenly Father.  Never has. . .never will.

Here are five reasosn God will never give up on you.

You can spot them right away. . .they will ask you what faith you are.

You can know that the person asking that question. . .doesn’t understand the difference between a denominational affiliation and the key to all the blessings and benefits of God.

A religious person will ask about your church membership or religious preference but a believer will ask you what the Lord has revealed to you lately.

There are some very simple criteria that we can use to determine what faith is and what it isn’t.

Walking the red carpet at the Oscars, hosting your own television show or having an Emmy on your mantle doesn’t automatically mean you know what you’re talking about or that you’re an expert. . .as some in show business pretend to be.

My Daddy taught me years ago, that an expert is somebody fifteen miles out of town with a briefcase or it could be a drip under pressure.

Compassionate conversation even when it’s stained with tears doesn’t make you a competent counselor or an expert.

Jumping up and down or dancing and shouting on the set of a TV show doesn’t make someone the pinnacle of wisdom.

As Forrest Gump once said, “Stupid is as stupid does.”

Here are seven things that make people….stupid

First, stupid people don’t have common sense. Proverbs 30:2 in the New Living Translation says:

Why do people talk to themselves?

Some people will say. . .it’s because they’re starved for intelligent conversation which most certainly reflects on the people around them.

Others say that people who talk to themselves are a hamburger short of a Happy Meal.

Do you know what impresses God. . .what makes a difference with Him?

Romans 2:13 in the Message Bible says:

“Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.”

God is impressed by what you do. . .not what you intend to do.

Do you want God’s approval?

Are you in a tough work environment?

Is your boss like Hannibal Lecter…after a pound of flesh?

I feel prompted to share three things with you.

American Express. . .says don’t leave home without it.

MasterCard. . .takes you wherever you want to be.

Truthfully, the credit cards may take you there. . .but if you don’t pay your bills they won’t bring you back.

The young Marine who left home. . .never to enjoy his mother’s home cooking again.

The Navy Seal who left his pregnant wife. . .never to see his daughter take her first step.

The Army private who left college early. . .never to return to finish his education.

The Air Force fighter pilot who left a lucrative job offer. . .never to fly again.

Throughout our history. . .and indeed the history of the world there has always been those who so unselfishly gave their lives for the freedom of others.

There’s a country and western song entitled “looking for love in all the wrong places” written by Waylon Jennings.

The first stanza says:  “I’ve spent a lifetime looking for you.”

This morning God directed me to tell His children not to be looking in the wrong places to find the right Person with the answers to the problems they’re facing.

Then He said: