OPENING- The first rule of physics states a body in motion. He wasnt in the tomb. He and his wife Kay founded Saddleback Church when he was just 26 years old and he continues to serve as the senior pastor. No matter where we go we are safe. All Rights Reserved. Christianity is a movement not a monument. Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ Be strong and courageous. But, He is not saved yet.. I'm reading in Hebrews 10:35-39. Although I had never met Mr. Williams, I knew he was a brilliant sports executive and also a fervent Christian. According to the Lords own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. He is now enthroned in heaven. Ive been thinking about this quite a bit since my mother died a few weeks ago. By faith. Love the Lord your .read more. I'm not going to turn . Just because things dont work out exactly how we planned them does not mean that God is not at work in your life. be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" ( Isaiah 41:10, emphasis added). After all, the First Rule of the Spiritual Life informs us that Hes God and Were Not.. Handfuls on Purpose IX pg 26. a. David I Sam 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. If you watch too much TV, youre bound to get jittery sooner or later. All was going well until Billy got a little too close and accidentally Everything we believe is here in tightly compressed fashion. And keep your eyes open for his answers. Third, you go to work with a good will and a high heart, expecting to be helped as you asked to be. Is there any basis for believing that we will ever see our loved ones again? Yes, of course, and I would much prefer a theology with some mystery in it than a theology that claimed to fully explain the mind of God. MOUNAINS HAVE EARS ONLY IF YOU CAN COMMAND! Cheerfulness ought to be the atmosphere you breathe, and if you believe that God loves you, you cannot but be happy (Charles Haddon Spurgeon). There are lots of people going into the cemeteries, not many coming out. Death is everywhere. If he had not chosen you, you would never have been saved at all. And on it went. We come at last to the prayer of Paul for the Thessalonians. - Roy T. Bennett. By Many Christians have left their first love. The Result of Prayer - Charles Stanley Daily Devotional (July-01-2023), Protection From Pride - Charles Stanley Daily Devotional (July-01-2023), Attributes of God - Charles Stanley Daily Devotional (June-30-2023), The New Testament Church - Charles Stanley Daily Devotional (June-30-2023), Overcoming Loneliness Dr. Charles Stanley, The Seven Habits of a Godly Life Dr. Charles Stanley . Sermon 12256 7:00 PM on 2/ 23/2022 . Psalm 84:7. put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13). I had the privilege of speaking at her graveside service. v. 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Rick Warren- Watch Sermon: Finding the Strength to Keep Going When Im Emotionally Worn Out. v. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. INTRODUCTION: Isaiah saw the coming of the great Babylonian armies and knew that they would destroy Jerusalem, take his people captive, and leave the nation in ruin. That hasnt happened yet. And fix our minds on it. But I did look closely at the chapter called How to Endure Like Jesus. Page 237 contains a quote from German theologian Otto Dibelius, a leader of the anti-Nazi resistance movement in World War II: God does not lead his children around hardship, but leads them straight through hardship. Pentecostal. Strength To Keep On Going Keep Working! It helps to remember that these new believers were just recently rescued from paganism. The Importance of a Daily Devotional - Rick Warren. Download PDF. God uses the warning passages of Scripture to stimulate us to fight for faith. Were not the first generation to feel like that. The Courage to Keep Going - Dr. Charles Stanley. Youll be up when things are good and youll be down when things are bad. Galatians 5:6. Salvation springs from the heart of God who loved us and gave his Son for us. In 1984 J.I. In light of all that, pray for two things: Pray for an encouraged heart. Scripture: What is that way? First, we must remember that God is the source of all power. hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? In Part 4 of the "The Courage to Stand" series, Dr. Stanley points you to key biblical principles that can give you the boldness and courage to press on. Did you know God chose you to be saved? 250-252). Learn from failure and keep moving forward. I have overcome the world.". In the time of trouble, run to Jesus. The mark of the stable heart is consistency. Other. Eventually he sent me a copy of his book called How to be Like Jesus: Lessons on Following in His Footsteps. Sometimes when we are discouraged, we can feel like giving up and walking away from the Lord. He calls it Augustinian holiness teaching. It calls for intense activity but this activity is not in the least self-reliant in spirit. Instead, he says, It follows this four-stage sequence: First, as one who wants to do all the good you can, you observe what tasks, opportunities, and responsibilities face you. If you doubt that, check out the obituaries in the newspaper. If you understand the purposes of God, then you will have every motivation to do what Paul commands. - John 15:13. Words matter. So, when it comes to trusting God, that means believing in His reliability, His Word, His ability and His strength. Matthew 28:1-8, Denomination: You were established in every word and deedStand fast! If you believe that God has a plan for your life, then you can find the strength to keep on going. Whoever serves, [let him serve] as one who serves by the strength that God supplies (1 Peter 4:11). Your doubts are not the end of the story. When you're emotionally worn out and are searching for strength, you need a strategy to recharge your spiritual and emotional battery. Were on a mission to change that. He gives us hopethats in the future when we will share in his glory. Sin until you're satisfied! We know the tomb was empty on Easter Sunday morning and we know he appeared to Mary that morning and later to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. How do you exert your will to do something in such a way that you are relying on the will of another to make it happen? * Its the victim of cancer whos tired of fighting the illness and thinking of taking her own life. No matter how hopeless, painful, unpleasant, or discouraging your circumstances are, He has a purpose for them. Luke 2:8, Denomination: When Peter says, Whoever serves, [let him serve] as one who serves by the strength that God supplies (1 Peter 4:11), we do this not only by praying for that supply, but by trusting in the promise of the supply in specific situations. This ought to give us enormous confidence as we face the uncertainties of life day by day. Don't quit. This is the step I think is missing in most Christians attempt to live the Christian life. And say to God, I believe you; help my unbelief. A. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Marriage Is Working To Keep A Vow There are lots of people going into the cemeteries, not many coming out. Don't give up, keep fighting because it ain't over! I am leaving so I need to tell you to be "Keeping" 23-My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our .read more. Im going to keep you in the faith by 2014 - 2023 Sermons Online. John 8:51, Denomination: (rhymes with Cap That). Is there a mystery here? Paul did work hard. Give us confidence to believe that the God who started a good work in us will bring it to completion, and even today is bringing it to completion. He gives us hopethats in the future when we will share in his glory. Finally I got a question I could sort of answer. 2 Corinthians 4:1 because we have received a ministry, we faint not. Lately Ive been thinking a lot about a truth that is becoming more and more important to me. We dont really know. It does not involved despair. Resources. In order to grasp the full impact of his prayer, we need to back up to verse 13. (Easter Sunday) When a man understands this truth, it puts some spizerinktum in his soul. How do you exert your will to do something in such a way that you are relying on the will of another to make it happen? Of these, the one I have used most often is Isaiah 41:10. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11. If you believe that everything in your life is a hit-and-miss affair, if you think that the events of each day just happen by chance, then you will be a prisoner to your circumstances. Trust a promise. 12 We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. Between now and then, we are living on the edge, waiting for what God has promised. There are hard days and difficult nights and sometimes there are weeks and months and years where the road seems to lead from one hardship to another. You think you are ready to take on the world. The stable heart is fixed on the Lord and is not swaying to and fro. Party until you puke! Pentecostal. (Band set up the sermon by playing Aerosmiths Dream On) What gave David strength. I knew I couldnt solve her problems in two minutes. He wrote to say that he was working on a book about the life of Christ and wondered if I had any thoughts that might be helpful. Then, in that faith, A. Between now and then, we are living on the edge, waiting for what God has promised. Luke 9:62, Denomination: You fight. The very best part of this is the final step in the processsharing in his glory in the life to come. there is no searching of his understanding. But take heart! Apostolic. If you understand the purposes of God, then you will have every motivation to do what Paul commands. The 3rd gospel, and if you could go to chapter number 2, and I want to read for you just one verse for your hearing on today, so drop down to around verse number 8, and it reads as A. God is always the initiator in salvation. As Tony Campolo likes to say, Its Friday but Sundays coming. This is the message of the Resurrection: Your doubts are not the end of the story. They remember how they wept with vague, almost joyful emotion as they passed through the . This means that when it comes to salvation, God always makes the first move, and if he didnt make the first move, we would never make any move at all. P. Pray We will see you again. Is that just wishful thinking? Pray for the help you need. I have come to rest my soul on a handful of biblical truths: The Bible is true. read more, Scripture: He says expect to get the help you asked for. Then, with that expectation, go to work with a good will. I say, T. Trust a particular promise of Gods help. He will not leave you or forsake you. In this message, Pastor Rick shares four solutions from God's Word about how to keep on going when you Read More Finding the Strength to Keep . And when that happens, the temptation is to give up. read more, Scripture: I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me (Colossians 1:29). 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, Isaiah 40, Isaiah 40:27-31, Psalm 25:21, Psalm 25:3, Psalm 25:5, Psalm 27:13-14, Psalm 37:34, Sermon Topics: Someone said, That must have been hard, but it wasnt hard at all. Youll be up when things are good and youll be down when things are bad. Second, remember what God has already done for us. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I believe God honors that sort of forward-looking faith. Stand fast. Remember what you have learned. But if youre asking where he was at 6:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, my answer is, I dont know where he was, but I know where he wasnt. There we will find a message of encouragement that speaks to us in the 21st century. The mark of the stable heart is consistency. When a man understands this truth, it puts some spizerinktum in his soul. That He always keeps His promises. Philippians 1:3-11, Denomination: Psalm 18. I think I would use the word mystery to describe the relationship between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. 1-14). Let the Apostle Paul answer that question: We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter (2 Thessalonians 2:15). I said that I dont believe as much as I did when I was 25. read more, Scripture: Several years ago I received a letter from Pat Williams, Senior Vice-President of the Orlando Magic (a pro basketball team in the NBA). Some things that God understands are simply not fully understandable to us. Everything in the universe plays a part in the outworking of Gods plan. Take a breath, fill your lungs, jump, and fly. In this message, Pastor Rick shares four solutions from God's Word about how to keep on going when you feel like giving up. But there is great truth here. More than anything else, our generation of Christians needs to hear these words again. Yet we are not robots or puppets on a string, and when we come to Christ, we do not come conscious of any compulsion. - Sunrise at scenic overlook at Ridgecrest, NC If you have your Bibles would you turn with me please to the book of Luke, the book of Luke. How wonderful to rest in the knowledge that our God is working out his plan for us in everything that happens to usthe good and the bad, the positive and the negative, the happy and the sad. Notice he is not talking about when you're physically worn out or when you're physically tired, that's a much Read More Rick Warren Sermon Finding the Strength to Keep Going . If we live long enough, well have plenty of chances to get the battle scars Pat Williams talked about. I believe we are living in the beginning of those brighter days. And I happily say that I agree with Spurgeon in believing there will be more in heaven than in hell. You will be able to move mountains, when you used to cower at molehills. Not only will you discover what you believe in times of trouble, thats also when the world discovers what you believe. Hes God and Im not. there is no searching of his understanding. Commitment Salvation begins with Godnot with us. You will one day share in Christs gloryStand fast! * Its the fed-up employee who wants to honor God with his work but is about [this] far from telling off the boss and walking out the door. The 40-minute service including the sermon, prayers and music was created by ChatGPT and Jonas Simmerlein, a theologian and philosopher from the University of Vienna. DREAM ON. And put our faith in it. Someone asked me about that this week. Work out your own salvation . It means something like courage or gumption.) Its a wonderful thing when a man can say, This is Gods will, and I have found it. One day two little kids were playing outside with sticks. But that doesnt mean I can fully explain every nuance of how our uncoerced choices fit into Gods sovereign plan for the universe. * He saw himself as the servant of the Lord. Don't stop fighting, because you have all the strength and resources you need to walk the road ahead. Part 2 in series No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalms 84:11), He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32), Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Psalms 23:6), Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7), My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9), Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. (Psalms 50:15). The latest headlines wont throw you for a loop one way or the other. You are the same because Christ is the same no matter what happens around you. You serve him in the strength that you supply, you will get the glory. Either Jesus is more precious than life or he isnt. So, here is my suggestion for how to do this. And when trouble comes, sometimes thats the best thing we can do. II. (HE IS RISEN INDEED!) Having trouble logging into your account? Several pages later Pat Williams addresses the issue of endurance head-on: If we want to be like Jesus, we must endure like Jesus. Believe in him! You believed the gospelStand fast! So I told her that she needed to go back to the first principles and remind herself of those things she knew to be true. The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. There we will find a message of encouragement that speaks to us in the 21st century.