When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

THERE IS INCREDIBLE POWER THAT COMES FROM FACING IMPOSSIBLE PAIN.

LIFE CANNOT BE MEASURED BY HOW MUCH TIME WE GET, BUT BY EVERY MOMENT WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them.  As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter. Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. Luke 24:13-35

Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Luke 24:31

And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem Luke 24:33

“He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. Luke 24:19

We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. Luke 24:21

ADMITTING DEFEAT IS ALWAYS PREMATURE WHEN JESUS IS INVOLVED.  THE RESURRECTION IS PROOF OF THAT!

but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” Luke 24:29

Within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. Luke 24:33

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

1. THOSE WHO MUST RUN TOWARDS THEIR FEAR

FAITH IS NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, BUT DOING WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17 NIV

2. THOSE WHO MUST WAIT FAITHFULLY IN THIS SEASON

FAITH DOESN’T ALWAYS CALL YOU TO GO. SOMETIMES IT CALLS YOU TO STAY.

“Build homes, and plan to stay; Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”;“You will be in Babylon for seventy years. Jeremiah 29:5-7;10

3. THOSE WHO MOVE MUST BEYOND THEIR PAST

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20

PERFECTION IS NEVER GODS REQUIREMENT. JUST GROWTH!

TAKE HOME

• KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 1 Peter 2:11

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:23-25

“We have all of eternity to celebrate the victories of this life but only a few short hours of light to win them.” Levi Lusko

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

THERE IS INCREDIBLE POWER THAT COMES FROM FACING IMPOSSIBLE PAIN.

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  Hebrews 6:19 NIV

“What oxygen is to the lungs, hope is to our survival in the world.” -Billy Graham

HOPE IS A CONFIDENT EXPECTATION, A JOYFUL ANTICIPATION, AND AN ACTIVE ENERGIZING ENTHUSIASM.

(The Anchor) It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever. Hebrews 6:19-20

1. HOPE HAS A ROPE

THE CONNECTION IS JUST AS VITAL AS THE ANCHOR ITSELF

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:25-27

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. John 16:7

OUR ADVOCATE, OUR CONNECTION, OUR ROPE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT

2. TO BE EFFECTIVE THE ROPE HAS TO BE TIGHT

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25

TAKE HOME

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25

• ILLUMINATE YOUR HEART WITH TRUTH

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalms 27:13-14 NKJV

• ASSEMBLE WITH GOD’S PEOPLE

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. Psalms 97:13 NKJV

For your heart will always be where your riches are. Luke 12:34

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Philippians 2:17

THERE IS POWER IN THE EXCHANGE! WHEN WE SHIFT OUR PREFERENCES TO WORSHIP AND WHEN WE SHIFT OUR PRIORITIES TO HIS KINGDOM.

• CUE THE EAGLE

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalms 73:26

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

THERE IS INCREDIBLE POWER THAT COMES FROM FACING IMPOSSIBLE PAIN.

1. LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

IF WE TRUST OUR SENSES WE WILL LEAN ON OUR TRAGEDIES INSTEAD OF OUR GOD

You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

2. ETERNITY BECOMES VISIBLE BY FAITH

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 NIV

YOUR FAITH SEES POTENTIAL WHERE YOUR BLINDSPOTS SEES PERIL

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

3. NEARSIGHTEDNESS MUST BE CONSTANTLY CORRECTED

THE BATTLE FOR YOUR EYES IS WON THROUGH YOUR EARS

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 NKJV

4. SEEING THE INVISIBLE YOU CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

WHEN YOU LET GOD GIVE YOU A SUPERNATURAL VISION YOU WILL POSSES A SUPER HUMAN STRENGTH!

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Hebrews 11:33-34

Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.  Hebrews 11:37

Looks can be deceiving

Eternity becomes visible by faith

Nearsightedness must be constantly corrected

Seeing the invisible, you can do the impossible

TAKE HOME

• GET YOUR EARS RIGHT

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23

IF YOU DON’T MAKE IT A PRIORITY IT WILL NEVER BE A REALITY

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:18-20

Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Romans 7:24

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:25

1. ARE MY CHOICES DESTROYING ME?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV

DON’T SETTLE FOR TEMPORARY CRAVINGS AND PASS A  GREATER FEAST THAT CAN TRULY FULFILL YOU!

2. AM I HURTING MY WITNESS

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. 2 Corinthians 8:21 NIV

LETS LIVE A LIFE THAT IS SO ATTRACTIVE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED

3. AM I DISHONORING GOD?

Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never!  1 Corinthians 6:15

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 NIV

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.2 Timothy 2:20-21

TAKE HOME

• OFFER YOURSELF TO GOD DAILY

I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

• WITHDRAW WEEKLY

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 58:13-14 NIV

• LIVE PURPOSEFULLY
  

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.1 Corinthians 9:24-27

• REFLECT HONOR

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23

IF YOU DON’T MAKE IT A PRIORITY IT WILL NEVER BE A REALITY

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

1. DO I FIND MY SECURITY IN GOD OR MONEY?

Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in the spring. Proverbs 11:28

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

MONEY IS A TOOL NOT A LIFE-SOURCE AND SUCCESS BASED ON WHAT WE DO WITH IT NOT ON THE AMOUNT WE HAVE ACCUMULATED.

2. DO I FIND MY IDENTITY IN GOD OR MONEY?

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21

Those who love money will never have enough. Ecclesiastes 5:10

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13-14

3. DO I FIND MY ANSWERS IN GOD OR MONEY?

IF WE NEVER IDENTIFY OUR NEGATIVE MINDSETS WE WILL NEVER ADOPT PRACTICAL WAYS OF GROWTH.

The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; He saves those who have lost all hope. Psalms 34:18 GNT

TAKE HOME

• BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES

Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. Psalms 51:6 GNT

• DEVELOP A PLAN

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 27:12

• DO IT NOW

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23

IF YOU DON’T MAKE IT A PRIORITY IT WILL NEVER BE A REALITY

A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses. Proverbs 27:19 TLB

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Ecclesiastes 4:8

DON’T LET SOMETHING AS FRIVOLOUS AS YOUR CALENDAR DESTROY SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23-24

1. DO I NURTURE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS?

Under Christ's control the whole body is nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God wants it to grow. Colossians 2:19

WE ARE CREATED FOR AND WE GROW IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY

2.   DO I SETTLE IN HARMFUL RELATIONSHIPS?

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20

You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. Hebrews 3:13

(THESE WORDS AND SCRIPTURES ALL ON ONE SLIDE AT THE SAME TIME)

LAZY 2 Thess. 3:6-10, Prov. 12:24

ANGRY Prov. 22:24-25, Prov. 16:32

IMMORAL 1 Cor. 5:9-11, Eph. 5:3-7, 1 Cor. 15:53

GREEDY Eccl. 5:10-11, Prov. 23:6-7, Prov. 15:27

UNBELIEVING 2 Cor. 6:14-17, Ps. 53:1, Ps. 1:1

The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26

WE ARE TO BE POSITIVE INFLUENCERS NOT NEGATIVELY INFLUENCED

“To serve someone here on earth and not point them to Jesus is like inviting someone to heaven and not telling them how to get there.  That would be cruel.” Chris Hodges

You cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant.” Malachi 2:13-14

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO CONSISTENTLY WHAT AVERAGE PEOPLE DO OCCASIONALLY AND THAT APPLIES TO YOUR MARRIAGE!

3.   DO I INITIATE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

TAKE HOME

• GET ON A SERVE TEAM

• JOIN A LIFE GROUP

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends. John 15:15 NIV

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23

IF YOU DON’T MAKE IT A PRIORITY IT WILL NEVER BE A REALITY

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12

Anybody can have a desire but growth doesn't happen until that desire shifts into discipline.

And you must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, and ALL your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:30-31

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:37-39

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10

When you are intimately connected with someone you have a deep desire to do what they love.

1. DO I DESIRE TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD?

Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.  Romans 12:1 GNT

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” Mark 1:35

“After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

2. DO I HUNGER TO READ GODS WORD?

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

“ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” John 6:63

Faith happens and your heart changes when we read not out of obligation but out of expectation.

3. DO I HAVE A HEART FOR OTHERS

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:8-9

• It is easy to justify not loving others...
• Gods love is for everyone
• Gods love is made visible through action

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

TAKE HOME

Intimacy is a result of consistency

• WAKE UP EARLIER

• PICK A READING PLAN

• INTENTIONALLY BE OUTWARD FOCUSED

• START SERVING

• START DOING RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

• START INVITING

“Let our prayer be that when we stand before God one day that we won't have one ounce of talent, creativity, or energy left, simply because we gave God everything we had…”