Staying In The Game

Joel @ Lakewood Church

· It's easy to lose your passion when things don't work out, but you have to shake off the pity. You can't let the hurt cause you to sit on the sidelines.

· Don't let the bad break make you bitter. You have to have a made up mind that you are going to be faithful.

· Momma Dodie: diagnosed with terminal cancer but she still drove mIles to pray for others. She was injured but still in the game.

· God will take your scars and turn them into stars for His glory.

Isaiah 61:3 NIV

and provide for those...beauty instead of ashes...

Isaiah 60:1 AMP

ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

· God has an after this planned for me!

Job 42:16-17 NIV

After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

· NFL Player Torrey Smith Honors Brother Who Died In Motorbike Crash Hours Before Game Time

· People would understand if you sat on the sidelines "nursing your wounds" but when you get in the game in spite of the circumstances you give the enemy a nervous breakdown.

· God understands

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

· Ruth (example)

Ruth stayed in the game after losing her husband and was given a husband who was the richest in the land and ended up in royal lineage.

Ruth 4:21-22 NLT

Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David.

· The rest of my days will be the best of my days!

********Victoria Osteen*********

Turn Your Worrying into Worship

· God cares about what I care about.

Psalm 55:22 NIV

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

· Don't worry.

Matthew 6:25 NIV

...do not worry about your life....

Matthew 6:27, 33 NIV

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

·Look up and not down.

Luke 21:28-29 NIV

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

· You can tell worrying from planning because you are frustrated and not displaying the fruit if the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

· Sarah (example)

Hebrews 11:11 NIV

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.

Standing on the promises of Christ!