The Rhythms of Endurance
Get Back – Stay Back
We are not quickly broken by negative encounters or circumstances.
Whatever 2021 brings, we are to prepare our resolve, not look for it in the midst of the problem.
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Endurance: the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way, the capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear.
Denoting or relating to a race or other sporting event that takes place over a long distance or otherwise demands great physical stamina.
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THE ELEMENTS OF ENDURANCE
1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1
Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. It is good that you are enthusiastic and passionate about spiritual gifts, especially prophecy.
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The Rhythms of Faith, Hope, Love, Spirit
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THE RHYTHMS OF FAITH
The most famous of scriptures on faith is Hebrews 11:1 and provides an incredible definition of faith.
HEBREWS 11:1(NLT)
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
HEBREWS 11:1(TPT)
Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.
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Hope (god-oriented imagination)
Faith is the ability to move imagination towards reality
God imagines for us (“I have plans for you”)
His imaginations are blurred by our current realities
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CAN YOU SEE IT?
FAITH BRINGS GOD’S DREAMS FOR US INTO FOCUS DESPITE OUR CIRCUMSTANCE
Gives us the ability to See his dreams for us
Cheetah and Binoculars
ROMANS 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
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JESUS THE FOCAL POUNT OF GODS IMAGINATION
Because of Jesus presence we can see the Father’s imagination of love more clearly.
HEBREWS 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
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ROMANS 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
The foundation of faith is trust in God’s Word (Jesus)
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THE RHYTHMS OF OBEDIENCE AND TRUST
The WORD of God is a combination of His principles and His promises
Our present decisions require obedience to God’s principles
Future plans require obedience to God’s promises
When you walk in obedience to God, you won’t be surprised by the miracles of God
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OBEDIENCE FAITH EXAMPLE
In faith we seek the promise
In obedience we adjust to the principle
EPHESIANS 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
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DISOBEDIENCE CREATES FEAR
PROVERBS 29:18
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.
I am not afraid because I am protected by His promises and principles.
I am not afraid of the hot stove because I know the principles of how to handle the heat.
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OUTCOME IS GOD’S RESPONSIBILITY.
OBEDIENCE to the PROMISES (FAITH) IS YOURS
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THE FEAR TRAP
When we fear that it may not turn out well for us, when we fear we will be injured or loose out, our faith in Gods promises, principles and protection dwindles.
Through obedience and trust in Gods principles and promises, God can calm the storm in our soul before He calms the storm of our circumstance.
PSALM 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
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OBEDIENCE FIGHTS FEAR
Rhythmic obedience builds faith!
Fear attacks us right where our faith lives and keeps us from stepping into the plans God has for us.
The greater our rejection of fear through obedience and trust, the greater our faith.
Fear attacks our current situation to disrupt our faith in God’s future plans.
Without trust, obedience instantly falters. A lie breaks the bond of trust and because Satan knew that broken trust in God would break mankind’s obedience, he sowed lies into the minds of Adam and Eve just as he sows lies into our minds today to break our trust, obedience and our close personal faith-filled relationship with our God of wonder and promise.
ISAIAH 1:19
If you will only obey me, then you will have plenty to eat.
We transform fear into faith through obedience and trust in God
Our worship of Him and obedience to His ways exposes us to a cause and effect on a Divine scale. A single act of obedience sets off a chain reaction of supernatural interventions and promises in multiple areas of our lives.
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TRUST
God’s evident love for us should be our motivation to trust Him and once we do, our trust gives birth to our free will obedience. The greater the trust, the greater the obedience and the greater the reality of His promises for us (Faith)
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TRUST + OBEDIENCE = FAITH
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When the faith of the heart meets the imagination of the mind (hope) thats when miracles can happen.
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1. What one thing can you do today that requires faith?
2. Today I can genuinely imagine_____________(fill in the blank) happening in my life!
3. What one thing can I put aside today to make time to spend imagining with God?
4. What scripture am I going to be immediately obedient to today?
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Start building the rhythm of faith through the resolve of obedience and trust.
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