SPECIAL NOTE: Make sure to experience Journey with Jesus this Easter season. The trail is open for self-guided and guided tours, or you can download the Journey with Jesus app and listen to Pastor Rick teach through the trail. You can also experience it digitally.
For all information visit saddleback.com/journeywithjesus.
"Moses told the people what the Lord had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore because they had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery." Exodus 6:9 (NLT)
(David) Why am I so discouraged? Why am I sad? I will put my hope in God!" Psalm 42:5 (NLT)
Paul's 7 Secrets of Defeating Discouragement
2 CORINTHIANS 4:1-18
1. NEVER FORGET HOW MUCH GOD LOVES ME
"God in his mercy has given us this ministry and work to do. That's why we do not become discouraged and never give up!" 2 Corinthians 4:1
Action Plan: Listen to Pastor Tom's DriveTime Devotions podcast everyday to add to your devotional time. You can download the DriveTime Devotions app or go to DriveTimeDevotions.com.
2. NEVER FAKE IT. BE HOW I AM!
"We don't try to trick anyone, and we don't twist the word of God. Instead we teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we REALLY are. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God's sight." 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT/NCV)
3. REMEMBER IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!
"Our message is NOT about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are merely your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5 (GW)
4. RELAX IN MY LIMITATION
"We are like clay jars in which God's treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7 (CEV)
Action Plan: What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses? What would others say are your strengths and weaknesses? Take some time to think about this this week. Read Isaiah 40:29, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Psalm 28:7-8, and Habakkuk 3:19.
5. USE MY PAIN TO HELP OTHERS
"We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEV)
"All of these sufferings of ours are for your benefit. And the more of you who are won to Christ, the more there are to thank Him for his great mercy, and the more God gets glory!" 2 Corinthians 4:15 (LB)
6. TAKE TIME FOR RENEWAL
"This is why we never give up! Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day." 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)
Action Plan: Download one of our Personal Retreat Guides from saddleback.com/retreats and take some time this week for rest and renewal.
7. STAY FOCUSED ON ETERNITY
"Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce in us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So, we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever!" 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
"Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne." Hebrews 12:2 (TEV)
"Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up!" Galatians 6:9 (LB)
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship begins a 3-week Easter Audio Experience. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
