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2 EXAMPLES OF DETERMINATION TO KEEP GOING

1st     The Determination of Jesus to Keep Going in spite of opposition
"Here's what I want you to tell Herod: Tell him this: 'I will KEEP ON driving out demons and healing people - today, and tomorrow, and on the next day I'll reach my goal. In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day…'" Luke 13:32-33 (NIV)

2nd     The Determination of Paul to Keep Going in spite of pain

We are hard pressed on every side by troubles, but we're not crushed and broken. We're perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We're hunted down, but God never abandons us. Yes, we get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)

WHERE CAN I GET THE STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING?

1. HONESTLY TELL GOD WHAT I'M FEELING
2. GOD ALREADY KNOWS EVERY EMOTION I FEEL
3. GOD UNDERSTANDS MY FEELINGS BETTER THAN I DO!
4. GOD LOVES TO LISTEN TO ME

Unload all your burdens on to him since he is concerned about you! 1 Peter 5:7 (NJB)

ACTION PLAN: Think about the strongest emotion you felt last week. What situation(s) brought about that emotion? Schedule a time to be alone with the Lord to talk through the cause of that emotion.

2.      HUMBLY ASK GOD FOR STRENGTH

Look to the Lord and to his strength. Psalm 105:4 (NIV)

When I pray, you answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.
Psalm 138:3 (LB)

ACTION PLAN: When you face a stressful situation this week and you know you could use God's strength, take a break, and think about the top five moments when you needed God's strength last week. How would the events have turned out differently if you had stopped and asked the Lord to give you his strength? Stop and ask him to give you humility, and with that gift, admit that you need his strength.

3.     GRATEFULLY THANK GOD FOR ALL THAT'S GOOD DESPITE ALL THAT'S BAD

Those who worship God will be encouraged. Psalm 69:32 (TEV)

ACTION PLAN: Take a small notebook and list ten things for which you're grateful today. Each day this week, add 10 more things to the list. Next Sunday, before Church, read the entire list as you prepare for worship.

4.      CONSTANTLY KEEP GOD AS MY FOCUS

We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven.    Hebrews 12:2 (GW)

This is why we never give up … our spirits are being renewed every day. Our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

ACTION PLAN: If you asked your closest friend what you talked about most this week, what would it indicate about your focus? To increase your focus on God this week, make appointments with yourself and God in the morning, at noon, and at night, to make God your priority in your thoughts and actions

Weekly Action Steps
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