Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

• 1831 – Lost his job
• 1832 – Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
• 1833 – Failed in business
• 1834 – Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
• 1835 – Sweetheart died
• 1836 – Had nervous breakdown
• 1838 – Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
• 1843 – Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
• 1846 – Elected to Congress (success)
• 1848 – Lost re-nomination
• 1849 – Rejected for land officer position
• 1854 – Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
• 1856 – Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
• 1858 – Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
• 1860 – Elected President (success)

What have you been saved from?

Some people have incredible stories of what God has saved them from:  marriage on the rocks, looking to disprove Christianity, drugs and alcohol, self righteousness (sometimes this can be the hardest one, people with problems know they need help but the person who thinks he has it all together can be dangerous because he doesn’t see the need in his own life).

What is yours?

Joseph

He is generally not the first person we think of when it comes to the story of the Nativity, but he did play an important role. He was given the assignment to be the “step” father of the Son of God. This incredible gift was given in uncomfortable circumstances. His betrothed wife became pregnant and it wasn’t his…he trusted God anyway. People made fun of her and suggested he have her killed…he trusted God anyway.

You will (insert your current problem)…trust God anyway!

Sometimes God’s greatest gifts can we wrapped in quite uncomfortable circumstances.

Difficult Times

A common myth about Christianity is once you ask Jesus Christ into your heart and you decide to follow after Him, then things will be easy for you. That is definitely not the case, in fact more than likely the opposite is true. There will be attacks on your life both physically and spiritually because of the stand you have chosen to take for Christ. I have heard it said that you are either getting ready to go through a storm, in a storm or coming out of a storm. It reminds me of the verse in John 16:33 –In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. That seems like a promise that there will be tough times in our lives. The question I have for you today is what will you do during these hard times in your life?
Look at Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
1. Trust that God is there for us in difficult times
2. Pour out your heart to Him in prayer
3. Abide in Him as our refuge

KEEP ASKING

I remember when my wife and I were first married and dirt poor.  We had one car but with a new baby and my work schedule we needed to find a way to get a second car.  There was no way we could afford any type of car, so we began praying for one.  We started praying and by the end of the week guess what happened, NOTHING!  We continued praying for a couple more months until one day I got a call from a family member asking if I wanted their old car.  Then 3 days after that, a family in our church donated ANOTHER car to us.  I guess God answered both my wife’s prayer and my prayer too.

Here are the two valuable lessons I learned:

1.  God will supply all my needs – The key word is needs not wants.  I didn’t get a brand new mustang convertible; I got a couple of very used cars.
2. Keep on asking – Just because God did not answer my prayer the first week, did not mean He didn’t care, it just wasn’t the right timing.

 

Matthew 7:7 – Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (NLT)

Can We Do This?

I work for an amazing church who is devoted to reaching people for Christ no matter the cost. From time to time I find myself being asked the question “Can we do this?” Sometimes that means, “Can we build a 6 foot iphone by Friday?” Other times it means “Can we get 50 teens to work this Saturday?” Or my favorite “Can you preach tomorrow?”
My general response remains “Is God in this?” If I believe God wants this task to be done then I know it will get done. On the other hand, if I don’t believe God is in it, it doesn’t matter how hard I work it won’t be as great as what we wanted.
So next time you are faced with a huge task don’t ask “Can we do this?” but ask “Is God in this?”

Imported from Detroit

Growing up in the Motor City, I know a lot about the mass production of vehicles. Henry Ford created the assembly line so cars could be made faster and cheaper. For the most part, each car coming off the line should look exactly alike. On the other hand, the Rolls Royce Phantom (about $300,000) is hand built to the exact specifications of what the owner would like to have. Therefore, no two Phantoms are exactly alike.
God did not mass produce people; he has customized each of us by hand. We are his workmanship created for a purpose. So today, think about how valuable you are to God and focus on the purpose he has for your life!