RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS                                                              

JOSEPH

WHEN LIFE ISN’T GOING THE WAY WE PLANNED…. DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!! 

Genesis 37:5-7  Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”       NIV

 DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS… 

1. EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T START OFF WELL. 

Genesis 37:23-24  So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe — the richly ornamented robe he was wearing —  24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.    NIV

2. EVEN IF THOSE CLOSEST DON’T SUPPORT YOU.

Genesis 37:4-5   When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.   NIV

Mark 6:3-4  “Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."   NIV

3. EVEN IF YOUR JOURNEY IS FULL OF SURPRISES AND TAKES A LONG TIME.  

Joseph’s dream took 22 years before it was accomplished.

Habakkuk 2:3  “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”      Living Bible

FINAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT 

FOCUS ON WHAT HAPPENS IN YOU AND NOT TO YOU.

James 1:2-3  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.    NIV

EVERY DREAM HAS TOUGH TIMES, BUT REMEMBER GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU. 

Genesis 39:2   The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.    NIV

Gen 39:22-23   So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.     NIV

YOUR RESPONSE TO OFFENSE DETERMINES YOUR FUTURE.

Genesis 50:20-21  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.    New Living

RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS                                                                     

ISAIAH

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.   NIV

Isaiah 30:21   Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  NIV

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL – AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!!!

 A GOD ENCOUNTER 

Our greatest pain can be a catalyst for our greatest gain.                   

Isaiah 6:1-4  In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim… And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.   NIV

When we see God clearly we see ourselves clearly.                     

Isaiah 6:5   “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”    NIV

God removes our past so He can redeem our future.                     

Isaiah 6:6-8   Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”    NIV

MORE LESSONS FROM ISAIAH

1. God wants to reveal more of Himself to you.                           

Isaiah 55:6   Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.    NIV

Jeremiah 29:13   You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.    NIV

ACTION:   GO ALL IN!!!

 

2. God wants to change you.                                                             

Isaiah 1:18-19    “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.”   NIV

ACTION: TAKE THE NEXT STEP!!!! 

 

3. God has an assignment for you.                                                      

Isaiah 60:1-3   “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”    NIV

ACTION:  DISCOVER MY PURPOSE!!!!.

RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS                                                              

ABRAHAM          

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.   NIV

Genesis 15:2-6   But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”   NIV

EVEN WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S WAYS…. GOD ALWAYS DOES THE RIGHT THING!!!!

1. Even if it takes a long time.        

Genesis 16:1-2   Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said.   NIV

2. Even if it seems absurd.                    

Genesis 18:10-14 Then the Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."    NIV

 3.    Even if we don’t understand. 

Hebrews 11:17-19   By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. Even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned’, Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead…”    NIV

 

 OTHER LESSONS FROM ABRAHAM

“Don’t make earth your home.”   

Hebrews 11:9-10   By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.   NIV

“Live with an eternal perspecitve.” 

Hebrews 11:15-16    If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.     NIV

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED                                                                      

Why are you so afraid? 

Mark 4:35-41   That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."  36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"     NIV

NO FEAR

 1. Stand your ground.

Exodus 14:13-14   Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.     NIV

James 4:7   Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.   NIV 

Resist - anthistemi (anth-is'-tay-mee)  to stand against, i.e. oppose:

 

2. Pray for peace. 

Philippians 4:6   Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.    NIV

Prayer ________________________________________________

Petition _______________________________________________

Thanksgiving ___________________________________________

 

3. Object to lies. 

2 Corinthians 10:5   We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.     NIV

2 Corinthians 10:5-6     We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 6 Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.     MESSAGE

4. Trust in God. 

Psalm 56:3-4   When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?     NIV

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.      NIV

 It is time to fight because my future is on the other side of the fear.

THE QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED                                             

Do you love me???

John 21:15-18   When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"  He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.    NIV

THE QUESTION WAS ASKED TO BRING HUMILITY.

John 21:15  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."      NIV 

Matthew 26:31-35   On the way, Jesus told them, "Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, 'God will strike the Shepherd,  and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there."  33 Peter declared, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you." 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me."  35 "No!" Peter insisted. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!" And all the other disciples vowed the same.         New Living 

THE QUESTION WAS ASKED TO GIVE DIRECTION.

John 21:15   "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

John 21:16   "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

John 21:17   He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”    

James 2:14-17   What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.   NIV

Galatians 5:6   For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.     New Living 

THE QUESTION WAS ASKED TO BRING RESTORATION.

Luke 22:56-60   A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.  58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!"     NIV

1 Peter 2:13   Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.   

New Living

QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED                                                                            

 

What do you want me to do for you?

 

Mark 10:46-52   Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."  52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.    NIV

 

SHOWS WHERE OUR FAITH IS

Mark 10:51    "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."     NIV

How often do we limit the greatness that God has for us by our small faith?

“Bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers.”   Mark Batterson

Mark 9:23   Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."     NKJV

SHOWS WHAT OUR MOTIVES ARE

James 4:2-3  You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.    NIV

Mark 10:36-37    "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.  37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."    NIV

Our prayers show where our hearts are and what we truly want?  

Psalm 37:4   Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.     NIV

Delight - `anag (aw-nag')  to be soft or pliable.

 

 

SHOWS WHERE WE ARE GOING

Mark 10:52    "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.  NIV

When we answer this questions full of faith and the right motives we will go to amazing places!!!!!

QUESTIONS THAT JESUS ASKED                                                                    

 

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

 

Matthew 16:13-19   When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."   17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.   19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."     NIV

 

YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!!!!

TO SAY THIS WENT AGAINST THE CROWD.

Matthew 16: 13-14      When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.   NLT

John 15:18-19   If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.    NLT

TO SAY THIS OPENED UP MORE FOR JESUS TO SHOW THEM.

Matthew 16:21    From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.    NLT

When you open up your heart to God, He will show you things greater than you can imagine or dream!!!

YOU ARE MY PROVIDER!!! Philippians 4:19

YOU ARE MY PEACE!!!!John 16:33

YOU ARE MY JOY!!!! Romans 15:13

YOU ARE MY FRIEND!!!! John 15:15

 

TO SAY THIS THEY HAD TO HAVE OPEN EYES AND AN OPEN HEART.

Matthew 16:17-18    Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”    NLT

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR

Romans 8:37   No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.      NIV

More than Conquerors - hupernikao (hoop-er-nik-ah'-o)  to vanquish, to gain a decisive victory.

 

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BECAUSE GOD GIVES ME STRENGTH.

Philippians 4:13  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.      NIV

Colossians 1:10-12   We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. 11 We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul — not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, 12 thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.      MESSAGE

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BECAUSE GOD GIVES ME WISDOM.

James 1:5    If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.   New Living 

 

 

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BECAUSE GOD GIVES ME FAVOR.

Psalm 90:17  May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.     NIV

Psalm 5:12  For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.     NIV

 

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BECAUSE GOD GIVES ME PEACE.

John 16:33    I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.     New Living 

Philippians 4:7   And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.     NIV

 

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BECAUSE GOD GIVES ME THE VICTORY.

Proverbs 21:31   The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.     New Living 

1 Corinthians 15:57   But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.    NIV

I AM CALLED (TO LIVE ON PURPOSE)

 

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

 

God created you. You are not an accident.

God has a plan for you. You have a purpose in life.

 

 YOU ARE CREATED TO PRAISE GOD.

 

Your purpose in life is to praise and worship God.

Psalm 86:9    All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O lord; they will bring glory to your name.  NIV

 

Psalm 86:12  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.     NIV

 

YOU ARE CREATED TO GROW IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

Your purpose in life is to grow in character.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.     NIV

YOU ARE CREATED TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL.

Your purpose in life is to tell others about Jesus’ love for them.

Isaiah 12:4   Make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.   NIV

 

Matthew 28:19-20    Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.    NIV

 

YOU ARE CREATED TO US THE TALENTS GOD GAVE YOU.

Your purpose in life is to develop your gifts.

Romans 12:4-8   Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.     NIV

 

Find out what God has for you to do.

 

Do not minimize your role.

 

Do not become jealous or bitter.

.

 Do not downplay the value of what you do.

 

What counts is that you are faithful.

I AM VALUABLE!!

Psalm 139:13-14  You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.      New Living 

WHAT DOES NOT DETERMINE MY VALUE!!

The amount of money that I have does not determine my value.

The number of likes on social media does not determine my value.

What others think about how I look does not determine my value.

How old or how young that I am does not determine my value.

People’s opinions of me does not determine my value.

How nice my house, car or clothes are does not determine my value.

The size of the clothes that I wear does not determine my value.

 

WHAT DOES DETERMINE MY VALUE!!

I WAS MADE BY THE HAND OF GOD IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

Genesis 1:27  So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  New Living 

EVEN IF WE ARE FORSAKEN BY OTHERS WE ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN BY GOD.

Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!     New Living   

 

GOD’S THOUGHTS FOR US ARE WONDERFUL AND HIS PLANS FOR US ARE GREAT. 

Jeremiah 29:11   For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.      NIV

 

HE SENT HIS SON TO DIE FOR US.

Romans 5:8   But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.      New Living 

 

HE CALLS US HIS CHILDREN.

1 John 3:1   How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!    NIV

 

HE CHOOSES TO USE US TO ADVANCE HIS KINGDOM.

2 Corinthians 5:20  We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.   THE MESSAGE