23000 people lined up to watch the Boston marathon. They came from all over the world to view this historic event. Every runner in the pack wanted to finish. Among them stood Bill Iffrig running his third marathon at age 78. He was on a pace to beat his best time. He had the finish line in site when the first bomb exploded a mere only feet away from him. The force crumpled his body as though he were a dishrag. When he regained consciousness, he realized that he was still alive and found only a scrape on his knee. A race official helped him up and Bill walked the final 10-15 feet to finish the race. Bill would explain: “After you have run 26 miles, you are not going to stop 10 feet from the finish line.” He realized that he was too close to give up now. He had every reason in the world to give up, but he did not.

Bill is not the only one to be knocked down in life. The apostle Paul knew what it was to be knocked down; persecuted, tortured and beaten. Like Bill, Paul proclaimed that he was not giving up. When life deals the blows, we cannot lay there in self-pity. There is something more important: We must finish what we started.

Things can explode in life unexpectedly. Terrorists attack to disrupt life and cause fear. Spiritual terrorism does the same thing. The devil seeks to disrupt life and instill fear. The answer to physical and spiritual terrorism is to get up. You cannot beat a man that will not stay down. It would be easier to stay down, but Bro. Hughes comes today to tell us that God has a better plan. Get back up and finish what we started. Bad things happen to good people. Getting knocked down is not a problem of weak people, or who are uncommitted or uninvolved. Bill Iffrig in addition running marathons, climbed mountains. He was a strong man and in better health than many men younger the he. Good men can get knocked down.

No matter how stunned, confused and hurt we may be, we have to get up because finishing is worthwhile. We will never regret finishing, but we will regret quitting. Getting back up is what the devil didn’t count on.

Paul did not write the book of Romans in a luxury resort. This and many other books were written during adverse times in his life and in difficult situations. There is nothing in life that serves to encourage us to live right and to adhere to Godly principles. Paul’s life was no exception. Even so, our text is an insight into Paul’s faith and dedication. In the midst of adversity and struggle, Paul would pen words like “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.” Paul was not so worried about the season in life he might find himself, as he was concerned with the attitude he had about this situation. Weather he was in a prison, or on the isle of Patmos, Paul was able to have an attitude about his situation that allowed him to survive the situation and grown in his faith. Bro. Hughes offers three observations from Romans 12 to help us when life is difficult.

Paul did not write the book of Romans in a luxury resort. This and many other books were written during adverse times in his life and in difficult situations. There is nothing in life that serves to encourage us to live right and to adhere to Godly principles. Paul’s life was no exception. Even so, our text is an insight into Paul’s faith and dedication. In the midst of adversity and struggle, Paul would pen words like “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.” Paul was not so worried about the season in life he might find himself, as he was concerned with the attitude he had about this situation. Weather he was in a prison, or on the isle of Patmos, Paul was able to have an attitude about his situation that allowed him to survive the situation and grown in his faith. Bro. Hughes offers three observations from Romans 12 to help us when life is difficult.

Our text introduces us to a man who had been bed ridden for eight years. He had not always been paralyzed, but for whatever reason, his life was such that he was flat on his back and dependent upon others to help him. There are many reasons that people get down in life. There are things that happen that are life altering. They can leave a person flat on their back spiritually. There are things in life that can knock people down to the point where they are unable to get back up. Our text is a promise that no matter how long we may have been flat on our backs, God can bring us up and bring us out. No matter what it is that may have us paralyzed, the power of God can heal us. The power of God can set us back on our feet. Peter did not say “the power of Jesus can make you better.” He didn’t say “the power of Jesus can improve your situation” He said “The power of Jesus Christ will make you WHOLE.” This man had not been out of his bed for eight years. The man of God commanded him to “Get up and make your bed.” Through the power of Jesus Christ, this man had the power to get up and get out of the situation he had been in for eight years. Bro. Hughes declares that for someone here today: It is time to make your bed.

Our text introduces us to a man who had been bed ridden for eight years. He had not always been paralyzed, but for whatever reason, his life was such that he was flat on his back and dependent upon others to help him. There are many reasons that people get down in life. There are things that happen that are life altering. They can leave a person flat on their back spiritually. There are things in life that can knock people down to the point where they are unable to get back up. Our text is a promise that no matter how long we may have been flat on our backs, God can bring us up and bring us out. No matter what it is that may have us paralyzed, the power of God can heal us. The power of God can set us back on our feet. Peter did not say “the power of Jesus can make you better.” He didn’t say “the power of Jesus can improve your situation” He said “The power of Jesus Christ will make you WHOLE.” This man had not been out of his bed for eight years. The man of God commanded him to “Get up and make your bed.” Through the power of Jesus Christ, this man had the power to get up and get out of the situation he had been in for eight years. Bro. Hughes declares that for someone here today: It is time to make your bed.

After reading the news reports daily for the last few months, Bro. Hughes is not able to recall a single day when he felt better after reading the news than he did before. There is not a lot there from which to draw comfort. It is easy to think that God is not aware of the condition of the world. This is simply not true. Bro. Hughes recalls preaching from his childhood that had the theme that God is everywhere. We cannot hide from God, because He knows every event that will happen in our life. The world looks at this as a negative. Quite the opposite, we should draw comfort from the fact that God is never taken by surprise. He knows all that is going on, and our path trough it. We can get focused on life and the turmoil in the world, and we sometimes forget the promises of God offered in His word. The concept of safety appears throughout the bible. God wants us to feel safe. The reason is that if we do not feel safe, the fight or flight mechanism takes over. If we feel safe, we are comfortable with the presence of God.

There are three areas of life in which we must be safe; Sprit, Soul and Body. Each of these areas requires a different type of safety. The only way to be safe spiritually is to be in the presence of God. The longer we linger in the presence of God, the more relaxed we become. We must all have physical safety. God gave Adam the responsibility of guarding and protecting the garden. Adam failed to do that. He allowed Satan in. Too many men are not guarding what is allowed into their home. We had better pay attention to what is safe in our homes. We put latches on cabinet doors to keep our children out of the cleaning supplies. We cover the electrical outlets. As the children grow older the safety needs change. We must be careful what we allow into our homes. Our world tells us that there is no need for this kind of safety. They are wrong. When men fail to provide the physical security in our homes, we damage the other two areas in which we must be safe. God is responsible for Spiritual safety. The man of the house is responsible for Physical safety. It is up to the mother to see to the emotional safety. Men are not equipped to do this. Women are uniquely qualified in this area.

The key to this safety is communication. The only way relationships are built is through communication. As we communicate and learn more about each other, we build trust. Without trust, safety is not possible. God will take care of the spiritual safety. If the man takes care of the physical security of the home, the woman will be able to take care of the emotional security. If both of these do their jobs, they will be able to raise children who know who they are and how to live a Godly life.

After reading the news reports daily for the last few months, Bro. Hughes is not able to recall a single day when he felt better after reading the news than he did before. There is not a lot there from which to draw comfort. It is easy to think that God is not aware of the condition of the world. This is simply not true. Bro. Hughes recalls preaching from his childhood that had the theme that God is everywhere. We cannot hide from God, because He knows every event that will happen in our life. The world looks at this as a negative. Quite the opposite, we should draw comfort from the fact that God is never taken by surprise. He knows all that is going on, and our path trough it. We can get focused on life and the turmoil in the world, and we sometimes forget the promises of God offered in His word. The concept of safety appears throughout the bible. God wants us to feel safe. The reason is that if we do not feel safe, the fight or flight mechanism takes over. If we feel safe, we are comfortable with the presence of God.

There are three areas of life in which we must be safe; Sprit, Soul and Body. Each of these areas requires a different type of safety. The only way to be safe spiritually is to be in the presence of God. The longer we linger in the presence of God, the more relaxed we become. We must all have physical safety. God gave Adam the responsibility of guarding and protecting the garden. Adam failed to do that. He allowed Satan in. Too many men are not guarding what is allowed into their home. We had better pay attention to what is safe in our homes. We put latches on cabinet doors to keep our children out of the cleaning supplies. We cover the electrical outlets. As the children grow older the safety needs change. We must be careful what we allow into our homes. Our world tells us that there is no need for this kind of safety. They are wrong. When men fail to provide the physical security in our homes, we damage the other two areas in which we must be safe. God is responsible for Spiritual safety. The man of the house is responsible for Physical safety. It is up to the mother to see to the emotional safety. Men are not equipped to do this. Women are uniquely qualified in this area.

The key to this safety is communication. The only way relationships are built is through communication. As we communicate and learn more about each other, we build trust. Without trust, safety is not possible. God will take care of the spiritual safety. If the man takes care of the physical security of the home, the woman will be able to take care of the emotional security. If both of these do their jobs, they will be able to raise children who know who they are and how to live a Godly life.

The world and science tells us that man is nothing more than an advanced ape that has mastered his environment. The psalmist has a different view. There are various theories about the origin of this Psalm. Most agree that David wrote it early on in his life. Without the aid of telescopes or other instruments, he was able to capture the essence of life and man’s position in it. In modern life we have all means of technology to communicate with each other and view the other side of the world with a few mouse clicks. Even given this advanced technology, we are living in the most depressing time with regard to people’s happiness with their lives. Most of us are limited by our problems and the surroundings in which we find ourselves. This text shows us that we can live freed from these problems by trusting in and having faith in God. God is in control and knows what He is doing. What you and I see will determine what we find. There is no problem that besets any of us that have not been experienced before and God handled it then and can handle it now. When the psalmist looked to the heavens he saw on display the wonder of God’s creation and was moved to understand that He had it all in His hand. The observations about nature in the psalms are not the point of the songs. The point is what the sun, moon, start, and thunderstorms represent: the awesome power of God. When we observe the glory of God’s creation, we understand just as the psalmist did: If God could do all that, He can handle everything else in the world that perplexes us. The power and glory of God are undeniable and He declares: I AM HERE. No matter what the world might be telling us about evolution, our text reminds us that we are divinely created. The same God that created the heavens, the mountains and sea, also created us. God’s divined intent is that we would not be ruled by our fears. We have divine possibilities. Bro. Hughes declares that we should quit wasting our time worried about our problems, because God has a divine intent for us. The world has propagated the lie that you and I do not matter. The bible confirms that this is a lie. God has called each of us to become something and that means that we DO matter.

Our text reminds us that if we take time to consider the heavens, we can gain an understanding of God’s power and His plan for our life. Maybe it is time to look up.

The world and science tells us that man is nothing more than an advanced ape that has mastered his environment. The psalmist has a different view. There are various theories about the origin of this Psalm. Most agree that David wrote it early on in his life. Without the aid of telescopes or other instruments, he was able to capture the essence of life and man’s position in it. In modern life we have all means of technology to communicate with each other and view the other side of the world with a few mouse clicks. Even given this advanced technology, we are living in the most depressing time with regard to people’s happiness with their lives. Most of us are limited by our problems and the surroundings in which we find ourselves. This text shows us that we can live freed from these problems by trusting in and having faith in God. God is in control and knows what He is doing. What you and I see will determine what we find. There is no problem that besets any of us that have not been experienced before and God handled it then and can handle it now. When the psalmist looked to the heavens he saw on display the wonder of God’s creation and was moved to understand that He had it all in His hand. The observations about nature in the psalms are not the point of the songs. The point is what the sun, moon, start, and thunderstorms represent: the awesome power of God. When we observe the glory of God’s creation, we understand just as the psalmist did: If God could do all that, He can handle everything else in the world that perplexes us. The power and glory of God are undeniable and He declares: I AM HERE. No matter what the world might be telling us about evolution, our text reminds us that we are divinely created. The same God that created the heavens, the mountains and sea, also created us. God’s divined intent is that we would not be ruled by our fears. We have divine possibilities. Bro. Hughes declares that we should quit wasting our time worried about our problems, because God has a divine intent for us. The world has propagated the lie that you and I do not matter. The bible confirms that this is a lie. God has called each of us to become something and that means that we DO matter.

Our text reminds us that if we take time to consider the heavens, we can gain an understanding of God’s power and His plan for our life. Maybe it is time to look up.

Some men’s lives are written in chapters and stages. History is full of stories of men like Caesar, Napoleon. Our text however is only two short verses that tell our entire knowledge of Jabez. In this momentary glimpse we see a great deal that is essential about life. His life leaves behind lessons that are worth remembering. His very name means “He causes me pain.” Even though childbirth is painful, women do not name their children in a way that reference3s that pain. This very fact speaks to the troubled life that Jabez’s mother. There is no mention of his father. Culturally, this indicates that the father had shamed the family and was an outcast. His mother so lowly regarded Jabez that she passed her grief and pain along to him. His name was however just a label. Life and the world will place labels upon us: Loser, failure, troublesome, etc. Our text tonight is proof that we can outlive the labels that life places upon us. Jabez called upon God of Israel to bless his life and help him get out from under the label that had been placed upon his life. Jabez discovered that the key to life is not what happens to us, but what we do about what happens to us. He found that it does not matter how he started, it matters how he would finish. He ask to be delivered from the detractors in his life. God answered his prayer and later in the book of Chronicles, we learn of a city that was named after Jabez. This city housed scholars and people who wrote scripture. Out of a clouded beginning and dissatisfaction with his situation, Jabez offered prayers to be delivered from all of that and God granted his request. Bro. Hughes tells us that life cannot give us a label that we cannot outlive, but we have to want something better.

Jabez refused to get stuck in the past. The story of Jabez tells us all that we can overcome our past, but we have to let it go. Jabez had a vision of what he wanted. He asks God to enlarge his tent. He didn’t just ask for a better life, he defined it. Jabez looked beyond what he was; who they said he was and ask God for the vision of the life he wanted. God granted him every word of his prayer. If you want out you have to get your eyes off of the current situation and look forward to the future.