Running to Win - 15 Minute Edition

Many people pray for years, asking God for deliverance from appalling situations. Even so, faith is ultimately not about getting what you want; faith accepts what God gives you. Even when you don't see a miracle in this life, the Lord never stops doing a good work in you. In this message, you'll find hope by committing yourself to God and leaving the decision with him. God is fully aware of your needs and what's best for you.

One of the deepest disappointments anyone could feel has to do with divine healing. When you see a child suffer or a young mother die of cancer, it's natural to wonder whether you can go on believing. Has God answered your prayer with an ongoing "no"? In this message, you'll clarify four facts about faith that'll help you to get perspective, to keep believing, and to honor God. Your faith in the Lord Jesus can last even through life's greatest disappointments.

How is God's grace sufficient for a heavy loss like the death of a loved one or a divorce? Your reaction to final answer of "no" is vital. Unless God grants grace to trust Him, it will be impossible to carry or accept on your own. In this message, you'll take away life-changing truths about burdens too heavy for you. Remember: even weighty "no" answers are still answers.

Do you have tendency to grin and bear it when God doesn't answer your prayers? God doesn't call you to a stoic response. God's grace shines brightest through your weakness. In this message, you'll identify the features of Paul's triumphant prayer: the request, God's reply, and Paul's response. What difference will God's sufficient grace make for you when the answer is "no"?

If someone doesn't pray regularly, it's probably due to some unanswered prayer. You have a choice when the answer to your prayer is a clear "no." You can become resentful, or the answer can increase your faith. In this message, you'll ask relevant questions about Paul's thorn in the flesh—one of the best examples of triumph in unanswered prayer. What might God give you that's better than what you asked of Him?

When disaster strikes, some view prayer as merely positive thoughts or energy. Don't be stuck in that low view of prayer. Habakkuk and Joseph lived in tumultuous times like these. They both journeyed from frustration to the calm assurance that God is in charge. In this message, you can be delivered to a new perspective of faithful commitment to God amid any disaster. Imagine what would happen if you committed yourself to God with total abandon.

There are so many issues to be anxious about: failing in your work or studies, providing enough for your family, or the overall state of the nation. In Habakkuk's day, evildoers were having a field day in Israel. In this message, you'll recount the truths that God is in control, He's been faithful from the beginning, and He cares. You too can put your confidence in God because there's neither trouble that befalls you nor authority over you unless it's given from above.

How do you praise God when calamity is raging? Do you deny it, accept it, or what? The prophet Habakkuk's dialogs with God show a man wrestling with how God could seemingly be out of touch with how tough things were. In this message, you'll arrive at two fundamental conclusions about God. Let's get to the heart of the prophet's complaint as we learn to truly praise during dark times.

Where is God when injustice, poverty, exploitation, fraud, and disasters come? America and the world today seem to be heading from bad to worse. In Habakkuk's day, he prayed for deliverance and was sent disaster. In this message, you'll listen to the prophet's prayer, perplexity, and his posture amid disaster. If you're feeling perplexed about God and His ways in the world, He hasn't abandoned His sovereignty. He's with you still.

Do you struggle to develop habits in your time alone with God? Knowing the Lord in prayer is far more vital than getting what you want from Him. As you know God more, your passion for Him will increase and your desire for sin will decrease. In this message, you'll ponder five choices that develop intimacy with the Lord during your quiet time. You can come boldly to the throne of grace even when the answer is disguised.