Mark 12:30 MSG

Romans 12:11 MSG

Acts 12:1-5 NIV

Hindrances to persevering in prayer

1. An unbalanced schedule

Psalm 127:2

Life will always move you in the direction of your strongest thoughts

Hindrances to persevering in prayer

2. An Unconfessed sin

I John 1:9

Peacemakers: -speak truth in love -apologize when you are wrong -Forgive and let go

4. An unsupported lifestyle

Hebrews 10:24, 25

There is a difference between solitude and isolation. One is connected and one isn't. Solitude replenishes and isolation diminishes

5. An unclear purpose

Habakkuk 2:2, 3

When we catch a glimpse of purpose we will live as if our days are numbered and lean into what God is up to in the world

New seasons ​in life can bring joy, expectation, excitement, fear, doubt, concerns, etc.

Wherever you find yourself, one of the greatest pitfalls in entering a new season is the temptation to walk in ​self-sufficiency​.

John 16:12-15 ESV

The disciples had only known life ​with​ Jesus for those years of His ministry. They relied on the certainty of Him being there in person.

Now the disciples needed to be prepared for the new season of not having Jesus there in the flesh, but receiving the empowerment to live for Him that would come through the work of the Holy Spirit.

John 15:1-5 ESV

Jesus called us to ​abide in Him in order to live for Him. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all of the truth. The Spirit of Immanuel continues today by the work of the Holy Spirit.

How do I enter a new season?

1. Faithfully (​John 15:4-5​)
Continue in relationship with God and obedience to His word.

2. Prayerfully (​John 16:12-15​)
Keep communication open to see what the Lord has for you in each new season.

3. Expectantly (​John 15:8​)
Trust that God’s desire is for good fruit to be produced in and through your life.

Notes:

Luke 1:26-38 ESV

Luke 2:8-20 ESV

Matthew 1:23 ESV

John 1:1-5, 14 ESV

GOD CAN DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR “IMPOSSIBLE.”

Notes:

Luke 2:44-45 NIV

Context of Luke 2

• Chaos of Passover

• Caravan of Passover

Why does this matter, because the same thing that caused them to misplace Jesus is the same thing that causes us to misplace Jesus

v. 41 distractions - going to passover

v. 43 rushing - hurrying home

v. 43 negligence - Unaware

v. 44 assumption - thinking

Where can I find Jesus?

1. Jesus can be found where you last left him

Luke 2:45

2 Kings 6:1-6 NIV

God will do the impossible to make himself known to you

So, be encouraged. The agony you are experiencing is normal. The loneliness you feel is expected. The sleepless nights when you stare up at the ceiling and think, "what have I gotten myself into?" are all part of the process. All those experiences will ultimately lead you to the conclusion, "God, if you don't come through, I'm sunk!" And that is exactly where He wants you. 

~ Andy Stanley

2. Jesus can be found among the teachable

Luke 2:46 NIV

God reveals himself to the teachable:

Acts 5:42 "day after day they never stopped teaching"

Hebrews 10:25 "continually meeting together and encouraging each other"

Matthew 11:29 "take my yoke upon you and learn of me"

Proverbs 15:33 "the fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom"

Teachability is your desire to learn multiplied by your willingness to change.

God will never alter the robe of righteousness to fit the man. Rather he alters the man to fit the robe.

Faithful adherence to God's purpose equals success.

3. Jesus can be found honoring the Father

Luke 2:49 NIV

Nothing is more honoring to God than making life decisions based on what He has claimed about himself.

Notes:

Luke 2:1-7 NIV

John 1:1-3, 14 NIV

Matthew 1:23 NIV

Where is He with us?

1. In the valley

We enjoy God on the mountaintop, but we get to know Him in the valley

Psalms 84:5-7 NIV

Psalms 84:5-7 NIV

Where is He with us?

2. In the Wilderness

Your deepest need becomes a gift when it drives you to depend on God.

1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV

The devil shouts lies but God whispers truth

Where is He with us?

3. In the Storm

Acts 27:20 NIV

Acts 27:22-23 NIV

Peace is not found in the absence of the storm but in the presence of Jesus

Where is He with us?

4. With Us Always

John 1:14 NIV

John 14:15-19 NIV

Notes:

1 Samuel 16:1-12 NLT

The great chasm between what we expect and what God does, exists to show us his great power, glory, and worth.

Acts of the Apostles 9:1-6 NLT

Micah 5:2 ESV

Luke 2:1-5 NLT

Luke 2:7 ESV

Luke 2:12 ESV

Luke 2:21-38 NLT

Old Testament + New Testament

Men + Women

Young + Old

Notes:

Chapter 1: Wondering

- A crisis of belief.

Chapter 2: Waiting

- Has God His back on us.

Chapter 3: The Tone Changes

Habakkuk 2:20 ESV

Chapter 3: Hit reset!

Confusion turns to trusting.

Unsettledness turns to embracing.

Habakkuk 3:1 ESV

Shigionoth: A Musical Term

- Strong Emotion

- Vigorous Enthusiasm

Habakkuk 3:2 ESV

When in the dark:

1. Remember the goodness of God

- Teman & Paran: places of refuge.

Habakkuk 3:3 ESV

Quote by Bill Johnson:

“I will not sacrifice my knowledge of the goodness of God on the altar of human reasoning, so I can have an explanation for a seemingly unanswered prayer”

When in the dark:

2. Embrace God’s presence through praise

Habakkuk 3:16-18 ESV

Choosing worship frees us from being the victim

Habakkuk 3:19 ESV

God is the ultimate steward. He turns our tears into seeds of a hope filled future.

Choosing worship reminds us that what is right about God is greater than what is wrong in my life

Chapter 1: Wondering

- But didn't walk away!

Chapter 2: Waiting

- But didn't quit!

Chapter 3: Winning

- No chapter 3 without 1 and 2.

If it's not God's time, you can't force it. When it's God's time, you can't stop it.

Notes:

No Battle…No Victory!

Powerful Stories:

1. Jonathan & his Armor-bearer.

1 Samuel 14:6-23 ESV

Powerful Stories:

2. David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:1-58 ESV

Powerful Stories:

3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:1-30 ESV

Notes:

HEBREWS 11:1 AMP

HEBREWS 11:3 AMP

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

Hebrews 11:5 ESV

Hebrews 11:7 ESV

Hebrews 11:8-9 ESV

By faith Abraham obeyed...by faith he went up...

Hebrews 11:11 ESV

By faith Sarah received power to conceive...

Hebrews 11:20 ESV

By faith Isaac invoked future blessings his sons...

Hebrews 11:21 ESV

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed the sons of Joseph...

Hebrews 11:22 ESV

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, spoke of the things to come for Israel and also concerning where he was to be buried...

Hebrews 11:23 ESV

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.”

Hebrews 11:24-29 ESV

By faith Moses, did a lot!

Hebrews 11:30 ESV

By faith walls came down...

Hebrews 11:31 ESV

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish...

Hebrews 11:39-40 ESV

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Notes:

Patience is a God-like quality.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Patience is a God-glorifying quality.

1. Patience is built on surrender.

2. Patience is an act of strength.

3. Patience shines brightly to God and man.

There is a place where patience embodies surrender. Patience, being built on surrender, invites trust to grow out of you.

Galatians 2:20 NLT

For patience to have its perfect work in each of us, we must surrender to God. We must decrease, and he must increase.

Matthew 16:24-25 NLT

Patience is an act of strength.

Colossians 1:11 NLT

Patience shines brightly to God and man.

Your patience shines to the Glory of God because it speaks of your faith and trust. Your patience shines to the joy of others because it speaks of your love for them.

Romans 8:18-25, 38-39 NLT

Romans 8:25 NLT