“In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.”

John 16:33 (NET)

Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

To Live A Life Of Courage . . .

1. Receive the Gift

“John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:5 (NIV)

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

2. Pray for Courage

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Acts 4:29-30 (NIV)

3. Expect God to Use Me

I expect and hope that . . . I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth.

Philippians 1:20 (NCV)

“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

4. Remember Christ’s Return

Be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

James 5:8 (NLT)

Having hope will give you courage.

Job 11:18 (NLT)

“When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:28 (MEV)

Moral character makes for smooth traveling an evil life is a hard life.

Proverbs 11:5 [MSG]

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.

1 Chronicles 29:17 [NIV]

To Build A Life of Character…

1. Speak the truth.

- The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

Proverbs 12:22 [GNT]

- We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Ephesians 4:15 [NLT]

2. Stand for what’s right.

- We cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8 [NLT]

- When a person knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, then he is sinning.

James 4:17 [ICB]

3. Show respect.

- God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27 [NIV]

- Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:17 [NIV]

4. Stay clean.

- Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:15 [NLT]

- I will be careful to live a blameless life … I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.

Psalm 101:2-3 [NLT]

God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory

and integrity.

2 Peter 1:3 [GW]

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:13-17 [NIV]

To Live Out My Calling…

1. Know My Identity

A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17 [NIV]

You have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King . . . you are God’s very own . . .

1 Peter 2:9b [TLB]

2. Know The Gospel

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 [NIV]

The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.

Acts 20:24b [NCV]

3. Know My Calling

You also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:6 [NIV]

Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.

Ephesians 2:19 [TLB]

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.

John 17:18 [MSG]

“God made me for a purpose . . . but he also made me fast. When I run, I feel his pleasure.” —Eric Liddell

“A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.”

John 10:10 [NCV]

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14 [NIV]

The Good Life Begins…

1. Spiritual Salvation

- “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

John 10:9 [NKJV]

- God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.

Romans 3:22 [TLB]

2. Eternal Security

- “Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.”

John 6:37 [MSG]

- We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19 [NIV]

3. Personal Satisfaction

- He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:9 [NIV]

- “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

John 10:10 [NLT]

- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11 [NIV]

Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!

1 Peter 1:3-4 [MSG]

Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.

Colossians 4:2 [GNT]

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes.

Luke 18:1 [TLB]

Why Does God Want Me To Pray Persistently?

1. It draws me closer to God.

- My eyes are always on the LORD. He removes my feet from traps.

Psalm 25:15

- Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Psalm 105:4 [ESV]

2. It reveals my inner life.

- I will test and will purify them as silver is purified by fire. I will test them as gold is tested. Then they will pray to me, and I will answer them.”

Zechariah 13:9 [GNT]

- Take delight in the LORD, and he will give your heart’s desires.

Psalm 37:4 [NLT]

3. It helps prioritize my life.

- Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.

Matthew 6:33 [NCV]

- The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.

Psalm 84:11 [NLT]

4. It strengthens my faith.

- For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 [TLB]

- Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

Galatians 6:9 [TLB]

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers.

Ephesians 6:18 [NLT]

Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom…Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:2-4 [NIV]

How To Pray For A Breakthrough

1. Focus on God not my problem.

- Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:3 [KJV]

- “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”

2 Chronicles 20:6 [ESV]

2. Admit my powerlessness to God.

- “We have no power against this large army that is attacking us. We don’t’ know what to do, so we look to you for help.”

2 Chronicles 20:12 [NCV]

3. Listen to what God says to me.

- “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not have to fight this battle!”

2 Chronicles 20:15-17 [NIV]

- “Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”

2 Chronicles 20:17 [NIV]

4. Thank God in advance.

- The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!”

2 Chronicles 20:21 [NLT]

- At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies to start fighting among themselves…they began attacking each other.

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 [NLT]

5. Expect a breakthrough from God.

- So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days to collect it all!

2 Chronicles 20:24-25 [NLT]

(Jesus) “Boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer—believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:24 [TPT]

David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?” Then the LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will give them into your hand.”

1 Chronicles 14:10 (NASB)

David defeated them there; and David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they named that place “The LORD breaks through”.

1 Chronicles 14:11 (NASB)

How To Experience A Breakthrough In My Life

1. Don’t worry about anything.

Don’t worry about anything.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Ezra 8:23 (NIV)

2. Pray about everything.

Instead, pray about everything.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

3. Give thanks in all things.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV)

4. Stay focused on true things.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

BREAKTHROUGH CHALLENGE:

1. Choose a fast to do over the next 21 days.

2. Take three times a day to pause and pray.

3. Go to at least one breakthrough prayer night.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Now Is A Perfect Time...

1. Time to reset.

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Colossians 3:10 (NLT)

2. Time to take inventory.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith;

examine yourselves!

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)

What are my passions: _____________________________________

What is God leading me toward: ____________________________

What character traits do I want to develop: ____________________

What needs exist in the world around me: _____________________

What do I need to surrender to God: __________________________

Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD.

Lamentations 3:40 (NASB)

3. Time to make a spiritual growth plan.

Train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT)

We should make plans—counting on God to direct us.

Proverbs 16:9 (TLB)

4. Time to reconnect with God.

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:3 (NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”

John 15:5 (HCSB)

‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD.

Zechariah 4:6 (NCV)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:1-3 (NIV)

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

Matthew 2:9 (NIV)

For The Magic Of Christmas

1. Search for the Savior.

After Jesus’ birth wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1(GW)

God: “When you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!”

Jeremiah 29:13 (NCV)

2. Experience the Joy.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matthew 2:10 (NASB)

Angels: “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior . . . has been born tonight!”

Luke 2:10-11 (TLB)

3. Recognize the Gift.

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 (NLT)

When they returned to their own land, they didn’t go through Jerusalem to report to Herod, for God had warned them in a dream to go home another way.

Matthew 2:12 (TLB)

Luke 2:8-20 (NLT)

Misfits Are People Too...

1. Suddenly: The lights go on!

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ”Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Luke 2:8-14 (NLT)

2. Hurriedly: Can’t wait to see!

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

Luke 2:15-16 (NLT)

3. Immediately: Can’t wait to tell!

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Luke 2:17-20 (NLT)

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