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Message Notes
”See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ’Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ’once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” —Hebrews 12:25-29 (NIV)
”But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Phillipians 4:10-13 (NKJV)
”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” —James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
Thinkfulness can turn into thankfulness! Thankfulness leads to gratefulness!
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” —Psalm 100:4
As you run your race hardship can come up in three forms:
- Unexpected
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” —Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV)
- Consequential
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” —Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)
“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” —Corrie Ten Boom
- Because of others
What happens when hardships consumes us?
- We misplace our focus (Matthew 4:5-8)
“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?” —Hebrews 12:25 (NIV)
- We get distracted from our purpose (Matthew 4:1-10)
“I have loved you with an everlasting love” —Jeremiah 31:3
- Disrupt your relationship (Matthew 4:11)
“Draw near to God. Resist the devil.” —James 4:4
How do we maintain a heart of gratitude in the face of hardship?
- Become a counter
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” —James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4: 10-13 (NKJV)
- Trust God’s Character
“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” —Job 1:1 (NIV)
“And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.’” —Job 1:21
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” —John 19:30
“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” —John 14:26 (AMP)