October 19th & 23rd, 2022
Stay in the fight
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
—John 6:66 (NIV)
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for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.
—2 Timothy 4:10 (NIV)
WHEN I STAY IN THE FIGHT … it is worth it!
A Rich reward and Promise received.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
—Hebrews 10:35,36 (NIV)
A Harvest of blessing.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
—Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
A work never wasted.
Do not let anything move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.
—1 Corinthians (NCV)
“If you are going thru hell you just keep going!”
—Winston Churchill
8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors:
Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
—2 Samuel 23:8-12 (NIV)
(1 Samuel 22:2 NIV)
All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.
—1 Samuel 22:2 (NIV)
Josheb-Basshebeth
v. 8 Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
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Regarding the fight, the size of the fight parallels your increase.
Eleazar
v.9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
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Regarding the fight, your quitting point most often is God’s starting point!
For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
—2 Chronicles 20:15c (NIV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
—2 Corinthians 4:7,16 (NIV)
Shammah
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
—2 Samuel 23:11-12 (NIV)
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Regarding the fight, nothing is more important than your assessment of the situation.
… I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only by the one who receives it.
—Revelation 2:17b (NIV)
FILL OUT YOUR CONNECTION CARD HERE
Next Steps:
1. Today, I invite Jesus in my life for the first time.
2. I recognize that to win in my life I have to stay in the fight.
3. I thought of fighting as a bad thing, but believe in faith something powerful is on the brink.
4. I will fight for others, sign me up to volunteer in the nursery or ROCKER program (65+).