PowerPoint - Sept. 18, 2007

September 18, 2007

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

--Hebrews 12:1-3

How do you get up when you’re down?

Look up!

When you’re down, look up. That’s what Nehemiah did when there was opposition to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem.

Listen to his prayer in Nehemiah 4:4: “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives.”

Nehemiah didn’t waste time or divert from the task at hand dealing with all the criticism he received from those who opposed him rebuilding the wall. Instead of trying to handle it all on his own, do you know what Nehemiah did? He went straight to the throne of God. Nehemiah recognized that God could do a better job of dealing with his enemies than he could, so he just gave it all to God!

The next time you’re down… the next time you’re discouraged… let me give you the best piece of advice that you could ever hear: Run to God! Cry out to Him!

And yet, so often we try to figure out everything on our own. We try to fix things ourselves. And then we come to the end and say, “Well, I guess it’s come to this; I guess I’m just going to pray now.”

Don’t make prayer your last chance… make it your first choice!

Somebody said if you look behind you, you’ll be defeated. If you look ahead of you, you’ll be distressed. If you look around you, you’ll be discouraged. But if you look above you, you will be determined.

So when problems come… with people, with pressures, with whatever… take it to the top! Go to the Lord and tell Him all about it. Look to Him… and overcome the disappointments you face in life!

When problems come… take THEM to god first, not last