Overcoming Life’s Difficulties

Sermon Topic: Overcoming Life’s Difficulties

Sermon Notes:

Isaiah 43 – If you have had difficulties in the year God wants you to forget about it. At the end of the year some may look back at their resolutions. If you’re going to be successful in the coming year there needs to be spiritual growth. You will need to take the steps to avoid the same mistakes that you made last year.

You have to see yourself as God sees you.

1 Peter 2:9 – This is who we are. If people say you are strange – you’re supposed to be – we are a peculiar people.

You weren’t born this way – you were reborn. You have to change and see yourself as God sees you.

In the morning say:

- I have peace

- I am healed

- I am whole

I’m agreeing with what God says. Faith is the substance – the conviction of the things hoped for evidence of things not seen. Some things I haven’t seen yet, but I expect it. I’m expecting to prosper, I’m expecting healing. 1 John 3:2 – I am expecting to be prosperous.

Before you were saved you talked about who you are – don’t stop now that you’re saved. Hebrews 10:35 – Cast not away your confidence. You have need of patience. Be anxious for nothing, because God doesn’t work on our time. It’s in his own time. 

While we wait we must:

- Be patient

- Be in the will of God

- Receive the promise

Ask yourself, have I been waiting or worrying? You can’t worry and walk in faith.

Don’t dwell on negativity. It’s over with. Don’t re-live 2015 when God has so much more for you in the future.

Cry for a moment and let it go – Don’t cry, everyday reach towards the future.

Take failure out of the equation – if you think you will fail – you will fail. You’re a winner so you shouldn’t expect to fail.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – Approach every trial with a positive attitude.

Don’t allow things to depress you when the joy of the Lord is your strength. Because he inhabits the praises of his people, there are some things you can overcome just by praising.

Purpose your heart that this year you’re going to praise your way through.

Successful people see failure as an opportunity. The quality of your preparation – determines the quality of your performance.

Joshua 1:5 – Mediate on the word and do according to the word of God.

- See yourself as God sees you

- Don’t dwell on negativity

- Choose not to be offended

- Take stock of your life

You have to make the choice. If you’re easily offended – you will have problems.

I’m not offended by words or actions.

Psalm 37:33 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. The Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 27:1-3 – God isn’t asking me to fight my enemies. Your performance doesn’t determine your standing in Christ. Your standing in Christ determines your performance.

Stay in the word.

The instructions you follow determines the future you create.

When I’m pleasing God – devoid of myself he gives me all I desire.

For the new year – stop making excuses.

Don’t allow people to sow negativity into your spirit. Don’t be a listening ear for gossip. Forget about the past – God never consults your past to determine your future.

Take stock of your life. Galatians 3 – what did it profit me? All the things I’ve been through; what did it profit me? How much time did I waste this year? How much time have you wasted watching television?

To be successful you have to see the invisible. If you focus on what’s seen it becomes depressing. Your enemy looks to discredit you – not understand you. No matter what I face in the new year, I know that ll things work together for the good.

Joy comes in the morning – For the saints of God the morning isn’t 6:00 a.m. God has a morning for us.

Struggle is going to happen but God has us in his hands. You may get knocked down, but the fight isn’t over. We have to go in the war room at times. We need a war room. Every now and then we need to go in the room to have a little talk with Jesus.

What regrets did you have this year? Looking back can hinder your progress. Anything you permit will increase in your life.

If you permit sadness or misery in your life it will increase.

You’ll never get to where you need to be until you make the decision to leave when you are. God has so much for us, but he can’t give it to us. While we have all this other stuff in our lives.

Change your circumstances. Change your thinking.