Don’t Give Up

Don’t Give Up

Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud
of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us.

Genesis 37:5-7 – Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers,
they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had:
We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf
rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and
bowed down to it.”

Genesis 37:19-20 – “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.
“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say
that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his
dreams.”

• For when life isn’t turning out the way you planned….

Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams

1. Even if you didn’t 

• Living in will keep you from .

1 Timothy 1:12-13 – I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me
strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I
was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

2. Even if doesn’t support you.

Mark 6:3-4 – “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother
of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And
they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown,
among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”

3. Even if your journey is .

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his Purpose.

4. Even if it takes a to realize it.

Habakkuk 2:3 (LB) – “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly,
steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it
seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just
be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”

Final Words Of Encouragement

1. “Focus on what happens not to you.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) – So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even
though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will
show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies
gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.

James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance.

2. “Your response to  determines your future.”
Genesis 50:20-21 – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for
good…”

3. “In , remember God is always with you.”

Psalm 139:8-10 – If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed
in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle
on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right
hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble.

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and
when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you
walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you
ablaze.

Jeremiah 1:19 – They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for
I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the
age.”