TAKE HEART

10 October 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

John 16:33

(NIV)…I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble BUT TAKE HEART! I have overcome the world.

Jesus says to take heart – You can loose heart.

Where are you losing heart, passion, zeal?

Matt 9:2 …son be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you. Jesus heals paralytic.

V22… after woman with issue of blood touches Him and is made well …but Jesus turned around and when He saw her he said, “Be of Good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well”

Do not lose heart – heart is something you can loose and something you can receive (take).

God says; Do not loose heart (represents courage, passion, zeal (lus))

Good cheer, brings zeal, passion, life and courage to that (in which you are engaged). – which you are doing.

When you lose heart – or it is diminished – you just go thru the motion.

See people whose heart isn’t in it anymore – marriage – job – sport – church…

Love what you do!!

Half – heartedness is not in the Bible!!

Be strong and of good cheer.

If you lose heart it affects everything you do.

You cannot afford to lose heart. TAKE HEART!!

What causes people to loose heart?

1. Listening to wrong voices – voices of those whose perspectives and perceptions are untrue. Mark 4:24… take heed what you hear. (Jesus) Be careful what you hear. Deut 1:28… our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying…

Loose the people who are doomsday preachers don’t listen to them.

Get God’s word – listen to what He says – His voice is the only one that matters.

TAKE HEART – don’t be afraid!!

Every time Jesus said to take heart – there was a miracle coming, obstacle overcome, enemy defeated.

2. Become overwhelmed by circumstances – looking, focusing on the wrong thing.

1 Sam 17 David & Goliath – how big, good soldier etc.

The recession, job loss, homes, cars, exchange rate…

Don’t lose heart. Don’t look at the circumstances, look at God instead (His Word). See how great He is – circumstances become small and insignificant compared to Him.

Sickness: Whose report will you believe? Choose to believe the report of the Lord.

Looking at what’s going on around you (news) you become afraid and loose heart.

Do God’s Word – be wise – be a good steward.

Don’t live recklessly – throwing caution to the wind – that’s foolish – waste not, want not.

Don’t freeze-up and stop doing what you know to be right – Chases faith out the window and any confidence in God and the Word is lost.

2 yrs ago (onset of recession) in USA – Christians threw God’s promise of provision for them out the window – Giving dropped 35-40%. Not people who lost their jobs – stopped believing God (circumstances instead) – fear.

Joseph – God always took care of Him.

Jer 51:46

Heb 12:2…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Take heart! – Be of Good Cheer!

Make your decision firm to keep your focus on what God said – His word.

NB! Without faith it’s impossible to please God – you don’t need faith when everything is easy and going your way.

Have faith in God, His word – Jesus Himself.

His Word will not stop working because of circumstances.

3. Loose heart when they get their eyes off Jesus – then focus on just the mechanics of serving Him.

Just go thru the motions – lose heart, passion – read bible, pray, go to church – no life – heart not in it. No joy or passion.

Don’t grow weary or lose heart.

2 Sam 22:46 When people lose heart they play straight into the enemies hands.

1 Sam 17 fear and panic causes you to lose heart and fall into the hands of the enemy – David & Goliath. NB – GOD IS WITH YOU!

Is 7:2,3,4,7. 2 armies against Ahaz. What does God say about your crisis? The problem you’re facing (v7).

(v4) God’s word to you – don’t lose heart.

Ps 43:5 David speaks to his soul. Paul knows it 2 Cor 4:16 we do not lose heart.

Remember these things when you want to lose heart.

1. The promises of God – more than 5000
2. Remember what God’s done for you in the past – God hasn’t changed – Promises He’ll never leave you. Counter fear/devil – it is written
Be encouraged and not discouraged.

Be enheartened and not disheartened.

If you lose heart – you’re finished.

Mess. Is 7:9 (to Ahaz) if you don’t take your stand in faith, you haven’t got a leg to stand on.

Jesus said – men ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Stand in faith when can’t see what will happen.

3. Get a word from God (study) Is 7:10+11 (notes) Look in the Word.

Keep your gaze on Jesus – get a word to strengthen your heart.

4. (v14) v7, v9 Stand in Faith

v14 – sign – word. God’s with me. Guard your heart Prov 4:23.

Hang out – surround yourself with faith people – stay close to the Lord.

Daily – antibiotics daily. Against disease. Word against crisis.

5. Stop focusing on worst-case scenario. Focus on the Word. Is 7:4

REMEMBER GOD IS WITH YOU!

GOD IS FOR YOU!