To Sustain
From Birth To Death - Isaiah 46:4 (35 seconds)
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
Physical Capacity - Isaiah 40:29-31 (35 seconds)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Recite the verse in the Lord's Prayer that speaks about provision. (Matt 6:11)
Give us this day our daily bread.
Name the 3 friends who did not renounce their faith in God even when sentenced to death in a fiery furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
All answers are conditional upon f_ _ _ h. You must believe God is, and h_ _ rs our prayers.
faith; hears
Creation - Hebrews 1:3 (30 seconds)
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Courage - Isaiah 41:10 (30 seconds)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Jesus taught us not to worry about what we will eat or wear because God will provide, as He does even for the _____ of the air and the (name the flower) of the field. (Matt 6:25-34)
birds; lilies
In the midst of our trouble (as it was in the trouble S, M & A experienced) how are we kept in peace? By God's d_v___ pr______ce
divine presence
Some answers have c_ _ d _ t _ _ ns. Give an example.
John 15:7-abiding; Mark 11:24-believing; 1 John 5:15-asking according to His will; Luke 18:9-14-humble repentant prayer; Daniel 6-faithful in prayer Morning, Noon & Night
Only God - Psalm 54:4 (25 seconds)
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Ability to share the Gospel 2 - Timothy 4:17 (25 seconds)
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
Sometimes, God's provision comes in unique and unusual ways. Tell about 2 that we looked at from the Bible or from the story of our church.
Feeding of the 5000 with 5 loaves + 2 fish (Matt 14). God used a raven to bring food to Elijah, then sent him to meet a specific woman who fed him (1Kings 17). Widow's Oil (2 Kings 4). Manna (Exodus 16). Gifts to our church, eg. $ for furnace, ceiling lights, specific items in food bank, etc
King Nebuchadnezar asked Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, "Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" What did they say in response?
That God could deliver them out of the fiery furnace, but even if He didn't, they still wouldn't worship King Nebuchadnezar's gods or his image of gold.
Some prayers are answered i____d_____ly. Give an example.
immediately;1 Kings 17: 21-22 - widow's son brought back to life by Elijah; 2 Kings 20 1-7 - Hezekiah was told to put house in order, he was going to die. He prayed. God gave him 15yrs.
Daily Burdens - Psalm 55:22 - (23 seconds)
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Motivation to do what God calls you to - Phillippians 4:13 (23 seconds)
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
What is a biblical perspective on WANTS vs NEEDS? USE Ex. 16:1-7; Num. 11. God provided the Israelites with manna (white, flaky, tasted like honey wafers) to eat daily in the wilderness. What else happened?
Enough for each day, if they kept more it would rot. They complained and wanted meat, garlic, onions; things they had in slavery; They were ungrateful; God disciplined them; God wants to teach us to Trust & Depend on Him to Provide, with thankfulness. There are seasons!
Explain how being accountable is important in standing firm in your faith and so remain in God's perfect peace.
Hang out with Godly friends; they provide counsel and encourage each other; inspiration gained from friendship, etc.
Some prayers require f______ and pe___tence. To some prayers, God's answer is n_. Give one example of each.
fasting & persistence; Elijah prayed 7 times for rain; deliverance of demon possessed man;
no; David for son; Moses & promised land; Paul's thorn in flesh
Through Darkest Times - Psalm 23:4 (20 seconds)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Confidence - Ephesians 6:10 (20 seconds)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Jesus said "...for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But s___k f____t H__ k_____ and H__ r__ t__ sn___s, and a__ th____e th_____s w___ b_ a__ed t_ y__." (Matt 32-33)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Isaiah 26:3 You (God) will keep in p__f___t p_____ce those whose m____ds are st____df____t,
because they t____t in you.
perfect, peace, minds, steadfast (focused), trust
A most important prayer -Psalm 107:6, 13,19, 28 "Then they c_ _ _d out to the Lord in their trouble. He _______them out of their distresses."
d____d, s___d, s___d, b____t
cried; delivered, saved x2, brought