When You Hit A Detour, Don’t Give Up!

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Life's Healing Choices   When You Hit A Detour, Don’t Give Up! By Rick Warren — Jun 11, 2015 “God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9 MSG) When God gives you a mission, you can be sure you’ll run into delays, difficulties, detours, and dead ends along the way. They are a natural part of life. But you can be ready for them. For example, if anybody had a right to be discouraged, it was Noah. Do you know how long it took Noah to build the ark? 120 years. Could you go 120 years on a project without one word of encouragement from anybody else in society? Noah trusted God. And when he heard God's warning about the future, Noah believed him, even though there was no sign of a flood. I bet there were many days that Noah didn't feel like going to work, but for 43,800 days, he went to the same place, and he worked. He never gave up. Don't give up on your dream, either. Don't give up on your marriage. Don't give up on your health. Don't, don't, don't give up. God is in control. You haven’t read the final chapter of your life. God's already written it, but you haven't read it yet. The Bible says, “God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 MSG). God is looking for people who are committed to him and his plan so that he can bless them. Don’t you want to be one of those people? Then don’t give up! Talk It Over What is the God-size dream you’ve been ready to give up on because of difficulties and delays? How have you grown spiritually through the detours and delays in your life?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xntqB2BKshM How do you want God to bless you as you commit your life fully to him? Today’s Scripture “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Now Faith What are you hoping for in your life today? The Bible says that faith gives substance to the things you hope for. Notice this verse starts by saying, “Now faith...” It isn’t “later” faith or “one day” faith. We have to believe that God is working behind the scenes right now. Faith is simply believing that God is a good and faithful God—that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Can you believe that God wants to move in your life, today? Do you believe He can provide for you need, today? Do you believe He can heal your relationships, today? Do you believe He can give you that promotion, today? Whatever you are hoping for, open your heart and expect that God is working on your behalf. Stand strong and declare that victory is already yours! A Prayer for Today “Father, today I choose to believe that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I trust that You have a good plan for me and that You are leading and guiding my every step. Help me stand strong in You, today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”