"Fighting Discouragement"

Intro: We have the tendacy to throw in the towel way to soon, some of us haven’t even began to fight and employ our weapons and we are quiting, before we even began to fight. Jesus tells Peter satan desires to take every thing you have and what I’ve given you, but I prayed for you that it will not happen. That your Faith will not fail you.

I love when Jesus sent the disciples out to preach the gospel they came back rejoicing, why? because evil spirits were subject to them and obeyed them, Jesus hey that is nothing satan is defeated I saw him fall like lightning fast, rather rejoice because ypur names are written in The Lambs book of Life.

We have been made in the Image of Christ and this authority has been given to you and I.

Israel, led by Moses, wandered in the Sinai wilderness.

a. During that time, Israel experienced supernatural providence such as the supply of manna, water from rocks, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, and so forth.

b. During that time, they also received Divine revelation – the Mosaic Law. God communicated to them His holy standard.From Egypt to Canaan they failed under Moses leadership big time. Past failure can breed future intimidation, not because of anything God has done.

Joshua 1:9

9 1.Have not I commanded thee? 2. Be strong and of a good courage; 3.be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: 4.for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

dis·cour·age·ment a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; Dead iin the water. No way To Live. Dismay Def:upset, worried, or agitated because of some unwelcome situation or occurrence.

I. Fighting Discouragement Is A Command

Don’t Be Afraid- Deal with The situation. Because fear Turns Into Discouragement.

God has a plan for you, He has a way out for you. Don’t act as if God is doing nothing on your behalf.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

A. Many people give in to discouragement because they lack discipline and self-control.

Be strong and of good courage: Joshua is called to boldness in God. This exposes Joshua’s weakness; there was a need for such a command because even a great leader like Joshua needed such encouragement.

i. This bold courage would not be in Joshua himself, but in God. We can be full of self-confidence that will take us to ruin, but we should instead be full of a genuine God-confidence.B. We must exert our will power when it comes to discouragement. Determination and faith bring God’s power and help us win

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

II. Always Look To Your Future/Not To Your Past- the devil can taunt you with your past, not your future

Faith-Hope -Love

2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

A. Some people are negative. Their pessimistic thoughts and words bring discouragement to themselves and to others.

B. We must be positive—look for the good, not the bad, and talk optimistically. By doing so we win over discouragement (Phil. 4:4).

III. Stand Strong Even In The Face Of Oposition

strength in the face of pain or grief. Psalm 3:3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

A. When Christians neglect to pray and believe God’s Word, they are easy prey to discouragement.

B. We must have faith in God. We must ask Him to lift us up and believe that He is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24).

Jude 1:24 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

IV. Remember God Is Always Right There With You.

God’s word so lived is a guarantee of Christian success. Not that it promises a life without problems, but it does ensure a life able to deal with anything because it takes full advantage of God’s presence and promises.Matthew 10:22 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

A. Self-centeredness makes people easy prey to Satan. A lack of love for God and others causes them to give up when discouragement strikes.

B. We must be filled with God’s love. Then we must reach out to help the needy and witness to the lost. We can win over discouragement if we “keep on keeping on.”

The final encouragement, repeated from Joshua 1:5, reminds us that Joshua’s success did not depend solely on his ability to keep God’s word. It depended even more on God’s presence with him.1 Peter 4:12-19 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.