Passion-h

Passion/Vision, The Wind Beneath My Wings

There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries; and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.

n       William Shakespeare

1.       _______is probably one of the greatest _________________ in the world. (Neh. 1:4)

Allen Redpath wrote that you never lighten the load unless you first have felt the pressure in your own soul.  You are never used of God to bring blessing until God has opened your eyes and made you see things as they really are.

2.    The willingness to assume ____________ ____________________ is the first step toward making a difference. (Neh. 1:6)

To play the “blame game” is a fruitless exercise and to make excuses is even worse.  Most of our experience in life is as a result of our choices or our response to trials and adversity.  The way that people respond to us tells us much about us for the way of the world is merely to mirror what they see

3.    ___________  Nothing is given you by accident and it has not come without an ____________ _____________.  People are placed in positions where they can make a difference __________________. (Neh. 1:11)

Often position is one of the most difficult things for people to relinquish.  We hold onto it with all our might and refuse to risk it for any good

4.    ____ is something that awakens life within us.  To back off at that point is to disappoint God and to choose ________ forever. (Neh. 2:2,3)

Some Christians are so afraid of failure that they become reserved, overly cautious, and uninvolved in life.  They follow a policy of guarded living, holding back time, talents, and treasure from God's service.  Their motto is:  To keep from failing -- don't try!  On the other hand, those who are willing to make mistakes and risk failure are the ones who ultimately achieve great things.  Instead of being filled with fear, they go forward in faith.  Problems are challenges. While they may not all be solved, these courageous people would rather live with that reality than have a clean record of no failures and no accomplishments.  Benjamin Franklin said one time, "The man who does things makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all -- doing nothing."

5.    A _______________ _________ is crucial if we are to make a difference in the long run.  (Neh. 2:11)