2 childlike responses to God in every crisis:

Have Faith in Him (cf. Heb 12:2; 13:8)

Fix your mind on Jesus and not on the problem or crisis
Meditate on His Presence, Work and Ability

Trust Him forever (cf. Pro 3:5-6)

Trust Him with all your heart
Leave no room for doubt and unbelief
Expect Him to keep His promises
Believe that His timing and purposes are perfect

The righteous shall live by faith

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Not a choice or suggestion, but an ORDER to obey

3 things we must do everyday:

I. BE JOYFUL

Challenge: Rejoice always, not occasionally

in good times, bad times, at all times.
“Be cheerful no matter what” (MSG)

Joy reflects who we KNOW and TRUST in our heart

The God we love, worship and serve is:

Alive
Awake
Active
Available

Jesus is real, true, and near

He is in us, with us, and for us

He is good, great, gracious, and generous

His gospel is called Good News and not bad news

He expects us to delight ourselves in Him and rejoice always

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10b)

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2. BE PRAYERFUL

Challenge: Pray Continually/Unceasingly

not periodically
not as and when you feel like doing so
Pray unceasingly (KJV); persistently (AMP); at all times (MSG)

Pray persistently:

Like a friend asking for a loaf of bread (Luke 11:5-13)
Like the widow bothering the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8)

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:4-8)

The Key to an Unceasing Prayer Life

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Remaining and abiding in Christ
Staying in communion with Christ

You can pray anytime, every time, all the time, anywhere, everywhere, about anything and everything

A prayerless believer will

die spiritually
live in fear and anxiety; confusion and frustration; uncertainty and disunity; discouragement and disappointment

6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:6-7)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)

Prayer is love, faith and trust in action- Knowing who God is to you and what He can do for you.

God hears and answers prayer

He has power to do the supernatural, the unthinkable, the impossible

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Keep on asking, seeking, knocking

Persevere and don’t give up so easily

PUSH – Pray Until Something Happen

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III. BE THANKFUL

Challenge:

Give Thanks – not get thanks
In all circumstances – not in some circumstances

in everything (KJV)
in every situation no matter what the circumstances (AMP)
no matter what happens (MSG)

Especially in hard times and difficult situations

Hard and tough times will

reveal what is in our hearts
reveal true servants of God from charlatans
separate true Christians from false ones
separate the grateful from the ungrateful
draw true worshippers closer to God
drive uncommitted followers away from God

Why must you Be Joyful, Prayerful and Thankful?

“for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV)
“This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live” (MSG)

How to Fulfil God’s Will? “Be in Christ Jesus”

You must be in Christ to be like Him and be conformed to His image.

You cannot fulfil God’s Will if you are not in union with Christ through His indwelling Holy Spirit

With the Holy Spirit in you:

You can be joyful because the fruit of the Spirit is joy. (Gal.5:22) = So, WALK in the Spirit
You can be prayerful because (one of) the ministry of the Spirit is intercession (Rom. 8:26-27) = So, YIELD to the Spirit
You can be thankful because the mission of the Spirit is empowerment (Acts 1:8) = So, DEPEND on the Spirit

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Recap: How to response to a crisis?

Have Faith in God
Trust Him forever

What is God’s Will for your life? Be like Jesus – Joyful, Prayerful and Thankful

How to remain joyful, prayerful and thankful?

Walk in the Spirit
Yield to the Spirit
Depend on the Spirit

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Hold the Bread and say:

Thank you, Father, for loving me and giving your Son to die on the cross for my sins. His Body was broken, so that mine will be made whole. Today, I believe that by His stripes my body is healed, restored, renewed, rejuvenated and strengthened.In Jesus’ name, I believe, and I receive. Amen.

Hold the Cup and say:

Father, I thank you for the precious blood of your Son, shed for my sin and redemption. Thank you for forgiving me and setting me free from sin, guilt and condemnation. Thank you for making me righteous in your sight and for granting me eternal life. Anoint me and use me and make me a blessing to many. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Declare this Blessing over your family and friends

Numbers 6:24-26

24 The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

26 The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.