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Contents Under PressureSeptember
29-30, 2001 THE PRESSURE OF DARK VALLEYS! WE DON’T HAVE TO LET PRESSURE RULE WHEN WE CAN
HAVE PRESSURE RELIEF! *** Psalm 23:1-4 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [NIV] “SHADOW OF
DEATH” MEANS DEEP DARKNESS! ·
The Valley of Decision – Joel 3:14 ·
The Valley of Weeping – Psalm 84:6 ·
The Valley of Trouble – Hosea 2:15 ·
The Valley of Calamity – Joshua 7:26 TODAY, I
AM WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF ___________! HOW CAN I
SUCCESSFULLY WALK THROUGH DARK VALLEYS?
A.
DARK VALLEYS ARE INEVITABLE! *** John 16:33 “[Jesus said] I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.” [Message] B.
DARK VALLEYS ARE UNPREDICTABLE! *** Jeremiah 4:20 “Disaster follows disaster …. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.” [NIV] C.
DARK VALLEYS ARE IMPARTIAL! SOMETIMES
GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE AND BAD
THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE! *** Matthew 5:45 “He [God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” [NIV] WHY ME?
WHY THIS? WHY NOW? D.
DARK VALLEYS ARE TEMPORARY! *** Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley….”
[NIV] *** 1 Peter 1:6 “So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy
ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.” [Living Bible] *** 2 Corinthians 4:17 “And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble.” [Today’s English Version] *** Rev. 22:5 “There will never be night again. They will
not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will
give them light. And they will rule as kings forever and ever.” [NCV] E.
DARK VALLEYS ARE PURPOSEFUL! *** 1 Peter 1:6-7 “…Even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident – it happens to prove your faith…” [JB Phillips Paraphrase] EVERY
PROBLEM HAS A PURPOSE! GOD
DOESN’T CAUSE DARK VALLEYS, BUT HE USES DARK VALLEYS! 2.
BY RESPONDING WITH DARK
VALLEY FAITH! *** Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” A. REFUSE TO BE DISCOURAGED! - “I will fear no evil” HOW DO I CHOOSE TO NOT BE DISCOURAGED? BY FOCUSING ON GOD’S POWER, NOT YOUR PROBLEMS *** Col. 1:11 “God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.” [NCV] B. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS WITH ME! *** Isaiah 43:2 “When you of through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will no drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” [NLT] WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE DARK VALLEY YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GOD, YOU NEED TO KNOW GOD! C. RELY ON GOD’S PROTECTION AND DIRECTION! - “your rod and staff, they comfort me” *** Psalm 34:19 “The good man does not escape all troubles--he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one.” [LB] · GOD PROMISES HIS POWER IN MY DARK VALLEY! · GOD PROMISES HIS PRESENCE IN MY DARK VALLEY! · GOD PROMISES HIS PROVISION IN MY DARK VALLEY! |