SECRETS OF STAYING POWER

Trinity’s Values

“…Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

“So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians. 4:8-9 (NIV)

1. RELAX IN GOD’S GRACE!

‘What I’m tring to do here is get you to relax. To not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s Giving’ Matthew 6:31

“...Since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart!”
2 Corinthians. 4:1 (NIV)

2. REFUSE TO FAKE IT!

“We have turned away from secret and shameful ways. We use no trickery, and we do not change the teaching of God. We teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we are. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God's sight.” 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NCV)

3. REMEMBER IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!
“We don't go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.”
2 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

“…your servants for Jesus' sake!” 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)

“…given over to death for Jesus' sake,” 2 Corinthians 4:11 (NIV)

“I’ve worked much harder, I’ve been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely. I’ve been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was shipwrecked. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. I’ve been constantly on the move. I’ve been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my countrymen, in danger from gentiles, in danger in the city and in danger in the country. I’ve been in danger at sea and in danger from false brothers. I’ve labored and toiled. I’ve often gone without sleep. I’ve known hunger and thirst and I’ve often gone without food and I’ve been cold and naked. And besides everything else I face the daily pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11

4. REJOICE IN MY LIMITATIONS!

‘I am learning to glory in my limitations…’ 2 Corinthians 12

“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

5. RESOLVE TO LOVE OTHERS!

‘If anybody says I love God and is unloving to people, they’re liars.’

‘If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all His mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, ‘Jump,’ and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.’ I Corinthians 13:1-3

"All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)

“Love never gives up... and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

6. RENEW MYSELF DAILY

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

‘The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…’ Jeremiah 17:9

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. And three people are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

7. REFOCUS ON ETERNITY

“For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)

‘Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame..’ Hebrews 12:2