Our trust, confidence and hope is only as good as the object of our faith.HOW BIBLICAL TRUTH ABOUT

FAITH PLAYS INTO KEEPING ON KEEPING ON

1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of

old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made

out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-36 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for

whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

1. It is the assurance of what we hope for.2. The conviction of things not seen.3. God commended the Old Testament

saints for having it. 4. By faith we understand the universe was

created by the word of God.5. Without it, it is impossible to please God.6. Whoever would draw near to God must:• Believe God exists.• Believe God rewards those who seek Him.

4 THINGS CREATION WAITS IN EAGER EXPECTATIONS FOR

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the

children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to

decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the

children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning

as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the

firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of

our bodies. Romans 8:18-23

1. It will be liberated from its bondage to decay.

2. It will be brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

3. Our adoption as sons.4. The redemption of our bodies.

WHAT HOPE “ISN’T” & WHAT HOPE “IS”

24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already

have? Romans 8:24

Hope is not: What is seen or what we already have.25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait

for it patiently. Romans 8:25

Hope is: Based in what we do not yet have and something we patiently wait for.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT OUR CONFIDENCE

35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance,

so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay, 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,  and if he shrinks back, my soul has no

pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:35-38

1. Your confidence has great reward. 2. You will need endurance to complete

God’s will.3. Only when you have done God’s will,

will you receive what He has promised.

4. In a little while, Jesus will come without delay.

5. Meanwhile, God’s people are to live by faith.

6. God has no pleasure in them if he shrinks back.

8 “LET US” FOCUSES23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how

we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and

all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that

hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of

the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

1. Let us have unswerving (unyielding, firm) hope in God as our faithful promise-keeper. (10:23)

2. Let us spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (10:24)

3. Let us not give up meeting together as some routinely do (10:25)

4. Let us encourage one another, even more as the Day approaches. (10:25)

5. Let us throw off everything that hinders. (12:1)

6. Let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles. (12:1)

7. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (12:1)

8. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (12:2)

LEARNING FROM JESUS’ MOM & THE SERVANTS

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.3 When the

wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what

does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants,

“Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty

or thirty gallons.  7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out

and take it to the master of the feast.” 

So they took it. John 2:1-8

Jesus’ mother implies her expectation that Jesus will do some mighty work, in answer

to what she had suggested to him.This suggests a principle, which is

important for all of us who are seeking to please God and experience his blessing on us as well the people around us that our

lives impact.  “Do whatever he tells you.”

We need to do this without questioning the reasonableness of the command, or our

fitness to accomplish the end proposed, but implicitly obeying whatever is clearly

Christ’s will for His followers.We need to each obey whatsoever the Lord

is directing us individually to do, immediately and exactly, for he has good things in mind beyond what we could ever

ask or imagine. EXCELLENCE VERSUS PERFECTION

Prayer for SerenityGod, grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did,

this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that You will make all things right

if I surrender to Your will;so that that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen. 1. Rather than struggling to be perfect,

strive for excellence, being all you can be in the present moment.

2. Rather than being simply product-minded or only concerned with some desired outcome, be process-minded, knowing life is a journey and find joy in it.

3. Rather than trying to be “THE” best, a position only God can claim, work on becoming the best you can be right now, based on your present level of maturity and capability, letting His Spirit and God’s Word help move you from where you are closer to His best for you – being

transformed into His likeness.4. Rather than finding worth in what

you do, find your worth in believing who you are in God (not a mistake, God loves you, and He has a wonderful plan for your life).

5. Listen to the feedback from others (positive and negative), not simply write it off or accept it without testing it to see if there is truth in it.

6. Neither ignore your failings or stew over them, but identify them accurately, accept them completely, admit them honestly, correct them thoroughly and move on confidently in God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace.

7. Don’t use the truth that we can’t be perfect to be an excuse to be satisfied to simply live with “good enough” or the status quo.

8. Keep on running in the direction of Jesus, not giving up in the battle, having a sober mind to finish strong and a deep desire to hear Him one day say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

A SUMMARY OF OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR

KEEPING ON, KEEPING ON1.C ONSTRUCT a biblically based perspective of

mankind in created perfection and after the fall.

2.O PEN ourselves to admitting that many of our past ways of dealing with life’s pain and loss have been ineffective and if we keep dealing with life in these ways, the past will simply define our future.

3.M AKE a commitment of faith to seek God for Biblical transformation, embracing on our journey the the Holy Spirit’s help and the support of godly brothers and sisters.

4.P URSUE truth about our relationships with God, self, and others by taking honest, comprehensive assessments .

5.A CKNOWLEDGE the value of making

amends with those we have harmed and work towards doing so.

6.S EARCH out the true meaning of biblical forgiveness and work towards forgiving them God’s way.

7.S TAND firmly on God’s word to identify other areas from our assessments that we recognize need to change and to prioritize these areas.

8. I NSTITUTE the discipline of “forward living”, accepting that what we have learned are lifelong principles.

9.O BEY God by practicing a consistent time with Him through personal Bible study and prayer and in consistently meeting with others who will encourage us to walk in faith.

10. N ETWORK with others for a life of “outward living”, for God to use us both through our words and through our consistent example in order to help move others from where they are closer to where God would have them to be. PAUL’S EXAMPLE WE NEED TO

FOLLOW24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not

be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

1. Everyone is running, but winning the prize requires intentional, purposeful, focused running.

2. As you run the race of the Christian life, never stop training and working to bring your body into subjection to God’s authority and good will.

3. Don’t run aimlessly or be like a shadow boxer, but be disciplined, running with the goal of the prize of Jesus Christ always before you, fighting aggressively

against sin and for righteousness. 4. Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep faith.

Weekly Going Deeper Study Guide For By Faith Keeping On, Keeping On

Before beginning each day simply ask God to help you see things that He would have you to see.

When finished, pray again asking for the faith and the courage to follow His lead in areas He speaks to you about.

DAY 11. Without rushing, read through this week’s lesson.2. Paraphrase in 2 or 3 sentences what in your mind is the main message you get out of this lesson.

DAY 21. Carefully read and meditate on each of the scriptures in this week’s lesson.2. Identify the one that stands out the most to you and rewrite it in your own words.

DAY 3Establish a plan for the summer as to:

When will I do a daily quiet time of prayer and Bible reading:_________________________ What will I use to get me into the Bible:

Who am I going to hold myself accountable to this summer:__________________________

Where will I attend church on Sundays:________________________________

What are some things I will do as a ministry over the summer:

Things I will do to keep from having regrets this summer:

DAY 4 Review day 3 with your accountability partner or mentor.

DAY 5-7 Continue working on your Life Assessments.