ASSIGNMENTS

1. At least once a day read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Place the scripture where you will see it each day.

3. Think of ways you have put your trust more in material things than in God.

4. Daily write down the ways you are trusting God more.

5. Plan to tell the class how you have put more trust in God.

6. Or tell how you have, in the past, struggled with your trust in God.

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Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get.

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When circumstances seem impossible, when all signs of grace in you seem at their lowest ebb, when temptation is fiercest, when love and joy and hope seem well-nigh extinguished in your heart, then rest, without feeling and without emotion, in the Father's faithfulness. -

D. Tryon

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DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: Deuteronomy 4:13; 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for His faithfulness and His consistent presence in our lives.

TUESDAY - VERSES: 1 Samuel 12:22; 1 Kings 6:13; Proverbs 15:3 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to help you remember that He is always with you seeing you through difficulties and failures as well.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to forgive you for times you have failed to trust His faithfulness.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Psalm 37:25-28; 94:14; Isaiah 42:16 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God to give you the courage to overcome covetousness and greed and have contentment.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Psalm 20:7; 118:8-9; Mark 10:24; 1 Timothy 6:17 PRAYER THOUGHT: Ask God's help in overcoming the desire to find comfort, peace, and security in people, money or things.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Ezra 9:9-10; Nehemiah 9:31; Psalm 9:10; 27:10 PRAYER THOUGHT: Thank God for being available to His children at all times and accepting us back when we have foolishly wandered away, but desire to come back.

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 47

6-16-13 TO 6-22-13 - TRUST

SCRIPTURE - Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

COMMENT – Our trust in God, that he will never leave us or forsake us should carry over into our contentment with what we have materially and financially.

SONG – GOD IS MY REFUGE

1. Lord, You're my Shepherd, I'll shall not want. You make me to lie down in peace; You lead me beside the still waters of life, My soul is restored at Your feet.

2. Yea, though I walk through the valley of death I will not fear any harm; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me, And You will not leave me alone.

REFRAIN: God is my Refuge and my strength, A present help in time of need. He is my Fortress, my Deliverer; My Father, my Friend, indeed.

THOUGHTS

It seems a party of botanists were exploring inaccessible regions of the Alps in search of new flowers. One day, through a fieldglass, they spotted a flower of rare beauty. It lay in a place where it could only be reached by someone being lowered down into a deep ravine. A native lad, watching the activity, was approached and offered a sum of money if he would allow himself to be lowered to pick the flower and then be pulled up again. He took one look at the dizzy depths and said, "Wait, I'll be back." Soon he returned with an older man. He approached the botanist and said, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower if you let this man hold onto the rope. He's my Dad!" It really makes a difference who holds the rope, doesn't it? Our Heavenly Father has promised "I will never leave you, or forsake you."

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FAITHFUL IS HE WHO PROMISED

Are you passing through a testing, Is your pillow wet with tears?

Do you wonder what the reason, Why it seems God never hears?

Why it is you have no answer To your oft-repeated plea,

Why the heaven still is leaden As you wait on bended knee?

Do you wonder as you suffer, Whether God does understand,

And if so, why He ignores you, Fails to hold you in His hand?

Do black doubts creep in, assail you, Fears without, and fears within,

Till your brave heart almost falters And gives way to deadly sin?

All God's testings have a purpose -- Some day you will see the light.

All He asks is that you trust Him, Walk by faith and not by sight.

Do not fear when doubts beset you, Just remember -- He is near;

He will never, never leave you, He will always, always hear.

Faithful is He who has promised, He will never let you fall,

Daily will the strength be given Strength for each and strength for all.

He will gladly share pain with you, He will gladly give you peace.

Till your tired and weary body Finds its blessed, glad release.

When the darkened veil is lifted, Then, dear heart, you'll understand

Why it is you had to suffer, Why you could not feel His hand

Giving strength when it was needed, Giving power and peace within

Giving joy through tears and trial, Giving victory over sin.

So till then just keep on trusting, Through the sunshine and the rain,

Through the tears and through the heartaches, Through the smiles and through the pain -- Knowing that our Father watches, Knowing daily strength He'll give, Victory for each passing hour,/ This is life, so let us live! - John E. Zoller

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According to Henry Jacobsen, six Scottish miners were forced to make a heart-rending decision. While they were working some 1,500 feet below the surface, a shaft collapsed. Debris trapped one of their companions. Then mud and water began to rush in.

The miners realized that soon all avenues of escape would be closed to them, and they all would perish unless they fled without delay. With great agony the six men decided to let their coworker die rather than be entombed in that shaft while attempting to save him. They were compelled to abandon him.

In contrast, God is never forced to forsake one of His children. No matter how desperate the situation may be or how great the problems we face, the heavenly Father stays by our side to meet our deepest needs with His infinite wisdom and power. Under no circumstance and at no time will He give up on those He has purchased with the blood of His Son. We may at times feel abandoned, but we will never be abandoned.

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When descending the Grand Canyon, often times a person has to travel on narrow ledges that have only enough room for a mule to get a foothold. The ribbons of rock that run along the edges of these towering cliffs overlook vertical precipices that descend hundreds of feet to the valley below. When one must make use of these stony paths, the safest course is to let the mule find his own way; for the slightest touch on the bridle may easily throw both the animal and his rider over the cliff to sudden death. So it is in the believer's life. In some circumstances, if he would keep himself from having sinful doubts and falling into despair, he must lay the `bridle' on the neck of Faith, and commit his way to God. No matter how things look, he may take comfort in these words, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." In such trying experiences the only thing to do is to trust in God and walk by faith, not by sight.

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I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU

INTRODUCTION - HEBREWS 13:5-6

I. LET YOUR CONDUCT BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS - LUKE 12:15-21; 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-11

II. BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE - PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13; 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10

III. FOR HE HIMSELF HAS SAID, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU" - 1 SAMUEL 12:20-22; PSALM 37:25-28;

MATTHEW 28:18-20

IV. REAL MESSAGE - OUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD NOT RICHES - JOB 31:24 & 28; Psalm 52:7; PROVERBS 11:28; MARK 10:17-27; 1 TIMOTHY 6:17

CONCLUSION - MATTHEW 13:44-46

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU

SCRIPTURE - (Heb 13:5-6) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." {6} So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

INTRODUCTION

A. HOW MANY OF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE COVETOUS?

B. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ANYONE ADMIT TO BEING COVETOUS?

C. ARE YOU CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE?

D. IN YOUR EFFORT TO HAVE MORE (OF ANYTHING) HAVE YOU DECREASED YOUR TIME FOR GOD?

I. LET YOUR CONDUCT BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS

A. ACRES OF DIAMONDS - An ancient Persian legend tells of a wealthy man by the name of Al Haffed who owned a large farm. One evening a visitor related to him tales of fabulous amounts of diamonds that could be found in other parts of the world, and of the great riches they could bring him. The vision of all this wealth made him feel poor by comparison. So instead of caring for his own prosperous farm, he sold it and set out to find these treasures. But the search proved to be fruitless. Finally, penniless and in despair, he committed suicide by jumping into the sea. Meanwhile, the man who had purchased his farm noticed one day the glint of an unusual stone in a shallow stream on the property. He reached into the water, and to his amazement he pulled out a huge diamond. Later when working in his garden, he uncovered many more valuable gems. Poor Al Haffed had spent his life traveling to distant lands seeking jewels when on the farm he had left behind were all the precious stones his heart could have ever desired.

B. BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS(Luke 12:15-21) And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." {16} Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. {17} "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' {18} "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. {19} 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' {20} "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' {21} "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (VERSE 21 DEFINES COVETOUSNESS)

C. COVETOUS NOT IN HEAVEN - (1 Cor 6:9-11) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, {10} nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

II. BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE

A. WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU CONTENT? - Many people mistakenly think they can find contentment in the things of the world. A wealthy employer once overheard one of his workers exclaim, "Oh if I only had a hundred dollars, I would be perfectly content." Knowing that his own money had not given him inner peace, he told her, "Since I would like to see someone who is perfectly contented, I'm going to grant your desire." He gave her the money and left, but before he was out of earshot, he heard her remark almost bitterly, "Why on earth didn't I say 200?" The boss smiled, for he had made his point that money doesn't make a person "perfectly contented."

B. CONTENT REGARDLESS - (Phil 4:10-13) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. {11} Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: {12} I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. {13} I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

C. GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT - (1 Tim 6:6-10) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. {9} But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

III. FOR HE HIMSELF HAS SAID, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU"

A. FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

B. THE LORD WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE - (1 Sam 12:20-22) Then Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. {21} "And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. {22} "For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people.

C. THE RIGHTEOUS ARE NEVER FORSAKEN - (Psa 37:25-28) I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. {26} He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. {27} Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. {28} For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

D. JESUS IS WITH US ALWAYS - (Mat 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. {19} "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

IV. REAL MESSAGE - OUR TRUST SHOULD BE IN GOD NOT RICHES

A. HOPE IN MONEY IS DENIAL OF GOD - (Job 31:24 & 28) "If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, 'You are my confidence'; ,,, {28} This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.

B. TRUST IN RICHES REJECTS GOD'S STRENGTH - (Psa 52:7) "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness."

C. THOSE WHO TRUST IN RICHES WILL FALL - (Prov 11:28) He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

D. TRUST IN RICHES DISTANCES HEAVEN - (Mark 10:17-27) Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" {24} And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! {25} "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." {26} And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" {27} But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

E. DON'T TRUST IN RICHES BUT IN GOD - (1 Tim 6:17) Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

CONCLUSION

A. William Barclay said of money: Money in itself is neither good nor bad; it is simply dangerous in that the love of it may become bad. With money a man can do much good; and with money he can do much evil. With money a man can selfishly serve his own desires; and with money he can generously answer to the cry of his neighbor's need. With money a man can buy his way to the forbidden things and facilitate the path of wrongdoing; and with money he can make it easier for someone else to live as God meant him to live. Money brings power, and power is always a double- edged thing, for it is powerful to good and powerful to evil.

B. The real measure of our wealth is how much we'd be worth if we lost all our money.

C. IF YOU LOST ALL YOUR MONEY & MATERIAL GOODS, WOULD YOUR FAITH & TRUST IN GOD REMAIN?

D. WHERE IS YOUR TRUST?

E. IS IT POSSIBLE YOU HAVE LEFT ACRES OF DIAMONDS (GOD & HIS KINGDOM) FOR YOUR SEARCH FOR WORLDLY RICHES?

F. (Mat 13:44-46) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. {45} Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, {46} who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."