PUTTING IN THE HARD WORK

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Putting in the Hard Work

Doing Life with Diligence

We all have something that we want in life.  Maybe it’s a career, a family, financial independence, or a certain “shiny new thing.” The problem sometimes is we are unwilling to put the work into it that is necessary to get there.   Our actions don’t match our appetites.  We want it badly, but not that badly.  It’s much easier to dream than it is to do, and so our lives are lukewarm, lacking anything noteworthy or truly outstanding.

Some of us approach our spiritual life in the same manner as well.  We would love to have a close and intimate walk with God, but we are unwilling to give it the time and effort it requires to really know His word or hear His voice.

In Romans 12:8, Paul uses a word in relationship to how we ought to pursue leadership; diligence.  He goes on in verse 11 to say we need “fervor” (passion) and “zeal” (enthusiasm) in serving God.  These are not words that reflect a lukewarm attitude toward life and God, but rather, it paints a picture of a rolling boil.   They are words that evoke an image of blood, sweat, and tears in association with our pursuits.

  • Is there anything in life for which you are truly willing to put the hard work in to attain?
  • What situations bring out your enthusiasm and passion?
  • Are they things that have lasting value?

 

Sticking With It

Many of us have no trouble getting excited but we struggle with staying there.  A new project or opportunity comes along and we approach it with all the excitement of a puppy drinking an espresso.  But our energy runs out, we hit an obstacle, something comes along that emotionally drains us, and we fall back into a pattern of defeat and we resign ourselves to “good enough.”

Read Proverbs 6:6-8

  • Why do you think Solomon uses the picture of an ant as the picture of diligence?
  • What “ant like” qualities do you think are necessary to truly excel?  Do you have them?


Who’s Strength

Sometimes it feels like everything is stacked against us and we just don’t have the power to keep moving forward.  Even with the most diligent attitude, it feels impossible to do it on your own strength.  There’s a good reason for that . . . IT IS!  God never equipped us to succeed in life without Him.  The good news is, God gives us everything we need to maintain our diligence and enthusiasm.

Read Romans 12:11

  • Where do we get our “fervor?”  How does a person go about receiving that on a daily basis?
  • What would need to change in your habits in order to maintain passion and enthusiasm for God’s work?

 

The Challenge

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” He’s writing about diligence. He’s telling us, from his experience and wisdom to take initiative, be industrious and do things with passion.

He goes on to tell us in Proverbs 13:4 that, “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”  Do you get it?  We lack fulfillment and satisfaction in what we do because we are doing it with half of our hearts and end up leaving undone that which we set out to do.  Be diligent this week, lean into your relationship with God, and see where it takes you.

  • What is holding you back from attacking life with enthusiasm and passion?
  • What needs to happen for you to pursue God with diligence?

 
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The Conversation

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  • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

    Welcome to The Conversation. This space exists to help you take the weekend experience with you throughout the week. We want to hear your thoughts, your stories, and your ideas. Feel free to post below about the weekend or the devotion to your left. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    601 days ago1 Reply

    • TOM

      in reply to Josh (Social Media Pastor)

      Appreciate your comments, too me not only is God an all encompassing love, his guidance and wisodm is without equal and unfathomable, unmatched, in a sense the ultimate general, “no on gets left behind” if he can help it ! I may toss in some very modernistic and simplistic terms in certain descriptions because it helps me more to understand and its more realistic, which Brad and you and the rest convey when speaking to me , I am certain he would be in tune with the 21st century ! I do not in any way think he would be some stuffed shirt staid unassuming robot, like some of these ego driven politicians who don`t know jack or even those holier than thou so called leaders who get all the publicity and have no clue as to what the world is about,, his directions are very to the point and make more sense using absolute common sense than anything I have ever read, I also like to think he has a sense of humor as if to slap his head and say what the ? when are you going to learn, come here and sit down once again ! I can and do look around the world everday “news & political junkie extraordinaire ” and think how insane is the world, the blind and arrogant allegiance to nothing, and I know whos in charge on a temporary basis { a defeated enemy, Isaiah 14 & Ezekial 28} I have & put my ultimate hope in ” Jesus” and I can also look at my 2 yr old grandchild and realize their is ultimate and unflinching love with real hope unconditional { Thats Jesus } too me

      597 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

    As a wife and a mom I realize that diligence and hard work mean more than “doing stuff” and then checking it off of my ‘to do’ list.

    If I am simply running around trying to get things done just for the sake of doing them, I will run out of energy. When I have purpose and passion in my responsibilities, I find joy and fulfillment.

    It is easier for me to be enthusiastic about serving God after I have experienced a “spiritual high” … hearing a weekend talk, participating in a local or global outreach trip or attending a women’s retreat, but it takes more diligence and hard work to keep that passion burning in my day to day life.

    After I experience each of these … I have great intentions to keep the fire burning “the next day and the next day and the next day”, but then … life happens – work responsibilities, home responsibilities and relational responsibilities … and I sometimes lose focus on my commitment to make the necessary changes in my life to become more like Christ.

    When I serve, love, pray for and/or help others … my zeal for God and for others is ignited in such a way that causes me to live diligently … daily!

    601 days ago3 Replies

    • Shirley D.(cafe' volunteer/small group attender)

      in reply to Debbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      Debbie, your last paragraph spoke sirens to me! I always feel like I don’t know how to put into words what sets my heart on fire for God. Serve, love and pray for others- that gets me going. And I would love if life were like a spritual retreat everyday.

      599 days ago

    • Karen Montoya

      in reply to Debbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      Hi Debbie ~ You wrote:
      I realize that diligence and hard work mean more than “doing stuff” and then checking it off of my ‘to do’ list.

      If I am simply running around trying to get things done just for the sake of doing them, I will run out of energy. When I have purpose and passion in my responsibilities, I find joy and fulfillment.

      ***Let me just say that I had one of those days yesterday when everyone’s crucial needs fell upon my shoulders. I was rushing around, sweating, thoughts spinning, when I finally said to myself, “The Lord has promised to give me peace and I’m not feeling it right now. If I don’t have it, that’s because I haven’t tapped in to His resources.” So I stopped everything that I was doing and just sat there in quiet mediation – giving each of my daily burdens to Him as they pressed in upon me. I sat there for a long time. Until finally, there were no voices in my head dictating to me what I should do. Just peacefulness. Then I rose up and ask myself what would I like to do the most at this moment. No should do’s. No need to do’s. Just a knowing, that whatever I didn’t get done today, Jesus would take that burden upon Himself. Then I proceeded to do what gave me fulfillment and thanked Him for His diligence to help me out. It’s my responsibility to diligently seek Him for all my needs, and it’s His responsibility to take my burdens and carry them for me.********

      597 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Debbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      We all have those days!!! What a great reminder to just stop what we are doing and do directly to God at that moment in that moment. We do have an awesome God that not only carries our burdens but us as well.

      597 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

    This truth comes alive for me in two areas. First, 2 years ago I ran my first half-marathon. I had always been intrigued by the idea of putting my body to the test, but I lacked the discipline to do anything about it. Sure, I had played sports…but nothing was close to running for just under 2 hours straight. The switch flipped one day when I had a little encouragement from some friends. I went out, bought new running shoes, downloaded a 16 week training plan and went to work. That year I was able to run and finish my first half-marathon! It was a great feeling to have started something…it was an even greater feeling to have crossed the finish line.

    Second, this truth hits me in my relationship with God. I never was a “quiet time” kind of guy. I’m too wired for that. I need to be on the go. God started working on my heart while I was reading a book on Silence and Solitude. God used this book to challenge my mindset. I began to carve time out of my day (5-10 min) to spend in silence and surrender to God…and it has revolutionized my relationship with Him. Am I diligent every day with this? No. But I am better than I was. And isn’t that the goal? To live more for Jesus tomorrow than I did today. Diligence in the area of silence and solitude is helping me do that.

    601 days ago

  • Schel

    This topic really hit home for me. I can get fired up about things but then as Debbie said, life happens and I lose steam. I really need to work on my diligence in many areas of my life, mostly in my relationship with God. I want so much to be God’s light in this world. I just need to make sure I am always going to Him for His power to be that light.

    600 days ago

  • Roxanne

    Brad always seems like he’s talking right to me, but today it was WOW!! Between he and Rudy, It was a double whammy.

    600 days ago

  • Rhonda

    I think that the success of the movie “Rudy” is that not only are people inspired by his story, they also really desire to have the kind of diligence he demonstrated. I have found in my life that the commands God gives in His Word are usually characteristics or attributes that I want to have. I believe He builds into humans the desire to be like Him, but free will gets in the way of that desire. And then I also think sometimes I can get bogged down in trying to discern God’s will. Should I really keep pushing on with something, no matter how pure my intentions might be, if it continually fails? The question becomes – is this God or Rhonda? And I really don’t want it to be about me, I want my life to be about God accomplishing His will through me. I was intrigued by Brad’s challenge today to be diligent in every area. It makes so much sense to me that if I slack in some important areas they are going to affect others. I am examining my life and challenging myself to step it up in the areas in which I need more diligence.

    600 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Rhonda

      Rhonda, you are not alone in those thoughts! I appreciate your honest search for God to work through you. It is a search that we all should be on. Enjoy the process of discerning priorities!

      600 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Rhonda

      That is such a hard thing to discern. It really does seem, at times, that the walls we come up against are God’s way of telling us to go a different direction. But sometimes God puts them there to make us better people as we tear them down, go over them, or smash through them. That’s why a continual and daily connection with God is so vital.

      598 days ago

  • Bernie R

    The talk on diligence was another one that really hit home and when Brad broke it down to the 5 areas that we really need to be diligent in and he got to being diligent in our physical health my wife looked at me and said “I think he just called us out”. While she was smiling and somewhat joking, I kind of felt “called out” in more than just one of these areas.

    Sometimes with so much going on in our lives it seems like a juggling act and it’s hard to keep all of the balls in the air let alone be focused and diligent on those things that deserve the most attention. But this talk really brought light to a lot of things in my life and my goal is to sit down this week and focus on setting a plan to dedicate time to focus on each of these areas with a new diligence! Thank you NorthRidge for always “calling us out” to be better people and better Christians!

    600 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Bernie R

      Bernie, I love that you have a goal! I can’t wait to hear how God moves this in your life this week as you seek to honor him with your schedule. Trust me, you weren’t the only one “called out” this past weekend!

      600 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Bernie R

      I have a friend of mine that decided to get diligent with her health. Right at 100 lbs later, she is going strong and in the best health of her adult life.

      Looking back over the last year that this transformation took place, there were several seasons in which I’m sure she received little in the way of accolades or encouragement on a daily basis. But now the results are undeniable and her diligence is inspiring to me and many others.

      Consistent investment over an extended period makes a measurable impact. Keep at it!

      598 days ago

  • Carol

    I believe that being diligent is something that is inborn however we can boost our diligence level depending on how badly we want to achieve our ending results. The talk was very interesting as well as inspirational and definitely got you thinking. The areas mentioned where we can all use help on as far as diligence goes were quite spot on in my opinion. Sometimes when we have various goals in life we have a hard time trying to pursue the one we think fits and that of course is when we need to seek council…God. It is so true as mentioned that spending quality time with our God is vital and we can all use a little more God time due the consuming world we live in.

    600 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Carol

      Carol, I think you’re spot on. Spending time with God clarifies where we should be spending the most time being diligent!

      600 days ago

  • TOM

    Truly enjoyed the personal testimony of Rudy, having never seen the movie however ! he illustrates that old adage “you can do anything you put your mind to” and it certainly helps to lean on God for guidance and adhere to his word, with that combination of beliefs honestly, what man or entity can stand in your way, his WISDOM {God`s} as opposed to man`s, cmon thats a no brainer, he bucked the system but since the system is designed & set by man, how can man win, with all the detractors & naysayers and such when then you or I are armed with the greatest Strength there is ! God ! the creator of the Heavens, it`s actually quite simple, they fail and scratch their collective heads & we WIN and then we are looked at in astonishment, as if how did they accomplish this, whatever the endeavor we may have taken up ! Now realize I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I am smart enough to realize that when I am fully armed with God`s wisdom and focused on his word being {diligent} NOTHING can stand in my way if it`s right ! God has his checks & balances to measure ! The trouble begins when I become overconfident even arrogant in my own abilities and lose sight of God`s wisdom and stop relying or being diligent in his WORD !——–

    Too me the Book of Proverbs can be summarized very simply, God could say Look my child, or look dummy or hey man heres the deal, I have a list of very simple rules for success in ANY endeavor with life, read them study them, memorize them, tatoo them to your heart and mind, always keep them in the forefront of your thoughts and presto, you can overcome and achieve and deal with anything that life may throw at you ” in this life you will have trouble” but over anything be DILIGENT in my word—Pretty SImple ! and the beauty of God`s love is that even when I am an utter failure, and have completly had my teeth kicked in, God will always be there and pick me up clean me off and I will know his love and he will show me his neverending diligence, how can I forget ?

    600 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to TOM

      When we are diligent about putting God and His Word first … all other areas of our life will be balanced. And yes, Tom, I agree when we try and do things in our own strength we will always fall short of what He has planned for us!

      600 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to TOM

      Man, Tom. Way to boil Proverbs down to a bottom shelf idea that we can all get around. Love, love, love your explanation.

      598 days ago

  • Joe

    I’am always impressed with the amount of time that must go into the service on saturday and sunday, and the inspiration that my wife and I experienced during Rudy and pastor Brad’s conversation was incredible. We loved everything about it thank you.

    599 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Joe

      I am so glad you and your wife enjoyed and were inspired by our weekend service. We are truly blessed at NorthRidge with such a great team who devote time in creating our weekend experiences.

      599 days ago

  • Mike

    Adam, it’s interesting that within the last year or so I myself have taken up running after being active but not really ever a “runner.” At first I couldn’t run a 1/4 of a mile w/o walking now I can almost run a half. But it takes hard work and commitment, dedication, perserverence…….diligence. I stumbled onto some old notes of Brad when he was talking to Dave Ramsey. He mentioned two things that I documented. Satan is always in a hurry and God never is……I consider this not only in the pace of work being done but also the quality as well. My other note is a simple equation; Diligence = Excellence over time. Good stuff. Praise the Lord!

    599 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Mike

      Mike, that is so encouraging to hear! Blessings in your quest to keep running! You running the Turkey Trot this year? Could be fun! And yes, those learnings from Dave Ramsey are awesome…little nuggets of truth.

      598 days ago

  • Shirley D.(cafe' volunteer/small group attender)

    I, right away felt that I could relate to this conversation. I have been to the place where I started out super excited and then hit a wall and did’t know how to pick it back up. Even when it was something that I enjoyed. I used the excuse that ” I had too much on my plate now” I also recall just today crying out to God to bless me in a certain way, yet this conver sation brought to mind rather or not I’m doing all that I can to be prepared for the blessing. I don’t know. I know that I have enthusasem and love for Christ, but I’m not sure how to take that excitement and just run for Christ and do what ever he leads me in. I think I get held back by not knowing how to think outside the box and therefor my God stays in the box. I don’t want him in the box but yet I keep the box around.

    599 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Shirley D.(cafe' volunteer/small group attender)

      Shirley, I definitely feel that struggle as well. It’s sometimes hard to know the next step. Perhaps the next step towards God is the very thing we already know how to do (like reading His word, spending uninterrupted time with Him, seeking wise counsel). Blessings in your journey!

      598 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Shirley D.(cafe' volunteer/small group attender)

      I’ve found that I really like being a part of something new and exciting. However, if I’m not careful, I get bored or busy and move on to something else. I’ve found, through trial and error, that some of the biggest blessings come on the other side of diligence. I wish I could say this was a lesson that I didn’t have to keep learning.

      Note to self: Push through the monotony and establish a track record of diligence. There are blessings waiting on the other side.

      598 days ago

  • Victoria

    I am in the middle of losing my enthusiasm for a life change that I recently made. God is the one that lead me to it and He is the one that gave me the assurance that I could do it with His strength. This talk reminded me to go back to Him daily for the guidance & reassurance that I need to live this change today, tomorrow and every day after that. It’s the minute I tune Him out that my diligence seeps away and the doubt creeps in. Keeping my focus will keep me diligent.

    599 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Victoria

      Keeping our eyes on Jesus and diligently seeking Him everyday will give us the passion we need to be diligent and have enthusiasm in other areas fo our life. Our God is able! If we believe that and pray knowing that it will change the way we pray.

      599 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Victoria

      You speak such truth Victoria! It’s those moments in the valley when it seems like nothing we’ve done is really making a dent in our dream that we tend to bail out and then miss the blessing. Keep at it! God is faithful in His timing!

      598 days ago

  • Mike Johnson

    I have tried to be dilligent in so many different things, and I got to admit many if not most I floundered in.But the one thing that I truly have been blessed in, (I consider it a gift from God, not my own power) Is dilligence in prayer.I have seen God come through so many times absolutely amazingly for myself,family,and friends through the power of persistant,consistant,dilligent prayer.I encourage everyone and anyone thats seeking an area where they want to start being dilligent, start in the area of your prayer life. You will not regret it for one moment.I could tell some incredible stories of how God moved just because I took him at his word to CONTINUE to, ASK,SEEK,and KNOCK.

    599 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Mike Johnson

      Mike, how encouraging this is! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us!! God is indeed a good Father.

      598 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Mike Johnson

      Mike, I’d love to hear some of those stories sometime. Post a couple here. I get such inspiration from the stories of others.

      598 days ago

  • Steve

    As a person who loves a new challenge I often find it difficult to exercise diligence. All of those synonyms for diligence–persistence, faithfulness, commitment are noble, but not always that glamorous. Of course my problem is that God wants me to live a life a character not a life of notoriety. Since this weekend I’ve been thinking a lot of Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the wellspring of life.”

    599 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Steve

      Steve, I couldn’t agree more. The words “glitz and glamour” aren’t really words I would use to describe diligence. And yet we are called to do the hard work on the INSIDE, not necessarily on the outside. This is such a tough tension to deal with. Let me know how you work it out in your own life!

      598 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Steve

      I think many of us never get to a place where something we have done is worth noting because we refuse to be diligent long enough to get there. Even when the notoriety we seek is the LORD’s . Imagine how famous God would be if His people were diligent in the critical areas of life?!

      598 days ago

  • Debi Dee

    Diligence comes from that little voice inside of you prompting you to do good, or say something nice to someone, or thank someone for doing a good job, or waiting and letting someone go ahead of you, diligence is wanting to be the best you can be at all times, in all things, and sadly we all fall short simply because of the sinful, selfish nature we were born with. But striving for a diligent nature with God at our side makes the difference. If we could do everything with diligence, what a different place our world would be.

    598 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to Debi Dee

      Debi, what a great perspective! I love how you said “with God at our side.” That truly does make all the difference! With Him we have a new heart, and we can begin taking the steps toward a life of diligence!

      598 days ago

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Debi Dee

      What a different world indeed. Can you imagine what would happen if Christians everywhere were known for being the healthiest, the most encouraging, the wisest with money and resources, and the most generous?

      598 days ago

  • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

    One of the best examples of diligence can be seen in the sporting world. Obviously, Rudy was a shining example of this…but even as we watch our beloved Tigers in the playoffs. Imagine the discipline it takes to get to this level. Diligence is what gets them there. Let’s go Tigers!

    598 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderJosh (Social Media Pastor)

      in reply to Adam (Student Ministries)

      So many people dream of running out on the field but so few are willing to put in the work to get there. Good example Adam!

      598 days ago

  • Mike Johnson

    I posted earlier about being diligent in our prayer lives. I would like to give an example of the results of diligence in prayer in my own life. I was saved in 1997. God gave me a hunger for the word right off the bat. As I read I ran into Luke 11:9 about continued,persistant,diligent prayer. I also read the parables about the unjust judge who helped the widow,Luke 18:1-8.And the friend who beat on his neighbors door in the middle of the night until his buddy got up and gave him some food to give to his guests.Luke 11:5-8.Those parables stuck in my heart like gum to a shoe on a hot day.So I started praying everyday for the salvation of my wife and my oldest daughter Christiane.Everyday I would pray,”God, I believe your word, and I know you don’t lie.So, I am going to bug you everyday until you do whatever it is you have to do to bring them to you. Even if you have to keep them alive for 100 years!” They both fought me and God like pit bulls fighting for the last bone in the bowl. But by the Spirits determination in me, I prayed everyday for nearly 9 years. Then God broke through. My wife and daughter both came to know Jesus soon after. They are both serving God to this day.My daughter Christiane goes to Northridge and works with the youth. My wife loves to help in all areas and prepare fellowships. So God not only saved them, but put a heart of service in them for him. Persistant, diligent, prayer based on Gods word and promises is an area every believer should make top priority in their lives. You will never regret it.

    597 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Mike Johnson

      Mike … thanks for sharing your story. I know that others are going to be encouraged by it!
      I will never cease to be amazed by God’s timing that is always perfect.
      The Bible tells us that “heaven and the angels rejoice” (Luke 15) when someone crosses the line of faith.
      I am certain that they are still “rejoicing” over your wife and daughter!

      597 days ago

  • CathyM

    I guess one of the hardest parts of the diligence talk for me was diligence in physical health. Having injured my back about 20 years ago, there have been a lot of times that the pain was too much and I allowed it to become a crutch for me. This week I have come to see my morning walks and eating healthy as choices that are an act of worship to God. I am hoping that each time I am tempted to choose sleep over my walk, or junk over healthy choices that I will make the right choice in honour of my Abba Father.

    596 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to CathyM

      You are definitely taking a “step” in the right direction with your morning walks and healthy food choices … WAY TO GO! I pray every morning that God will help me make wise choices.

      596 days ago

  • Donna

    I learned alot about diligents this last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and november 2nd it will be one year I was diligent about my yearly exams and when I thought somthing was wrong I had to be diligent to find out what was wrong by the time all was said and done and the test came back I was stage 3 and grade 3 is a very fast growing cancer. I went on natural cancer fighting vitamins till chemo started then 8 weeks into chemo they could not find the cancer. i still followed the regiment 3 more months of chemo then surgery and radiation. we can be diligent about many things alot of times we let our health go and dont keep our apointments. Im also being diligent about this because it is Breast cancer awareness month. The doctors gave me 40% survival rate because the kind of cancer I had was rare and alot of people never realize there is more than one kind of Breast cancer it’s called inflamatory Breast cancer. I also became diligent in my relationship with christ I didnt have much family support and I started reading my Bible I wondered why did I half to go through this why was God letting this happen to me. I realized I had not been diligent in my relationship with the lord and now he is my rock my best friend when no one else is there when I feel all alone He is with me and now and forever and I will never feel alone again.

    596 days ago1 Reply

    • Conversation LeaderDebbie (Small Groups Ministry)

      in reply to Donna

      Congratulations on your “almost one year anniversary”. How exciting! I understand your diligence in your cancer journey as I walked the same journey with my husband ten years ago. God is so good!
      I am so glad that you are now experiencing “life to the fullest” as God intended for us to live it due to your diligence in pursuing your relationship with God.
      You are right … you will never be alone again.
      I love that God’s Words promises us that He will never “leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5).
      Let Him continue to be your Rock and Best Friend!

      596 days ago

  • J Lee

    Four years ago last month, my church dropped their Saturday night service and I became church homeless, being that Sunday mornings just don’t work for me. For three years I went to a couple of Lutheran churches, but the sermons were leaving me empty, so last year I started coming to Northridge because the sermons are challenging. But last weekend’s sermon was beyond challenging…I felt wounded. It was too severe for me. It made me feel hopeless. Five points on what we need to be diligent on and I feel like I fail on all five of them. I felt so wounded that I went home from church and went directly to bed without even eating supper.

    I’ve tried to sort through it by taking into consideration Brad’s personality (a motivated go-getter) versus mine (in Myers-Briggs terms, I’m way on the P side of the scale)…after all, a sermon comes out of someone’s own biases. Still, unlike many sermons that I ponder throughout the week, particularly from the notes I take, this week I couldn’t bear to do that. The sermon made me feel like I had to perform, or else I don’t measure up to God’s acceptance. I just can’t approach God that way.

    595 days ago2 Replies

    • Conversation LeaderAdam (Student Ministries)

      in reply to J Lee

      J Lee, I feel you. I can get caught in the same trap. You are absolutely correct when you say you can’t approach God in a way that makes you out to be the performer and God to be the judger of whether your performance was enough. If that was the case, the cross was unnecessary.

      All we can do is come to God through the blood of Jesus and offer our whole selves as a sacrifice. However, Ephesians 2:10 makes it clear that we were saved FOR good works (NOTE: Not by good works). God sees massive potential in you. Be encouraged today that God is indeed on your side and will give you the strength to take the next step in your journey towards Him.

      595 days ago

    • Nancy

      in reply to J Lee

      J Lee ~ Fear not! It’s the most often words of encouragement used throughout the Bible. We all fail, God loves us anyway. In fact, he tells us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, so just keep trying!

      I also believe Satan preys on our insecurities, and tries to drive a wedge between us and God. Please don’t let him. Come back this week, and be encouraged.

      595 days ago