(Luke 5:4-5)

The Devil is mad now because he's losing territory. Some of us have learned to "dance in the fire", and the Devil is confused. As Christians, we trust God anyway. Where God is taking us, the Devil doesn't want us to go. The Devil wants us to think it's over, but it's not over until God says it's over!

Pastor George Dix instructed us that we need to be consoled by the Word of God. For it is written:

• "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" - (Numbers 23:19)
  
  
• "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." - (Isaiah 55:11)
  
  
• "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." - (Psalm 119:160)

Sometimes we can be sick and tired of struggling with the 'same old thing'. The battle can leave us feeling defeated; where we just want to give in. Furthermore, some of us are at a point where we've tried everything (tithing, prayer, fasting, etc.) and it seems like we're being persecuted all the more (where the Devil reminds of our past and how 'unworthy' we are). But "the Devil is a liar!" The apostle Paul said "...although we are troubled, we're not in despair..." (2 Corinthians 4:8) .

God is faithful. He will not allow you to yield to temptation... that you may be able to withstand it. When things get heavy, know that God knows better what we need. It may not look like, taste like, or be at the time we expect, but God is on our side. For it is written:

• "...He will never leave you, nor forsake you." - (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• "...they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." - (Isaiah 40:31)

When you're waiting on God, you don't pay attention to what other people say, you don't care what it looks like or what it feels like.

Pastor George reminded us that the apostles were fishermen, who were accustomed to success. In our primary scripture verse today, they had failed as fishermen, and were frustrated. They were using all the same equipment; same boat, same lake, same fishermen, same nets. But yet, no fish. Jesus told them to try one more time, to launch into the deep and cast their nets; and as a result of their obedience, they received their breakthrough.

The protocol has changed... the rules are different now. It's a walk of faith!

God wants you to have a nevertheless mentality. Simon said, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5). Do as Simon did... look at your current problem, issue, adversity, financial situation, and say...

"NEVERTHELESS!"

Before you make your move, listen to what God has to say to you. No matter what your past may be, get into position, and stand firmly on God's Word. Break loose, walk by faith, hold on, and trust God!

Quote of the sermon:

"Don't get out of the boat! Just hold on a little while longer!!" - Pastor George Dix Jr.

Scripture References:

Sunday, September 10th, 2006

• I Thessalonians 5:16 and Romans 5:1-5 - Prayer & Scripture (Minister Judy Williams-Dickerson)
• Luke 5:4-5 - "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught..."
• Psalm 27:1 - "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?..."
• Numbers 23:19 - "God is not a man that he should lie..."
• Isaiah 55:11 - "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void"
• Psalm 119:160 - "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever."
• 2 Corinthians 4:8 - "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair
• Deuteronomy 31:6 - "...He will never leave you, nor forsake you."
• Isaiah 40:31 - "...they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..."