Becoming CONSTANT, STABLE, ENDURING and DEPENDABLE

DAY SIX of our corporate 21-day Daniel Fast is off and running! I feel GREAT, I really do. I am so thankful to God for what He is doing in my life. He has spoken into my heart two messages that I am excited about sharing this weekend. I plan to preach Sunday morning on INCREASE and Sunday night on ISOLATION. I hope that you plan to be with us Sunday.

As I sit here typing, my entire family is waiting on the SNOW that has been forecast. My children have been so disappointed this year on a number of occasions as they patiently have waited for the PREDICTED snow to show up, only to be let down when it didn't materialize. One of my kids asked me last night, "Dad, do you really think it will snow this time?" I answered with a "yes, I do, but I can't guarantee it." As I woke up this morning, and NO SNOW was on the ground, I began to think about my conversation with my child. You know, so many times we have HOPES and THOUGHTS of how a situation is going to turn out. Maybe even praying and standing on a PROMISE from God's Word concerning a situation. However, you have been let down time after time. My friends, I want to talk to you today. We have to make up our minds that I WILL NOT QUIT nor will I GIVE UP regardless of the struggle or disappointments that I have encountered. During this Daniel Fast, there have been a few people tell me, "I just don't know if I can make it. I'm really struggling." That is when you have to develop an attitude that says, "I WILL NOT BE MOVED OR SHAKEN" regardless of how many times I have been disappointed by not receiving an answer the way I thought that I would or should.

That's what I want to talk to you about today: an attitude you must possess if you wish to achieve success in your life once again, with the help of Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems from the Greek". If you study the lives of achievers and history-makers, you will find that all of them remarkably share certain attitudes that helped them reach success. However, the attitude I wish to speak to you about today is so essential that it should be considered non-negotiable, especially if you wish to do anything significant with your life.

This non-negotiable attitude is found in First Corinthians 15:58, where Paul urges us, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Today, I want you to consider the word "unmoveable." This word refers to one of the most critically important attitudes for those who want to please God and do something noteworthy in their lives.

The word "immovable" is the Greek word ametakinetos, which has several meanings:

• It means not easily excited, shaken, or affected.
  
• It describes something that is not changeable or unpredictable.
  
• It was also frequently used in connection with stone structures or to refer to people who are known to have a strong and unbending character.
  
• Thus, this word portrays something that is solid, unbending, and not easily excited, shaken, or affected; a person, building, or place that is constant, stable, enduring, and dependable.
  

In other words, this is not a flighty, fickle, "here-today, gone-tomorrow," "on-again, off-again" type of person; rather, this is someone who is constant, stable, and dependable. Because the word ametakinetos describes something immovable, it carries the idea of someone whose attitude can be described as:

• Rock-solid
  
• Fixed
  
• Grounded
  
• Established
  
• Rooted
  
• Anchored
  
• Unvarying
  
• Permanent
  
• Stable
  

When you start a new project or step out in faith to do something new, there will always be obstacles that try to get in your way. If you aren't determined to be tougher than the problems that arise, it won't be long until you throw in the towel and give up. That's why this word ametakinetos is so vital. It is an attitude that says, "I'm not moving until I see my dream come to pass!"

Anyone who wants to be great or to do great things must learn to be constant, stable, dependable, inflexible, unbending, and unyielding in the face of challenges. This is a common characteristic shared by all great achievers.

First Corinthians 15:58 could be translated: "Be constant, stable, enduring, and dependable — one who is always abounding in the work of the Lord."

When you know God has called you to do something, you have to develop this kind of rock solid, immovable attitude about that task or project because one thing is certain: Satan
will
attempt to sidetrack you. That's what the enemy does to anyone whom God calls to do a job!

The devil will try to use people's negative words, a lack of finances, adverse circumstances, discouragement, hunger, cravings, disappointment, and a host of other tactics to move you off course from your intended goal. That's why you have to make up your mind to be fixed, rooted, grounded, anchored, and unwavering in your commitment to accomplish the task God has set before you!

So don't allow yourself to be inconsistent and wavering in your commitment to accomplish your God-given assignment. Remember — others around you are watching your example. In this world where a lackadaisical, "who cares?" attitude predominates, people need to see what true commitment looks like!

Be steadfast and immovable in the place where God has called you. Make the rock-solid decision that you will be a "permanent fixture" within your divine call until your task is completed with excellence, regardless of what it costs you!

By the way, it looks like my kids' hopes and prayers will be rewarded…100% chance of snow today. "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" I love you guys, and pray that you have a SAFE and DETERMINATION-filled weekend. Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

This weekend's "THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR" reading:

March 7, 2008 (Friday) 2 Samuel 8:1 – 2 Samuel 10:19
March 8, 2008 (Saturday) 2 Samuel 11:1 – 2 Samuel 12:31
March 9, 2008 (Sunday) 2 Samuel 13:1 – 2 Samuel 14:33

This week's Memory verse to "hide in our heart": Psalm 115:14-16

Psalm 115:14-16 May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. (15) May you be blessed of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth! (16) The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men.