1. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes”

2. “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes”

3. In or Out of Context?
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIVUK)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2Timothy 3:16-17 (NIVUK)

4. Isaiah 54: Promises, Promises
The barren woman will have a large family
Disgrace and shame will be lifted
God will be Father and Husband
They will not be abandoned – God will stand beside them
Everlasting kindness and compassion
Unfailing love and peace
No weapon will prevail against them – protection and security

5. Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIVUK)
2 ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities’
Verse 2: Preparation
Verse 3: Promise

6. Preparation – Getting Ready
Enlarge the place of your tent
Willingness – space – foundations – suitable materials
Stretch your curtains wide
Expand your vision – big picture – move in faith
Don’t hold back
Dealing with what prevents us achieving our potential
Lengthen your cords
Recognise there will be tension – and where it comes from
Strengthen your stakes
Secure foundations – going deeper – growing up

7. Promise Spread out left and right Dispossessing nations
Increasing influence and growth
Dispossessing nations
Taking back what’s rightfully God’s (and ours)
Settling in desolate cities
Reoccupation brings life and wholeness

8. Lengthening the Cords 2 aspects
Have the appropriate length in the first place
Prolonging the rope through maintenance

9. Lengthening the Cords Too short Too long Too thin or poor condition
Support structures in place
Maintaining ourselves

10. Tough Times
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
“All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it” (The Message)

11. 3 Priorities Get right and stay right with God
Deal with known sin – confess
Daily commitment to His purposes
Allowing the Holy Spirit to direct, guide and fill us with His power
Have the right people around us
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17 (NIVUK)
“People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron” Good News Version
Many advisors enable plans to succeed – Proverbs 15:22
What are we allowing into our lives?
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” Philippians 4:8 (NIVUK)
“You are not who you think you are but what you think – you are” Norman Vincent Peale

12. Challenge A B C D E Every day this week
Acknowledge this is God’s day – give it to Him
Believe the Holy Spirit will lead you
Confess any sin to Jesus
Decide to speak positive, life giving words
Encourage yourself and others in the Lord