2. Todays Challenge: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Let us know how you are doing: – Email thechallenge@firstmbchurch.org – twitter #FirstMBChallenge

3. Key themes: – Excitement for the future

4. Key themes: – Excitement for the future – Contentment

5. Key themes: – Excitement for the future – Contentment – Pain

6. The Big Question: How do you not let the emotion of the season you are in, consume you and drive you, but instead you respond in such a way that there is a calmness, a sense of perspective like none other that enables you to face every season with focus, confidence?

8. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

9. So were not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. Theres far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we cant see now will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message)

10. What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God Himself. Blaise Pascal, Pensees #425

11. If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. CS Lewis

12. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ… Philippians 3:20 (NIV) But theres far more to life for us. Were citizens of high heaven! Were waiting the arrival of the Savior… Philippians 3:20 (The Message)

13. Key themes: – Excitement for the future – Contentment – Pain

14. Guide to process: Aware that life has seasons – ask yourself what season you are in

15. Guide to process: Aware that life has seasons – ask yourself what season you are in Back away and process – how am I handling life? What is filling my tank?

16. Guide to process: Aware that life has seasons – ask yourself what season you are in Back away and process – how am I handling life? What is filling my tank? Confess – if/when it is other than God

17. Guide to process: Aware that life has seasons – ask yourself what season you are in Back away and process – how am I handling life? What is filling my tank? Confess – if/when it is other than God Decide something to do to move towards God