STUCK? Where are you stuck in your faith?
The Tortoise and The Hare:
Slow and Steady Wins!
Have you heard the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? It’s
about how slow and steady endurance can beat, short-term
speed. Sometimes we think we are stuck because we aren’t
growing fast enough. Today this important message from
Pastor Lon will help us set long-term goals for our faith as
we continue the Stuck? series with The Tortoise and The
Hare: Slow and Steady Wins!
The Tortoise and The Hare
There was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run.
Tired of hearing him boast, Slow and Steady, the tortoise, challenged
him to a race. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch.
The Hare ran down the road for a while and then and paused to rest.
He looked back at Slow and Steady and cried out, "How do you expect
to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?"
Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking,
"There is plenty of time to relax."
Slow and Steady walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he
came to the finish line. The animals who were watching cheered so
loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare.
Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late.
Tortoise was over the line. After that, Hare reminded himself, "Don't
brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!"
House of Praise
Pastor Lon Dean
1/25/15
Scriptures are New Living Translation (nlt) unless noted otherwise
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STUCK? Where are you stuck in your faith?
We Get Stuck When We ___________________
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time
we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Sprinting makes you tired.
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the
hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. Proverbs 6:10-11
Is the Bible saying don’t sleep?
The Christian Life is A ___________________
NOT a ___________________
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of
witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that
slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And
let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
Strip off those things that keep you from going forward.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him,
He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated
in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the
hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become
weary and give up. Hebrews 12:2-3
Never Give Up and remember what He did for you.
I have observed something else. The fastest runner doesn’t
always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win
the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not
necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always
lead successful lives. Ecclesiastes 9:11
House of Praise
Pastor Lon Dean
1/25/15
Scriptures are New Living Translation (nlt) unless noted otherwise
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STUCK? Where are you stuck in your faith?
Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their
ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor
or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer,
gathering food for the winter. Proverbs 6:6-8
Be ___________________ in the Journey
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the
satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare
yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own
conduct. Galatians 6:4-5
Don’t be misled—you cannot
mock the justice of God. You will
always harvest what you plant.
Galatians 6:7
The steps you take this year will
be the steps you will harvest in
the years to come.
Where do you want to be spiritually 5 years from now?
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time
we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
I am repeating our first scripture. Slow and steady.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
Last thought, don’t let anything pull you away.
On your Journey, what’s your step today?
House of Praise
Pastor Lon Dean
1/25/15
Scriptures are New Living Translation (nlt) unless noted otherwise
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STUCK? Where are you stuck in your faith?
My Next Steps this Week:
I Commit to:
 Attend a Connect Group THIS week!
 Plan my Next Step for spiritual growth this year.
Offering
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth
from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11
Financially we grow by: giving to God first,
spending less than we earn, saving a little for a long time,
and not creating debt.
Offering Declaration
As we give today, we believe the Lord will open the windows of
heaven and pour out a blessing we can’t contain. This includes:
Jobs and Better Jobs
Raises and Bonuses
Benefits
Sales and
Commissions
Favor in Settlements
Estates and
Inheritances
Businesses and larger businesses
Interests and Income
Inventions and Investments
Rebates and Returns
Checks in the Mail
Gifts and Surprises
Finding Money
Debts Being Paid
Bills Decreasing and
Blessings Increasing
In Jesus’ Name. So Be It!
House of Praise
Pastor Lon Dean
1/25/15
Scriptures are New Living Translation (nlt) unless noted otherwise
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