Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. √ Seasons are inevitable. Genesis 8:22 (NLT) As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. √ Seasons are unavoidable. √ Seasons won’t last forever. Psalm 90:12 (TLB) Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should. EMBRACE YOUR SEASON I. SEE THE OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF YOU. Acts 2:17-18 (NLT) In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.’ II. LEAVE REGRET IN THE PAST. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Psalm 51:10-12 (TLB) Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. III. KEEP ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 (NLT) What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart... II Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG) We’re 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. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 55:11 - So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Jeremiah 1:6-12 - “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” PUT A WORD ON IT The Bible is the only book in all of history where the author actually shows up when you read it. I. LET THERE BE Genesis 1:1-3 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. II. IT IS FINISHED III. HE IS RISEN Matthew 28:5-6 - But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. IV. I AM COMING Revelation 22:20 - He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

✓ Exhaustion - I'm too tired to fight. ✓ Doubt - Is God really here? Is He really listening to me? ✓ Control - If I can just figure this out, it’ll be fine. ✓ Escape - I just can’t do this anymore. ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭(NIV)‬‬ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. What God is working out for your situation pales in comparison to what He’s working out inside your heart. What to do when you want to give up? I. REMEMBER 1 Chronicles 16:12 -13 (ESV) Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! II. WAIT Verb - to stay in one place and anticipate or expect something. Psalm 130:5-6 (ESV) I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. III. RELY Exodus 17:10-12 (ESV) So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Summer at Bay Chapel | July 9, 2023 James 1:26 (TLB) Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn’t control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion is worthless. √ The tongue is disproportionately powerful. James 3:3-4 (NLT) We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. √ The tongue is inherently evil. James 3:5-6 (NIV) The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. √ The tongue is untamable. James 3:7-10 (NLT) People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! √ My words reveal what’s in my heart. -- LIFE-GIVING WORDS I. ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE MY HEART. Psalm 19:14 (NLT) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. II. PUT A FILTER ON WHAT I ALLOW IN MY HEART. Matthew 12:34-35 (NIV) For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. III. SPEAK LIFE-GIVING WORDS. WORDS OF PRAISE Proverbs 25:11 (CEV) The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Ephesians 4:29 (GNT) Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. WORDS OF HEALING Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life… WORDS OF FAITH I John 5:14 (MSG) My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life…And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening.

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT) It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” √ Before God told Isaiah what to do, He showed him who He was. √ Isaiah’s response to God’s glory was a heart of repentance. II Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. √ God cleansed Isaiah and then He called him. I. SEE GOD’S POWER AT WORK. Isaiah 6:1 (NLT) ...I saw the Lord. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. II. STEP OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE. Genesis 12:1 (NIV) The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” II Corinthians 5:14-15 (TLB) He died for all so that all who live—having received eternal life from him—might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them. III. SURRENDER MY WILL. Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭(NLT) - I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. IF WE ARE ONE, THEN THE WORLD WILL KNOW HIM. √ Avoid √ Attack I. IS THERE A PRESENT BROKEN RELATIONSHIP? Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) - “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” II. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (ESV) - Finally, brothers [and sisters], rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Genesis 50:14-21 (NLT) After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. √ The position that you’re in influences the decisions that you make. √ The decisions that you make influence the position that you’re in. TURN THE PAGE I. RELEASE MY RIGHTS. Genesis 50:19 (NLT) But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? Psalm 54:5 (CEB) He will bring disaster on my opponents. By your faithfulness, God, destroy them! Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a servant and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. II. CHOOSE FORGIVENESS. Genesis 50:22 (NLT) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. III. MOVE FORWARD. Genesis 50:21 (NLT) “No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. (22-23) So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110. He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son, whom he claimed as his own.

Psalm 42:1-5 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! √ LIVING IN THE PAST Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. √ KEEPING SCORE √ GROWING WEARY Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” SETTING THE PACE I. RUN AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) ...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. Psalm 55:22 (NLT) Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. II. FIND STRENGTH IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Psalm 42:1 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. Isaiah 43:1-3 (GNT) The Lord who created you says, “Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you

Summer at Bay Chapel | June 11, 2023 ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my Lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV - The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. FAITH & PATIENCE I. GOD CHOOSES THE TIME. ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Galatians 4:4 ESV - But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son. II. GOD HAS DIFFERENT GOALS. James‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭49‬-‭52‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. III. KEEP THE VIEW CLEAR. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.