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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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” 1Corinthians 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)

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

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