GENESIS 49:22-26

Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23, With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24, But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.

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26, Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

 

MESSAGE BIBLE - But he held steady under fire, his bow firm, his arms limber, With the backing of the Champion of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.

 

Consistent - unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time. Steady in every season.

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Being consistent is not always glamorous or attractive but it is always necessary for your wellbeing. Consistency is actually a bit mundane but it always matters.

 

Most anyone that has enjoyed any level of success will tell you that the key to success is consistency.

 

“CONSISTENCY IS WHAT TRANSFORMS AVERAGE TO EXCELLENCE.”

 

“Consistency makes the rain drops to create holes in the rock. Whatever is difficult can be done easily with regular attendance, attention and action.”

 

PRACTICE DOES NOT REALLY MAKE PERFECT, BUT CONSISTENT PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT.

 

What you do consistently is what builds your character.

 

GEN. 49:3-4,  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:

4, Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; 

 

UNSTABLE - INCONSISTENT TO THE POINT OF BEING WRECKLESS AND UNBRIDLED.

 

INCONSISTENT PARENTING PRODUCES INCONSISTENT RESULTS IN CHILDREN.

 

THE DEFINITION OF INCONSISTENT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT UNIFORM OR NOT THE SAME THROUGHOUT.

 

 

1. OUR EXAMPLE OF CONSISTENCY…

 

MAL. 3:6, For I am the LORD, I change not; 

 

HEB. 13:8, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

 

 

2. CONSISTENT AT BEING A CHRISTIAN:

 

CHRISTIAN LIVING BOILS DOWN TO TWO THINGS:

 

1. HOW YOU LIVE

2. HOW YOU LOVE

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CONCERNING “HOW TO LIVE” –

 

I THESS. 4:1-2, As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

 

If I am going to try to get somewhere I need more direction than instruction.

 

If I am going to put something together I need more instruction than I do direction.

 

IF I NEED DIRECTIONS I GO THE MAP.

IF I NEED INSTRUCTIONS I GO TO THE MANUAL.

 

DIRECTIONS ARE A GUIDANCE THAT GETS YOU TO A DESIRED PLACE.

 

INSTRUCTIONS INDICATE AN OBLIGATION TO ADHERE TO SOMETHING THAT WILL PREVENT PROBLEMS AND RECEIVE A DESIRED OUTCOME.

 

CONCERNING “HOW TO LOVE” –

 

I THESS. 4:9-12,  Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 

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JOHN 13:35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

1 JOHN 4:19-21,  We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

 

 

3.  CONSISTENT IN THE FACE OF CONTRADICTION:

 

GEN. 49:23-24, With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24, But his bow remained steady

 

CONSISTENCY IS CHECKED WHEN IT FACES SOMETHING THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DERAIL IT!

 

JOHN 15:4, (NIV) Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 

(KJV) “ABIDE IN ME”

 

TO ABIDE IS TO ENDURE WITHOUT YIELDING, TO CONTINUE IN A PLACE, TO BE CONSISTENT, TO REMAIN STABLE.

 

II CHRON. 32:10, This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: On what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?

 

“WHERE IS YOUR CONFIDENCE COMING FROM?”

 

II CHRON. 32:10, “REMAIN IN JERUSALEM” –

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“STAY CONSISTENT TO YOUR CALL IN THE FACE OF A THREAT FROM THE ENEMY, IN THE FACE OF THE CONTRADICTION!!!”

 

HEB. 4:14, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

 

HEB. 10:23, Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

 

BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR CONVICTION AND CONFESSION OF FAITH!!

 

 

4.  CONSISTENT BECAUSE:

 

GEN 49:24-25, But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, 25, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty

 

JOSEPH REMAINED STEADY BECAUSE…

 

YOU ARE CONSISTENT BECAUSE…

 

1. BECAUSE OF THE HAND OF THE ALMIGHTY!

 

EX. 15:6 - Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

 

1 PT. 5:6-7 - 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.

 

2. BECAUSE HE IS YOUR SHEPHERD!

 

PS. 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

 

3. BECAUSE HE IS YOUR ROCK!

 

PS. 61:1-3

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.

 

 

4. BECAUSE HE IS YOUR FATHER’S GOD!

 

GEN. 26:24

The Lord appeared to him the same night and said,

“I am the God of your father Abraham;

Do not fear, for I am with you.

I will bless you, and multiply your descendants,

For the sake of My servant Abraham.”

 

5. BECAUSE HE IS THE ALMIGHTY!!!

 

PS. 91:1-2 - He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

 

JER. 32:17

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

 

 

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN CONSISTENT AND PERSISTENT…

 

PERSISTENT IS CARRYING ON WITH A TASK IN SPITE IF DIFFICULTIES –

 

LUKE 18:1-8, And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

 

PRAYER SHOULD BE A PART OF US THAT IS IMMOVABLE –

 

MATT. 6:5, WHEN YOU PRAY

MATT. 6:6, WHEN YOU PRAY

MATT. 6:7, WHEN YOU PRAY

LUKE 11:2, “WHEN YOU PRAY, SAY….

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The Law of Consistency states that motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing!

 

CONSISTENT IS BEING REGULAR AND UNCHANGING!

 

John Maxwell says, “Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.”

 

BENEFITS OF BEING CONSISTENT…

 

1. PEOPLE KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOU

2. PEOPLE FEEL LIKE YOU ARE DEPENDABLE

3. YOUR TRACK RECORD BEGINS TO SPEAK FOR ITSELF

4. YOU WILL BE MORE SUCCESSFUL AT REACHING YOUR GOALS

5. PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSISTENT PRESENT A GOOD WITNESS FOR GOD!