The word for the year is Advance.

Advance - To accelerate growth or progress of. To move forward. To progress in development. To intentionally and aggressively take ground.

Advancing in Adversity - Adversity typically keeps us from advancing.

There’s always adversity when you take steps toward what God told you to do.

God has a plan, and the enemy wants to stop it.
When you step out to advance, expect adversity.

Throughout scripture you see people who had to advance in the face of adversity. Adversity shows up when the work of advancing begins. Like in the life of Nehemiah.

God often uses our secular position for the platform of a sacred assignment.
God wants to use your business to build the Kingdom - Fund Kingdom - Build His Church.

Four ways we can Advance in Adversity like Nehemiah:

1. Respond with prayer not panic
- v 4 - “Then I prayed, Hear us our God” - v 9 - “But we prayed to our God”

Any time adversity came, Nehemiah immediately went to the Lord.
You don’t act your way through adversity, you pray your way through adversity.

A pattern of prayer will prepare you when adversity hits.
If we are God’s people, advancing God’s mission, we need God’s direction!

Four ways we can Advance in Adversity like Nehemiah:

1. Responded with prayer not panic
- v 4 - “Then I prayed, Hear us our God” - v 9 - “But we prayed to our God”
2. Remain in family
v 13 “… I stationed the people to stand guard by families” - You need spiritual family

The plan on the enemy is to isolate you. To keep you away from the fellowship of believers. Going through adversity alone leads to despair and defeat.

They worked and they fought. Sword in one hand and tool in the other.
This is our position together, we defend each other and take ground together!

Four ways we can Advance in Adversity like Nehemiah:

1. Respond with prayer not panic
- v 4 - “Then I prayed, Hear us our God” - v 9 - “But we prayed to our God”
2. Remain in family
v 13 “… I stationed the people to stand guard by families” - You need spiritual family
3. Refuse to be intimidated or distracted by opposition
v.2 - They started mocking them - v.8 - Made plans to attack and throw into confusion.

The adversary tries to stop progress with intimidation.
Adversity often confirms God’s call not contradicts God’s call.

Distractions are often disguised as opportunities.
The greatest distractions come when you’re about to break through.

Nehemiah recognized - What I’m doing is too important to the mission God called me to - to let intimidation, fear or distraction stop me.

Four ways we can Advance in Adversity like Nehemiah:

1. Respond with prayer not panic
- v 4 - “Then I prayed, Hear us our God” - v 9 - “But we prayed to our God”
2. Remain in family
v 13 “… I stationed the people to stand guard by families” - You need spiritual family
3. Refuse to be intimidated or distracted by opposition
v.2 - They started mocking them - v.8 - Made plans to attack and throw into confusion.
4. Remember the Lord
v.14 “…Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious,

If you’re on His mission, HE will take care of you - Even in adversity.

Adversity is an opportunity to see God move!
Any time you advance, expect adversity!

Today we need to be reminded - Respond in prayer…remain in spiritual family…refuse to be intimidated or distracted…remember the Lord!

Let this be our rally cry in the face of adversity.

It’s all for Him, by Him, and through Him that we will advance.