About this week’s movie:

"American Underdog" is a true story based on the life of former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner. Kurt Warner is known for his journey to becoming a two-time NFL MVP and leading the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. The film focuses on Kurt's struggles, perseverance, and challenges he faced on his path to success.

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Message Notes

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• Whether he knew it or not, God had placed a dream in Kurt’s heart. If he worked hard, trusted God, and was patient, he could see that dream come true.
• Jeremiah 29:11 - “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.”
• God has a plan to fulfill the things He put in your heart. You might be just starting out, excited for what comes next. Or, you could be someone who thinks they missed their opportunity to accomplish their dreams because of bad decisions and setbacks.
• God has a good plan for your life but we’re all going to face challenges, and that’s when we begin to wonder why God would ever give us a dream like that in the first place. God didn't give Kurt a dream that wasn’t going to happen, He gave Kurt a dream that hadn’t happened… yet.
• 1 Peter 5:10–11 - “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
• It’s easy to ask God: “Why give me a dream that will never happen?” God doesn’t want us to be frustrated, he wants us to see problems for what they are: simply opportunities to learn and grow. We should welcome every challenge; each one will help us grow into the person we are meant to be, and help us put our focus where it is supposed to be...on God.
• Kurt had to learn what we all have to learn: the right priorities matter. To truly be successful, our priorities need to be in the right order and that starts with Jesus in first place.
• Proverbs 3:5–6 - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• If the dream is from God, then to achieve it, He must be at the center of it. Let him direct your steps, in every area of your life, in both the good and bad.
• Anything worthwhile is going to take hard work and overcoming adversity.
• Joshua 1:9 - “ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
• God spoke this to Joshua just before he led the children of Israel out of the desert and into the promised land, the land they had dreamed of.
• Remember, Be strong and courageous, don’t be discouraged, and don’t give up because God is with you.
• God allows us to go through difficult times so that we can be ready for the opportunities and success He has in store for us.
• Kurt had to go through every bit of the pain, heartache, and frustration to get to where he wanted to go.
• Romans 5:3–5 - “We [rejoice] in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit…”
• If we all decided to go after that dream, what would that look like? Well, if that’s you today, it can be done. But the only way is through God.

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