I promised God I would try to reach the WORLD with his word and his love by giving the Human Race his only Son forgiving us of our sins. I went back to school and Church to learn and I have. If I can teach anybody through God what I have learned is this. God so loves you that he gave his only child to forgive what you have done. If you accept Jesus as your savior and Love him with all your mind, body, and soul. Go and be reborn being baptized with Holy water. There is nothing you cannot accomplish in this world as you are loved, so spread that love to others. The joy you will feel is like, no other this world could offer. I was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1997 and in 1998 was given a Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplant at City Of Hope. I was in so much pain that I called for him to take me away he pushed me down and said no to do his work and I promised. I awoke 4 days later and still almost died 3 times and am now disabled but happier now more than I ever was in my life. God Bless All. Mark
Jesus Changed Me Ryan RandalA few years ago there was no direction in my life. Some days I’d be happy, some days I’d be down. No mood was ever consistent. Being in my late twenties, I had been abusing alcohol since the first time I began drinking in junior high school. My problems always seemed to go away when I was drinking. But that was temporary, because when the next day began I was right back to where I started: Alone, depressed, and empty inside. I was drinking several times a week. I got to the point to where I knew that something had to change and fast. The way I had been living my life could’t continue. I started going to church each weekend, praying every night and asking God to remove drinking from my life and to begin guiding me towards the life he had created me to live.
That was three years ago and my dependence on alcohol is completely gone. My life is 180 degrees from where it was then. I am still amazed at the things God has not only removed from my life, but also in the things He has brought to it: The people, the opportunities, the peace, the joy and the hope of a future guided by the One who died so that I may be saved. Believe me when I say that Jesus has truly changed me!
Jesus Christ our Savior
Gods Love "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).
Gods Plan
[Christ speaking] "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" [that it might be full and meaningful] (John 10:10).
Man Is Sinful
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.
He Died in Our Place
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
He Rose From the Dead
"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures...He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
He Is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me'" (John 14:6).
We Must Receive Christ
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).
We Receive Christ Through Faith
"By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).
When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth (Read John 3:1-8)
We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
[Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20).
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, I invite you to pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.
Read the Bible and live for the Lord Join a Ministry of your choice spread the word of your new faith.
FAITHFULNESS, KINDNESS AND SELF-CONTROL
8.19.08 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
BY PHILLIP MCMILLIN
FAITHFULNESS, KINDNESS AND SELF-CONTROL GAL 5:19-26
PART I - WHAT IS FRUIT? THE RESULT, PRODUCT OR CONSEQUENCE OF ANY ACTION. IT IS THE EVIDENCE PLAINLY VISIBLE AND OBVIOUS.
WHAT IS FAITHFULNESS? LOYAL, RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE AND BELIEVABLE.
A CONSTANT ATTACHMENT AND TO DEVOTION TO GOD AND OTHERS BY
AN OATH, A VOW, OBLIGATION, COMMITMENT, PROMISE OR AGREEMENT.
WHAT IS KINDNESS? GOODWILL, COMPASSION, GIVING, GENEROUS AND LOVING.
IT IS DOING WHAT IS GOOD. SEE TITUS 3:1-2
WHAT IS SELF-CONTROL? IT IS TO OPERATE TO A STANDARD (THE BIBLE). IT IS
TO EXERCISE DISCIPLINE OVER ONES OWN THOUGHTS, DESIRES AND ACTIONS.
SELF-CONTROL ANCHORS US. IT GIVES US STABILITY AND BALANCE.
PART II WHAT IS SEED? ITS YOUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND CHOICES.
ITS YOUR NEW BEGINNING WITH A VISION, PURPOSE AND MISSION FOR YOUR LIFE.
A THOUGHT TURNS INTO A FEELING. A FEELING CREATES AN ACTION. AN ACTION
FORMS A HABIT. A HABIT BUILDS YOUR CHARACTER AND YOUR CHARACTER DETERMINES YOUR DESTINY. YOUR DESTINY IS WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND, YOUR WAKE.
EPH. 4:22-23 YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY IT’S DECEITFUL DESIRES; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS.
DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OR THE TONGUE.
WE SAY WHAT WE HEAR SO WE CAN SEE WHAT WE SAY. WORDS CREATE AND SHAPE YOUR WORLD. WORDS FORM SENTANCES. SENTANCES BECOME MESSAGES. MESSAGES BECOME EXPIERANCES AND OUR EXPIERANCES BECOME OUR LIFE’S LESSONS.
PROV 21:23 HE WHO GAURDS HIS MOUTH AND HIS TONGUE KEEPS HIMSELF FROM CALAMITY. CONTROLLING WHAT WE SAY KEEPS US OUT OF TROUBLE!
EVERY CHOICE WE MAKE PRODUCES AN ACTION, WHICH CREATES OUR LEGACY:
IT’S WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND. IT’S OUR GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS AND CURSES.
DEUT 30:19 “I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSINGS AND CURSES. NOW CHOOSE LIFE, SO THAT YOUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE.”
PART III – WHAT ARE THE BRANCHES THAT PRODUCE FRUIT?
GOING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES OF EVERYDAY LIFE IS NOT PRETTY. FRUIT COMES FROM THE BRANCHES AND THE BRANCHES ARE OFTEN ROUGH AND NOT THE PART OF THE TREE THAT IS COLORFUL.
OUR BRANCHES THEN ARE THE PAIN AND DIFFICULTIES WE ENDURE AND THE GROWTH WE HOPE FOR. THIS IS THE PART OF LIFE THAT IS NESSASARY: BEING A LEADER, RISKING OUR COMFORT LEVEL AND CHOOSING TO TRUST AND WAIT ON THE LORD. IT’S BEING THE CHANGE. IT’S THE PART WHERE WE NEVER GIVE UP AND KEEP GOING. IT IS KNOWING THE PLAN, FOLLOWING THE PATTERN TO RECEIVE THE PROMISE!
JOHN 15:1-2 “ I AM THE TRUE VINE AND MY FATHER IS THE GARDENER. HE CUTS OFF EVERY BRANCH THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT. HE PRUNES SO THAT IT WILL BE EVEN MORE FRUITFUL.”
I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY WELCOMING YOU HERE TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS PHILLIP MCMILLIN AND I WILL BE CONTINUING OUR STUDY FROM GALATIONS 5.
THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT LISTED IN VS. 22, AND I WILL BE SPEAKING IN PART ABOUT THE LAST THREE.
WE ARE GOING TO LEARN THE DEFINITIONS OF FRUIT, FAITHFULNESS, KINDNESS AND SELF-CONTROL AND WE WILL ALSO LOOK AT HOW OUR GOD GIVEN SEED, WORKS TOGETHER SO WE CAN DEVELOP NEW SEED.
LASTLY, I HOPE TO INSPIRE YOU TO TAKE A RISK BY GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND CHOOSING TO ALLOW GOD TO DO THINGS
HIS WAY.
FRUIT, WHAT IS FRUIT?
THE RESULT, PRODUCT OR CONSEQUENCE OF ANY ACTION. IT IS THE EVIDENCE PLAINLY VISIBLE AND OBVIOUS.
GAL 6:7-8 DO NOT BE DECIEVED: GOD CANNOT BE MOCKED. A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS. THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE HIS SINFUL NATURE, FROM THAT NATURE, WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; THE ONE WHO SOWS TO PLEASE THE SPIRIT, FROM THE SPIRIT WILL REAP ETERNAL LIFE.
(THIS IS A GODLY PRINCIPLE)
FAITHFULNESS
WHAT ARE OTHER WORDS TO DESCRIBE FAITHFULNESS? IT’S BEING CONSTANT, LOYAL, RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE, BELIEVABLE, DETERMINED, UNWAIVERING, SUPPORTIVE, STRONG, SOLID, FIRM, FIXED, SUBSTAINLE AND STEADFAST.
BEING FAITHFUL IMPLIES A CONSTANT ATTACHMENT AND DEVOTION TO GOD, A PERSON OR A THING TO WHICH ONE IS BOUND OR COMMITTED TO, AS BY AN OATH (COURT), VOW (MARRIAGE), OBLIGATION (PAYING YOUR BILLS), PROMISE, COMMITMENT OR AGREEMENT (WHICH IS YOUR WORD OF HONOR).
WHEN I THINK OF BEING FAITHFUL, (LIKE READING THE BIBLE AND PRAYING) - A “DOING” COMES TO MIND. BUT IF TAKE THE WORD FAITHFULL AND REVERSE IT TO “FULL OF FAITH”, WE GET MORE OF A SENSE OF BELIEVING AND HOPING AND HAVING FAITH.
WHEN WE HAVE A HEAVY HEART, WE ASK GOD “HOW LONG GOD? WHY? PERHAPS IT’S THEN WE DECIDE TO STOP AND WAIT, AND REST IN GOD.
WE TAKE A RISK BY STEPPING OUT IN FAITH AND THEN WE STOP OUR COMPLAINING, OUR WHINING AND FIGHTING. THEN WE TRUST GOD AND WAIT AND SEE WHAT HE HAS FOR US.
HABAKKUK 2:2 (HABAKKUK WAITED AND) THEN THE LORD REPLIED. VS.3 FOR THE REVELATION AWAITS AN APPOINTED TIME; IT SPEAKS TO THE END AND WILL NOT PROVE FALSE. THOUGH IT LINGER, WAIT FOR IT; IT WILL CERTIANLY COME AND WILL NOT DELAY.
SO FAITHFULNESS IS AS MUCH OF WAITING AS IT IS DOING THINGS FAITHFULLY AND BEING FAITHFUL.
KINDNESS
WHAT ARE OTHER WORDS TO DECRIBE KINDNESS? IT IS TO SHOW CONSIDERATION, COMPASSION, SENSITIVITY, GIVING, GOODWILL, SYMPATHY, FRIENDLY, GRACIOUS, COURTOUS, AFFECTION, TENDERHEARTED, GENEROUS, GENTLE AND LOVING.
WE THINK OF A PERSON HAVING A KIND HEART OR IS GOOD HEARTED. (DEFINITION IS): IT’S WILLINGNESS TO GIVE OR SHARE IN DOING WHAT IS GOOD.
TITUS 3:1-2 REMIND THE PEOPLE TO BE SUBJECT TO RULERS AND AUTHORITIES, TO BE OBEDIENT, TO BE READY TO DO WHAT EVER IS GOOD, TO SLANDER NO ONE, TO BE PEACEFUL AND CONSIDERATE,
AND TO SHOW TRUE HUMILITY TOWARDS ALL MEN.
TITUS 3:4“BUT WHEN THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR APPEARED, HE SAVED US.”
TITUS VS.8 THOSE WHO TRUST IN GOD MUST BE CAREFUL TO DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO DOING WHAT IS GOOD.
ACTS 14:17 HE HAS SHOWN YOU KINDNESS BY GIVING YOU RAIN FROM HEAVEN AND CROPS IN THEIR SEASONS: HE PROVIDES YOU WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND FILLS YOUR HEARTS WITH JOY.
SELF-CONTROL
WHAT ARE OTHER WORDS TO DESCRIBE SELF-CONTROL? RESTRAIN, SUPPRESS, CURB, RENDER, BRIDLE, INHIBIT, ARREST, DEPRIVE.
IT IS EXERCISING OR SHOWING CONTROL OF ONE’S SELF.
IT IS THE DICIPLINE TO CONTROL ONE’S OWN THOUGHTS, DESIRES, EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS.
CONTROL: IS TO OPERATE, REGULATE, CHECK AND VERIFY BY A COMPARISON TO A STANDARD. (THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD).
IT IS TO EXERCISE AUTHORITY OVER, LEAD, DIRECT OR COMMAND.
IT IS THE ABILITY TO USE WITH DISCIPLINE AND TO USE EFFECTIVELY.
IT IS THE CONDITION OF BEING DIRECTED AND RESTRAINED.
ORDER OF THE NINE
SO WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE DEFINITION OF FRUIT AND THREE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. LET’S LOOK AT THE ORDER OF THE “NINE FRUIT” AND WHY LOVE IS LISTED FIRST AND SELF-CONTROL LISTED LAST.
LOVE IS FIRST BECAUSE IT ALL STARTS WITH LOVE. GOD IS LOVE. CHAPTER 13 OF CORINTHIANS IS ALL ABOUT LOVE. LOVE IS PATIENT. LOVE IS KIND. LOVE NEVER FAILS.
COLOSSIANS 3:12-14 “THERFORE, AS GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED, (PUT ON THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT) CLOTHE YOUR SELVES WITH COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS AND PATIENCE. BEAR WITH EACH OTHER AND FORGIVE WHATEVER GRIEVANCES YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU. AND OVER ALL THESE VIRTUES PUT ON LOVE, WHICH BINDS THEM ALL TOGETHER IN PERFECT UNITY.”
SO IF YOU TOOK THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND MADE THEM VERTICAL, FROM LOVE BEING ON THE TOP OF A CHAIN AND THE REST OF THE FRUIT BEING LINKED AND THEN SELF-CONTROL IS ON THE BOTTOM, SELF-CONTROL BECOMES THE ANCHOR.
(SELF CONTROL – CONT.)
THINK ABOUT A BOAT ON THE WATER. THE WATER HAS CURRENT AND WAVES. WHEN WE WANT TO STOP THE BOAT AND KEEP IT FROM DRIFTING OFF, WE LOWER THE ANCHOR.
IN OUR LIVES WE NEED OUR ANCHOR TO KEEP US FROM GOING A DRIFT. THE WATER WOULD BE LIKE OUR TEMPTATIONS AND DISTRACTIONS THAT KEEP US FROM OUR FOCUS. SELF-CONTROL THEN BECOMES OUR ANCHOR TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT AND FOCUS ON GOD.
THE MOVIE REMAKE OF THE OLD 60’S TV SHOW: GET-SMART, MAXWELL SMART WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY CALLED “CONTROL” AND THE BAD GUYS WERE CALLED “CHAOS”.
SO WITH OUT CONTROL OR RESTRAINT, WE ARE LEFT WITH CHAOS, HAVOC AND REGRETS AND WITH OUT OUR ANCHOR WE ARE FACED WITH THE WORLD AND SIN, TUGGING AND PULLING AT US, AND OUR LIVES BECOME CHAOTIC.
PASTOR JIM TALKS ABOUT BEING BALANCED. ONE DEFINITION OF BALANCE IS THE POWER AND ABILITY TO DECIDE.
THE DEFINITION OF SELF-CONTROL: IT IS THE DICIPLINE TO CONTROL ONE’S OWN THOUGHTS, DESIRES, EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS (CHOICES).
BALANCE IS OUR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STABILITY. IT’S CONSIDERING THE BIG PICTURE IN EVERTHING. IT’S THE ALL IN ALL.
BALANCE IS SELF-CONTROL. BALANCE IN OUR LIVES IS JUST LIKE AN ANCHOR WOULD BALANCE A BOAT.
GENESIS 4:7 IF YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT, WILL YOU NOT BE ACCEPTED? BUT IF YOU DO NOT DO WHAT IS RIGHT, SIN IS CROUCHING AT YOUR DOOR; IT DESIRES TO HAVE YOU, BUT YOU MUST MASTER IT. (THIS IS GOD TALKING TO CAIN BEFORE CAIN MURDERED ABEL.)
WE HAVE RESTRAINT AND SELF-CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE SPITITUAL BATTLE BEING WAGED IN US.
ROMANS 7:18-20 SPEAKS OF THE “STRUGGLE WITH SIN”.
“FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO- THIS I KEEP ON DOING. NOW IF I DO WHAT I DO NOT WANT TO DO, IT IS NO LONGER I WHO DO IT, BUT IT IS SIN LIVING IN ME THAT DOES IT.”
PAUL ADDRESSES THE ISSUE WITH THE STRUGGLE OF NOT HAVING SELF CONTROL.
TITUS 3:3 “AT ONE TIME, WE WERE FOOLISH, DISOBEDIENT, DECIEVED AND ENSLAVED BY ALL KINDS OF PASSIONS AND PLEASURES. WE LIVED IN MALICE AND ENVY, BEING HATED AND HATING ONE ANOTHER.”
THIS VERSE SHOWS THAT WE CAN WIN OVER OUR HABITS AND STRONG HOLDS AND DEVELOP SELF-CONTROL.
FRUIT BEING THE RESULT – LOOKS LOOK AT THE BEGINNING.
WHAT IS SEED?
IT IS TO SOW AND PLANT.
IT’S THE SOURCE, ORIGIN AND BEGINNING OF ANYTHING.
GOD GAVE US SEED WITHIN US.
FIRST SEED - OUR THOUGHTS
A THOUGHT TURNS INTO AN EMOTION OR FEELING. A FEELING TURNS INTO AN ACTION. AN ACTION TURNS INTO A HABIT OR A STRONG HOLD. AND HABITS MOLD OUR CHARACTER. AND THEN FINALLY YOUR CHARACTER DETERMINES YOUR DESTINY.
ROMANS 12:2 “DO NOT CONFORM ANY LONGER TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.”
COLOSSIANS 3:2 “SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS.”
OUR PERFORMANCE IN LIFE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE THOUGHTS WE DEPOSIT IN OUR MEMORY BANK (OF OUR MINDS). WE CAN ONLY DRAW ON WHAT WE DEPOSIT.
ROMANS 8:5 “THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE NATURE DESIRES. BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES.”
SO WE NEED TO DEPOSIT THE WORD OF GOD INTO OUR MINDS. THE WORD OF GOD IS LIFE TO THOSE WHO FIND THEM AND HEALTH TO OUR WHOLE BODY. THE WORD PRODUCES A WELLNESS WITHIN US AND OUR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STABILITY.
SECOND SEED – OUR WORDS
SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER TO BE THOUGHT A FOOL THAN TO SPEAK AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.
PROVERBS 17: 28 “EVEN A FOOL IS THOUGHT WISE IF HE IS KEEP SILENT, AND DECERNING IF HE HOLDS HIS TONGUE.”
COLOSSIANS 4:6 “LET YOUR CONVERSATION ALWAYS BE FULL OF GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW TO ANSWER EVERYONE.”
THE TONGUE IS THE RUDDER OF OUR BOAT BECAUSE IT WILL DIRECT US TO WHERE WE ARE GOING. OUR WORDS ARE THE SEED THAT SEND OUT OUR MESSAGES AND SHAPE OUR EXPIERANCES.
WORD’S CREATE, SHAPE AND FORM YOUR WORLD.WORDS BECOME SENTANCES. SENTANCES BECOME MESSAGES. MESSAGES BECOME EXPIERANCES AND OUR EXPIERANCES BECOME OUR LIFE’S LESSONS.
IN “JAMES” CHAPTER THREE, HE TALKS ABOUT “TAMING THE TOUNGE”
VS 3:6 “THE TONGUE ALSO IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF EVIL AMOUNG THE PARTS OF THE BODY. IT CORRUPTS THE WHOLE PERSON, SETS THE WHOLE COARSE OF HIS LIFE ON FIRE, AND IS ITSELF SET ON FIRE BY HELL.”
PROVERBS 18:21 “THE TONGUE HAS THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH, AND THOSE WHO LOVE IT WILL EAT ITS FRUIT.”
IN PROVERBS THERE ARE 31 CHAPTERS, ONE FOR EACH DAY OF THE MONTH. THERE ARE 915 VERSES IN THOSE 31 CHAPTERS AND OUT OF THE 915 VERSES, 222 OF THEM TALK ABOUT THE TONGUE. OVER 25% OF PROVERBS IS ABOUT THE TONGUE.
PROVERBS 15:1 “A GENTLE ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER.” IT’S TALKING ABOUT YOUR TONE! IT’S NOT ALWAYS WHAT WE SAY BUT HOW WE SAY IT.
PROVERBS 28:13 “HE WHO CONCEALS HIS SINS DOES NOT PROSPER, BUT WHOEVER CONFESSES AND RENOUNCES THEM FINDS MERCY.”
WE NEED TO VERBALIZE PROMISES AND BLESSINGS TO STRENGHTEN AND COMFORT US. IN THAT WAY WE SAY WHAT WE HEAR SO WE SEE WHAT WE SAY. IT’S A CONFESSION OF OUR FAITH.
THIRD SEED – OUR ABILITY TO MAKE CHOICES – OUR WILL
THE SOUL IS MADE UP OF THREE THINGS: OUR MINDS (OR THOUGHTS), OUR EMOTIONS (OR FEELINGS) AND THE OUR WILL (CHOICES).
OUR WILL OR CHOICES IS PART OF OUR SOUL AND WHO WE ARE BECAUSE OUR CHOICES ARE OUR ACTIONS WHICH BUILD THE CHARCTER THAT LEADS TO OUR DESTINY.
DEUTERONOMY 30:19 “THIS DAY I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH AS WITNESSES AGAINST YOU THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSINGS AND CURSES. NOW CHOOSE LIFE, SO THAT YOUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE.”
OUR LIVES ARE LIKE A BOAT GOING ACROSS THE WATER THAT LEAVES BEHIND A WAKE, WHICH IS OUR LEGACY. EVERYTHING WE DO MATTERS.
WHAT WE THINK, WHAT WE SAY AND CHOOSE TO DO IS OUR LIFE’S WAKE. WE CREATE OUR LAGACY AND OUR GENERTIONAL BLESSINGS AND CURSES WITH OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND CHOICES.
WE CAN SCREEN OUR THOUGHTS, WE CAN WATCH WHAT WE SAY AND WE CAN MAKE WISE CHOICES. GOD GAVE US THE ABILITY TO THINK, SPEAK AND MAKE CHOICES. THESE ARE HIS GIFT OF SEED WITHIN US.
THE FOURTH AND FINAL SEED TAKING OUR ABILITIES, TALENTS AND GIFTS AND PUTS THEM TO WORK TOGETHER IN UNISON TO POLINATE NEW SEED TO CREATE:
A VISION, A PUPOSE AND A MISSION
OUR THOUGHTS CAN PRODUCE A VISION, OUR WORDS CAN SHAPE OUR PURPOSE AND OUR CHOICES CAN LEAD US TO PERFORMING OUR MISSION.
THIS IS THE NEW SEED IN US WAITING FOR YOU TO WATER IT SO IT CAN BRING FORTH NEW LIFE! IT IS THE LIFE WAITING FOR US GOD WANTS US TO HAVE!
WHAT IS A VISION? IT IS SOMETHING SEEN BY OTHER THAN NORMAL SIGHT.
DANIEL 2:28 “BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO CAN REVEAL MYSTERIES.”
WE CAN CREATE OUR GOALS AND AMBITIONS WITH FORCE AND POWER OF OUR IMAGINATION BEING GUIDED BY GOD’S REVELATION. WE THINK IT AND DREAM IT, SO WE CAN DO IT.
WHAT IS A PURPOSE? IT IS SOMETHING ONE INTENDS TO DO OR GET DONE INTENTIONALLY.
GOD SPOKE HIS CREATION INTO EXSISTENCE.
GEN 1:3 AND GOD SAID, “LET THERE BE LIGHT”, AND THERE WAS LIGHT.
WE CAN BUILD UP OUR SELVES AND OTHERS UP WITH OUR WORDS. WE SPEAK SCRIPTURE FOR EDIFICATION. OUR WORDS ACTUALLY SHAPE OUR PURPOSE.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION? A SPECIAL TASK OR PURPOSE FOR WHICH A PERSON OR GROUP IS DESTINED FOR IN LIFE. IT’S THEIR CALLING.
THE FIRST COMMANMENT IS: LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS AND TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP HIM IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
THEN WE ARE ALSO CALLED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
ROMANS 12:10 “BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN BROTHERLY LOVE. HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES.”
OUR MISSION IS ALWAYS THE SAME. WE HAVE TO CHOOSE TO PUT GOD FIRST AND TO BE FORGIVING AND LOVING TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.
WE DISCUSSED ABOUT THE FRUIT. WE WENT OVER THE SEED. HOW IS IT THEN THAT WE GROW? HOW ARE WE TRANSFORMED?
PART THREE: WE ARE THE BRANCHES
JOHN 15:1-2 “ I AM THE TRUE VINE AND MY FATHER IS THE GARDENER. HE CUTS OFF EVERY BRANCH THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT. HE PRUNES SO THAT IT WILL BE EVEN MORE FRUITFUL.”
THIS IS THE ROUGH PART. IT IS THE GOING THROUGH THE VALLEYS. IT’S THE RUNNING THE RACE OF ENDURANCE. IT’S THE WAITING. IT IS THE TRUSTING AND BELIEVING. IT’S HOW WE GROW.
KEEP WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY.
YOU WILL REACH THE NEXT MOUNTAIN TOP!
PROVERBS 24:16 “ FOR THOUGH A RIGHTOUS MAN FALLS SEVEN TIMES, HE RISES AGAIN. THE WICKED ARE BROUGHT DOWN BY CALAITY”
LIFE IS A JOURNEY. WE CHANGE TO LIVE.
I WALK DOWN THE ROAD. THERE’S A DEEP HOLE.
I FALL IN. I BLAME SOMEONE ELSE. IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET OUT.
I WALK DOWN THE SAME ROAD. THERE’S A DEEP HOLE.
I PRETEND I DON’T SEE IT. I FALL IN AGAIN!
IT STILL TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET OUT.
I WALK DOWN THE SAME ROAD. THERE’S A DEEP HOLE.
I SEE IT. I STILL FALL IN! IT’S A HABIT. I KNOW IT’S MY FAULT.
I WALK DOWN THE SAME ROAD. I SEE THE HOLE.
I WALK AROUND IT. I DON’T FALL IN.
I WALK DOWN A DIFFERENT ROAD. I AM SET FREE!
IT’S ALL ABOUT LEARNING, GETTING BETTER AND FULLNESS.
PROVERBS 16:20 “WHOEVER GIVES HEED TO INSTRUCTION PROSPERS, AND BLESSED IS HE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD.”
TO RISK IS TO LIVE. HOW DO WE RISK?
WE DON’T GROW UNLESS WE TAKE A RISK. WE RISK WHEN WE PUT OUR LIVES IN GOD’S HANDS AND ADMITTING HIS WAY IS A BETTER WAY.
MATT 21:22 “IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHATEVER YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER.”
RISK IS GETTING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. RISK IS LETTING GO OF OUR FEARS AND FEELINGS OF ANXIETY. WE FEAR FAILURE, LOSS AND THE UNKNOWN. BUT WE BECOME A SLAVE TO OUR FEARS BY FORFEITING OUR FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.
WE RISK CHANGING AND DOING WHAT IS GOOD.
WHEN WE LAUGH, WE RISK APPEARING FOOLISH.
WHEN WE CRY, WE RISK APPEARING WEAK.
TO REACH OUT TO ANOTHER YOU RISK INVOLVEMENT.
TO SHARE YOUR FEELINGS IS TO RISK EXPOSING YOUR TRUE SELF.
TO PLACE YOUR IDEAS AND DREAMS BEFORE THE CROWD IS TO RISK THEIR LOSS AND REJECTION.
WHEN WE LOVE, WE RISK NOT BEING LOVED IN RETURN.
TO TRY IS TO RISK FAILURE.
HOW CAN WE ENGAGE IN LIFE AND KNOW WE ARE REALLY LIVING IT?
DANCE LIKE NOBODY IS WATCHING.
SING LIKE NOBODY IS LISTENING.
LOVE LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN HURT.
LEARN LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE FOREVER.
LEAD YOURSELF AS IF EVERYONE IS FOLLOWING YOU.
GIVE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.
LIVE LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO DIE TOMORROW.
SUCCESS BEGINS WHEN YOU:
UNDERSTAND THE PLAN, FOLLOW THE PATTERN AND RECEIVE THE PROMISE.
I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THE THREE FRUIT WE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT AND THINKOF THEM IN THIS WAY:
WHAT’S THE PLAN? IT’S DOING WHAT IS GOOD. SHOWING KINDNESS. REMBER LOVE IS LISTED FIRST? IT ALL STARTS WITH LOVE.
LOVE GOD AND LOVE OTHERS. CONSIDER YOUR THOUGHTS, YOUR WORDS AND YOUR CHOICES. REMEMBER THEY ARE SEEDS THAT PRODUCE YOUR FUTURE AND YOUR LEGACY.
HE WANTS EACH OF US TO GROW AND TO DEVELOP HIS CHARACTER
AND BE FRUITFUL.
WHAT’S THE PATTERN? BEING FAITHFULL AND DOING THINGS FAITHFULLY.
IT’S WAITING AND BELIEVING SO WE CAN GROW OUR PATIENCE AND LENGTHEN OUR PERSPECTIVE.
HE WANTS US TO GET A VISION, A PUPOSE AND A MISSION FOR OUR LIVES. GO FOR IT AND TAKE A RISK BY ADMITTING GOD’S WAY IS BETTER THAN YOUR WAY.
BE THE CHANGE BY BUILDING UP YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
PRAY, READ THE WORD AND GET CONNECTED AND BE A MAN OF FAITH.
WHAT’S THE PROMISE?
GOD IS THERE WITH US WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE VALLEYS. GOD WANTS TO BLESS EACH OF US AND GIVE US FAVOR.
IT’S ABOUT HAVING SELF-CONTROL AND BEING THE MAN GOD WANTS US TO BE, FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, EVIDENT AND OBVOIUS TO ALL. HE WANTS US TO BE ANCHORED IN HIM.
God is Love Love is God
