The Power Of A Disciplined Life Part 2 – The Habit

 

“The bookends of success are starting and finishing. Starting requires a DECISION; finishing requires DISCIPLINE.” – John Maxwell

 

BELIEVING and KNOWING aren’t enough… we must DO.

 

VIDEO – John Grisham

 

Nobody became great at anything by just THINKING or believing or having a great idea or knowing the right thing… they had to put it into ACTION.

 

How do we do this? ONE step at a time.

 

Remember, this is a MARATHON, not a sprint… so, pace your self… start working on your habits one change at a time.

 

Most Important Thing: SUBMIT your life to GOD.

 

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

 

Belief/conviction is the POWER behind discipline. You start with conviction based on TRUTH.

 

Discipline is what gives belief FORM.

 

Discipline becomes the FRAMEWORK/scaffolding that gives our life SHAPE.

 

When we lack discipline in any area of life, we SUFFER in that area.

 

Ideas for STARTING to discipline your life:

 

PRIORITIES – Make a list of what is most important to you in life. If you were told today is your last day, what would you regret?

 

TIME – Based on your priorities, start saying yes to the priorities and no to the other things.

 

EATING – Don’t go on a diet… instead, eat more good things and less bad things.

 

EXERCISE – Don’t go kill yourself in the gym… instead, start by walking doing a few push ups and sit ups.

 

MONEY – Make a budget, start assigning amounts of money to different areas.

 

RELATIONSHIPS – Make a date with your spouse and a family date.

 

EMOTIONS – Don’t make any decision when emotionally stirred. Pray, think, and discuss.

 

FYI: Experts tell us it takes 21 days to create/break a habit, and 21 more days for that habit to become normal and natural feeling.

 

In quitting early we ROB our self and the people around us.

 

VIDEO: Forrest Gump  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISJ0VsnCvDo

 

Proverbs 5:11-14 11 At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.12 You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! 13 I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. 14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.”

 

Proverbs 5:21-23  21 For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. 22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords [habits/addictions] of his sin hold him fast. 23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

 

A life without discipline is dangerous, ineffective, and ultimately doomed to DESTRUCTION.

 

Discipline – Doing what NEEDS to be done, doing the RIGHT thing, even when you don’t FEEL like doing it.

 

Discipline creates BOUNDARIES and procedures for doing things in a way that is BEST and HEALTHY.

 

Application: START, but with BABY STEPS.

 

 

The Gate Keepers

 

The gatekeepers had no LOYALTY and desire to live considering others NEEDS before their WANTS.
1John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

 

Reference: Psalm 15; 1Corinthians 13:1-8; Galatians 5; Ephesians 5:1-20; Colossians 3; Mark 12:31; John 13:34

 

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

 

DUPLICITY – double-dealing; double-living; deceitfulness; hypocrisy

 

The RESULT of unfaithfulness and duplicity is DESTRUCTION.

 

Jesus, God in the flesh, was recognized by all as a man of INTEGRITY.

 

Mark 12:14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

 

Jesus’ FOLLOWERS were recognized as people of integrity.

 

2Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

 

As Jesus’ followers we are COMMANDED to be people of integrity.

 

Titus 2:7-8 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

 

Integrity is GODLINESS and those who claim to follow Jesus are to be indentified with this attribute of integrity if we are to truly follow Jesus and live a godly life.

 

1John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

 

We used to be a people of duplicity and UNGODLY behaviors, but now we live God HONORING lives.

 

1Corinthians 6:9-11, 19-20 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

 

2Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit and live a holy life in the fear of God.

 

There are promises for the man of integrity:

Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

 

Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

 

Following Jesus and living a Godly life, a life of integrity, doesn’t make us exempt from life’s trials, it makes us RESOURCED to face life’s trials.

 

2Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness

 

Proverbs 10:2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.

 

Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

 

1Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

 

Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

 

Application: 2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

 

1. Am I the SAME no matter who I am with?

2. Am I willing to make decisions that are BEST for OTHERS?

3. Can I be COUNTED on to keep the COMMITMENTS that I made?

 

Overcomer: Beating The Odds Part 3 – Overcoming Adversity

Welcome everyone to Open Arms Community Church!

 

Let’s let Charlie introduce us to our subject today: OVERCOMING ADVERSITY.

 

VIDEO

 

John 16:33 Amplified I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

 

We will face big and little problems IN and OUTSIDE of the ring.

 

Song of Solomon 2:15 The little foxes that spoil the vines

 

We must embrace an attitude of PERSEVERANCE!

 

James 5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.

 

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

 

We are commanded to ADD perseverance to our FAITH with a great promise.

 

2Peter 1:5-10 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

When we add these qualities to our faith we are guaranteed to NEVER FALL.

 

With God you are NEVER OUT of the championship, even if you LOSE a fight.

 

An attitude of perseverance is one that says: 1) WHATEVER it takes I’m doing this. 2) I WELCOME the challenges and will GROW from them. 3) I will TRUST God at all TIMES in all THINGS. 4) I will NEVER QUIT!”

 

James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

We must learn to speak the language of the Overcomer, PRAISE & THANKSGIVING!

 

1Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

This is not just POSITIVE thinking. The secret to being an overcomer isn’t your strength and intellect, it is JESUS in you.

 

2Corinthians 4:7-9 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

 

God will intentionally allow us; even lead us, into difficult circumstances to demonstrate HIS POWER through us.

 

2Corinthians 12:7-10 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

Jesus didn’t promise a life without PROBLEMS (especially ones that are bigger than you); because it is in your trials that are bigger than you that GOD’S power is clearly revealed.

 

God doesn’t promise live without BATTLES, He does promise that you will win the WAR.

 

Deuteronomy 20:1-3 1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

 

Romans 5:3-4 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

 

Each trial you persevere through is shaping, MATURING, and strengthening you into the OVERCOMER God has created you to be.

 

What doesn’t KILL you makes you STRONGER.

 

James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

Application: Choose an ATTITUDE of perseverance and start learning the LANGUAGE of praise & Thanksgiving.

 

Overcomer: Beating The Odds Part 2 – The Difference Maker

Welcome …

Let’s take a minute to hear from Charlie about THE DIFFERENCE MAKER. VIDEO TESTIMONY

 

The difference maker is JESUS!

 

VICTORY comes from the Lord!

 

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

 

Romans 8:31, 37  31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

 

But we have a PROBLEM: we are SEPARATED from the Lord and have cut off the power and provision of God from our life.

 

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (NIV)

 

Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why he doesn’t answer your prayers or let you see his face. (CEV)

 

By our own CHOICES we have destroyed our relationship with God and made ourselves His ENEMIES instead of His children.

 

Colossians 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

 

VICTORY is not promised to everyone, but only to those who have addressed their separation/roadblock between them and God and the life He offers.

 

1John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

 

1John 5:4-5 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

Here’s the BAD news: We can’t UNDO what we’ve DONE. We can’t make it go away. So, we can’t ever make ourselves RIGHT with God and WORTHY of His blessing.

 

The GOOD News: God made a way to REMOVE the barrier that separated us and provide an OPPORTUNITY for reconnection.

 

Ephesians 2:13-14 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility

 

This reconnection (restoration/reconciliation) with God is about embracing a whole new LIFE.

 

God IS a COME as you are God, but He is NOT a STAY as you are God.

 

To be made right with God and to access all of His promises, provision, and power for life you must CHANGE (the Bible word is repent).

 

Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

 

God has provided EVERYTHING we will need in this life, but we ACCESS that provision by knowing and doing God’s instructions on how to live.

 

2Peter 1:2-4 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 

Following Jesus affects EVERYTHING! It empowers us, it directs us in new behaviors to MAXIMIZE our life instead of squander it.

 

John 16:33 Amplified I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

 

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

 

The only way to resurrection power is through the CROSS… first you must DIE, then you can LIVE in resurrection power.

 

We must die to the OLD life where WE are in charge and come alive to a new way of doing life, GOD’S way!

 

Joshua 24:15 choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

 

Walking in God’s promises, power, grace, and blessing does NOT mean a life of EASE free from trials, hardships, difficulties, resistance, and opposition. It means that WHEN (not if) you face these things you have all that is needed to be the overcomer, to beat the odds and persevere through the fight and come out the other side the Champion.

 

Application: CHOOSE Jesus and begin to do life DIFFERENTLY, GOD’S way.

Overcomer – Beating The Odds Part 1: Preparing For The Fight

 

John 16:33 In this world you will have hard times.

 

1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called

 

Life is a fight, but it’s a good fight, a fight you can WIN, IF you do things God’s way.

 

To WIN we need to PREPARE.

 

1Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

 

When the fights come our degree of preparation is REVEALED.

 

You FIGHT like you PRACTICE!

 

God wants to be your TRAINER/coach and He believes you can do it.

 

Romans 8:31, 37  31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

 

Take the FIGHT serious enough to TRAIN seriously.

 

First, you have to decide WHO will be your head trainer and spend time with Him; You have to PRAY.

 

1Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying.

 

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

 

Talking to God RELEASES His presence, power, provision, promises, and wisdom into situations.

 

We will never be an Overcomer ON OUR OWN.

 

Second, Decide who you are going to TRAIN with.

 

1Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

 

Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 24And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 25Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

 

To be an Overcomer we must train with others FAITHFULLY.

 

Third, You have to STUDY and DO what’s in the training manual.

 

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

 

There are things you need to KNOW and DO in order to be an Overcomer.

 

You can’t DO what you don’t KNOW.

 

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

 

1John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

 

1John 5:4-5 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

Application: Start training – READ your Bible, Pray, meet with other Christians, and put into PRACTICE what you learn.

Life Of Valor Part 3: Live Your Code

 

VIDEO: Live Your Code III –

 

You need a TEAM.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

 

You NEED other men around you on this faith journey.

 

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

 

We are STRONGER and SMARTER together as a GROUP than we are as an individual.

 

We make each other BETTER.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

Romans 1:11-12 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

 

1Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

 

1Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 

VIDEO: Live Your Code IV –

 

DEMAND more of YOURSELF and the PEOPLE around you!

 

1Peter 1:14-16 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

 

Romans 14:12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

 

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY is about helping each other to live out God’s standard instead of accepting compromise to live a lower standard.

 

The higher the STANDARD of living the higher the QUALITY of living.

 

Teams exist for a PURPOSE, to accomplish something, and this purpose is the transcendent cause of GOD’S KINGDOM which deserves our BEST.

 

Application: Identify your TEAM, share your CODE, and HOLD each other accountable to it and to GOD’S standard.