We Win or Lose by How we Choose
VII. We reap what we sow
Hosea 10:12-13 (NIV) Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.13 But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,
Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 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. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
We reap what we sow, we reap more that we sow, and we reap in time
2 Corinthians 9:6 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Determine to sow good seed in abundance and to wait in faith for a new harvest.
VIII. We have been given everything we need
2 Tim. 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (KJV sound mind).
2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) 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 good- ness. 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.
Philippians 2:13 (AMP) [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
We must remember that change is about submitting our will to the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. God expects us to do our part in the process.
- We must make deliberate, principle centered, biblical choices
- We must be consistent in those choices
- This will enable us to walk in obedience to Gods will and purpose for our lives
IX. We Have the mind of Christ
1 Corinthians 2:7-16 (NIV) No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the reading or God’s word, believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts, and actions—we, in fact, have the “mind of Christ.” Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we can begin to know God’s thoughts, talk with him, and expect Him to answer our prayers.
"The spiritual person has the mind of Christ (see Phil. 2). This means that the Spirit, through the Word, helps the believer think as Jesus thinks. It is an amazing thing to say that human beings possess the very mind of God!” —Wiersbe’s Expository outlines of the New Testament
Luke 24:45 (NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV) Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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.”
Mark 12:30-31 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
We Win or Lose by How we Choose, One Decision at a Time
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