OVERCOMING TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS IN LIFE PART ONE

OVERCOMING TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS IN LIFE – PART ONE (A key to fulfilling our God given destiny in life AND to remaining strong in our faith) §As Christians we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world as we help to lead others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ §As believers we can encourage those around us by sharing the wonderful hope that we have in Christ

Jesus Himself said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ” (Matthew 5: 13) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 14 -16)

However we are now also living in those perilous times that Paul wrote about in 2 Timothy where we see many things in our world having the potential to draw believers away from having a heartfelt devotion to Christ Our faith is the most precious thing that we have in life and it is ETERNAL – The best is yet to come

The Apostle Paul wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3: 1 -5)

The degree to which we can overcome life’s temptations and trials, will ultimately determine the fruitfulness of our life here on earth as believers We have one life here on earth to make a difference for eternity

Jesus made this clear in His explanation of the Parable of the Sower JESUS SAID, “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. ” (Mark 4: 18 -20)

Jesus Himself also spoke of the continual spiritual warfare that we are all engaged in with the Devil. The moment we become a Christian we enter into even greater spiritual warfare which intensifies the more we want to serve the Lord Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ” (John 10: 10)

The Apostle Paul also wrote, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ” (2 Timothy 3: 12)

Jesus Himself also warned that because of lawlessness the love of many in the times that we are now living in would grow cold Jesus said, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold, But he who endures to the end shall be saved. ” (Matthew 24: 12 -13)

• We are now also living in times of unprecedented challenges as we see the refugee crisis in Europe and drug abuse and violence on the increase here in Australia and just recently in America the largest mass shooting ever • There is only one answer to the world's problems, the gospel of Jesus Christ impacting our world. There is power in the gospel message to transform lives and cities.

In the book of Acts we see the power of the gospel to bring transformation to an entire city “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. AND THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THAT CITY” (Acts 8: 4 -8)

WHILST LIKE NEVER BEFORE WE HAVE THE ABILITY AS BELIEVERS TO SHARE THE MESSAGE OF HOPE WITH OTHERS, (THAT JESUS CHRST IS ABLE TO BRING TRANSFORMATION TO PEOPLE'S LIVES AND AN ETERNAL HOPE), CHRISTIANS ARE NOW ALSO SUBJECT TO GREATER TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS THAN EVER BEFORE Jesus also emphasised that if we want to live for Him wholeheartedly, we will receive opposition from those in the world

Jesus Himself said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ” (John 15: 18 -19) But what the people in the world so often hate, is actually the very message and solution that will liberate them into experiencing TRUE freedom in Christ

When we look at Chapter One of the book of James we see the importance of remaining strong when going through trials and temptations Before looking at two passages of Scripture in Chapter One of the book of James, I will just quickly reflect upon some of the influences in the world that the enemy uses to stop believers from fulfilling their full potential in Christ EVERY BELIEVER HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GREATLY IMPACT OUR WORLD IN THE TIMES THAT WE ARE LIVING IN FOR ETERNITY

• What is now on TV and available on the Internet all have the potential to negatively affect a believer’s walk with the Lord and to prevent Christians from making a great difference in this world for eternity. • The pursuit of material things has also caused many to lose their passion for the things of God. This has been seen in the dwindling numbers of people attending churches in the more affluent Western Nations

• Many people are now materially rich but spiritually impoverished. A life lived apart from God is really no life at all. • The things of this world can never really truly satisfy people. In His presence is fullness of joy and only God’s plan for our life and knowing Him intimately will give us great meaning and purpose in life. As Christians WE NEED TO BE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT • Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve God and mammon but that if we always put Him first in our life we will never lack for anything

Jesus Himself said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. ” (Matthew 6: 24) Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? ’ Or ‘What shall we drink? ’ or ‘What shall we wear? ’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ” (Matthew 6: 31 -33) JESUS WAS EMPHASING THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OUR FOCUS OFF MONEY AND THE MATERIAL THINGS ONTO HIM. AS WE DO HE PROMISES TO MEET OUR EVERY NEED IN LIFE

We must also not allow the negative things going on in our world to discourage us and to take our eyes of the bigness of God and His plan for our life. GOD IS ABSOLUTELY SOVEREIGN IN THE AFFAIRS OF OUR WORLD We can trust Him completely This is why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. ” (Philippians 4: 8)

After looking at the two passages of Scripture in James Chapter One, I will then be quickly looking at seven keys that can help us to be VICTORIOUS and OVERCOMING when going through life’s trials and temptations so that our lives makes a great difference in this world for eternity

In chapter one of the book of James we read, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. ” (James 1: 2 -4)

• As Christians God is more concerned about our character and how we respond to life’s challenges • Patiently waiting for God to unfold His plan for our life is the key to being blessed and successful in life • We must allow the Lord to do the work of change in us • It is through the trials and challenges that we go through in life that we grow most in character and in our faith, if we remain steadfast in our faith and do not become bitter • We must not run from and avoid those things that God wants us to overcome in life, so that we can grow in spiritual maturity and be prepared for what He has planned for our FUTURE

WE ALL HAVE TO REMAIN STRONG AND COMMITTED IN OUR WALK WITH THE LORD IF WE ARE TO FULFILL OUR GOD GIVEN DESTINY AND MAKE A GREAT IMPACT IN OUR WORLD FOR ETERNTITY. We all will; • Have to overcome major disappointments in life • Need courage to keep doing what God has called us to do in life (We are all in a constant spiritual contest) • Go through wilderness periods in our life • Be rejected for our faith, even by those close to us • Be forced to forgive those who have hurt us, and • Have to overcome our fears and sense of feeling inadequate for the tasks that God gives us – We all need to depend on God’s enabling grace in all that we do in life

• We must simply remain committed to doing what God has called us to do in life and not be moved by our circumstances (which are temporary) • We must allow patience and character to be developed in our lives and learn to still rejoice during our struggles • We must also choose to remain strong and committed in our significant relationships with others • If we remain strong in our faith and commitment to God’s plan for our life, we will also help many others to embrace God’s destiny for their life. Parents have such an important ministry to their children as they model what it is to live as a Christian

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ” (Ephesians 6: 10) More than ever before as believers we need to be people of faith who have a lifestyle of prayer. In the book of Isaiah we read, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. ” (Isaiah 26: 3 -4)

In James 1: 12 -16 we read, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. ” (James 1: 12 -16)

• We are living in a world full of temptations • The Devil will continually and persistently try and draw us away from the things of God – His ultimate aim is to destroy the lives and faith of believers The Apostle Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ” (1 Peter 5: 8 -9)

• Our faith is the most precious thing that we have and is eternal – Falling into sin will always negatively affect our lives and relationships with others and with God • Our reputation takes a long time to earn but can be quickly lost • Overcoming temptation is a great key to finishing our Christian walk strongly • Living with eternity in mind helps us to make good choices in life – As Christians we are really just pilgrims passing through this world

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. ” (Philippians 3: 20 -21)

• In many ways the Christian walk is a continual choice of rowing upstream against the spirit of this world that would try and entice us back into the things of this world • What we focus on in life will affect our desires and choices in life AND the degree to which we live for the Lord • James made it clear in this passage of Scripture that if people allow worldly and ungodly desires to develop in their hearts, the Devil is then able to entice them to sin and cause them to stumble in life • For this reason we must continually guard our heart with all diligence and be careful what we meditate on

• The simple fact is that when Christians fail in life people from the world are very quick to both condemn and to forget all the good that they have done in the past. The enemy will ensure that he continually emphasises the failures of Christians. For this reason maintaining godly integrity in our lives as believers is crucial if we are to have credibility in our witnessing to others about our faith • Like the Apostle Paul, especially given the imminent return of the Lord, we want to also continue to remain strong in our walk with the Lord to the end

Near the end of his life the Apostle Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. ” (2 Timothy 4: 7 -8)

We have a God who is able to identify with our struggles and who can help us to endure temptation when we pray for help in time of need In the book of Hebrews we read, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ” (Hebrews 4: 14 -16)

Everyone of us has the potential to make a great impact in this world for eternity if we can learn to overcome the trials and temptations that come our way in life – Like Jesus we need to be simply committed to doing the will of God for our life and finishing what He calls us to do in life

At the beginning of his ministry here on earth Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. ” (John 4: 34) At the end of His ministry here on earth Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, “I have glorified You on earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ” (John 17: 4) SO TOO, IF WE LIKE JESUS FULFIL ALL THAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR OUR LIFE, WE WILL SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE BEING IMPACTED FOR ETERNITY

I WILL NOW JUST QUICKLY LOOK AT SEVEN KEYS TODAY THAT CAN HELP US TO FLOW IN GOD'S PLAN FOR OUR LIFE AND TO EMPOWER US TO OVERCOME THE TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS THAT WE ALL GO THROUGH IN LIFE – That we can be blessed and fulfilled in our walk with the Lord as we share our faith with others

1) That our LOVE for Jesus must always be our greatest priority in life • Our love for Jesus will keep us strong during the trials and temptations of life • It is so important that we make time to spend alone with the Lord to develop an intimate walk with Him, because there are many things in the world that can draw our hearts away from a having a loving devotion to Christ (No real intimacy with the Lord leads to no real joy in our hearts and life – The joy of the Lord is our strength)

The greater our love for the Lord, the more we will want to honour God in the way that we live our life Jesus Himself said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. ” (John 14: 21)

• The more time we spend with the Lord the more our love for Him and for others grows • It is our love for God that gives us the ability to overcome the trials and challenges that we all go through in life – When Jesus is continually our first love, we grow better rather than bitter when we go through the valley seasons of our life • Our character is most developed when we learn to overcome life’s challenges through faith and patience

If we continually keep our focus and affections on the LORD we will be able to soar above our circumstances. After taking his focus off the problems around him (Habakkuk 1: 1 -4) and then looking to the Lord for His counsel (Habakkuk 2: 1 -3) the prophet Habakkuk wrote, “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls - Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. ” (Habakkuk 3: 17 -19)

The Apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ” (Romans 8: 2829)

The Apostle Paul himself experienced many trials and challenges in life (2 Corinthians 11: 22 -33) Five times he received 39 stripes Three times he was beaten with rods He was stoned Three times he was shipwrecked A night and a day he spent in the deep He was often weary and without sleep He experienced hunger and thirst, and Was often in threat of being harmed by others for his faith • But his great love for Jesus kept him continually strong • •

The Apostle Paul wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. ” (Philippians 3: 7 -8)

Intimacy with the Lord helps us to get to know God in a real and personal way – Where He becomes our best friend When Jesus becomes our best friend we have great stability in our life The Apostle Paul wrote, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ” (Ephesians 3: 17 -19)

King David was a man after God’s own heart who became Israel’s greatest King – His greatest desire was to know the LORD intimately. King David wrote, “O GOD, Your are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for you; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. ” (Psalm 63: 1 -3)

In the busyness of everyday life we must purposely make time to spend with the Lord on a regular basis • We need to learn how to still our mind and to settle our hearts so that we can enjoy God’s presence in a real and tangible way The Psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46: 10) King David wrote, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ” (Psalm 16: 11)

Drawing aside regularly to spend time with the Lord is a great key to renewing our strength and to remaining fervent in our faith In the book of Acts we read, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. ” (Acts 4: 13) It is crucial that we do not allow the enemy to prevent us from spending QUALITY time with the Lord on a regular basis. For this reason we need to have healthy boundaries in our life Being continually refreshed by spending time in God’s presence is a great key to remaining strong in our faith and to overcoming trials and temptations

Continually looking to the LORD during those times when we are going through trials and challenges in life is crucial – We have a God who is able to make a way even where there seems no way We need to learn to wait upon the LORD and to continually TRUST in His ability to deliver us from all of our trials in life, especially when we are going through the wildness seasons of our life King David wrote, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD. ” (Psalm 27: 13 -14)

In the book of Isaiah we read, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 28 -31)

Jesus Himself emphasised the importance of spending quality time in His presence. We see this in chapter ten of the gospel of Luke “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ” (Luke 10: 38 -39)

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. ” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. ” (Luke 10: 40 -42) When we learn to start the day in the Lord’s presence and learn to continually walk in the Spirit and to be guided by the Holy Spirit during the day it is amazing how much more we can achieve in life

Intimacy with the LORD is also a key to knowing and following the will of God for our life. When we spend time with the LORD He births things in our heart to do, so that we can make a great difference in this world for eternity – God has a great love for the lost King David wrote, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. ” (Psalm 37: 4)

The more intimate we are in our walk with the LORD, the more sensitive we are to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit – This is a great key to avoiding wrong choices in life Jesus Himself said, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ” (John 16: 13) The Holy Spirit will always caution us when we are about to make a wrong choice in life

2) That we need to keep short accounts with God (That we are quick to repent of and forsake any know sin in our lives) - A lifestyle of obedience is the key to enjoying God's continual blessings in our life including GREAT PEACE in our heart If we fail to deal quickly with wrong attitudes and choices in life and allow sinful desires to develop in our heart, it becomes harder over time to walk in freedom and liberty. The enemy loves to enslave people by putting them into bondage to sin.

• One of my bible college lecturers gave a great analogy to illustrate how a little sin can quickly gain momentum in our life and become harder to stop the longer we allow it in our life. He said, if we are sitting at the top of a slide in a park and we begin to slide down a little, we can at the top of the slide quickly stop ourselves from sliding down. • But the further we go down the slide the more the momentum increases. Once we reach half way it is almost impossible to stop sliding down the slide • The same with sin, the longer we entertain it the greater the hold it has upon us and the harder it is to break its hold over us and stop – We must therefore quickly deal with any sin in our life before it gets a hold on our life and gets out of control – The Devil loves to destroy lives

We must learn to give no place to the enemy and to keep short accounts with God – This a great key to living an overcoming faith and to remaining spiritually strong so that we can overcome the temptations that come our way in life. Having a repentant heart helps us to keep a soft conscience The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be angry, and do not sin”; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. ” (Ephesians 4: 26 -27) The Apostle John wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” (1 John 1: 9)

Not dealing quickly with known sin in our life has the potential to negatively affect our walk with the Lord and to prevent us from embracing the fullness of what God has planned for our life. People do not backslide over night, but the process starts when they begin to compromise a little and then begin progressively compromising more and more When the Holy Spirit gently convicts us of things that are wrong in our life, it is good to quickly address these things and to get our heart right with God again

In the book of Hebrews we read, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today, ” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, ” (Hebrews 3: 12 -14)

• Keeping short accounts with God is a great key to remaining strong and committed in our faith • Keeping short accounts with God also helps to keep the communication line open with God and helps us to hear from God • Having a repentant heart is a great key to fulfilling our God given destiny and to enjoying true freedom in Christ as well as peace in our hearts

3) That we continually live our lives with eternity in mind and seek to flow in God's gifts and calling upon our life as we follow His plan for our life The Apostle Paul wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ” (Colossians 3: 1 -2)

When we live our life with eternity in mind, we are also aware of the fact that we will one day stand before Jesus to give an account of our life here on earth, so we aim to live a life that is also well pleasing to Him We also live our life with an understanding of the importance of helping people to come to Christ as we live with the knowledge that there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ” (2 Corinthians 5: 10)

Jesus Himself said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. ” (Matthew 16: 26 -27)

Jesus Himself said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” (Matthew 6: 19 -21) What we focus on will greatly influence our choices in life and the degree to which we make a difference in this world for eternity.

• As Christians we have been saved for a purpose, “. . . for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ” (Ephesians 2: 10) • It is as we flow in God’s gifts and calling for our life that we experience great purpose and meaning in life • When we live with eternity in mind and for the Kingdom cause, it affects the choices that we make in life – We seek to glorify God in all that we do • Knowing and following God’s will for our life is a great key to experiencing God’s favour and blessing upon our lives and to avoiding the pitfalls of life

The Apostle Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ” (Ephesians 5: 15 -17) When we live with eternity in mind we learn to number our days and realise the importance of using our gifts and talents for the cause of Christ

• We must not confuse our career with our calling. Our career provides us with money, but also gives us opportunities to connect with people so that we can flow in our gifts and calling for our life. Our calling is what God has planned for our life as we live for His Kingdom cause • For many years when I first came to Christ my career was in sales which gave me many opportunities to flow in my gift of evangelism and to lead many to Christ • Marian has a real gift of encouragement which God has used in her workplace to help connect some of the cleaners at her school to our woman’s group. Marian also sings in our church meetings and Outreaches

Living with eternity in mind helps us to maintain a right perspective in life, especially during those times when we are going through trials and challenges in life and when things are not quite as we would like them to be The Apostle wrote, 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ” (2 Corinthians 4: 16 -18)

4) We need to learn to quickly take all wrong thoughts captive and bring them into line with what God says about our life – We must win the battle for the mind • The real battle ground is the mind • The enemy will continually bombard our minds with wrong and negative thoughts • We must learn to quickly take all wrong thoughts captive before they take us captive and replace them with Christ centred thoughts

The enemy will continually try and target our mind and thought life with: • Negative thoughts to discourage us (Thoughts to remind us of our past mistakes in life) • Thoughts to get us to be discontent with what we have in life so that we lose our joy and peace. • Ungodly thoughts to cause us to stumble into sin • Thoughts of fear to stop us from embracing God given opportunities in our life, and • Thoughts to get our focus onto the things of this world so that we take our focus of the things of God

Having a continually disciplined thought life is crucial if we are to overcome all of the trials and temptations that we all experience in life (We can never afford to let our guard down – Our adversary the Devil is always looking for an inroad into our lives to wreak destruction) The Apostle Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ” (1 Peter 5: 8 -9)

The Apostle Paul emphasised the absolute importance of maintaining a disciplined thought life. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the weapons of our warfare not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. ” (2 Corinthians 10: 4 -5) Winning the battle for the mind is a great key to overcoming temptations in life and to walking in victory as a believer

Ralph Waldo Emerson was quoted as saying: • Sow a thought and you reap an action; • Sow an act and you reap a habit; • Sow a habit and you reap a character; • Sow a character and you reap a destiny Learning to quickly take all wrong thoughts captive and to replace them with Christ centred thoughts is crucial if we are to develop godly character and to fulfil our God given destiny in life. Having character and humility is a prerequisite to promotion in God’s Kingdom

5) The importance of being PLANTED in a local church fellowship In the book of Hebrews we read, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. ” (Hebrews 10: 23 -25)

Gathering with other believers is crucial, especially given the times that we are now living in. There are many benefits that come from being planted in a local church fellowship. These include: • We can receive encouragement and prayer support from other Christians, especially when we are going through trials • We can be accountable to other believers. It is good for all Christians to have godly mentors in their life • We can receive godly counsel from others believers. There is wisdom in a multitude of counsellors. In the book of Proverbs we read, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. ” (Proverbs 11: 14)

• We can be encouraged by other believers to use our spiritual gifts and to live for the Lord – Our God given destiny will always be worked out in connection with other believers • We can enjoy the benefits of being part of a church family, and • We enjoy the intimate fellowship with the Lord that exists whenever two or more believers gather together in His name. Jesus Himself said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. ” (Matthew 18: 20)

The Psalmist wrote, “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. (Psalm 92: 13 -14) Being planted in a loving bible based local church fellowship is a great key to remaining strong in our faith and to seeing our lives bearing much fruit

6) The importance of having a humble and teachable spirit (We need to be prepared to have people speak into our lives) The bible makes it clear that pride precedes a fall. In the book of Proverbs we read, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. ” (Proverbs 16: 18) We must never get an overinflated opinion of ourselves. As Christians we need God’s continual grace and help to remain strong in our walk with the Lord. When we begin to succeed in life or in ministry we need to always humbly give all the glory to God

It is as we humble ourselves that we position ourselves for promotion in God’s Kingdom In the book of James we read, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. ” (James 4: 10) Jesus Himself said, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. ” (Matthew 23: 12)

• Humble people are also teachable. They are prepared to have others speak into their live to help them to make good choices in life. People who are secure in God will generally be more teachable than people who suffer from insecurity • Unteachable people will invariably make many wrong choices in life because no one, including God, can give them counsel and speak into their lives. They are invariably defensive when others try and help them with some well meaning counsel • We can avoid much pain in life by being prepared to learn from other mature believers and from studying the Word of God and applying it to our lives

There are three types of people; • People who learn from other people’s mistakes • People who learn from their own mistakes, and • People who never learn There are many scriptures in the bible that emphasise the importance of being humble and teachable in life.

In the book of Micah in the Old Testament we read, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? ” (Micah 6: 8)

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ” (Philippians 2: 5 -8)

The Apostle Peter wrote, “Likewise younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of your be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. ” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ” (1 Peter 5: 5 -6)

In the book of Proverbs we read, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ” (Proverbs 9: 9) “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. ” (Proverbs 12: 1) “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. ” (Proverbs 19: 20) and

7) We need to choose good friends in life if we are to fulfil our full potential in Christ (The friends that we choose in life will greatly determine the degree to which we walk in victory as a believer – This is especially the case for new believers) The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. ” (1 Corinthians 15: 33) The Devil will continually try and bring wrong influences and wrong friends into our life to draw us away from a whole hearted devotion to Christ.

We need to be careful about who we let into our circle of friends. The company that we keep will impact our lives either positively or negatively. We must especially not spend significant time with those people who would try and pull down our faith The Psalmist wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. ” (Psalm 1: 1 -3)

In the book of Proverbs we read, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. ” (Proverbs 12: 26) “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. ” (Proverbs 13: 20) Allowing wrong friends into our lives will invariably negatively affect our character and faith – We need to choose friends of godly character who will encourage us to live wholeheartedly for the Lord and to fulfil God’s plan for our life