Lesson:           1. AIM HIGH – Luke 10:27 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (kardia – the centermost part of your being), and with all thy soul (psyche – your natural mind) , and with all thy strength (ischus – ability and might), and with all thy mind (dianoia – imagination & understanding); and thy neighbor as thyself. 2. DON ’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF Philippians 3: 13 (Paul Said) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: (If Paul Never arrived, you won’t either.) but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 3. RECEIVE THE PROMISE Psalm 91: 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. Romans 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Live from faith to faith (in small bites. You have to be consistent. Cramming is not the answer.) 4. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, (Someone is always watching you.) let us lay aside every weight (let go the former life), and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 5. EVEN WHEN YOU FAIL 2 Corinthians 12: 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 6. WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD. FAITH WORKS BY LOVE! Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 7. BLESS THE SOCKS OFF THE JERKS IN YOUR LIFE ! 1 Peter 3: 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; (ever hear of a contrary person? Be one in a good way.) knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 8. BE Gracious – Put someone else first. Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God : (He doesn’t expect you to be nice just to church folks.) 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 9. WHEN YOUR FOCUS IS CORRECT, HIS POWER IS OVERWHELMING Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Forget outward appearances. Paul couldn’t preach to save his life! 2 Corinthians 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? … 10 For his letters, say they , are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (The dude’s pathetic.) 11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present. 10. WE STAND ON A ROCK . WE CANNOT BE BROKEN. WE CANNOT FAIL. John 8:35 … the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 11. FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS! HE ALONE HAS THE ANSWERS! 1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Stay fixed on God! Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God works from the inside, but his power is outside, eternal, unstoppable. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 12. WATCH IT BUDDY! Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Hebrews 13: 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. Matthew 18:3 … Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. God doesn’t play where his kids are concerned! CONCLUSION Avoid your petty fears of man’s flaws and weaknesses. If you must fear, fear God. If you must doubt, doubt the ability of Satan to succeed against you.