Home Run: Week 3 - Getting in Scoring Position

 

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NLT

 

HOME PLATE: CONNECT WITH GOD (WIN DEPENDENCE)

 

FIRST BASE: CHARACTER (WIN WITHIN)

 

SECOND BASE: COMMUNITY (WIN WITH OTHERS)

 

THIRD BASE: COMPETENCE (WIN RESULTS)

 

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT

 

"What counts on the last day of your life is what you should count every day of your life."

 

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21 NLT                                             

 

1. KNOW WHAT REALLY MATTERS

 

'Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:15-21 NLT

 

GOD IS GREAT; WE’RE NOT

 

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT

 

'Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? Isaiah 40:13-14 NLT

STUFF IS TEMPORARY; SOULS ARE ETERNAL

'But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 2 Peter 3:10 NLT

 

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mahatma Gandhi

 

2. STRIVE TO EARN THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONAL COMMODITY: TRUST

 

TRUST MEANS YOU KEEP YOUR WORD!

 

'The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 12:22 NLT

 

TRUST MEANS LOYALTY! 

 

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 NLT

 

TRUST MEANS INTEGRITY! 

 

'The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 20:7 NLT

 

TRUST MEANS DISCRETION.  

 

A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. Proverbs 11:13 NLT

 

3. ALIGN YOUR CALENDAR

 

'Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalms 90:12 NLT

 

4. DON’T LET BITTERNESS THROW YOU OUT

Surely resentment destroys the fool. Job 5:2 NLT

 

Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT

 

FORGIVENESS IS NOT…

MINIMIZING THE HURT YOU FEEL

MAKING EXCUSES FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED

SAYING THAT THE OFFENSE WAS NOT WRONG

INSTANT RESTORATION OF TRUST.

CONTINUING THE RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT CHANGES.

 

I WILL FORGIVE BECAUSE I NEED FORGIVENESS