Gtcotr/ss122709
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In a few days we will celebrate the New Year, 2010! Did you ever imagine it would one day be the year, 2010?
2010 will be your opportunity to conquer the final frontiers of your life.
What areas of your life are as yet unconquered, as yet un-tamed, and as yet un-yielded to the Holy Spirit?
Beginning with the first week of 2010 and continuing throughout the year, we are going to explore three major areas of life using the Bible as our guide. The goal is to assist each individual and every family in building strong spirits, souls and bodies, for the glory and service of our Lord.
Throughout the year we will discover truths which will help us focus on success. God knows that success is more than a one step process and that success most often belongs to those who are willing and able to endure that process.
We believe it is God’s will that each Believer take the Word of Life and use it to make a better living, build a better life, and make a greater difference.
The daily expression of our life should reflect the image of Christ in all we do. It is my job and I am here to coach us to victory and assist us as we conquer our final frontiers.
Experience tells us that every person is tested before they are blessed, then tested to see what they do with each blessing.
True worth is not determined by how much you have when you die, but rather how much you accomplish with what you have before you die.
This coming year we are going to tackle three major frontiers. Most likely one of these areas represents an unconquered and perhaps a final frontier in your life.
These three major areas are:
1. Health
2. Finances
3. Relationships
In order to make a living, make a life, and make a difference while preserving spirit, soul, and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we be physically and mentally healthy, financially secure, and fitly joined together with others according to the will and purpose of God.
Miss out on any one of these vital elements of life and one could forfeit their potential and fail to achieve their highest calling.
Don’t you want to be happy; fulfilled; productive; at peace; secure; a winner? Well if you aren’t right now… most likely it is due to not having conquered at least one of these areas of life. What is making you unhappy; insecure; unfulfilled? Is it:
1. Health
2. Finances or
3. Relationships
Let’s set the stage and begin our journey this morning. Turn with me to the book of Genesis as we begin to lay the foundation for success. Keep in mind: One must first believe in, before one can believe for …
Genesis 18 NKJV
17 And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."
God chose Abraham to represent Him in the earth partly, as this scripture implies, because God knew the type of relationship Abraham would have with his family and friends.
For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD …
God knew that whatever He told or taught Abraham, Abraham would tell and teach to others.
Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many …
Abraham was first a man who was right with God. The Bible says that Abraham trusted God. That trust placed Abraham in a right relationship with God. It became in God’s own best interests for God to keep Abraham healthy, make Abraham wealthy, and protect Abraham’s relationships.
Believe me, Abraham was a very healthy man. In a day and age when it was uncommon, Abraham lived to be 175 years old. When Abraham was 135 years old he walked three days into mountainous terrain, climbed Mt Moriah and built and altar. Abraham was a mentally and physically fit man.
Not only was Abraham healthy, Abraham was also wealthy.
Genesis 13:2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
The 14th chapter of Genesis gives the account of Abraham’s nephew, Lot, when he was taken captive by 4 kings and their armies who were raiding the city of Sodom. Already well in years, Abraham put together an army from among his own household servants and field hands and caught up with those 4 kings. There Abraham won a great battle commanding only 318 men against 4 whole armies of battle hardened soldiers.
After Abraham freed the captives and recovered all the spoil, he went on his way home. Passing by Mount Moriah the high priest of God came out to meet Abraham and to bless him. You know what Abraham did?
Genesis 14:20 … he (Abraham) gave him (Melchizedek) a tithe of all.
Later, when Abraham met and returned the spoil to the King of Sodom, the King attempted to pay Abraham for his help. He told Abraham to keep all of the spoil for himself. Abraham replied to the King:
Genesis 14
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ –
It was neither man, nor man’s ways which made Abraham rich … it was God. Abraham was connected to the King of the Universe through the covenant of tithing. This covenant of tithing was in force more than 500 years before anyone even heard or ever thought of the Law of Moses.
Abraham was certainly healthy, and Abraham was very wealthy however, Abraham was also a man who cultivated dynamic relationships.
It would be hard to find anyone who didn’t like Abraham. He was really a very nice guy. Abraham was the kind of man who tried to please everyone he possibly could. He never seemed to make things all about himself, but instead, Abraham helped others and paid more than his fair share for everything he wanted. No wonder God chose Abraham to be His covenant friend.
Abraham was a nice guy but Abraham also had resolve. Abraham was committed to his relationships and he made sure that those who he was in relationship with were committed to God.
Genesis 18
19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."
Relationships take time: priority time, meaningful time, on purpose time. Let just one relationship get out of hand and it can rob a person of joy, peace, happiness, security and even health. So …
To begin 2010 off right, I have developed some tools and placed them as opportunities right in front of you and made them easily accessible for you in hopes they will assist you to develop and maintain the relationships God wants you to enjoy.
Here are the initial Priorities of relationship.
Your first priority is to cultivate your relationship with God
Daily Devotionals
Next your Family holds the priority
T-Nights
Then your commitment belongs to the household of the saints - Church
Church Family
Church Attendance
Church Growth
And finally to The World
Personal Witnessing
Church Work
There is time in every day for each one of us to work on all four of these priorities. We must be responsible for the relationships God has given us.
Also let me assure you that I am going to do my part this coming year to help you conquer the final frontiers in your life. Together we are going to explore the Word of God’s grace and find a way to apply truth to our lives in the areas of health and wealth as well. We will be successful.
It is my prayer and my trust that each of us will end 2010 healthier, wealthier and with deeper, more fulfilling relationships than when we began. So, make up your minds now and set your sails for this great adventure, 2010 and the final frontier.
