When you do not see Jesus Christ clearly for Who He is, you cannot see yourself clearly for who you are in Jesus Christ! Let’s look at the Bible’s information.

Man was originally created in the image of God, different from all other creatures.
Man was created in the image of God- Genesis 1:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Man had responsibility-Genesis 2:
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Man disobeyed God– Genesis 3:
1And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Man’s disobedience caused all to be born with that rebellious, sin nature- Genesis 5:
3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:.

You and I live in a fallen creation. We each have a rebellious, sin nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we receive a new nature but still maintain the rebellious, sin nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes our enemy. So your enemy wants to steal away the inheritance Jesus Christ has bought for you.

The enemy’s weapons are lies. He seduced Eve to disobey God and with lies about your identity he wants to seduce you and steal your inheritance. Because your identity is connected to God’s identity, when you don’t see God clearly for Who He is, you cannot see yourself clearly for who you are in Him. You can use God’s Word, which is the Sword of the Spirit to refute the enemy’s lies.

Because of Who Jesus is

1) Advocate – 1 John 2:
1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2) Alpha and Omega- Revelation 22:
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

3) Brightness of His glory and The express image of His person-Hebrews 1:
1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4) Captain of the LORD’s army- Joshua 5:
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

5) Chief Cornerstone-Ephesians 2:
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

6) Creator –Genesis 1:
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth

7) Christ – Matthew 16:
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

8) Faithful
1 Corinthians 10:
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Thessalonians 5:
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
2 Thessalonians 3:
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Timothy 2:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Hebrews 2:17
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
1 Peter 4:
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

9) Faithful and just
1 John 1:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

10) First Fruits -1 Corinthians 15:
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

11) Gift of God-John 4:
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

12) God –
Isaiah 45:
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 46:
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
John 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

13) High Priest –Hebrews 4:
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

14) Holy-
Joshua 24:
19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
Isaiah 6:
1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Psalm 22:
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Revelation 4:
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 15:
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

15) the I Am- John 8:
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
I Am the Light of the world-John 8:
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
I am the Door-John 10:
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
I am the resurrection and the life-John 11:
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
I am the way, the truth, the life – John 14:
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I am the bread of life-John 6:
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
I am the Good Shepherd-John 10:
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
I am the vine-John 15:
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

16) He is the image of the invisible God – Colossians 1:
17) He is the firstborn of creation- Colossians 1:
18) all things created by Him and for Him- Colossians 1:
19) He is before all things- Colossians 1:
20) By Him all things consist – Colossians 1:
21) He is the head of the body; the church- Colossians 1:
22) He is the beginning – Colossians 1:
23) He is the first born from the dead – Colossians 1:
24) He has pre-eminence in all things – Colossians 1:
25) All the fullness of the Father dwells in Him- Colossians 1:
26) He is the Reconciler of all things unto Himself- Colossians 1:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

27) Immanuel – Matthew 1:
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

28) Judge – John 5:
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

29) Lamb of God-John 1:
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

30) LORD of Hosts – Isaiah 47:
4 As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

31) Lord of Lords and King of Kings-Revelation 17:
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

32) Prince of Life –Acts 3:
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

33) Propitiation for our sins- 1 John 2:
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

34) Savior/Redeemer – Matthew 1:
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins

35) Wonderful, Counselor –Isaiah 9:
36) Mighty God–Isaiah 9:
37) Everlasting Father–Isaiah 9:
38) Prince of Peace –Isaiah 9:
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

39) Your life – Colossians 3:
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Circle the three that matter most to you today
Because of Who You Are in Jesus
1) Alive –
Colossians 2:
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
John 5:
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 John 3:
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

2) Accepted –Ephesians 1:
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

3) Beloved with an everlasting love –
Jeremiah 31:
3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Ephesians 2:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

4) Caused to triumph in Christ Jesus – 2 Corinthians 2:
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

5) Chosen before the foundation of the world-Ephesians 1:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

6) Created for Him – Colossians 1:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

7) Delivered from the power of darkness –Colossians 1:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

8) Forgiven of all trespasses and sin– Colossians. 2:
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Colossians. 1:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Ephes.1:
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

9) Free –John 8:
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

10) Healed with His stripes – Isaiah 53:
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

11) Heir
Galatians 4:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:
4 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

12) His workmanship Ephesians 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

13) Indwelled by Christ – Colossians 1:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
14) Indwelled by the Holy Spirit –
John 15:26;
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

15) Justified – Titus 3:
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal

16) Laborer together with God-1 Corinthians 3:
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

17) New –
Ephesians 2:
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Ephesians 4:
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

18) Reconciled to God – Colossians 1:
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

19) Redeemed from the penalty of death and slavery to sin –
Galatians 3:
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Titus 2:
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

20) Regenerated – Titus 3:
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour

21) Risen with Jesus Christ – Colossians 3:
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

22) Sufficient in all things through His grace-2 Corinthians 9:
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

23) Translated into the kingdom of Jesus–Colossians 1:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Your identity for Service

A) Entrusted with the gospel-1 Thessalonians 2:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

B) The Light of the world -Matthew 5:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

C) The salt of the earth -Matthew 5:
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

D) Called to follow -1 Peter2:
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

E) Chosen and ordained -John 15:
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you

Circle the three that matter most to you right now

Questions for Reflection

1) Are you believing a lie about your identity?

2) Which of these Bible verses can you use to refute the lies of your enemy?

3) Are you living your inheritance?

How Great Thou Art – Carl Boberg
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Refrain

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Refrain

Paul’s charge to Timothy
1Timothy 6:
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Paul’s charge to the Philippians, written while he was Nero’s prisoner-Philippians 2:
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Sounds like you need to put on the helmet of salvation, doesn’t it?
Humility –modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance
Obedience –conformity to the authority of a superior
Fear- reverential trust
Trembling –to shake or quiver from excitement or weakness

Questions for Reflection
1) What is your understanding of the helmet of salvation?
2) What does the helmet of salvation protect?
3) What excites you about how Jesus Christ working in you to will and do His good pleasure?
4) Is there a typical identity lie your enemy throws at you?
Which Bible verse can you use as the Sword of the Spirit to not only refute that lie but to
quench the fiery dart?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!
Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good
plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through
you!
Run in His strength alone!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
Run with the desire to finish strong!
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!
Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!
Run to His glory alone!
Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Where are you today? What are your difficult circumstances? The answers to those two questions are no surprise to Jesus. He knows. He cares. He loves you unconditionally and everlastingly. He has provided information in the Bible for you to use during your difficult circumstances.

Remember David? He killed a bear and a lion while watching his father’s sheep and by God’s grace he slew the giant.

1 Samuel 17
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

David ran from King Saul who wanted to kill him.
1 Samuel 19:
11Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.
12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.
17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

David ruled Israel for 40 years. 1 Kings 2:
11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

What does David know about tears?

Psalms 42
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Psalms 43:
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalms 56:8
Thou tellest my wanderings; Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: Are they not in Thy book?

What does the Bible say about Jesus’ time on earth? Isaiah 53:
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Surely the Man of Sorrows acquainted with grief understands you, your feelings and is in control of all things. Talk to Him about how you feel, what exactly is hurting you and causing you to question Him. Ask His help. He will not fail you. He loves you unconditionally and everlastingly.

Consider God’s promises for that great day when He will make all things right:

Revelation 7:
17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes

Revelation 21:4
4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away.

Here are some song lyrics for you to consider

For Those Tears I Died
You said You’d come and share all my sorrows,
You said You’d be there for all my tomorrows;
I came so close to sending You away,
But just like You promised You came there to stay;
I just had to pray!

Your goodness so great I can’t understand,
And, dear Lord, I know that all this was planned;
I know You’re here now, and always will be,
Your love loosed my chains and in You I’m free;
But Jesus, why me?

Jesus, I give You my heart and my soul,
I know that without God I’d never be whole;
Savior, You opened all the right doors,
And I thank You and praise You from earth’s humble shores;
Take me, I’m Yours.

chorus:
And Jesus said, “Come to the water, stand by My side,
I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied;
I felt ev’ry teardrop when in darkness you cried,
And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died.”

Tears are a Language God Understands

Often you wonder why tears come into your eyes
And burdens seem to be much more than you can bear
But God is standing near, He sees your falling tears
Tears are a language God understands.

God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul
He sees your tears and hears them when they fall
God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language God understands.

When grief has left you low it causes tears to flow
When things have not turned out the way that you had planned
But God won’t forget you. His promises are true
And tears are a language God understands.

God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul
He sees your tears and hears them when they fall
God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language that my God understands.

God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language God understands.

Trust God in your circumstances 1 Thessalonians 5:
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone
Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good
plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through
you
Run in His strength alone
Run with the desire to finish strong
Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning
Run with the expectation of being in His presence when you cross your finish line
Run to His glory alone
Run and keep on running

Coach Patti

You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. No one can see God face-to-face as Adam and Eve did. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to steal your inheritance, destroy your testimony and take many others down with you. Your enemy’s weapon of choice is lies, often lies about Who Jesus Christ is and often lies about who you are in Jesus.

But Jesus came to earth that you and I might have abundant life and He always gives you the victory.

John 10:
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

1 Corinthians 15:
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why is it sometimes hard for you and me to believe Jesus Christ?

1-Your ways are not Jesus Christ’s ways-Isaiah 55:
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

2- Your sin nature struggles for control over your new nature – Romans 7:
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Facts to hold onto

Jesus Christ has uniquely designed and created you. There is only one you-Psalms 139:
13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love-
there is nothing you need do to make Him love you more
there is nothing you could ever do to make Him stop loving you
Jeremiah 33:
3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jesus Christ has designed a specific purpose for your life-Jeremiah 29:
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jesus Christ has designed specific tasks for you to accomplish- Ephesians 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jesus Christ is able to work the situation for good, even when your circumstances hurt.
He is working the situation for your good and working in you to make the situation good.
Romans 8:
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Jesus Christ desires to live all your experiences with you-Matthew 1:23
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

So when your circumstances are hard and confusing, how will you answer Jesus’ question about your will to believe Him? A father of a son with a problem provided an answer that pleased Jesus Christ. In this account, Jesus and 3 of His disciples have just experienced His transfiguration according to Mark 9:
14And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

Questions for Reflection
1) What emotions do you see in the father’s words and actions?

2) Do you have similar emotions about your situation?

3) What about y the father’s answer pleased Jesus Christ do you think?

4) Do you see evidence of faith in the father?

5) Why do you think the father asked for help about his believing?

6) What do you suppose James means in James 1:
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dearly Beloved,
Run with your eyes on Jesus alone
Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will
accomplish His purposes for you and through you
Run in His strength alone
Run with the desire to finish strong
Run with the expectation of being in His presence when you cross your finish line
Run to His glory alone
Run and keep on running

Coach Patti

When Jesus Christ returns for judgment He will wear the same helmet of salvation and breastplate of righteousness He provides for you now!

This study is very personal. The study is meant to provide you with material to study Jesus Christ’s information the Holy Spirit will use to guide you to truth. Remember you are uniquely designed and created by Jesus Christ (Psalm 139:13-16), Who has a specific purpose (Ephesians 2:10) and specific plan (Jeremiah 29:11) for your life. Jesus Christ is intimately concerned and actively involved in the details and circumstances of your life (Isaiah 64:8). May Jesus Christ richly bless your study!

Look how Zechariah’s prophecy (520 – 470 B.C.) describes Him in Chapter 9:
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

What are the King’s qualities? Just, having salvation, lowly

Remember at the time of this prophecy Israel had no king. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon split the kingdom into Israel (10 tribes, conquered by Assyrians in the 8th century B.C.) and Judah (2 tribes, Judah and Benjamin, conquered by the Babylonians in the 7th century B.C. and returned to Jerusalem in Ezra and Nehemiah’s day).

Let’s examine Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah returning in vengeance recorded by Isaiah 740-680 B.C. in chapter 59. What are the conditions on earth? There is no justice, truth or peace

1) There is no peace
4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

What is a cockatrice? born from an egg laid by a chicken and incubated by a toad or snake
What is peace? Freedom from strife or dissension; freedom of the mind from annoyance,
distraction, anxiety or obsession

Do you see any correlation between these verses and the circumstances of your life?
What do these verses tell you about what matters to Jesus Christ?

2) There is no justice or salvation
9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

What is justice? Conduct, dealing, treatment conforming to the law
Do you see any correlation between these verses and the circumstances of your life?
What do these verses tell you about what matters to Jesus Christ?

3) There is no truth or judgment
15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

What is truth? John 14:
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Do you see any correlation between these verses and the circumstances of your life?
What do these verses tell you about what matters to Jesus Christ?

What will Jesus Christ do about the situation?
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Let’s look again at the armor Jesus Christ provides for you in Ephesians 6:
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Questions for Reflection
1) Looking at Isaiah’s description regarding the lack of salvation, how can you use the helmet of salvation in your daily life?

2) Looking at Isaiah’s description regarding the lack of righteousness, how can you use the breast plate of righteousness in your daily life?

3) Why do you think Jesus Christ wears these two pieces of armor rather than all the pieces He gives you?

4) What is the significance of Isaiah’s prophecy to you personally?

Paul’s advice
1 Thessalonians 5:
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

You and I have an enemy. You did not choose him. When you choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

In this series we have examined the various pieces of armor Jesus Christ provides for you listed in Ephesians 6:
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
.
Why you need His armor
1) To withstand and to stand- Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 6:
Put on the armor Jesus Christ provides for you
Pray

2) As a token of the adversaries’ destruction and your deliverance- Philippians 1:
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
Let your way of life be becoming for the gospel of Jesus Christ
Stand fast
Strive with other believers for the faith of the gospel
Be not terrified by your adversaries

3) To put down strongholds- 2 Corinthians 10:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Cast down everything that exalts self against the knowledge of God
Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ

What is success from God’s perspective?
What is it that will please your beloved Jesus? What does He desire of you? Read the words given to Joshua as the children prepared to enter their inheritance. Remember every one of the 600,000 men (Exodus 12:37) delivered from slavery in Egypt, except Joshua and Caleb, died in the wilderness and did not enter the promised inheritance. Even Moses and Aaron did not enter their promised land. So their children, not yet seeing God face-to-face and not yet rid of their sin natures, prepared to enter the inheritance land. They were in the same circumstances as you and me.

God’s instruction to Joshua in chapter Joshua 1;
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Be strong and courageous
Meditate on God’s Word to observe all written there

Paul’s instruction in 1Timothy 6:
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Remember whose you are- You belong to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings & Lord of Lords
Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Keep His commandments

The battle Belongs to the Lord by Jamie Owens-Collins

In heavenly armor we’ll enter the land-The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand-The battle belongs to the Lord

Chorus
We sing glory and honor-Power and strength to the Lord
(repeat)
The power of darkness comes in like a flood-The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood-The battle belongs to the Lord
When your enemy presses in hard do not fear-The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near-The battle belongs to the Lord
Questions for reflection
1) Compare and contrast the world’s definition of success and the Bible’s definition.

2) Is there a change in your thinking to be made about your success?

3) Is there a change to be made in your actions for success?

4) Which of the successful people identified in Hebrews 11 seems most significant to you?

Hebrews 12:
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

– the Sword of the Spirit

You and I have an enemy. We did not choose him. When you choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

Remember the purpose of the armor He provides you is so you can withstand and stand-
Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The next piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit. It is the only offensive weapon Jesus provides you. It is the only offensive weapon you need to advance in accomplishing Jesus Christ’s purpose for your life as He builds His church and advances His kingdom. Sure, you and I live in a fallen creation. Sure, sin and death have entered the world. Sure, everyone is born with a sinful, rebellious nature. But praise be to Jesus Christ Who gives you and me the victory!
1 Corinthians 15: 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Let’s examine the weapon Jesus Christ provides you. The Word of the Lord is powerful. Jesus has armed you richly! Isaiah 55:
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

The Sword of the Spirit has a purpose
The Sword of the Spirit has a good purpose
The Sword of the Spirit will absolutely, without a doubt accomplish His purpose
Hebrews 4:
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.

The Sword of the Spirit is quick
The Sword of the Spirit is sharp
The Sword of the Spirit is piercing
The Sword of the Spirit is a divider
The Sword of the Spirit is a discerner

Questions for Reflection
1) How do you take the Sword of the Spirit?
Remember you were uniquely designed and created.
Psalm 139:
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Jesus Christ makes no mistakes. Jesus Christ never makes junk.

Remember Jesus Christ has made you completely new and continues developing you.
1 Corinthians 5:
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Ephesians 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Remember no thing and no person can separate you from the love of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

2) Are there people in your life who throw hurtful accusations at you? How can you use the Sword of the Spirit in that situation?

3) Was there a time when someone you really cared about, someone who really mattered to you – like a person in authority, made a hurtful accusation about you? How can you use the Sword of the Spirit? Remember you do not have to live the prescription someone else wrote for you!

4) Perhaps there are some people in your life or some thoughts in your life that consistently put you down. Find a Bible verse that specifically addresses the issue and memorize it, have it ready to use against your enemy. Perhaps you will want to quote it out loud or just to yourself. It is God’s Word and will accomplish His purposes.

5) Do you have a life’s verse?

6) Are you armed with a specific verse ready to counter the personal attacks your enemy uses?

7) How grounded are you in His Word?

8) Have you read the entire Bible?

9) Are you regularly studying the Bible?

10) How many Bible verses have you memorized?

Victory in Jesus – Eugene Bartlett, Sr.
I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t To me the victory.
I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing, And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there The song of victory.

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race he has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

In this study we will examine the components of your inner-self and how those components control your choices, decision making and behavior. Everyone can see your behavior and the choices you make. Your inner-self is hidden from others and to some degree from you as well.
Many people know what they do but they may not know why they do it and could not correctly answer the question: ‘Why do I behave this way’. That is a question to consider.

Examining the components of the inner-self helps to identify the influence and control the inner-self has over choices, decisions and behavior. Understanding the influence of the inner-self on your choices, decisions and behavior gives you the choice of whether or not to overrule that automatic influence. Reflection helps you to understand your inner-self and what is going on beneath the surface.

The purpose of this study is:
1) to enable you to understand yourself;
2) to enable you to take control of your inner-self;
3) to enable you to make the choices that will lead to your success;
4) to enable you to make wise choices that exhibit the behavior Jesus Christ desires from you.

The goal of this study is to equip you to run your race strong and finish your race well! To God be the glory for what He alone will accomplish through you!

So far we have examined
Your meaningful experiences
Your decision-making history
Your track record with life roles
Your self-image
Your values
Your beliefs

Learning changes who we are and our aspirations; learning is an experience of identity. As you grow and develop, you learn about the identity others assign to you.
society’s definition of you can be wrong
society’s definition of you can be learned mistakenly
some people do not learn well and adopt dysfunctional beliefs about themselves

What does the Bible say?
You are uniquely designed and uniquely created by Jesus Christ. In all of history and in all the whole world Jesus Christ designed and created only one you. You have unique physical characteristics, strengths and limitations, abilities, talents, spiritual gifts. Jesus Christ designed a unique race for you to run, from the moment you receive Him as your Lord and Savior until you cross the finish line into His physical presence and complete His unique purpose for your life.

The growing in Jesus process is so important to your spiritual growth and cannot be avoided or hastened.
Attitudes
Attitudes are your personal rules for approaching life. Attitudes drive your actions and personal preferences. Attitudes are developed over time and are based on your self-image and meaningful experiences. How do you approach life?

What is your attitude about how to get along with others?

What is your attitude about prioritizing your day?

What is your attitude about making mistakes?

What is your attitude about family?

What is your attitude about alone time?

What is your attitude about work?

What is your attitude about church?

What is your attitude about God?

What is your attitude about servanthood?

What is your attitude about your current circumstances?

Would you say your attitude about yourself is self-affirming?

Would you say your attitude is hopeless or hopeful?

Would you say your attitude is helpless or helpful?

Examples of Attitudes

Job after losing all his children, possessions and health and hearing his friends accuse him-Job 13:
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

Orpha 10th century BC after losing her husband -Ruth 1:
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Ruth 10th century BC after losing her husband -Ruth 1:
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Queen Esther 5th century BC after learning of the royal command to kill Jews-Esther 4
13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

King Saul after learning about David -1 Samuel 18:
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward
10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

28 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.
29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

David upon learning of King Saul’s death-2 Samuel 1:
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

Mary’s attitude upon learning she will have a child by the Holy Spirit-Luke 1:
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her

John the Baptist’s attitude after learning that all men are coming to Jesus-John 3:
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Paul’s attitude around 60 AD as Nero’s prisoner
Philippians 1:
19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Questions for Reflection
1) Which one of these attitudes matters most to you?

2) Which one of these attitudes is the most difficult for you to understand?

3) Do you see an attitude in yourself that you want to change?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus Christ,
Coach Patti

Self-image
The image you have of yourself is developed over time and based on your perceptions and interpretations of circumstances and experiences encountered throughout your lifetime. Your self-image can vary by life role and situation. For example, you may see yourself as excelling in one life role but not so proficient in another life role.

How would you rate yourself in each life role?
What one word would you use to describe yourself in each life role?
Life Role Needs improvement Average Excels One Word
spouse
child
parent
sibling
friend
relative
employee
member
citizen
Christian

What is the self-image?
• the idea that you have about the kind of person you are
• everything you think and feel about yourself
• automatically influences your choices
• your assumptions may be not true
• your satisfaction in life is in proportion to the degree your self- image is implemented
• your self-image has subjective (results from understanding one’s own uniqueness) and objective elements (results of comparing self to others)

How do you see yourself?

What five characteristics would you use to describe yourself?

How does the way you describe yourself match with the way Jesus Christ describes you?

Who You Are in Jesus Christ
1) Alive –
Colossians 2:
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
John 5:
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 John 3:
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

2) Accepted –Ephesians 1:
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

3) Beloved with an everlasting love –
Jeremiah 31:
3The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Ephesians 2:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

4) Caused to triumph in Christ Jesus – 2 Corinthians 2:
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

5) Chosen before the foundation of the world-Ephesians 1:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

6) Created for Him – Colossians 1:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

7) Delivered from the power of darkness –Colossians 1:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

8) Forgiven of all trespasses and sin– Colossians. 2:
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Colossians. 1:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Ephes.1:
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

9) Free –John 8:
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

10) Healed with His stripes – Isaiah 53:
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

11) Heir
Galatians 4:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 8:
4 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

12) His workmanship Ephesians 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

13) Indwelled by Christ – Colossians 1:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
14) Indwelled by the Father-Ephesians 4: –
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

15) Indwelled by the Holy Spirit –
John 15:26;
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

16) Justified – Titus 3:
7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal

17) Laborer together with God-1 Corinthians 3:
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

18) New –
Ephesians 2:
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Ephesians 4:
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

19) Reconciled to God – Colossians 1:
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

20) Redeemed from the penalty of death and slavery to sin –
Galatians 3:
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Titus 2:
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

21) Regenerated – Titus 3:
4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour

22) Risen with Jesus Christ – Colossians 3:
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

23) Sufficient in all things through His grace-2 Corinthians 9:
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

24) Translated into the kingdom of Jesus–Colossians 1:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Your identity for His Service
A) Entrusted with the gospel-1 Thessalonians 2:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

B) The Light of the world -Matthew 5:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

C) The salt of the earth -Matthew 5:
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

D) Called to follow -1 Peter2:
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

E) Chosen and ordained -John 15:
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you

Circle the three that matter most to you right now

Questions for Reflection
1) What factors determine how you see yourself?
2) Are you believing something someone else said about you that doesn’t match what Jesus says about you?
Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally- Jeremiah 31:
3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jesus Christ has a good plan for your life- Jeremiah 29:
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jesus Christ has a good purpose for your life-Ephesians 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Research shows learning results from experience. Jesus Christ already knows about each of your life experiences, why each one matters to you or does not matter to you and what you learn from each experience. If an experience hurts you, it is not because Jesus Christ wants to punish you. Nor do hurtful experiences occur because you are a 2nd class Christian or a failure. But rather Jesus Christ allows difficult experiences to come into your life for your growth and development so you can run your race strong and finish your race well.

Identify 3 life experiences you had that are personally meaningful to you

Experience #1:
What happened?
Who was there?
Where did it happen?
How did you feel?
How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?
Why is this experience meaningful to you?
What did you learn?

Experience #2:
What happened?
Who was there?
Where did it happen?
How did you feel?
How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?
Why is this experience meaningful to you?
What did you learn?

Experience #3:
What happened?
Who was there?
Where did it happen?
How did you feel?
How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?
Why is this experience meaningful to you?
What did you learn?

1) Can you see a common thread between the three experiences?

2) What do these experiences tell you about yourself?

Sometimes, our learning is incorrect. Because we live in a fallen creation, where sin and death abound, it is possible to mis-learn. Perhaps your learning is negatively influenced by the words and actions of others. Perhaps your learning is incorrect because in the busyness of life you haven’t questioned your reactions to the experiences or critically processed the events.

Are the lessons you learned from these three experiences valid according to Jesus Christ?

In this study we will examine the components of your inner-self and how those components control your decision making and behavior.

The purpose of this study is:
1) to enable you to understand yourself;
2) to enable you to take control of your inner-self;
3) to enable you to make the choices that will lead to your success;
4) to enable you to make wise choices that exhibit the behavior Jesus Christ desires from you.

The goal of this study is to equip you to run your race strong and finish your race well! To God be the glory for what He alone will accomplish through you!

Learning changes who we are and our aspirations; learning is an experience of identity. As you grow and develop, you learn about the identity others assign to you.
society’s definition of you can be wrong
society’s definition of you can be learned mistakenly
some people do not learn well and adopt dysfunctional beliefs about themselves

Personal filters are formed by experiences. Together, experiences and personal filters derived from those experiences influence how you make sense of new experiences.

Meaningful Experiences Shape Your Inner-Self

The diagram depicts you.

Everyone can see your behavior and the choices you make.
Your inner-self is hidden from others and to some degree from you as well.
Many people know what they do but they may not know why they do it and could not correctly answer the question: ‘Why do I behave this way’. That is a question to consider.

Examining the components of the inner-self helps to identify the influence the inner-self has over decisions and behavior. Understanding the influence of the inner-self on decisions and behavior gives you the choice of whether or not to overrule that influence. Reflection helps you to understand your inner-self and what is going on beneath the surface.

Your Decision-making History
1) What are some of the most important decisions you have made?

2) How do you make decisions? What factors are important to you?

3) Which decision(s) gave you the most satisfaction? Why?

4) Is there a decision that did not turn out as you expected?
Why do you think that happened?

5) Do you see any connection between your personally meaningful experiences and decisions
you have made?

6) Do you see anything you want to change in how you make decisions?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Research shows learning results from experience. Jesus Christ already knows about each of your life experiences, why each one matters to you or does not matter to you and what you learn from each experience. If an experience hurts you, it is not because Jesus Christ wants to punish you. Nor do hurtful experiences occur because you are a 2nd class Christian or a failure. But rather Jesus Christ allows difficult experiences to come into your life for your growth and development so you can run your race strong and finish your race well.

Identify 3 life experiences you had that are personally meaningful to you

Experience #1:
What happened?
Who was there?
Where did it happen?
How did you feel?
How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?
Why is this experience meaningful to you?
What did you learn?

Experience #2:
What happened?
Who was there?
Where did it happen?
How did you feel?
How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?
Why is this experience meaningful to you?
What did you learn?

Experience #3:
What happened?
Who was there?
Where did it happen?
How did you feel?
How did you react in this situation and what does this tell you about your self?
Why is this experience meaningful to you?
What did you learn?

1) Can you see a common thread between the three experiences?

2) What do these experiences tell you about yourself?

Sometimes, our learning is incorrect. Because we live in a fallen creation, where sin and death abound, it is possible to mis-learn. Perhaps your learning is negatively influenced by the words and actions of others. Perhaps your learning is incorrect because in the busyness of life you haven’t questioned your reactions to the experiences or critically processed the events.

Are the lessons you learned from these three experiences valid according to Jesus Christ?

Inappropriate survival skills are forms of behavior learned incorrectly to adapt to circumstances. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you may need to relearn how to survive in this fallen creation and thrive as His new creation. For example, I learned to deal with difficulty and bitter circumstances by stuffing my feelings, ignoring them and not letting myself feel them. Consequently, I came to believe that I did not matter because I was believing that my feelings did not matter. I mis-learned that my feelings did not matter and that I did not matter.

Look at this lesson in John 11:
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Notice what Jesus said! Lazarus came forth from the dead still wearing his grave clothes and his face was bound with a napkin. Likewise, when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, how we make choices and behavior learned from the past may still cling to us. Jesus Christ is the remedy for your mis-learning. Notice Jesus told the others to ‘loose him and let him go’. We need Bible preaching and study, Christian fellowship, friendship and sharing to loosen us from the things of the past.

The growing in Jesus process is so important to your spiritual growth and cannot be avoided or hastened. Why didn’t God take the freed Israelites immediately to the Promised Land?
Deuteronomy 7:
21 Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.
22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
Deuteronomy 8:
2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

What reasons for delaying the Israelites’ entry to the Promised Land seem parallel to your circumstances?

Your Decision-making History
1) What are some of the most important decisions you have made?

2) How do you make decisions? What factors are important to you?

3) Which decision(s) gave you the most satisfaction? Why?

4) Is there a decision that did not turn out as you expected? Why do you think that happened?

5) Do you see any connection between your personally meaningful experiences and decisions
you have made?

6) Do you see anything you want to change in how you make decisions?
Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race he has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti