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Judges 3:15 Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. (NIV)

3 Lessons From A Left Handed Deliverer

1. God wants you to embrace your uniqueness

Genesis 1:27 God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (NIV)

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)

Romans 12:4–5 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (NIV)

2. God qualifies the unqualified

1 Samuel 9:21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” (NIV)

Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy. (NIV)

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NASB1995)

Psalm 17:7 Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. (NIV)

Psalm 44:3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. (NIV)

Psalms 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (NIV)

Luke 22:69 “But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” (NASB)

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (NIV)

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)

3. God displays His power in our weakness

Judges 3:16-23 16 Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. 17 He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man.

18 After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. 19 But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.” The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left. 20 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. 22 Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. 23 Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (NIV)

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (NIV)

2 Critical Components To A Comeback

1. God specializes in comebacks

Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (NIV)

Exodus 3:2-4 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up." 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." (NIV)

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (NIV)

2. You need to encounter the presence of God

Exodus 3:3-4 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up." 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." (NIV)

Exodus 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (NIV)

1. Standing in God’s presence

Exodus 33:10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. (NIV)

2. Singing in God’s presence

Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. (NIV)

3. Clapping in God’s presence

Psalm 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! (NKJV)

4. Dancing in God’s presence

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. (NIV)

5. Kneeling in God’s presence

Psalm 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; (NIV)

6. Lifting your hands in God’s presence

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. (NIV)

Psalm 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (NIV)

1. Responding to the presence of God will reveal God’s character to you when you need it most Exodus 3:6-7 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. (NIV)

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)

2. Responding to the presence of God will help you discover God’s plan

Exodus 3:8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey--the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (NIV)

3. Responding to the presence of God will give you direction

Exodus 3:10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (NIV)

4. Responding to the presence of God will give you confidence to move forward

Exodus 3:11–12   But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12  And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (NIV)

Luke 23:39-43 (NIV) 39  One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40  But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under thesame sentence?  41  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But thisman has done nothing wrong.” 42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

I want to show you three things we can learn from this statement from Jesus’ final words. Three things that if we do them, they help us to get through a bad day.

1. Remember why you’re still here.  Luke 23:42 (NIV) 42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Luke 19:10 (NIV) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

2. Think Long term Luke 23:43 (NIV) 43  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Psalm 30:5 (NIV) Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

James 4:14 (NIV) What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

Hebrews 9:27 (MSG) 27-28  Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever.

3. Make the most of every opportunity. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) 15  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise…  16  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

1. Betrayal 2. False accusations 3. Rejection 4. Abuse 5. Humiliation

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)

4 Things Forgiveness Is Not

1. Forgiveness is not minimizing the seriousness of what they did 2. Forgiveness is not reconciliation 3. Forgiveness is not about doing what's fair 4. Forgiveness is not impossible

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

4 Forgiveness Lessons from Jesus 1. Pray for them Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (NIV)

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (NIV)

2. Bless them Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (NIV)

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (NIV)

3. Do good to them

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (NIV)

Luke 6:35-36 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (NIV)

Romans 12:17–21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

4. Do good to you

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

Winning in Marriage

I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Defined my role as a wife and fulfilled it

I Realized that My Spouse is not My God

I Stopped Sweating the Small Stuff

I placed a value on covenant

I began to see her how God sees her

We got around other couples who had strong marriages

I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 Ways To Win In Dating

1. Do not play the dating game Judges 15:1-2 Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, "I'm going to my wife's room." But her father would not let him go in. 2 "I was so sure you thoroughly hated her," he said, "that I gave her to your friend. Isn't her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead.(NIV)

Judges 16:1 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. (NIV)

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. (NIV)

2. Do not sleep around 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 6:18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. (NLT)

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT)

3. Take time to get to know the person Judges 16:4-5 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. 5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, "See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver." (NIV)

DATING CHECKLIST

1. Are they a Christ Follower? 2 Corinthians 6:14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? (NLT)

2. Do you share the same core values? 

3. Can you negotiate differences? 

4. How does the person handle conflict?

5. How do they handle challenging or difficult relationships?

6. How do they handle suffering, loss and grief?

7. How do they interact and treat their family and friends?

8. How do they handle money?

9. How do they respond when they’re hungry, angry, tired, hurting and lonely?

10. What is their daily outlook on life?

Winning Advice When Getting To Know Someone

1. Do not ignore the red flags

2. Do not believe issues will automatically work themselves out over time

3. Do not believe that you will change the person

4. Seek out godly and wise counsel

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. (NIV)

Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (NIV)

Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (NIV)

Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. (NIV)

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. (NIV)

Judges 16:15-16 Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. (NIV)

5. Be it so you can receive it Numbers 6:5-6 "During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the Lord is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long. 6 Throughout the period of his separation to the Lord he must not go near a dead body.

Judges 14:8-9 Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion's carcass. In it was a swarm of bees and some honey, 9 which he scooped out with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion's carcass. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT)

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)

Proverbs 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. (NIV)

3 Qualities of a Winning Friend Mark 2:2–5 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3  four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4  They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (NLT)

1. Winning friends help you through challenges Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (NIV)

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (NIV)

Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)

Ruth 1:16   But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (NIV)

2. Winning friends make you better

1. They make you better because they believe in you

2. They make you better because they give you wise counsel Proverbs 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (NLT)

3. They make you better because they sharpen you Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

4. They make you better because they will speak the truth to you in love Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (NIV)

5. They make you better because they will pick you up when you fall down Ecclesiastes 4:9–10   Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (NIV)

3. Winning friends keep bringing you to be closer to Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (NIV) Proverbs 22:24–25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25  or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. (NIV)

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT)

Romans 7:15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. (NLT)

Romans 7:24-25 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  25  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (NLT)

1. Start small Luke 16:10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. (NLT)

Zechariah 4:10 “do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand” (NLT)

2. Start with a plan Proverbs 21:5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind. (MSG)

2 Techniques To A Winning Plan

1. Habit switching Ephesians 4:28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. (NLT)

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  32  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)

Ephesians 5:18-19 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,  19  singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. (NLT)

2. Habit stacking Colossians 4:2–3   Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3  Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. (NLT)

Matthew 28:19–20 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)

3. Start with somebody Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT)

4. Start and stay steady Proverbs 19:2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT)

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you (NKJV)

Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. (NIV)

4 Strategies To Thinking Like A Winner

1. You must identify unhealthy thought patterns

1. Doubting thoughts James 1:6-8 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  7  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  8  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (NIV)

2. Anxious and worried thoughts Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)

3. Critical thoughts Matthew 9:3-4 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” 4  Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? (NIV)

4. Sinful thoughts Romans 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (NLT) 5. Selfish thoughts James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (NIV)

2. Capture unhealthy thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:5   We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)

3. Renew unhealthy thoughts

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

4. Set your thinking on healthy thoughts

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (NIV)

Colossians 3:2   Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (NIV)

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:24   Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT)

Judges 6:1-5 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.  2  Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds.  3  Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country.  4  They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.  5  They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. (NIV)

Judges 6:12-13   When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (NIV)

Judges 6:14-15 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (NIV)

4 Ways To Winning in 2022

1. Winning in 2022 requires crying out to God

Judges 6:6-7   Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, (NIV)

2. Winning in 2022 requires a commitment to God’s Word

Judges 6:10 I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” (NIV)

Judges 6:1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. (NIV)

James 1:22–25   Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (NIV)

3. Winning in 2022 requires believing what God says about you

Judges 6:12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (NIV)

Judges 6:15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (NIV)

The following list is not for YouVersion. It is for lower thirds only, split into several slides. I am a mighty warrior. I am more than a conqueror. I am new creation. I am Child of God. I can do all things through Christ. I am a friend of God. I am Justified. I am Redeemed. I am sealed with the Holy Spirit. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. I am Chosen. I am Forgiven. I am Made alive in Christ. I am God’s workmanship. I am a citizen of heaven. I am a person of purpose. I am anointed. I am powerful. I am the salt of the earth. I am a world changer. I am successful. I am a WINNER!

4. Winning in 2022 requires you to go

Judges 6:14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:24   Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (NLT)

THIS IS THE YEAR FOR BREAKTHROUGH!

Matthew 6:25-34 NIV 25  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  27  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life [a] ? 28  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  31  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  33  But SEEK FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

SEEK FIRST

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT

1. PRAY BOLD PRAYERS.

You are one bold prayer away from a breakthrough.

Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers.

Mark 9:22-23 NLT “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can. What do you mean if I can? Jesus asked, “Anything is possible if a person believe.”

2. PRAY SPECIFIC PRAYERS.

Mark 10:51-52 NLT “What do you want me to do for you? Jesus ask, “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see.” And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”

Matthew 7:9-11 NLT “You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Of if you ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.

3. PRAY PERSISTENT PRAYERS.

Matthew 7:7-8 NLT “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask, receives, everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be open.”

UNTIL YOU GET AN ANSWER, KEEP CIRCLING IT IN PRAYER.

4. PRAY CONSISTENT PRAYERS.

Mark 1:35 NLT “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “ Never stop praying.” NLT “Pray continually.” NIV “Pray without ceasing.” NKJV “Pray all the time.” MSG “Make your life a prayer.” TPT

Acts 2:42 NLT, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” Colossians 4:2 NLT “Devote yourselves to prayer with an apart mind and a thankful heart.”

BREAKTHROUGH WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU SEEK GOD FIRST.