September 2008: The Lifestyle of a Winner
Week 1 Live Like a Winner
Week 2 Talk Like a Winner
Week 3 Breathe Like a Winner
Week 4 Follow Through (A Valuable Lesson from a "Junk Basket" discovery)
September: Week 1 Live Like a Winner
What is the relay time difference between the team who won the gold medal and the team who won the silver medal in the “Men's 4x400m Relay” at the 2008 Olympic Games?
What is the time difference between the team who won the bronze medal and the team that came in fourth?
“Winners and losers ” are often defined in terms of seconds. Keeping that in mind, the Bible says we are to live like a runner competing for the prize.
“Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win” (1 Corinthians 9:24 CSB).
Self control during the training phase often makes the difference in how long it takes one to achieve victory.
“Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one” (1 Corinthians 9:25 CSB).
This is the testimony of a finisher, a victorious winner.
“Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that . . . I will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 CSB).
Do you know what the difference was between those who crossed over into the Promised Land and those who died in the wilderness? The difference was in the amount of self control they exercised. Those who died in the wilderness were characterized by uncontrolled thoughts, speech, and behavior (1 Corinthians 10:6,8-11).
I love an opportunity to learn from a winner. Let’s take a brief moment and learn from two gold medal winners, Joshua and Caleb. I believe they would say the following to those of us who are living with a goal in mind!
1. Have a moment of decision and then verbalize it.
". . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" ( Joshua 24:15 NKJV).
Sometimes, we must also determine “what” we will serve. Whether it is uncontrolled spending, anger, lust, fear, worry, food, or some type of pleasure, if we are controlled by it, it can eliminate our opportunity for victory.
I encourage to have a moment of decision right now about anything that is, but should not be controlling you.
2. Once you have made your decision, speak only in terms of victory and belief.
The speech of one who doesn’t cross the victory line sounds something like this . . .
“At the end of 40 days they returned from scouting out the land. The men went back to Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community in the Wilderness . . They reported to Moses: 'We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified . . . '" (Numbers 13:25-28 CSB).
Winners, however, think and talk in terms of possibility and belief.
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it" ( Numbers 13:30 NKJV).
What separated those who crossed over into the Promised Land from those who didn’t?
One attitude of unbelief combined with a few sentences that voiced that unbelief separated the two!
I encourage you to have a moment of decision about whatever is controlling you, and then begin to talk like a winner - like someone who has “chosen to serve the Lord" and realizes what is possible through Him!
(See August 2008- Week 3 for more on self control.)
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
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September: Week 2 Talk Like a Winner
“’I will win,’” he said to the crowd of about 1,300 at his third event of the evening.”
“’I will win . . . ,’” he said, ‘and I will be the next President of the
United States.’”
“I am not really qualified to run for the office of President of the United States, but feel that I should. I am so afraid I won’t be able to handle the challenges. Thank you for encouraging me. Hopefully, I will not let you down.”
Who made these statements?
Two of these quotes are taken from speeches given by McCain and Obama and the other is fabricated and not difficult to identify.
Obviously, both candidates cannot win, but they know they must speak like a winner or their loss is inevitable.
As important as the position is, God has called us to something much greater than achieving the role of President of the
United States. He has called us not only to live victorious lives, but to represent our Lord to a world that desperately needs Him. If we are to succeed, we, too, must learn to talk like a winner.
The conversation of two characters in the book Dangerous Journey clearly illustrates the importance of talking like a winner.
Christian and Hopeful had been cast into the dungeon of
Doubting
Castle by Giant Despair.
Christian said, “Perhaps the Giant is right. Perhaps death would be better than the miserable life we lead.”
Hopeful responded, “Not everything is in the hands of the Giant Despair. Who knows but he may have another of his fits, and forget to lock us in.”
Christian suddenly remembered he had in his pocket, an old key called Promise. He said, “It might just fit the lock.”
The key opened the door, but the creaking and groaning of the opening door awoke the Giant. Meanwhile, Christian and Hopeful had run through the door but were confronted by another obstacle, a heavy iron gate.
Hopeful’s response - “Try the key again.”
To their delight, it worked.
Victory comes for us, as well, when a promise of the Bible is taken from the place it is recorded and actually applied - not just once - but again and again.
Let there be no mistake. There is a difference in the optimistically hopeful words of a politician and the authoritatively hopeful words of a Christian taken from the Bible.
Though these hopeful words are certain, we still must . . .
” . . . lay hold of the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18-19 NKJV)
We must grasp this hope firmly because it serves as an anchor of the soul.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . . “ (Hebrews 6:18-19 NKJV)
The soul part of us, our mind, emotions, and will, needs to be practically anchored in the sure and reliable hope of the promises in the Bible.
Speaking like a winner can be a valuable part of the process of laying hold of the hope that anchors our soul.
Do you need some very practical help with this?
I encourage you to go to Talk Like a Winner, print the page, and speak these affirmations regularly, daily if necessary, until they become a natural part of your speech.
Remember, you have to take that promise from its resting place and apply it to the obstacle. So, begin to speak in faith, like the winner that you are in Christ!
For additional help, go to the Printable Resource.
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
Quotes taken from Dangerous Journey - The Story of Pilgrim’s Progress
Marshall Morgan & Scott 1985
September: Week 3 Breathe Like a Winner
Yesterday morning, I noticed that my vacuum cleaner was only picking up a portion of what it passed over. My suspicion that the hose was partially clogged was confirmed and I spent the next fifteen minutes removing all that had blocked up the hose. It became obvious that a circular plastic ring from some packaging was the culprit. The piece had become lodged in the hose, becoming a hook upon which incoming debris became ensnared. The blockage that formed hindered the flow of air, and consequently, the effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner.
In a similar, though much more significant manner, our effectiveness is dependant on the unhindered flow of the breath of God into our lives.
Consider the following:
You and I were created by the breath of God.
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Psalm 33:6 NKJV).
The same breath that brought us into existence keeps up alive physically.
“The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4 NKJV).
The breath of God gives us the capacity for spiritual understanding.
“But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding” (Job 32:8 NKJV).
God’s breath dynamically energizes and empowers us.
“And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22 NKJV).
This leads to an important question.
Is God’s breath flowing unhindered in your life?
The Bible provides a list of “debris catchers” that Christians must avoid taking into the very heart that God’s breath wants to energize.
“Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV).
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . . Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you”
(Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV).
If you feel that you are powerless and suffocating spiritually, I challenge you to make room for more of the breath of God in your life.
How?
Meditate on the list of “debris catchers” above, remove them from your heart, and then breathe deeply from God's Word.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63 NKJV).
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
To invite Lauren to speak at your event, send a prayer request, ask a question, or offer a comment, send an e-mail to treasuresoftruth@comcast.net. You can also use this e-mail address to register to receive the free weekly devotion via e-mail each week. Simply write “Weekly Devotion Requested” in the subject line of your e-mail.
September: Week 4 Follow Through
A Valuable Lesson from a "Junk Basket" Discovery
I recently cleaned out a small basket on my kitchen counter that had become a catch-all. One of my finds was a packet of seeds with some beautiful Calendulas on the front. I’m sure you have correctly assumed I don’t have a flowerbed overflowing with these beautiful flowers. You are also correct in guessing that I won’t - at least not this year. You see, the planting directions indicate that they should have been started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost was expected in the Spring. Then, they should have been transplanted to prepared garden soil after danger of frost was past. The expiration date on the seed packet is 11/08. What a waste! Those seeds will never produce the beautiful flowers they were created to produce.
“One day Jesus told a story to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: ‘A farmer went out to plant his seed. . . . ‘“ (Luke 8:4-5 NLT).
The parable in Luke 8:4-15 states that some of the seed produced and some didn’t.
Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:9, 11 NKJV)
What are you doing with the Word of God in your life?
Is there something from His Word you once felt moved to do, but you didn’t act on it before the winter came? Perhaps a chill has settled over your heart and conditions are no longer conducive to the seed. Your heart is no longer receptive.
Did you decide that allowing the seed to take root required too much care?
Did you plant the word in your heart, but when it was time to “transplant” what God was doing in your heart to the outside world, you lost interest? Maybe you were just too busy with other priorities.
One fact is certain. Christians have no shortage of “seeds.” We do, sometimes, have a shortage of fruit to show for our seeds.
Looking through seed catalogs, acquiring the seeds, and looking at the pictures on the seed packages are all enjoyable activities. Starting a new Bible study, hearing a great sermon, and enjoying time in personal Bible study are all inspiring pursuits for those who want a spiritual garden!
These are also good and necessary actions to take.
“. . . giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,” (2 Peter 1:5 NKJV).
Someone recently told me that her Bible study leader mentioned that typically, approximately 50% of women who start a group Bible study will stick with it until the end.
I was wondering, though, what percentage of the 50% who finish the Bible study actually transplant the seedlings that have grown to an outside bed.
Planting, cultivating, transplanting the seeds, and then keeping the weeds out takes work.
“. . . giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:6-8 NKJV).
And, after all, fruit is the desired purpose of the seeds.
I don’t recommend that you respond to this by trying to cultivate 100 different varieties of seeds at one time.
Start with that seed packet you have. Start with what God has shown you needs to come to fruition in your life and cultivate that.
Is there something in God’s Word you keep procrastinating about transplanting to your speech or behavior . . . to a family situation . . . to your lost neighbor . . . . to your marriage . . . to your finances . . . to those who have not treated you well . . . ?
I hope you will become dissatisfied with simply carrying your seed packets around with you, occasionally admiring the picture on the front that represents what you could actually be experiencing.
It’s time to take the seeds out of the package . . . follow the directions before the chill sets in . . . keep watering . . . move your seedlings outdoors . . . and then, enjoy the blessing of an authentic garden.
Have a blessed week!
(Words in scripture in bold print added by me for emphasis)
©2008 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved
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