NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 1 A Proper Foundation Understanding Salvation The foundation determines the height of the structure. Matt 7:24-27 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. KJV Matt 7:24-27 24 "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit — but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. 26 "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. 27 When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." THE MESSAGE 1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. KJV Too often people move on to what they ”think” are more important things before properly laying a foundation. Salvation = completeness, healing, deliverance, prosperity, freedom from danger Why Does Every Man Need Our Savior? 1. Through Adam all were made sinners. Rom 5:12-21 (12) Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned. AMP Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. 2. We are not saved by our good works. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Titus 3:5-7 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; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gal 2:16 Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but [only] through faith and [absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). [Therefore] even we [ourselves] have believed on Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law [for we cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses], because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God). AMP Eph 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. How Are We Saved? Eph 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Gift = sacrifice Rom 10:9-10 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. How Can I Be Sure About My Salvation? 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom 8:16 God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. MESSAGE NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 2 A Proper Foundation The Doctrine of Christ Three Questions That Expose the Beliefs of Our Foundation: 1. How’s it working for you? Isa 54:14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Established = made firm, rooted and settled You'll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble — nothing to fear, far from terror — it won't even come close! THE MESSAGE James 1:6-8 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. 2. It is difficult to walk out? Matt 11:28-30 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ( relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. AMP 3. Do they produce peace? James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Greek: The benefits and effects of righteousness and right believing are received in peace of them that continue to keep themselves in peace. Prov 19:27 Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what you know is right. TLB NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Doctrine of Christ: Heb 6:1-2 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Matt 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 1. Peace Rom 5:1 THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified ( acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). AMP 2. Good News Matt 4:23 And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people. AMP Luke 4:18-19 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed one, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], 19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.] AMP 3. Show us the Father John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Heb 1:3 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. Express = to put into words, to show or manifest He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature. AMP The exact representation of his being. NIV The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. NLT NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 3 The Everlasting Covenant of Peace God’s Covenant with Noah Gen 9:8-17 15 I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. Everlasting = eternal, having no end God’s Covenant with Jesus Isa 53 describes the exchange that took place at the cross… Chapter 54 begins to explain the new covenant… After the fall and up until the cross God could not have fellowship with man so He had to settle the sin problem. Isa 53:1-12 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. laid on him = made covenant with The covenant of Noah was sealed with a rainbow. The covenant of peace was sealed with the blood of Jesus. Isa 54:7-10 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ v9 I'm promising now no more anger, no more dressing you down. MESSAGE v9 I swear that I will never again pour out my anger on you. NLT Heb 12:24 Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. You've come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's — a homicide that cried out for vengeance — became a proclamation of grace. MESSAGE Heb 9:12 Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever. NLT 1 Thes 5:9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) AMP Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 4 The Everlasting Covenant of Peace Heb 8:6-12 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Why Is It A Better Covenant? 1. It is a covenant God made with Jesus. Isa 53:6 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. 2. It is everlasting. Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. 3. It is not fault finding. (Heb 8:7-8) 4. We are never forsaken even when we are unfaithful to God. (Heb 8:9) 2 Tim 2:12-13 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 13 If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. AMP 5. We can know God for ourselves. (Heb 8:10-11) 6. Our sins are no longer remembered. (Heb 8:12) Zeph 3:17 The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty one, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. AMP NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Freed us from judgment. Judgment NEVER brings true repentance… Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Isa 30:18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. AMP Under the old covenant God’s justice demanded that sin be judged… Under the New Covenant God’s justice demands that He be at peace with man because He judged Jesus. John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, John 3:17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 5 The Exchange Jesus took our judgment so you and I would never have to fear God….. Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. The death being spoken of here is death that comes as judgment because if sin. James 2:10 For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. AMP And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God's laws. NLT Just because someone doesn’t “do” the sin doesn’t mean it’s not a heart issue… Matt 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: Matt 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. End = point aimed at For Moses wrote that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. NLT Col 1:20-22 (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. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jesus delivered us from the penalty of our sin. Jesus not delivered us from wrath but He also cleared the way for us to have a loving relationship with God as a Father. Freedom from wrath is only half the work of the cross. Under the Old Covenant you had to live a holy life in order to be qualified to receive the blessings of God. 2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. MESSAGE NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 6 God’s Correction Col 1:22 Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence. AMP JBR – Angry, judgmental preachers usually feel that hard messages will bring people in line. James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Hard words do not bring repentance. How Does God Bring Correction? Heb 12:6 – 11 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Chasten = train as a child Facts About Chastening: 1. Ps 94:12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law. 2. Prov 16:6 By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man--not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil. AMP 3. Prov 3:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 4. Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. How Does God Correct Us? Heb 12:6 – 11 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Chasteneth = train as a child Scourgeth = (Kittle) lash with words When we believe we are righteous and grace abounds in our heart and live inconsistent with who God made us to be it hurts on the inside. Col 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Salt is a preserver but it also burns when it gets in a wound. 1 Thess 2:11-12 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. Paul’s Words… * exhorted * comforted * charged Prov 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners and stripes for the back of fools. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 7 The Power of Grace Grace = God’s ability, God’s influence upon our heart that comes by unmerited favor Col 2:23 These rules may seem good, for rules of this kind require strong devotion and are humiliating and hard on the body, but they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires. They only make him proud. TLB Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] AMP All lasting change is effortless. Lasting change is effortless but changing your beliefs is not. Heb 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Heb 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. For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. NLT Keys to Enjoying Effortless Change: 1. You must believe that you DO NOT have to change in order to gain God’s acceptance. Gal 3:21, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” 2. Grace is not an option. Gal. 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to become justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” 3. Effortless Change only happens by the grace of God through changing beliefs. 1 Peter 1:9-11 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. AMP NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 8 Growing in Grace Grace = God’s ability, God’s influence upon our heart that comes by unmerited favor 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2Pet.1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (NLT) 2 May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better. 3 As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. As we grasp faith righteousness grace is made alive in our hearts. 1 Sam 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 1 Sam 20:42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. Mephibosheth = shamed and confused one 2 Sam 9:1-11 Everything Mephibosheth received was because of the covenant between Jonathan and David. v 1-3 David expressed his desire to carry out the covenant v 6 He sends for Mephibosheth 5 Things David Did for Mephibosheth That Grace Does for Us: 1. Fear not (v 7) Works produce shame and shame produces fear. 2. Showed him kindness (v 7) 2 Sam 9:3 (AMP) unfailing, unsought, unlimited mercy and kindness… 3. Restored his possessions (v 7) Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost (NLT) 4. You will now eat at the king’s table. Ps 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies… 5. Delivered him from shame. 2 Sam 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. AMP Heb 12:2 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. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 9 Dignity and Worth NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Heb 2:6-9 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Almost every problem and/or addiction we have has its roots in low self-worth. Most of us grew up hearing about a God we could never please that did not value us. It’s not possible to love the God most of us were taught about. Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Notice Jesus’ response to people that was tired was resting not trying harder. For most people love and acceptance is held in front of them like a carrot on a string that they are never able to reach. Healthy behavior is a result of proper identity and self-worth based on what God did for us in Christ. You are worth what God paid for you! What you believe in your heart about love is what you believe about God. Your self perception hinges on the worth you believe God places on you. Value is determined by the purchaser. You cannot live a consistent life that opposes the way you see yourself in your heart. 2 Cor 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Training 10 Dignity and Worth NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ps 8:1-9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Your view of the value you think God places on you influences everything in your life. Jer 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. For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. NLT I used to think… * God couldn’t stand me * God was disgusted with me and only tolerated me because of Jesus God values no one more than you! Value Scriptures: John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. AMP John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Rom 5:8 God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. TLB People that do not feel valued by God try to get value from other things. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Most people are in a performance trap because they do not realize their acceptance in Christ therefore they perform for the acceptance of people. NOTES __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Everyone craves acceptance and to be valued but when it is linked to performance it is destructive. Maxwell – When you need people you cannot lead people. When you’re needy you will manipulate and be manipulated. Most of the problems we have are rooted in insecurities due to our low self-value. The “ONLY” thing that can rid us of insecurities is the love of God. 1 John 4:16 We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. TLB Rom 5:5 The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.