1. Life’s Healing Choices
The Growth Choice
10/23/10
Dennis Watson

2. What if you were told to you today that in one week you were moving to Fairbanks Alaska for the rest of your life? What would be your focus?

3. Would it be the day to day ongoing things of life here in Tucson or would it be getting ready for Alaska?

4. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

5. You were doing so well! Who made you stop obeying the truth?
Galatians 5:7 ( TEV )
You were doing so well! Who made you stop obeying the truth?

6. 2 John 1:8 ( NLT )
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. 

7. The Growth Choice 

8. The Growth Choice
I reserve a daily quiet time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. 

9. Spiritual Growth is a choice! Spiritual Growth is intentional!
The Growth Choice
Spiritual Growth is a choice!
Spiritual Growth is intentional! 

10. 2 Peter 3:18 ( TEV )
But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever!

11. How do I keep on keeping on? How do I maintain my momentum?
The Growth Choice
How do I keep on keeping on?
How do I maintain my momentum?
The Bible says there are seven things that we need to do to continue growing in the faith.

12. HOW?
1. The 1st thing I have to do to keep on growing is: Reserve a daily time with God

13. That means you nail it down. You drive a stake in the ground.
You say, “This is going to be my date with Jesus on a daily basis.”

14. 1 John 2:28 ( NLT )
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

15. Do you want to experience victory over the sin in your life?

16. 1 John 3:6 ( TEV )
“So everyone who lives in union with Christ does not continue to sin; …”

17. Stay Plugged into Jesus!

18. Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God.
Colossians 4:2 ( NCV )
Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. 

19. If you are too busy for daily communion with God, it’s real simple – You’re too busy!

20. HOW?
2. The second thing I have to do to keep on growing is: Fill my mind with Scripture.

21. God’s Word is food for the soul.
What happens if you go long periods of time without nourishing food for your body?

22. James 1:25 ( NCV )
But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.

23. What are the results of me filling my mind with God’s Word?

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

25. Romans 12:1-2 “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The only way to be set free from bad thinking that leads to bad doing is to fill your mind with God’s Word.
Romans 12:1-2 “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

26. Romans 8:6 ( NCV )
If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace. 

27. HOW?
3. The 3rd thing I have to do to keep on growing is: Focus on my goal, not my habit.

28. When I say habit, I’m talking about those habits, hurts, hang-ups
When I say habit, I’m talking about those habits, hurts, hang-ups. those sins, those weaknesses, those failures. The things in your life that you don’t like.

29. Philippians 3:12 ( NCV )
I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 

30. Philippians 3:13-14 ( NLT )
No, I’m still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

31. Rick Warren
“I believe in setting goals. Why? Because goals are simply a statement of faith. And the Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The Bible says, “according to your faith it will be done to you.’”

32. Faith Goals:
God always operates in your life by faith. A goal is a statement of faith. A Faith Goal has five characteristics.

33. Faith Goals:
Focused (Specific) A I T H

34. Faith Goals:
Focused
Attainable I T H

35. Faith Goals:
Focused
Attainable
Individual (Personal) T H

36. Faith Goals:
Focused
Attainable
Individual
Trackable (Measureable) H

37. Faith Goals:
Focused
Attainable
Individual
Trackable
Heartfelt (Passion)

38. I encourage you to set one goal today. One spiritual goal.
Example: to have a five minute quiet time with God every day between now and Christmas.
This is a FAITH goal.

39. The Road to spiritual growth is not a string of unbroken successes
The Road to spiritual growth is not a string of unbroken successes. Sometimes its three steps forward, two steps back. Relapse is part of the process. So don’t beat yourself up.

40. You must learn how to deal with relapses.

41. HOW?
4. The 4th thing I have to do to keep on growing is Face and forsake my failures quickly.

42. You’re going to stumble in life
You’re going to stumble in life. The key is not trying to live a perfect life. The key is to forsake my failures quickly. I don’t cover them up, I don’t blame others, I don’t excuse myself but I own up to it.

43. People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
Proverbs 28:13 ( NLT )
People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

44. “Let us examine our ways and test them, and return to the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:40 ( NIV )
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and return to the Lord.”

45. 1 Corinthians 11:31 ( NLT )
But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. 

46. Psalms 103:3-4 ( TEV )
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. . 

47. I have to Flee temptation but I don’t fear it.
HOW?
5. The 5th thing I have to do to keep growing is
I have to Flee temptation but I don’t fear it.

48. Don’t feel guilty about being tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted
Don’t feel guilty about being tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted. It is a sin to give in to temptation.

49. the Bible says, “Jesus was tempted in all points like as we, yet He sinned not.”

50. “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
Martin Luther

51. “Run away from sexual sin!”
1 Corinthians 6:18 ( NLT )
“Run away from sexual sin!” .

52. I Timothy 6:9-11 (NIV)
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of. 

53. I Timothy 6:9-11 (NIV)
all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all  

54. I Timothy 6:9-11 (NIV)
this and pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” 

55. there are two things you need to stay away from: tempting situations –stay away from circumstances. And tempting associations –stay away from people that tempt you.

56. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be alert
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong.”
“be alert” That means you need to know what tempts you and you need to stay away from it.

57. Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 ( TEV )
Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.” 

58. HOW?
6. the 6th thing I have to do to keep growing is Form an ongoing support group.

59. If you are going to be a part of this church you need to be in a HOME Group. Because you are not going to grow without it. We do the majority of our teaching through our HOME Groups.

60. If you are not in a HOME Group I want to encourage you to come to our Celebration night on November 6th at 5:30 PM. On that night you will hear stories of lives changed from the last eight weeks. it will be very encouraging to you.

61. 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 ( GWT )
“…We are confident that he will continue to rescue us, since you are also joining to help us when you pray for us…”

62. Hebrews 10:25 ( GWT )
“We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other…”

63. HOW?
7. The 7th thing I have to do to keep growing is Follow Christ to the finish line.

64. Philippians 1:6 ( NLT )
I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

65. What God starts He finishes!

66. Galatians 6:9 ( NLT )
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 

67. God brought you here today to say this to you, “Don’t Give Up
God brought you here today to say this to you, “Don’t Give Up!, He who began a good work in you will complete it…”

68. 7 Things I have to do to keep growing:
Reserve a daily time with God
Fill my mind with Scripture
Focus on my goal, not my habit
Face and forsake my failures quickly
I have to Flee temptation but I don’t fear it.
Form an ongoing support group.
Follow Christ to the finish line.

69. Won’t you join with me today and make the Growth Choice?

70. The Growth Choice
I reserve a daily quiet time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. 
Pray

71. I ask Father that you would give to us complete knowledge of Your will and to give us spiritual wisdom and understanding. So that the way we live will always honor and please You, and our lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, we will grow as we learn to know You better and better. I also pray that we would be strengthened with all Your glorious power so we will have all the endurance and patience we need. May we be filled with joy, always thanking You, Father. For You have enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to your people, who live in the light. For you have rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of Your dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.