How To Always Be A Winner

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us To Always Experience a Winning Attitude - I Cor. 2:14-17

Illustration:Author Jamie Buckingham once visited a dam on the Columbia River. He’d always thought that the water spilling over the top provided the power, not realizing that it was just froth, that deep within turbines and generators transformed the power of tons and tons of water to electricity--quietly, without notice, not like the flashy froth on top.

Illustration:

Let me tell about a man who in my book is a world-hugger. His parents called him Billy Frank. His wife calls him Bill. His face is drawn by the gravitational pull of years. The wrinkles on his brow betray a life of hard work and stress. His legs are weak. So, too, his arms. His hands tremble involuntarily. His voice, once strong, is tired. He’s an old man now. For most of his 82 years, this man has touched the world by holding before it the Christ of Christmas. Jesus knows the trembling hands that hold on to him with unflinching tenacity. He recognizes his faithful follower’s tender touch. He understands that the cause for which he came into our fallen world is the cause to which this frail fellow has committed his life. Since embracing the Savior as a teenager, Bill has carried in his heart a concern for all kinds of people in all kinds of places. The races of the world have been equally important to him. Since graduating from Wheaton College, this North Carolinian has walked his talk around the block and across the seas. Yes, William Franklin Graham is a living example of what it means to embrace others with the love of God. In Billy Graham we see an elderly (but,

nonetheless, enduring) hugger of humanity.

1. The Holy Spirit helps us to make the most of every situation with a positive attitude knowing that we can do everything God asks us to do with the help of Christ who gives us the strength and power. (Phil. 4:13) Trust the Lord to help you adopt a positive mental, emotional and spiritual attitude with Philippians 4:13 as a personal promise to you from God. Ask the Lord to help you gain a greater assurance of the Spirit’s ability to work this attitude into every part of your personal life, your relationships and every aspect of your ministry.

Illustration:

Warren’s seven principles of how to last in the ministry:

1. Identification -- "Know who I am," he said. "Write down your strengths and be honest about your weaknesses."

2. Motivation -- "I must know who I am trying to please. Ask yourself: ’Why do I do what I do?’ Continually consider this. The ’why’ always determines the ’how long.’"

3. Prioritization -- "I must know my purpose. What does your schedule reveal about your priorities, and how can you change one thing to reflect more of God’s purpose?"

4. Education -- "I must never stop learning. Growing ministries require growing ministers," he said. "Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, ’... skill will bring success.’ Not dedication. If you go pick cotton with a tomato picker, no matter how much you pray, it won’t work."

5. Meditation -- "I must get alone with God often. If I don’t, I can become like a poor photo -- overexposed and underdeveloped."

6. Relaxation -- "I must take time off to enjoy life. Jesus went to the desert. I use this as a biblical example for a Palm Springs vacation," Warren laughed. "Matthew 11:10 says, ’Jesus came enjoying life.’ If you don’t take time to come apart, you will come apart. Rest is so important that God put it in the top 10 -- take a sabbath."

7. Concentration -- "I must focus my life. We think, ’I’ve got to do this or I have to do that.’ No, we don’t. We can get so many irons in the fire that the fire goes out. The more focused I am, the more effective I will be. I have just enough time to do God’s will. Figure out what God’s will is and do that and don’t worry about the rest."

2. The Holy Spirit helps us realize that true success is measured in God’s terms through greater love, righteousness, holiness and truth. Solomon wrote, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life." (Prov. 22:4) Ask the Lord to help you trust and obey God in all situations knowing that He will make you successful regardless of what others might say about you.

3. The Holy Spirit teaches us how the love of God overcomes all problems despite outward appearances, comments or assumptions. Paul wrote, "Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good." (Rom. 12:21) Ask the Lord to help you avoid giving into depression, criticism, or adverse circumstances. Trust the Lord to help all aspects of your personal life, relationships and ministries to reflect the faith that believes GOOD OVERCOMES ALL FORMS OF EVIL.