The Slight Edge I am endebted to Jeff Olson who wrote a book by
the same title But this is not some cute trendy self-help program.
It is biblical wisdom in action
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People are looking for the breakthrough, the quantum leap, the
winning of the lottery. We live in an instant society, with instant
coffee, instant oatmeal, microwave popcorn. We expect immediate
results, immediate gratification.
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Because every action that is easy to do is also easy NOT to
do.
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Its easier to follow the path of least resistance and not do
it. Its more convenient and comfortable not to do it. (whether
walking, jogging, time with the Lord, spouse, music lessons,
diet)
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While anyone could do them, most wont! Because we prefer
convenience and comfort And Because We tend to follow the crowd
What does the Bible say about that?
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Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold,
but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in
practice that the plan of God for you is good...and moves you
toward the goal of true maturity. (dont follow the crowd, the
95%)
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Because we prefer convenience and comfort We tend to follow the
crowd And because if we dont do them, they wont kill us, at least
not today. We wont suffer or fail today in our health, career,
relationships. What does the Bible say about that?
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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he
sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that
nature will reap destruction; The one who sows to please the
Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become
weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
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Sow a Thought, Reap an Action, Sow an Action, Reap a Habit, Sow
a Habit, Reap a Character, Sow a Character, Reap a Destiny
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Kill our Health, our bodies (our food full of calories but
little nutrition, pollution) Steal our Finances (make us debt
slaves) lack of meekness Destroy our Relationships ( with the Lord,
family, friends through us getting hurt, offended,
unforgiving)
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When you make the right choice, you rarely see the results
today. And the crowds arent there to notice or applaud. But the
Lord is watching. Do it for an audience of one. Put a smile on Gods
face! Remember: What You do Matters. What you do privately, day by
day really matters!
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Train yourself to be godly...dont let anyone look down on you
because you are young, but set an example for the believers in
speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity...devote yourself
to the public reading of Scripture... do not neglect your gift...
be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that
everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine
closely. Persevere in them...
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Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful
with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come
and share your masters happiness
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King David in the Old Testament - as a teen anointed by Samuel
to be future King of Israel Acts 9, Saul on Road to Damascus
You can count on it. It is quietly in operation. And unless you
make it work FOR you, deliberately, intentionally, the slight edge
will work AGAINST you.
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As Charismatic Christians, we believe in and pray for the
breakthroughs, the suddenlies of God. But while we wait for those
seasons, the Lord is desiring us to take small steps of obedience,
of discipline, and being faithful in the small things. This will
make us more Christ-like and bigger on the inside, so that He can
trust us with greater anointing, authority, and power, without it
destroying us. And we will be more prepared for the coming days of
end-time revival and turmoil on the earth.
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the
cross... Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...
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Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons...
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it.
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Even Gods rescue plan for the world involved small beginnings
and the use of the slight edge of faithful obedience by Jesus
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When you make the right choice, you rarely see the results
today. And the crowds arent there to notice or applaud. But the
Lord is watching. Do it for an audience of one. Put a smile on Gods
face! Remember: What You do Matters. What you do privately, day by
day really matters!
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Sow a Thought, Reap an Action, Sow an Action, Reap a Habit, Sow
a Habit, Reap a Character, Sow a Character, Reap a Destiny
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- Sexual sin, pornography? - Too much TV? - Grumbling and
complaining? - Gossip and slander? - Comparing yourself with
others? (resulting in a pity party or pride) - Eating too much junk
food?
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- have a quiet time with Him and in the Word - journal and
learn to hear His voice better - soak in His presence(& have
others lay hands on you and pray for fresh infilling of His
Spirit.) - Join a home group for support & accountability -
Trim spending habits, make plan to get out of debt. Eating
healthier and exercising. - take your spouse out on a regular date.
- find creative ways to love your spouse, children - step out and
look for divine appointments: to listen to someone, encourage,
share Jesus, pray for healing.
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Jesus didnt show up By making a spectacular entrance to
impress. The Lord of the universe went to extraordinary lengths to
lower himself and become one of us
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- The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
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Consider with me the scandalous approach Jesus took: The
Creator of the universe actually became a helpless, vulnerable
baby!
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Jesus was born in a barn!
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Look at the way the Birth announcement was handled!
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His legitimacy was questioned
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Jesus had skeletons in his closet! (the family tree)
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Jesus didnt even have a unique and special name of distinction
(Jesus in Hebrew is Joshua, very fitting name meaning God to the
rescue! But Joshua was a very common name, like Jim or John)
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Born to an extremely poor family
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His Neighbourhood: can anything good come out of Nazareth?
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Not handsome or Distinguished looking Isaiah 53: 21
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Hung around sinners In their homes, meals, parties, even lined
up to be baptized with them Religious leaders in their disgust
called him a friend of sinners
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End of his life, voluntarily died, not in a beautiful cathedral
between two candles, but in the city garbage dump between two
thieves
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no
end
