Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil

with good. (KJV)

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have

overcome them: because greater is he that is

in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the

Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that

overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of

life, which is in the midst of the paradise of

God. (KJV)

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works

unto the end, to him will I give power over

the nations: (KJV)

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed

in white raiment; and I will not blot out his

name out of the book of life, but I will

confess his name before my Father, and before

his angels. (KJV)

TODAY. WE ALL HAVE LIMITATIONS SET UPON OUR LIVES.

SOME HAVE BEEN SELF-IMPOSED, OTHERS HAVE BEEN IMPOSED

BY OUR GENETIC MAKEUP, OUR PARENTAL UPBRINGING AND EVEN

SOME LIMITATIONS ARE IMPOSED ON US BY GOD. THIS

MORNING I WANT TO LOOK SOME WRONG RESPONSES TO LIMITA-

TIONS AND SOME RIGHT RESPONSES TO LIMITATIONS.

ACHIEVEMENT UNUSUALLY DIFFICULT. IT MAY BE A

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL OR INTELLECTUAL

DISABILITY. A LIMITATION IS THE INABILITY TO

PURSUE AN OCCUPATION BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL OR MENTAL

IMPAIRMENT.

Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the

LORD: he is their strength in the time of

trouble. (KJV)

Ps 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver

them: he shall deliver them from the wicked,

and save them, because they trust in him.

Prov 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of

his lips: but the just shall come out of

trouble. (KJV)

Prov 11:8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble,

and it comes on the wicked instead. (NIV)

WE RESPOND TO THOSE PROBLEMS, THOSE CHALLENGES AND THOSE

SETBACKS WILL DETERMINE OUR SUCCESS OR FAILURE. ISN'T

IT ALWAYS INSPIRING TO READ ABOUT SOMEONE WHO INSPITE

OF GREAT LIMITATIONS REACHED SUCCESS IN AN AREA OF

THEIR LIVES. JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS WATCHING A TV

TALK SHOW WHO INTERVIEWED KATHY BUCKLEY WHO WAS BORN

DEAF. NOW HER PARENTS TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD NEVER BE

ABLE TO READ AND SHE WOULD NEVER AMOUNT TO MUCH OF

ANYTHING AND YET TODAY SHE IS A SUCCESSFUL COMEDIAN,

NOT TO THE HEARING IMPAIRED BUT TO THOSE WHO CAN HEAR.

NOW SHE HAS A NOTICEABLE SPEECH IMPEDIMENT BUT SHE HAS A

WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOR. SHE COMMENTED THAT ONE

ADVANTAGE OF BEING DEAF IS THAT SHE IS NEVER INTERUPTED

BY HECKLERS WHEN SHE PERFORMS--SHE SIMPLY CAN'T HEAR

THEM.

LIMITATION. NO ONE WOULD HAVE GIVEN, EVEN A BEAUTIFUL

WOMAN, A CHANCE TO WIN SOMETHING WITH THAT SPEECH IM-

PEDIMENT AND THE INABILITY TO HEAR AND YET DANCE TO A

RECORDED SONG HAVING TO DO IT COMPLETELY BY TIMING AND

FROM MEMORY AND WIN THE COMPETETITION. A STORY LIKE

THAT MAKES EVERYTHING IN ME ASHAMED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT

MY OWN LIMITATIONS AND ON THE OTHER HAND IT INSPIRES ME

TO BELIEVE THAT I CAN OVERCOME MY OWN PERSONAL LIMITA-

TIONS THROUGH HARD WORK AND A COMMITTMENT TO SUCCEED IN

LIFE. LAST NIGHT MARY AND I WATCH 20/20 ABOUT A YOUNG

WOMAN WHO LOST BOTH OF HER LEGS ABOVE THE KNEE WHO WAS

DETERMINED TO WALK ON TWO PROTETHESIS EVEN WHEN THE

DOCTORS SAID IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. THROUGH FURTHER

SURGERY, STRETCHING HER REMAINING MUSCLE OVER THE END

OF THE BONE ON HER LEGS AND SPECIAL PROSTHESIS AND A

SPIRIT THAT WOULDN'T DIE AND A DETERMINATION AND

TENACITY TO WALK AGIAN SHE OVERCAME HER LIMITATION AND

IS ABLE TO WALK. WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO YOU? LISTEN,

WHAT IT SAYS TO ME IS IF SOMEONE ELSE CAN MAKE IT THEN

I CAN MAKE IT TO. SO WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO OVERCOME

OUR LIMITATIONS AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY AREA OF OUR

LIVES.

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in

the temple of my God, and he shall go no more

out: and I will write upon him the name of my

God, and the name of the city of my God, which

is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of

heaven from my God: and I will write upon him

my new name. (KJV)

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit

with me in my throne, even as I also overcame,

and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things;

and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Haggai 2:21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah,

saying, I will shake the heavens and the

earth; (KJV)

Haggai 2:22 And I will overthrow the throne of

kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength

of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will

overthrow the chariots, and those that ride

in them; and the horses and their riders

shall come down, every one by the sword of

his brother. (KJV)

'NT BECOME AN OVERCOMER. NO WE ARE DESTINED TO BE OVER-

COMERS. WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? HAVING ACCEPTED

CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR THERE IS A NEW NATURE IN

YOU THAT WILL LIFT YOU UP OUT OF YOUR SELF-PITY AND

ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRESS FORWARD AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

OF FAITH LAYING HOLD UPON THE PROMISES IN GOD'S WORD

FOR YOU LIFE. FOR EVERY CHANGEABLE LIMITATION THERE IS

A PROMISE IN GOD'S WORD TO CARRY YOU OVER YOUR PROBLEM

AND MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL.

2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea,

and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by

us. (KJV)

2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in

Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; (KJV)

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the

earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (KJV)

2 Pet 1:3 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: (KJV)

2 Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and

precious promises: that by these ye might be

partakers of the divine nature, having

escaped the corruption that is in the world

through lust. (KJV)

SOME ENCOURAGEMENT. WE GET ENCOURAGED WHEN WE SEE

PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS LIKE OURS COME OUT ON TOP. WHY?

BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS TO OVERCOME AND I'M

ENCOURAGED WHEN I HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED

THE SAME THINGS I AM GOING THROUGH AND HAVE ACHEIVED

SOMETHING. LISTEN TO PHILLIPS TRANSLATION 2 COR.4:8-9

"We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never

frustrated, we are puzzeled but never despair, we are

persecuted but we never have to stand it alone. We may

be knocked down but we are never knocked out. SO ONE

REASON FOR THIS NEW SUBJECT MATTER THIS MORNING IS TO

ENCOURAGE YOU. NOW LET'S LOOK AT A FEW OTHER REASONS FOR

TALKING ABOUT OVERCOMING OUR LIMITATIONS.

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye

sons of Jacob are not consumed. (KJV)

2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the

Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

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. (KJV)

LIMITATION IS GROUNDS FOR A BREAKTHROUGH INTO A NEW

LEVEL IF WE ARE WILLING TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS IN OUR

LIVES. CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK, CHANGE THE WAY WE TALK

CHANGE THE WAY WE BEHAVE CHANGE ANYTHING THAT IS

NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN LIFE AND MINISTRY. WE ARE ALL

IN A PROCESS OF CHANGE, WE ARE BEING CHANGED FROM GLORY

TO GLORY EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. NOW THE

BIBLE TELLS US THAT GOD DOES NOT CHANGE SO WE HAVE TO

CHANGE AND BECOME MORE LIKE HIM, TO FULFILL DESTINY TO

BECOME A BIGGER PERSON, AND TO ACHEIVE MORE IN ANY AREA

OF MY LIFE. I HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY WILLING TO CHANGE.

GROUND. NOW THAT BABY ELEPHANT WILL TRY ITS HARDEST TO

GET AWAY BUT AT SOME POINT IN HIS THINKING HE STOPS

TRYING TO PULL THAT STAKE UP. SO THAT WHEN HE'S AN ADULT

HE STAYS STAKED TO A PIECE OF ROPE AND A SMALL WOODEN

PEG. WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT A MATURE ELEPHANTS

TRUNK CAN PICK UP 2000 POUNDS, ONE TON. SO YOU KNOW HE

COULD JERK THAT LITTLE PEG UP WITH ONE LITTLE SNEEZE

BUT HE BELIEVES HE CAN'T SO HE DOESN'T TRY. SO HE

LIVES WITH A LIMITATION IMPOSED ON HIM BY SOMEONE ELSE.

NOW SOME PEOPLE IMPOSE LIMITS ON US, SOMETIMES ITS CULTURE,

OR RACE, IT COULD BE OUR FEATURES, PARENTS, AN AUTHROITY

FIGURE AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE SELF-IMPOSED LIMITATIONS

THAT WE NEED TO OVERCOME. MAYBE YOUR BOUND TO THE

STAKE OF "I TRIED THAT ONCE AND FAILED." BOY YOU

REALLY HUNG IN THERE DIDN'T YOU? YOU TRIED IT ONCE AND

FAILED. YOU SEE, UNLESS WE ARE WILLING TO CHANGE

THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT THESE LIMITATIONS WE WILL

NEVER GROW AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, IN A

CAREER OR IN AN AREA OF MINISTRY AND WE NEED TO KNOW

THAT GOD WANTS US TO BE SUCESSFUL IN EVERY AREA OF OUR

LIVES.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of

thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein

day and night, that thou mayest observe to

do according to all that is written therein:

for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,

and then thou shalt have good success.

THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS OF REVELATIONS WAS EXHORTED TO

OVERCOME AFTER REPENTANCE WAS MADE. TO REPENT SIMPLY

MEANS TO CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT AN AREA OF SIN

IN OUR LIVES. IF WE ARE GOING TO OVERCOME OUR LIMITA-

TIONS THEN WE MUST CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT THEM

OR PERCEIVE THEM TO BE.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen,

and repent, and do the first works; or else I

will come unto thee quickly, and will remove

thy candlestick out of his place, except thou

repent. (KJV)

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be

zealous therefore, and repent. (KJV)

Matt 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand

among them. (NIV)

Matt 18:3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless

you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this

child is the greatest in the kingdom of

heaven. (NIV)

WHEN YOU PAIN LEVEL IS GREATER THAN YOUR COMFORT LEVEL

YOU WILL SUBMIT TO CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE. 2. THE SECOND

REASON PEOPLE CHANGE IS THAT WHEN THEY LEARN ENOUGH

THEY WANT TO CHANGE. I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE,

THAT'S A WONDERFUL PRINCIPLE OR TECHNIQUE THAT I'M

GOING TO APPLY TO BY JOB, MY BUSINESS OR MY CAREER.

DON'T WORK HARDER WORK SMARTER! CHANGE THE WAY YOU DO

SOMETHING WHEN SOMEONE SHOWS YOU AND EASIER OR MORE

EFFICIENT WAY OF DOING IT. 3. PEOPLE CHANGE WHEN THEY

RECEIVE AN INCREASE OF RESOURCES. IF GOD CAN CHANGE MY

THINKING AT THIS LEVEL OF LIMITATION WHEN THE RESOURCES

ARE PUT IN MY HAND I WANT CHANGE AND KNOW I AM ABLE TO

CHANGE AND I WILL CHANGE.

Ps 131:1 LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes

lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great

matters, or in things too high for me. (KJV)

SELF-IMPOSED OR GOD IMPOSED THEIR A SIMPLE FACT OF

REALITY. LUCILLE BALL ONCE SAID KNOWING WHAT YOU CAN'T

DO IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWING WHAT YOU CAN DO.

NEVER BUILD ON YOUR WEAKNESSES ALWAYS BUILD ON YOUR

STRENGTHS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN'T DO.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT I'M GOOD FOR AND WHAT I'M

NOT GOOD FOR. I'M GONNA STAY AWAY FROM WHAT I'M NOT

MADE FOR OR GOD DIDN'T CREATE ME TO DO. SOME OF US

ARE GREAT A VOLUNTEERING FOR EVERYTHING WE ARE NOT

GOOD AT. IF GOD DIDN'T GIVE YOU A BEAUTIFUL VOICE WHY

DO WE HAVE TO SUFFER LISTENING TO YOU EDIFY YOURSELF

WHEN YOU VOLUNTEER TO SING A SPECIAL. VOLUNTEER FOR

SOMETHING THAT CAN RELEASE GOD'S DESIGN UPON YOUR LIFE.

SO CHANGE IS IMPERATIVE WHEN ITS A FACT OF LIFE. A

PROBLEM IS SOMETHING YOU CAN CHANGE BUT REALITY IS THE

WAY YOU WERE CREATED SO STOP TRYING TO BE SOMETHING YOU

CAN NEVER BE.

1 Cor 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many

members, and all the members of that one

body, being many, are one body: so also is

Christ. (KJV)

1 Cor 12:17 child, I spake as a child, I understood as

a child, I thought as a child: but when I

became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Cor 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one

of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

1 Cor 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were

the body? (KJV)

1 Cor 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one

body. (KJV)

TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM AND YET REACH A HIGHER LEVEL OF

SUCCESS. THERE IS NO ONE PASTOR THAT HAS ALL THE GIFTS

OF THE SPIRIT SO HE HAS TO GATHER AROUND HIM A TEAM OF

MINISTERS WHO HAVE DIFFERENT GIFTINGS IN ORDER TO REACH

A HIGHER LEVEL OF SUCCESS AND EFFECTIVENESS. THE SAME

THING APPLIES IN BUSINESS, IN SPORTS AND IN EVERY AREA

OF OUR LIVES. KNOW WHAT YOU CAN'T DO AND SOLICIT

OTHERS TO HELP.

Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we

may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (KJV)

Ps 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the

hand of mine enemies, and from them that

persecute me. (KJV)

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me,

while it is day: the night cometh, when no man

can work. (KJV)

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you, not to

think of himself more highly than he ought

to think; but to think soberly, according

as God hath dealt to every man the measure

of faith. (KJV)

Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace

according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together

and compacted by that which every joint

supplieth, according to the effectual working

in the measure of every part, maketh increase

of the body unto the edifying of itself in

love. (KJV)

CREATED A WHOLE BODY WITH MANY DIVERSE PARTS AND FUN-

CTIONS. ONE PERSON CAN'T DO IT ALL THERE NEEDS TO BE

ALOTT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE SUCCESS OF A BUSINESS,

A TEAM OR A CHURCH. SO WE WILL NEED TO BUILD A TEAM OF

WORKERS WHO CAN COMPLIMENT ONE ANOTHERS STRENGTHS AND

WEAKNESSES. I DON'T NEED TO BRING PEOPLE ON STAFF HERE

AT THE CHURCH WHO CAN DUPLICATE WHAT I AM CAPABLE OF

DOING. I NEED TO BRING PEOPLE INTO AREAS OF MINISTRY

THAT I'M NOT GOOD AT SO THAT WE CAN BE STRONGER AND

MORE EFFECIENT AS A WHOLE. EACH OF YOU HAVE A GIFT, A

MINISTRY AND AN ANNOINTING TO DO SOMETHING THAT I CAN'T

DO OR ANYBODY ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AS WE ALL DEVELOPE

OUR GIFTS AND MININSTRIES WE INCREASE OUR EFFECTIVENESS

AS A CHURCH IN ABERDEEN AND THUS OVERCOME ANY LIMITA-

TIONS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE. YES, WE ARE LIMITED NOW BUT

WE NEED TO BUILD AROUND OUR STRENGTHS JUST LIKE ANY PRO

FOOTBALL TEAM OR BASKETBALL TEAM. THE CHICAGO BULLS

BUILD THEIR TEAM AROUND MICHAEL JORDAN, OR THE DALLAS

COWBOYS BUILD THEIR OFFENCE AROUND EMMIT SMITH. WE

NEED TO BUILD AROUND OUR STRENGTHS IN WORSHIP AND

TEACHING. NOW THAT'S NOT EVERYTHING WE CAN DO BUT WE

ALL MUST DEVELOPE STRENGTHS AND ABILITIES THAT MAKE US

STRONGER AS A CHURCH AND MORE EFFECTIVE IN MINISTRY TO

HURTING PEOPLE. SO WE ARE LIMITED IN OUR GIFTS AND

MINISTRIES.

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least

is faithful also in much: and he that is

unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in

the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to

your trust the true riches? (KJV)

Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that

which is another man's, who shall give you

that which is your own? (KJV)

Prov 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye,

and considereth not that poverty shall come

upon him. (KJV)

NOW ITS NOT SINFUL TO BE RICH OR WEALTHY BUT TRYING

TO BE SUCCESSFUL TO IMPROVE OUR IMAGE IS A SIN. IF YOU

CAN'T AFFORD A PORCHE DON'T GO OUT THERE AND GET INDEBT

OVER YOUR HEAD AND END UP IN BANCKRUPCY COURT. A SMALL

BUSINESS MUST GROW INTO A LARGER ONE. THE ONLY JOB

THAT STARTS OUT ON TOP IS A GAVE DIGGER OR A WELL

DIFFER. THERE IS NO SUCH THING A INSTANTANEOUS SUCCESS

UNLESS YOU ARE SINNING BY PLAYING THE LOTTERY. NO

WE ALL HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES BUT AS WE ARE FAITHFUL IN

THAT WHICH IS LEAST WE WILL BE ENTRUSTED WITH MORE.

1 Thes 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in

trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not

as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our

hearts. (KJV)

Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I

seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men,

I should not be the servant of Christ. (KJV)

URE, AND I'M NOT AN IMMORAL OR UNETHICAL PERSON, I'M NOT

DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL; THEN I'M GONNA PURSUE WHAT GOD

SAID TO ME THE WAY I SEE IT AND AS A RESULT EVERYBODY

WON'T LIKE IT. YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY POLITICALLY,

YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY IN CHRISTIANITY: ITS TOO

LOUD, ITS TOO SOFT, NOT ENOUGH HYMNS, TOO MANY CHORUSES,

TOO MUCH PROPHESY--NOT ENOUGH PROPHESY AND ON AND ON IT

GOES. YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY SO ALL WE CAN DO IS

FOLLOW THE CLEAR VISION GOD GAVE US AND SEEK TO PLEASE

HIM!

John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can

do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the

Father do: for what things soever he doeth,

these also doeth the Son likewise. (KJV)

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear,

I judge: and my judgment is just; because I

seek not mine own will, but the will of the

Father which hath sent me. (KJV)

THEY'RE THE CAUSE FOR DEPRESSION OR LIMITATIONS SIG-

NAL FAILURE OR LIMITATIONS HAVE NO VALUE, OR LIMITA-

TIONS ARE A HANDICAP. SOCIETY SAYS ADMITTING YOUR

LIMITATIONS IS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS BUT JESUS DIDN'T MIND

TELLING EVERYBODY ABOUT HIS TOTAL DEPENDENCE UPON THE

FATHER. HIS NEED TO PRAY, HIS NEED TO REST, HIS NEED

TO EAT OR HIS NEED TO BE ALONE TO SEEK THAT FATHER WILL

AND TIME. AS SOON AS JESUS TOOK ON FLESH HE TOOK ON

SOME LIMITATIONS SHOWING US THAT ITS NOT A SIGN OF

FAILURE, ITS NOT A DISGRACE, AND THAT EVERYBODY HAS SOME

LIMITATIONS. YOUR LIMITATIONS ONLY LIMIT YOU WHEN YOU

RESPOND TO THEM IN A WRONG WAY AND WHEN YOU DO THAT ITS

A SIGN OF IMMATURITY. MATURITY IS THE RIGHT RESPONSE

TO YOUR LIMITATION.

LIMITS. WE WANT TO LERAN HOW TO RESPOND TO OUR LIMIT-

ATIONS IN A RIGHT WAY BUT FIRST LET'S LOOK AT AVOIDING

SOME WRONG RESPONSES TO OUR LIMITATIONS.

AND COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE STRONG

IN THOSE AREAS I WILL LIVE A DEFEATED, FRUSTRATED AND

DEPRESSING LIFE. AND OFCOURSE THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS

TRUE AS WELL. IF I AM COMPARING MY STRENGTH TO OTHER

PEOPLES WEAKNESS I WILL HAVE A FALSE SENSE OF ACCOMP-

LISHMENT AND A PRIDE THAT WILL BRING A QUICK FALL. ITS

JUST NOT WISE TO COMPARE OURSELVES TO OTHERS BECAUSE WE

ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND WE ARE ALL A DIFFERENT LEVELS OF

MATURITY. GOD DOESN'T DEAL WITH US ALL THE SAME WAY

BECAUSE WE ARE ALL INDIVIDUALS IN GOD'S EYES. IF TWO

OF US ARE IDENTICAL ONE OF US IS NOT NECESSARY.

2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the

number, or compare ourselves with some that

commend themselves: but they measuring

themselves by themselves, and comparing

themselves among themselves, are not wise.

TO BRING THEM DOWN TO YOUR LEVEL ITS CHEAPER. DON'T

COMPARE, BE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE.

John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou

wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and

walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when

thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth

thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and

carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (KJV)

John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he

should glorify God. And when he had spoken

this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (KJV)

John 21:21 Peter seeing one of the other team

members said to Jesus, Lord, and

what shall this man do? (KJV)

John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he

tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

follow thou me. (KJV)

MEMBERS, EVERYONE OF THEM IN THE BODY AS IT PLEASES HIM

AND NOT US. I WISH I COULD ING LIKE THAT OR PREACH

LIKE THAT OR WITNESS LIKE THAT. NO! WE MUST KEEP OUR

EYES ON JESUS AND FOLLOW HIM IN A PATH OF DISCIPLE-

SHIP THAT IS PLEASEING TO HIM. SO DON'T COMPARE

BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEBODY WHOSE QUICKER,

SMARTER AND BETTER THAN YOU AND I ARE. IF YOU LIVE

THAT WAY YOU WILL LIVE IN DEPRESSION YOUR WHOLE LIFE!

HOW COME THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOR TWO YEARS AND THEY HAVE

A CHURCH OF 500 AND WE'VE BEEN HERE 9 YEARS AND HAVE A

CHURCH OF 50? KNOCK IT OFF, THAT'S A BAD RESPONSE:

GOD'S NOT DOING IN YOU THE SAME WAY HE'S DOING IN

OTHERS. SO LET'S STOP COMPARING OURSELVES TO OTHERS.

FASTER, SKINNIER OR SMARTER THAN WE ARE. AS LONG AS WE

KEEP OUR EYES ON OTHER PEOPLE SUCCESS AND FEEL INTIDID-

ATED BY THEM WE ARE DOOMED FOR FAILURE. NO MATTER HOW

GOOD SOMEONE ELSE APPEARS TO YOU THEY ALL HAVE LIMITA-

TIONS AND HAVE ALL FAILED AT SOMETHING SOME TIME IN

THEIR LIFE. SO DON'T GET INTIMIDATED BUT REMEMBER THAT

YOU'RE TRYING YOUR BEST WITH WHAT GOD'S GIVEN YOU IN

RESOURCES, TALENT, TIME AND OPPORTUNITY. DON'T BE IN-

TIMIDATED BY ANYBODY.

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power, and of love, and of a sound

mind. (KJV)

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love

that God hath to us. God is love; and he

that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and

God in him. (KJV)

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we

may have boldness in the day of judgment:

because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love

casteth out fear: because fear hath

torment. He that feareth is not made

perfect in love. (KJV)

ARE. GIVING UP AND REFUSING CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS BE-

CAUSE WE CAN'T DEAL WITH OUR LIMITATIONS. FEAR OF

BEING REJECTED IF THEY NO THE REAL ME; I HAD A DIVORCE

OR I HAD A BANKRUPCY; I DON'T HAVE THAT SO THEY PROBABLY

WON'T ACCEPT ME, I CAN'T DO THIS SO THEY WON'T LIKE ME

AND SO THE WHOLE TENDENCY IS TO BACK OUT, GIVE UP,

WITHDRAW AND ISOLATE YOURSELF FROM EVERYBODY. GOD

BUILDS ON RELATIONSHIPS.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the

man should be alone; I will make him an help

meet for him. (KJV)

Ps 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families: he

bringeth out those which are bound with chains:

but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. (KJV)

LONLINESS AS AN INNER EMPTINESS, A PREOCCUPATION WITH

POOR O'L ME, I'M ALL ALONE AND SO BLUE. BUT ALONENESS

ON THE OTHER HAND. IS INNER FULFILLMENT, NOW THAT I'M

ALONE WITH JESUS I CAN RECOVER, REPAIR AND REGROUP.

BUT GENERALLY PEOPLE ISOLATE THEMSELVES FOR FEAR OF

REJECTION, MISUNDERSTANDING OR IF THEY GET TO KNOW THE

REAL ME THERE NOT GONNA LIKE ME. AND THEN THERE ARE

CASES WERE LEADERSHIP DISCIPLINES A MAN OR A FAMILY AND

THEY GET HURT AND UPSET AND LEAVE AND GO SOME WHERE

ELSE. AND AROUND AND AROUND THEY GO UNTIL THEY DEAL

WITH THE ISSUES OF THEIR LIMITATIONS OTHER THAN BY

LEAVING AND ISOLATING THEMSELVES.

Matt 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he

went up into a mountain apart to pray: and

when the evening was come, he was there

alone. (KJV)

John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they

would come and take him by force, to make him

a king, he departed again into a mountain

himself alone. (KJV)

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father

hath not left me alone; for I do always those

things that please him. (KJV)

EVERYBODY CAN REACT IN THIS WAY. LEADERS MANIPULATE

PEOPLE WHEN THEY PUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS ABOVE

THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE OR THEIR ORGAN-

IZATION. HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS FOR LEADERS:

NEXT:

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive

ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and

just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse

us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make

him a liar, and his word is not in us.

THAT HINDERS US FROM FINDING ANSWERS. RECOGNIZING OUR

LIMITATIONS CLEARS THE FOG AWAY AND ALLOWS US TO FIND

SOME ANSWERS. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER ADMIT

THEIR WEAKNESS AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR LIMITATIONS. THEY

DON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE THEM THEY ALWAYS DEFEND THEM-

SELVES. NOW YOU CAN'T HELP PEOPLE LIKE THAT, THEY WILL

BE FOREVER BOUND BY THEIR OWN LIMITATIONS. IF WE MAKE

A MISTAKE WE WILL RATIONAIZE IT AWAY AND NEVER TAKE

RESPONSIBILTY FOR IT. WE BLAME IT ON OUR PARENTS OR AN

ABUSIVE AUTHORITY FIGURE. THE FIRST STEP TO RECOVERY

IN ANYTHING IS ACCEPTING BLAME. AFTER THAT YOU CAN BE

HEALED, DELIVERED AND SET FREE!

WHICH MEANS IN VAIN. A PERSON THAT IS FRUSTRATED IS A

PERSON WHO FEELS THAT ALL HE'S DONE IS IN VAIN. DON'T

RESPOND THAT WAY.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I

live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and

the life which I now live in the flesh I live

by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,

and gave himself for me. (KJV)

Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if

righteousness come by the law, then Christ is

dead in vain. (KJV)

FGRUSTRATE: Strong's # 114 atheteo (ath-et-eh'-o);

from a compound of 1 (as a negative

particle) and a derivative of 5087; to

set aside, i.e. (by implication) to

disesteem, neutralize or violate:

KJV-- cast off, despise, disannul,

frustrate, bring to nought, reject.

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye

stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in

the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain in the Lord

WILL COME TO PASS. WE NEED TO JUST WAIT UPON THE LORD

AND TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART AND NOT LEAN UNTO

OUR OWN PERCEPTION OF THINGS. GIVE GOD TIME TO WORK

AFTER YOU'VE BEEN OBEDIENT. DON'T GET FRUSTRATED,

THAT'S A WRONG RESPONSE TO A LIMITATION.

MOMENT BETWEEN WHEN YOU COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO A

PROBLEM, OR A LIMITATION, AND YOU REALIZE IT WON'T

WORK. THAT'S ABOUT 30 SECONDS. NEVER MAKE A DECISION

BASED ON DESPERATION:

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and

lean not unto thine own understanding. (KJV)

Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall

direct thy paths. (KJV)

SAID, IF GOD WANTS YOU TO LEAVE HE HAS ANOTHER PLACE

FOR YOU. BUT IF GOD WANTs YOU TO STAY HE'S GOT THE

GRACE FOR YOU. OUT OF 100 LEADERS IN THE BIBLE ONLY

25 OF THEM FINISH WELL. ITS NOT HOW YOU BEGIN THAT

MATTERS TO GOD ITS HOW YOU FINISH. DON'T EVER LEAVE

A BUSINESS, A CAREER , A MINISTRY OR A CHURCH UNLESS

GOD HAS ALSO SHOWN YOU WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO.

THE SOLUTION IS NEVER RUNNING AND LEAVING BUT STAYING,

GROWING AND CHANGING.

SOME WRONG RESPONSES TO LIMITATIONS BUT YOU WANT TO

CHANGE AND TO REPENT AND ANCKNOWLDGE THAT THESE AREAS

OF LIMITATIONS INDICATE AN AREA OF YOUR LIFE THAT NEEDS

TO BE HEALED, CHANGED OR DELIVERED FROM. I'M GONNA ASK

THAT YOU COME FORWARD FOR PRAYER THIS MORNING IF YOU

NEED HELP IN ANY OF THESE AREAS. NOW NEXT WEEK WE'RE

GONNA LOOK AT SOME RIGHT RESPONSES TO LIMITATIONS.