Winning The Game Of Life Super Bowl

For what shall it profit a man, though he should win the whole world, if he lose his soul? Mark 8:36 (GNV)

• The essential ingredient to win the Game of Life? FAITH

 Everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. It is our faith that wins the victory against the world. 1 John 5:4 (ICB)

1.   CHEER up.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith… Hebrews 12:1a (NLT)

Noah ______________________________________________________

Abraham ___________________________________________________

Moses _____________________________________________________

Rahab _____________________________________________________

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)

2. LIGHTEN

…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…  Hebrews 12:1b (NIV)

• Two essential questions to ask myself:

WHAT SIN DO I NEED TO ADDRESS IN MY LIFE?

WHAT OTHER THINGS IN MY LIFE COULD HINDER MY RACE?

3. LOOK

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NLT)

Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. ²⁵ Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. ²⁶ So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (GW)

4.   TOUGHEN up.

You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven’t killed you. Hebrews 12:4 (GW)

Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise, I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (TLB)

Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7b (NIV)

5.   LISTEN up.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. ⁶ For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

6.   WISE up.

Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?                         Hebrews 12:8 (NLT)

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. Proverbs 9:12 (NLT)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. Proverbs 11:30 (CJB)

7. TEAM
   

   up.

You have become weak, so make yourselves strong again. Hebrews 12:12 (NCV)

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, ⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV)