Six Lessons from a Turkey Farmer – September 2, 2018

1. You will never grow to maturity unless you learn how to train yourself with solid food
   
   Hebrews 5:11-14
   “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teaches, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.”
   
    
2. The only thing that should be coming out of your mouth should be the building up of one another
   
   Ephesians 4:29
   “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
   
    
3. Our sin can have a negative contagious impact on others
   
   1 Corinthians 5:6
   “Your boasting is not good.  Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?”
   
    
4. Nothing can separate us from the love of God
   
   Romans 8:37-39
   “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
   
   
    
5. There are those who claim to be Christians, but in reality, they are not
   
   Revelation 3:1
   “These are the words of Him who holds the seven spirits of god and the seven stars.  I know our deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
   
   
   Matthew 7:21
   “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who dos the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
   
    
6. Gratitude is a mindful awareness of the benefits of life
   
   Philippians 4:6-7
   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“Gratitude is a mindful awareness of the benefits of life.  It is the greatest of virtues.  Studies have linked the emotion with a variety of positive effects.

Grateful people tend to be more empathetic and forgiving of others.  People who keep a gratitude journal are more likely to have a positive outlook on life. 

Grateful individuals demonstrate less envy, materialism, and self-centeredness.

Gratitude empowers self-esteem and enhances relationships, quality sleep, and longevity.

If it came in pill form, gratitude would be deemed the miracle cure.”  Max Lucado

Next Steps:

1. Contemplate which lesson seems to hit home in your life
2. Confess the issue honestly to the Lord and ask for clarity to take some positive steps towards greater victory in the specific area.
3. Invite accountability with somebody you trust.
4. Memorize the scripture that was attached to each lesson.