Catalyst Church of Carrollton

Planting on Purpose

How To Build A Life and Live The Abundant Life:

Plan/Prepare.

“If you want to build a tower, you first sit down and decide how much it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job. If you don’t, you might lay the foundation, but you would not be able to finish. Then all who would see it would make fun of you, saying, ‘This person began to build but was not able to finish.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NCV‬‬

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT

“A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.” Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭GNT‬‬

“A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.” ‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Plow. 

“Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.” Proverbs‬ ‭20:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Recognize/Own Your Season. 

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Be Intentional-

What are you planting?

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians‬ ‭6:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Where are you planting? 

He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Matthew‬ ‭13:3-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:18-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 Don’t give up on this season. 

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NLT

Reinterpret Your Life

How you interpret your life will define your life. 

Reinterpret- 

Your Present. 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:2-5‬ ‭NIV‬ (Vs. 6 NKJV)

Your Mountain Tops. 

“This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭9:23-24‬ ‭NLT

Your Mistakes. 

“When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Impossible. 

‬“...So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭NIV

Lions, Tigers, and ____

Fear causes you to-

Fight when you should flee. 

“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:22-24‬ ‭NLT

"… When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” Genesis‬ ‭39:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Flee when you should fight. 

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians‬ ‭6:11-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Freeze. 

“But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?” Joshua‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.” 1 Kings‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Faith is the answer.  

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NCV

Unlocking Answers for Our Mysteries

Ask God into your life and show you who he really is!

Romans 10:9 (NIV) If we declare with your mouths that “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Ask God to baptize you and fill you with the Holy Ghost and power!

Luke 24:49 (NLT) and now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my father promised but stay here until the Holy Spirit comes, and fills you with power from heaven!

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)   1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Use the tools he’s shown us in the Word!

Mark 11:23-24 (NIV) “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”

Romans 4:17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

References :
Romans 10:17
2 Corinthians 5:17
Joel 3:10
Matt 8:10
Mark 5:28
John 4
Matt 4:4
Rev 12:11
John 8:32

Come Get You Some

The Presence/Power of God. 

“But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. When I go away, I will send the Helper to you. If I do not go away, the Helper will not come.” John‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭NCV‬‬

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…”Acts ‭2:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Galatians‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Obedience. 

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to OBEY all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭NLT

Faith/Faithfulness.

TAKE YOURS BACK

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…‭‭ Psalms‬ ‭23:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

GET YOURSELF TOGETHER. 

“Joab was told that the king was crying and mourning Absalom. So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops because they heard that day that the king was grieving for his son. So that day the troops crept back into the city like soldiers creep back ashamed after they’ve fled from battle. The king covered his face and cried out in a loud voice, “Oh, my son Absalom! Oh, Absalom, my son! My son!” Joab came to the king inside and said, “Today you have humiliated all your servants who have saved your life today, not to mention the lives of your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your secondary wives, by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you! Today you have announced that the commanders and their soldiers are nothing to you, because I know that if Absalom were alive today and the rest of us dead, that would be perfectly fine with you! Now get up! Go out and encourage your followers! I swear to the LORD that if you don’t go out there, not one man will stick with you tonight—and that will be more trouble for you than all the trouble that you’ve faced from your youth until now.” So the king went and sat down in the city gate. All the troops were told that the king was sitting in the gate, so they came before the king. 2 Samuel‬ ‭19:1-8‬ ‭CEB‬‬

GET YOURSELF UP. 

Then David rose from the ground, bathed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He entered the LORD’s house and bowed down. Then he entered his own house. He requested food, which was brought to him, and he ate. “Why are you acting this way?” his servants asked. “When the child was alive, you fasted and cried and kept watch, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat food!” David replied, “While the child was alive I fasted and wept because I thought, Who knows? The LORD may have mercy on me and let the child live. But he is dead now. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? No. I am going where he is, but he won’t come back to me.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭12:16-23‬ ‭CEB‬‬

TAKE YOUR PEACE BACK. 

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬ 

TAKE YOUR FREEDOM/FAITH BACK.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

King Me

You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them…Exodus‬ ‭20:3-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

God Will Let You Wear Yourself Out. 

“Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭8:5-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You Throw Spears. 

“This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice. Saul was then afraid of David, for the Lord was with David and had turned away from Saul.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18:7-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“But one day when Saul was sitting at home, with spear in hand, the tormenting spirit from the Lord suddenly came upon him again. As David played his harp, Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭19:9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God Won’t Bless It When It’s About You. 

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God! “What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. For the sake of your servant, O Lord, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known. And now, it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, so that it will continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing, O Lord, it is an eternal blessing!” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭17:16-19, 27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭MSG‬‬

It’s Your Season To Get Up

Acts 3:1-10 KJV

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Missing Out

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:17-31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Surrender sets you up/apart.

“The teaching about the cross is foolishness to those who are being lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. It is written in the Scriptures: “I will cause the wise to lose their wisdom; I will make the wise unable to understand.” Where is the wise person? Where is the educated person? Where is the skilled talker of this world? God has made the wisdom of the world foolish. In the wisdom of God the world did not know God through its own wisdom. So God chose to use the message that sounds foolish to save those who believe. The Jews ask for miracles, and the Greeks want wisdom.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:18-22‬ ‭NCV‬‬ 

Surrender keeps you safe/keeps you from straying. 

“Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1‬ ‭NCV‬‬ 

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Surrender supplies you peace/strength. 

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭NKJV

You either step out of your comfort zone or you’ll never grow out of your comfort zone.

“He then said, “God’s word: Dig ditches all over this valley. Here’s what will happen—you won’t hear the wind, you won’t see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill…. ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Missing Opportunities

Opportunities to Surrender-

Everyday.

“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Stressed. 

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Short.

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:29-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Impossible. 

“Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke‬ ‭18:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Risks. 

“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Acts‬ ‭9:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Hurt.

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭42:1-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sin.

“If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and we do not accept God’s teaching.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:8-10‬ ‭NCV

Victories.

“Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.” James‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Your Greatest Blessings.

“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” Genesis‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

Yourself. 

“Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, I give you my life.” After Jesus said this, he died.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:46‬ ‭NCV‬‬‬‬