However, these “pieces” will only fit together if the “puzzle frame” is in place. In this illustration, the “frame” means that you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and you are one of his children. Without the “frame” none of the “pieces” will fit.

Once you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you will want to learn how to live the amazing life He has planned for you. Get ready for extreme living as you connect the “pieces” of His plan for you.

Running a Marathon

If you have made the decision to receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you have begun an exciting journey with Christ that will never end.

The Christian life is more like a marathon than a sprint. At the beginning of a race, competitors always feel great and have lots of energy. However, you can’t expect the emotions that you are feeling as you begin your walk with Christ to carry you through when the pressures of daily life are upon you.

Running a marathon requires a great deal of time in training. But training time definitely pays off in helping a runner to run a better race.

In order for you to run your best race for Christ, you also need to spend time in training. It takes daily discipline to put God into our days. Set your sights on Christ at the finish line…and run your race to win! God wants you to be a winner in the Christian life, and is totally committed to your success, and His Holy Spirit will empower you and help you during each mile you run in life.

PROBLEM #1: “I don’t feel forgiven.”
SOLUTION: Read of Jesus’ total forgiveness in lesson 1.

PROBLEM #2: “I find it difficult to trust Jesus with my problems and the details of life.”
SOLUTION: Read about the Holy Spirit’s supernatural help for you in lessons 2 and 3. Jesus is God, and knows everything. He promises to take care of you and meet all your needs because He cares for you. (Remember: needs and wants are different.)

PROBLEM #3: “How can I know God hasn’t forgotten me when I experience trials and down times? If God cares about me, why doesn’t He take my trials away?”
SOLUTION: God’s Word tells us we will experience trials and hardships. (Remember Joni in lesson 3?) Jesus himself and his disciples had many trials and were ultimately killed for their faith. But God was always present through their trials and gave them supernatural peace and joy.

PROBLEM #4: “I keep struggling over and over with the same sins and can’t seem to break free. How does the Holy Spirit give me the power to obey Him?”
SOLUTION: You must choose to trust the Holy Spirit with each thought and deed in your life. Practice Spiritual Breathing (lesson 3). You will never totally eliminate sin in your life, but you can choose at any moment to confess your sin and walk in the total forgiveness and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

PROBLEM #5: “Why don’t I experience the joy and peace Jesus promises to his children?”
SOLUTION: It’s easy for all of us to take our eyes off of Jesus and get discouraged by our own circumstances. Jesus wants us to put our complete trust and hope in Him, not in this world. When our eyes are on Him, He gives us his peace and joy.

PROBLEM #6: “Why aren’t my prayers being answered?”
SOLUTION: Read lesson 5. God promises to answer prayers when they are the result of pure motives and in accordance with his will and purpose. However, God’s ways and timing are not the same as ours, and He answers our requests in the way He determines best. Don’t despair, keep trusting God and bring your requests to Him. Often God answers prayers in ways we don’t understand or realize. Someday we will fully understand his purposes, but until then, we must trust Him, and keep praying

PROBLEM # 7: “I believe Satan or an evil spirit has control over me. How can I be delivered from the forces of evil?”
SOLUTION: Satan has no power over an obedient Christian. While he may attack us, he is powerless when we are walking in the Spirit. However, a Christian who doesn’t wear his armor (read Ephesians 6:10-18) is not protected against Satan’s attacks. The best way to defeat Satan is to walk in total obedience to Christ. In cases of demonic oppression, you should call for the elders of the church to pray for you. Neither Satan nor his demons have any power or authority over you when Christ directs your life. You need to trust God’s Word on that. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

PROBLEM # 8: “How can I live an obedient life in the face of so much temptation?”
SOLUTION: Review lessons 2 and 3 and make sure you have surrendered your life to the Holy Spirit. Obedience will only come if you yield your life to the Holy Spirit moment by moment. Strength to overcome temptation is greatly increased when you read and memorize God’s Word, pray, fellowship with other believers, and share God’s love with others. Begin each day with Him, and breathe spiritually throughout the day.

PROBLEM # 9: “I can’t seem to have victory over sexual sins.”
SOLUTION: God made your body, and He understands your desires. Sex was created by God as a good thing when it is an expression of love between a husband and wife. God’s Word condemns sex outside of marriage, but He still forgives us when we fall. The Christian who has yielded his or her body to God can have complete victory over sexual sin. Satan will attack our thought life and tell us that we can’t win, but God’s power is greater, and He will give victory to those who truly want it. Read Ephesians 6:10-18.

PROBLEM # 10: “I don’t seem to be growing in my walk with Christ.”
SOLUTION: Here is a secret. Most men and women who live godly lives spend time in God’s Word reviewing, and even memorizing, his promises. Then throughout the day they apply them to each situation they face. Living in the power of the Holy Spirit and spending time in God’s Word go hand in hand. “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step” (1 Corinthians 9:26).

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).

If you are truly running to win the extreme prize God has for you, then aim to please Christ by obeying his commands. Jesus said,

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”

The entire Christian life is to be lived by faith, not works. Other religions give lists of rules to follow. But when we see how much God loves us, and that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins, we will want to obey Him. Trusting the Holy Spirit with your life will result in a life of obedience to his Word.

Don’t be disappointed when progress in your Christian walk doesn’t happen as quickly as you want. Christian growth is a lifelong process. God is patient with you, and will never take his love away from you. Remember, the Holy Spirit will give you victory any moment you choose to obey Him.

Many Christians say they trust God with their lives, but refuse to obey his Word. James calls their faith “dead.” The abiding life however, is to be lived by faith, trusting in God’s promises even when we are going through trials and don’t understand how God is answering our prayers. Remember the two circles from lesson 2?

Q Which circle represents your life?

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If Christ is directing your life, it will result in a transformation of both your walk and your talk. In other words, your character will become more like Christ’s character, and your words and actions will sound and look like Him.

The Walk

We have already seen that a life of obedience to Christ is based upon faith in his Word. You and I are totally unable to live the Christian life in our own strength. However, by faith in his promises, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome trials and temptations. As we surrender our lives to Him, He conforms us into his likeness.

Jesus is totally unlike us. Let’s take a look at just a few of the differences:

 In spite of the differences, the Holy Spirit is continually conforming us into Christ’s image. What does Paul tell us in Galatians 4:19?

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Personal Holiness

One of God’s attributes is holiness, which means He is morally pure and righteous, set apart from any unclean thought or deed.

The Holy Spirit is working in our lives to remove all filthiness and lustful thinking

Nancy DeMoss writes, “True holiness starts on the inside–with our thoughts, attitudes, values, and motives–those innermost parts of our hearts that only God can see. It also affects our outward and visible behavior: ‘Be holy in all your conduct.’”

Q What does Peter say in 1 Peter 1:15-16?

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Q What does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20?

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Love for Others

The Holy Spirit is actively at work in giving us his supernatural love for others. His love is forgiving rather than judgmental, patient rather than irritable, and compassionate rather than easily angered and embittered towards others. Corrie ten Boom was only able to love the prison guard who demeaned and abused her when she made the choice to love him by faith.

Many Christians are able to put on a good front, which appears loving, while holding deep grudges and resentments inside. Christ’s love is totally different; it begins on the inside.

Since it is impossible for us to simply improve our sinful natures, our act of obedience is to surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to make us Christ-like.

Q What does Paul say in Galatians 3:3?

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Q What is Paul’s solution in Galatians 2:20?

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Q What does a Christ-centered life look like in Galatians 5:22?

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Q What areas of your walk with Christ have changed to become more like Him?

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Q What areas have not changed that need to be surrendered to Him?

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Q Why not surrender those areas to the Holy Spirit now? List any areas you need to surrender:

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The Talk

You and I as followers of Jesus Christ have the privilege of sharing the good news of eternal life with others. There is tremendous joy in winning other to Christ.

“Jesus came and told His disciples, ‘I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…’” (Matthew 28:18-19).

As you continue your race, remember that Jesus’ command is to all believers…including you! In this lesson you will learn how to invest your life to win others to Christ, thus fulfilling your Lord’s Great Commission.

Q How are you currently investing your life?

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The Three Servants

Jesus told the story of a prince who had left his three servants a huge amount of money to invest for him. He would settle with them when he returned years later. When the time came to settle, and reward them for their faithfulness, the prince asked them for an accounting

The first servant said, “Master, I doubled your money.”

The prince was elated, and said, “Great job! Because you’ve earned me so much on that small investment, I’m going to put you in charge of ten cities!”

The second servant said, “Master, I made a fifty percent return on your investment.” The prince said to him, “I’ll put you in charge of five cities.”

The third servant said, “Master, here’s your money, safe and sound. I kept it hidden in the basement since I was afraid to lose it. I know you…don’t put up with fools.”

The prince was extremely disappointed…and told him, “You’re right that I don’t put up with fools…and you have been a fool! Why didn’t you at least invest the money in a savings so that I would have gotten a little interest on it?”

Then turning to the others standing nearby, the prince ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who earned the most.’ They objected, and said, ‘But master, he already has double…”

The prince then said, “That’s what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.” (Luke 19:12-27, The Message)

Jesus told his disciples this story to give them the picture that God expects a return on our lives. In other words, He wants our lives to “count” for Him.

Life on earth is short. Soon it will be over–then it will be too late to invest your life for Christ.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that when your life is over, you will have the great honor to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and receive rewards for your faithful service to Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10.)

All believers will give an account of their walk with Christ, but unfortunately not all will receive rewards.

Q What does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15?

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Jesus wants you to invest your life for the greatest possible impact for his Kingdom. Like the prince who rewarded the first servant who doubled his investment, Jesus greatly desires to reward you.

Expand Your Territory

In The Prayer of Jabez, author Bruce Wilkinson relates how a relatively unknown man from the Old Testament, Jabez, asked God for “expanded territory” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Jabez wanted to be special for God. He wanted to invest his life for the greatest return. (This book will greatly challenge you.)

D.L. Moody was a man who asked God to expand his territory. He made this statement: “The world has yet to see what one man who is totally sold out to Jesus Christ can accomplish. By God’s grace, I want to be that man!”

Q What “expanded territory” are you asking God to give you?

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A country selects an ambassador to represent them in the highest manner to another land. Great care is made by the King or President to select the finest representative.

Your King has selected you to represent Him. You are God’s choice to reach others for Him. You are Christ’s “witness”.

Your witness for Christ takes two basic forms:

• Witness by your “walk”
• Witness by your “talk”

Walk Before You Talk

One reason to grow in your relationship with Christ is so others can see Christ by your walk. This can have a huge impact on others. Jesus said: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).

** Write down your thoughts on being Christ’s Ambassador:

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Work in Progress

Don’t let the fact that you are a “work in progress” stop you from sharing Christ with others. Satan would love for you to keep silent about your new relationship with Christ.

However, if you are not living for Christ, that behavior will be obvious, and sharing Christ will appear hypocritical to others.

Q Is there anything holding you back from sharing Christ with your friends and others?

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Telling Others the Good News

Have you ever thought about how many people you know, or rub shoulders with who are hurting…and are disillusioned with life? In fact, some get so despondent that they consider ending it all

Q Can you think of some people you have the opportunity to share Christ with?

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Informal Sharing

You don’t have to make a complete presentation of the Gospel to make an impact for Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone who is open to hearing more about Christ:

• Invite a friend to church or a study group you are part of.
• Give your personal testimony.
• Ask someone to join you at a Christian event.
• Introduce a friend to other Christians.
• Give out a Christian book or tract.

The key to informal witnessing is to be available…and to ask God to lead you. He will! He has been waiting for you to ask Him!

Presenting Christ’s Claims Directly

Everyone needs an opportunity to hear the complete story of how much God loves him/her personally. Once you have established a relationship with a person, and “earned the right to be heard,” pray for an opportunity to share Christ with them.

Most people reject Christianity because they really don’t understand what it is all about, or they misunderstand and think it is just “religion”. They don’t realize that it a relationship with their Creator…Jesus Christ! The best way to witness…so that people really understand what the Bible says…is to make a concise presentation of the Gospel with your testimony and biblical references.

In the following area briefly write out your testimony about how you received Christ, and how He has changed you. (Use another sheet of paper if necessary.)

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• Pray
  “Go to God about men…before you go to men about God.” Ask God to prepare the person’s heart and to control you by the Holy Spirit.
• Use a Gospel Tract
  In order to be concise and not get side-tracked, use a good Gospel tract, such as The Four Spiritual Laws, by Bill Bright (New Life Publications), or The Bridge, (Navpress). You can also use lesson 1 of this booklet.
• Use a Bible
  Carry a small Bible with you that has the key verses underlined. It’s best to use a modern translation, such as the New Living Translation. Try to memorize the key verses for each point of the Gospel.
• Share Your Personal Testimony
  Write out your personal testimony, and review it with a friend until you can present it naturally in 3 to 5 minutes. Keep focused on how Christ has changed your life…and how much He means to you. Be enthusiastic…but not phony. Be transparent…and let them know you’re “real”.
• Stay Focused
  You fight a spiritual battle when you share Christ with an unbeliever. There may be unusual interruptions…or the person might try to evade the real issues and get you off track. Pray, and keep focused on Christ’s love…and his death for them on the Cross. Emphasize how important they are to God.
• Ask For A Decision
  As the Holy Spirit leads, expect God to be working in their heart. Ask one of the following questions:

“Does this make sense to you?”

“Would you like to accept God’s Gift?”

“Would you like to make sure?”

“Would you like to ask Jesus into your life?”

• Lead Them In Prayer
  If they are ready to receive Christ, pray with them, using the prayer in your tract, or from lesson 1 in this booklet.

The Next Step

Once a person has come to Christ, it is vital that you show them how the “pieces” of the “puzzle” fit together. Schedule a time to go through this booklet with them.

It is also vital that they immediately get “connected” with other Christians…preferably people they can relate to.

Passing the Baton

When you lead a person to Christ, you are “passing the baton” to them. Teach them from God’s Word the discipleship principle Paul taught Timothy, so they will pass it on to others: “Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

For those who take God’s Word seriously and want to be discipled, it is strongly recommended that you schedule regular meetings (at least every other week), to get deeper into the Bible. Both a small group Bible study and one-on-one discipleship are recommended for a new believer.

Run to Win!

Although this lesson concludes this study, your race goes on! There are many miles to go.

You now see how each “piece” of this “puzzle” is vital for your growth in Christ…all contributing to the extreme life God wants you to live.

Marathon runners often get weary during the long race. Some quit. Those who finish strong are focused on the finish line, the satisfaction of doing well, and the prize ahead.

God’s Word tells you how to finish strong: “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down…And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (Hebrews 12:12).

Q What weight is slowing you down?

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Q What changes have you made to assure a well run race?

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Q What’s the most important thing you have learned in this study?

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So…are the pieces coming together?

By now you should have a good understanding of what the “picture” of the completed “puzzle” looks like.

When Christ is the center of your life, everything will be different. Your life will be full of joy and peace. You will want to please Him. God will give you love for other people, even your enemies.

God can take ordinary people like you and me and make our lives truly extreme. This is the life God promises to every believer who trusts and obeys Him.

“By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope” (Ephesians 3:20).

Are you ready to risk it all for Christ? He is completely trustworthy…and will be with you in every mile of your race…even when you are weary and feel like quitting.

“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

It is the will of God that you keep on running. Run well, and receive the prize! (1 Corinthians 9:24-26).

God has great plans for you! (See Jeremiah 29:11.)

During his time in prison, he was approached by a young prisoner named Ricky Lopez, who told David that regardless of what he had done, Jesus loved him and died for him.

Ricky gave David a Bible. As David Berkowitz read the Bible, God’s power began breaking him of his addiction and bondage. In time, the Word of God brought him to a point of complete repentance—and the “Son of Sam” surrendered his life completely to Christ.

Today, David Berkowitz is the Chaplain’s Assistant at Sullivan Correctional Facility. (Read this, and other stories of God’s transforming power, in Fresh Power, by Jim Cymbala.)

David Berkowitz was transformed because he replaced man’s viewpoint with God’s viewpoint. And, he believed God’s viewpoint! He put the right “stuff “ in his ”Vat”.

So…are you letting God’s Word change your ”Vat”…and your life?

Getting rid of the “junk” in your ”Vat”, and replacing it with God’s Word takes time. The amount of time you commit to the Bible is probably the single best indicator of your walk with Christ, and the best predictor of your future growth in Christ.

“Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts, and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other…” (Colossians 3:16).

All the “pieces” of the “puzzle” required to make your life in Christ extreme…depend on your commitment to God’s Word.

As you run the race God has set ahead of you, make sure your roots are deeply planted in God’s Word…just like this tree that survives and grows out of the dry rock…because its roots tap deep into the soil below.

**Read Psalm 1:1-3 and write your thoughts:

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Q How are your roots doing?

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Do you want great relationships? Amazing relationships? Extreme relationships? God wants that for you too. And, his Holy Spirit makes such relationships possible.

Extreme relationships with others will occur as you abide in Christ…and join other believers who are training together to be winners in God’s great race. Christian fellowship is a vital “piece” of the “puzzle” you will want to make a continual priority.

The Apostle Peter told the early believers to think of themselves as part of a building…with Jesus being the “chief cornerstone”.

“And now God is building you, as living stones into His spiritual temple…You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession” (1 Peter 2:5, 9).

God is saying wonderful things about you as one of his children. He is saying that you and all other believers are:

• Living Stones in His Spiritual Temple
• A Chosen People
• A Kingdom of Priests
• His Very Own Possession
• Citizens of God’s Holy Nation

It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, how smart you are, how pretty you are, what gender you are, or how wealthy or important you are…you are part of Christ’s body with believers from all time. You are a full citizen in God’s Country…heaven! (See Ephesians 2:19.)

** Your thoughts:

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Christ’s Local Body

You, along with all other Christians of all time make up the body of Christ, the Church. The Bible also calls a local gathering of believers a “church.” Jesus made a promise to you and me. When we come together, with Him as our focus…He is there: “For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20).

The commitment of the early church was so strong, and their love for one another so great, that within three hundred years, Christianity had spread throughout the entire Roman Empire. Those Christians truly changed their world for Christ!

Example of the Early Church

To get an understanding of how committed the early Christians were to one another, read the Book of Acts in the New Testament.

Q What stands out the most to you in your reading of the book of Acts?

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Q How important were the other believers to Paul, Peter, and the other Apostles?

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Q How important are other believers to you?

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Q What are you doing to develop relationships with other believers?

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Getting Connected

One of the main reasons so many Christians live defeated lives is that they have isolated themselves from other believers. Paul told the early Christians that they were each vital “parts” of the “body of Christ”.

Every part of your body is important. If your little toe hurts, it can make your day miserable. The invisible parts, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys are vital for the life of the entire body. It is similar in the body of Christ.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, and write what Paul said about each part of the “body”:

Q Who is the “HEAD”?

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Q Who are the “MEMBERS”?

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Q Are any “MEMBERS” insignificant?

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Q What are some of the most important “PARTS”? (v.22)

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When you are joined together with other believers who are growing in Christ, you encourage one another, and keep each other “fired up” in your mutual faith. You enjoy each other’s company and build meaningful relationships together.

Coming together with other believers in Christ’s name is similar to hot coals, which keep each other hot when lumped together. However, a coal that is separated from the others will soon grow cold.

Q Who gave you your gifts? (v.11)

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Q Which gift is most important? (v.21-23)

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Q What are you warned against? (v.25)

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Q What are you to do for others? (v.26)

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Satan is very clever in convincing many Christians that they are not important to Christ’s work on earth. Many leave the job of doing God’s work to those with gifts that are more obvious…such as the speaking gifts. God’s Word is clear that each gift is vital to his Kingdom!

The entire body of Christ is commissioned and gifted to accomplish Jesus’ Great Commission…to “go into all the world and tell the Good News to everyone”. With God, there is no distinction between clergy and laity.

In one way, your role in the church is similar to a player on a basketball, football, or soccer team. Unless each player uses his skill and talent to play, the game could be lost. To win, each player must do his job well. As an important part of God’s winning team, you need to play the position He has gifted you to play!