Can we make an IMPACT in our lives??? Of course we can! We must first get a hold of our lives and get close to the one that we need to make an impact for. CHRIST! Have you ever met someone that wanted to make an IMPACT in something that was important to them?

Sports - they worked, practiced, ran extra laps, lifted more weights, read (and tried) the latest trends on training, and tried to continually improve in their chosen goal.

The business world - they put in extra hours, played up to the boss, brought gifts, did favors, ate, slept, lived for the advancement of their goal of making an impact in the business world. Can we do less?????

Students who set goals to reach a plateau, grade, or honor? They will do extra homework, let their social life suffer, study when they have studied over and over again, etc. Anything that they can do they will try. It doesn't matter if it requires sacrifice, loss of sleep, etc. they will do what it takes to make an impact!!!

What about Christians? Are they committed to doing what it takes to make an impact with their lives for the Lord??? Do we have time for the Lord or are we making an IMPACT in our other life???? What about you are you making an impact for CHRIST???

The first thing that we need to do is to realize that before we make an IMPACT for Christ in any area we must first make an IMPACT in our own life!!!!! HOW????

The ABC's of Making an Impact in Your Life  -  Romans 12:1-21
 I. Acknowledge Christ in your life (there can be no IMPACT outside of Him)

A. Actively seek Him

1. Desire to really know Him
2. Deliver yourself to Him

B. Actively serve Him

1. Not in name only
2. Not just out of duty - but out of love, joy, etc.

C. Actively strengthen ties to Him.

1. Place your life in Him First!
2. Place Him First in your life!

A. Your present standing with Christ

1. Effect on your loved ones and others
2. Eternal resting place that awaits you.

B. Your present path you are traveling down

1. End result of your lifestyle - here on this earth
2. Is this the path that Christ would have you take??

C. Your present goals in this life

1. Are they conducive to a close life to Christ?
2. Are they worldly based or spiritually based?

A. Reject unneeded (as a Christian) thoughts and ideas.

1. Satan's tool to keep us from impacting yours and others lives.
2. Do/give your all for Him to the point of letting go of the world

B. Remove unneeded habits and actions in your life that hinder your making an impact for Christ.

1. If we have anything in our lives that prevent our serving Him we need to lose them!
2. Wanting to IMPACT your life for Christ means letting go!

C. Redo ABC

1. Actively seek Him and His ways
2. Begin to practice self-examination
3. Change unneeded hindrances through His help!

Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist - 100696am