"to Be A Winner, You Must Learn How To Lose."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(Philippians 3:7-8) [7] "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." [8] "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

(Genesis 12:8) " And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD."

PREFACE SUMMARY

Let me begin by saying that I received a message from the Lord while seeking wisdom and guidance for our upcoming crusade in Surigao Island, Philippines, starting May 1st, 2024. I received this revelation while preparing for church last Sunday morning. My pastor friend invited me to attend his church near our home to hear one of the church's upcoming ministers.

God whispered before leaving home that morning, "I have a plan." When we arrived at the church, the minister spoke about the Lord's harvest and trusting the plan. While listening to his message, which he delivered in Tagalog and broken English, the Lord whispered to me, "Before you can be a successful winner, you must learn how to lose." This revelation was not just a reminder of a past sermon I had given but a profound understanding of the importance of embracing losses as part of our spiritual journey. It was a call to reflect on my own experiences of loss and how they have shaped me and to share this wisdom with others.

In the book of Genesis, chapter 12, verse 8, there is a reference made to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, who was on his way to offer a sacrifice. The passage mentions that Abraham stopped between two mountain ranges, Bethel and Ai or Hai.

Bethel is often called the house of God, as it was a significant place of worship for the Israelites. Meanwhile, Ai or Hai was a place of ruins, which a previous battle had destroyed. It is believed that Abraham stopped at this location to rest and reflect before continuing his journey.

Abraham was on a journey, just like we are all on a journey called life. Along the way, we encounter different types of people who influence us in various ways. Some people may help and encourage us, while others may use and abuse us. This journey can be challenging, and we may feel like giving up.

In this story, Abraham is faced with a pivotal choice. He could either keep his unwavering focus on his journey or divert his attention to his surroundings, which were ruins. Sometimes in our lives, we may feel like we are in a similar place, surrounded by misery and despair. At such times, it's easy to lose hope and give up.

Beloved, like Abraham, we can trust that God has a plan for our lives. We can rely on His promise to never leave and lead us by His Spirit. We can trust that He will guide us through the difficult times and bring us to a good end. This message of trust in God's plan is a comforting reminder that we are not alone in our journey.

This story resonates with us because we are all on a journey called life. Along the way, we encounter people who either help or hurt us. Sometimes, we face severe trials and feel like giving up. At such times, we have a choice - we can either focus on the misery surrounding us or trust God to lead us to brighter days.

Throughout this message, we will explore valuable insights on dealing with losing and gaining knowledge from our experiences. Although losing can be distressing, it is often necessary for us to become the best versions of ourselves. In conclusion, let us take heart and keep moving forward on our journey, realizing that failure is not the end but a stepping stone toward success. Let us trust that God has a purpose for our lives and will see us through every challenge. By embracing the lessons we learn through losing, we can refine ourselves and become even stronger and more resilient in the face of adversity.

"LEARING HOW TO LOSE REFINES WHO WE ARE."

"Beloved, we all aspire to succeed in our pursuits, but it's important to understand that success is not always guaranteed. Setbacks and failures are normal along the way. These experiences can be discouraging and may make us feel like giving up, but it's crucial to recognize that failure is not the end of the road. Instead, it presents an opportunity for us to learn and grow."