Romans 12:1-2

1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

World English in Bold 

Lee Delbridge’s Comments in Italics

1Therefore (chapter twelve begins the “so what” part of the book of Romans. We are lost sinners and Jesus died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins and offered us the free gift of eternal life. If we accept that free gift then this is how we should live; Romans 6:23 is a good summary of what Paul wrote in chapters 1-11; chapters 12-16 of Romans explains how a sinner saved by grace should live) I urge (encourage) you, brothers (fellow Christians), by (because of) the mercies (mercy means that God does not punish us for our sins with eternal separation from Him) of God, to present (give) your (physical) bodies (as) a living (not dead, but living — as an ongoing and continual) sacrifice (a sacrifice in the Old Testament was when you killed an animal as an offering to God), holy (set apart from the world and set apart to God), acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service (of worship). 2Don’t be conformed (Greek present tense which means an ongoing continual process; don’t be squeezed into it’s mold) to this world (the sinful anti-God practices of this age; see I John 2:15-17), but be transformed (Greek present tense which means an ongoing continual process; changed like metamorphosis — like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly) by the renewing (replacing the old with new) of your mind (thoughts and meditations), so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Additional Notes from Lee Delbridge

As a result of what God has done for you, you should be totally sold out to Him — both body and mind. If Jesus died for you, then you should live for Him. This is the only reasonable response. You worship Him by giving yourself as a living, ongoing, continual sacrifice to Him.

The Rest of the book of Romans in Application as it applies to special areas.

Romans 12:3-8 What That Means in the Church – discover your giftedness and use it to glorify God and serve others

Romans 12:9-21 What that means in relationship with other people. Your goal is to overcome evil with good.

Romans 13 What that means in relationship to the government under which you live. Always obey your government unless what it commands conflicts with what God commands.

Romans 14-15. What that means in relationship with weaker Christians. Try your best never to do anything that will hurt the spiritual life of a weaker Christian but always try to help them.

Three Bible Verses – Three Questions

Three Verses / Three Questions

What Amazing Promises Does God Make?

What Did God Do To Make This Possible?

What Conditions Must I Meet In Order To Receive What Is Promised?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Romans 10:9

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

How To Improve Your Devotional Time

How To Improve Your Devotional Time

By Lee Delbridge

A good devotional time will greatly improve your Christian life. Here are a few suggestions on how to have a better devotional time.

Suggestions for Bible Study

1. Select one or two good translations as your regular Bibles (NASB, ESV, NLT, NIV)

2. Learn a broad overview of the Bible (OT History, OT Poetry, OT Prophecy, NT History, NT Letters, NT Prophecy)

3. Realize we live under the NT

4. Memorize the Ten Commandments and the two greatest commandments

5. Learn a little at a time, step by step

6. Ask the reporters’ questions – Who, What, Where, When, Why, How and So What

7. Use cross references and allow the Bible to explain the Bible

8. Use study Bibles and commentaries, but place more emphasis on your own understanding of the passage. The Bible text is inspired by God, the commentary is someone’s opinion on what it means. Your opinion is as good as their if you have truly studied the passage.

9. Read repeatedly, write notes, review/expand your notes

10. Do most of your Bible study in private, do some of your Bible study in groups

11. You can have a favorite method of study, but vary your study method sometime (topical, biographical, by chapter, by book, etc)

12. Meditate on what you studied

13. Apply what you learn to your life

14. Personalize a passage (example personalize John 3:16)

15. Test every teacher every time (Acts17:11)

Suggestion for Effective Prayer

1. Pray Early Mark 1:35

2. Pray Often Luke 5:16

3. Pray About Everything Philippians 4:6-7

4. Prayer in Jesus Name John 14:13

5. Pray For God’s Will To Be Done I John 5:14

6. Pray “Closet” Prayers Matthew 6:6

7. Pray With Thanksgiving I Thessalonians 5:17-18

8. Pray Expecting An Answer Matthew 7:7

9. Pray Christ Centered / Bible Based Prayers John 15:7

Back to Basics

Back to Basics

Introduction

As we begin the process of getting back to a normal life, let’s make sure we get back to basics in out spiritual life. In sports, in business and in life the victory usually goes to the one who does the basics best!

Put God First

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Treat Others Like You Would Like To Be Treated

Luke 6:31

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

Study the Bible

II Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Pray

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Find and Fill Your Place of Service

I Peter 4:10-11

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the

glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Conclusion

Let’s get back to basics in our spiritual life. Getting back to basics includes

1. Put God First

2. Treat Others Like You Would Like To Be Treated

3. Study the Bible

4. Pray

5. Find and Fill Your Place of Service

Things To Do

1. Read one chapter in the New Testament at least five days each week. Take notes. Make application to your life. (If you do you will read the entire New Testament in one year from the time you start.)

2. Read one chapter in the book of Proverbs at least five days each week. Take notes. Make application to your life. (You will read the book of Proverbs several times in a year from the time you start.)

3. Read the Christian Programming statements aloud every morning.

4. Prioritize and Balance your activities. You cannot do everything so make sure you do the most important things. Do first things first. You don’t give the same amount of time to every area of your life but you must give some time to every area. The areas of your life include spiritual, family, career, physical, financial, mental, recreational, and social.

5. Make a great commitment to the great commandments (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Put God first. Love your neighbor as yourself. Tell others about Jesus.

6. Discover your life purpose. God has a purpose for your life. You are on earth for a reason. God wants to use you the way He made you. Know God. Know yourself. Know your life purpose.

7. Attend church regularly.

8. Give a certain amount of your income to the church and/or God’s work.

9. Spend quality time with your family.

10. Whatever you do, do well.

Scriptures to Use During the Tough Times

Pray Instead of Worry

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You Can Handle Whatever Happens

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

God Will Work It Out For Your Benefit Eventually

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

God Can Use the Tough Time To Strengthen You Spiritually

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

God Is With You Through It All

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Your Joy Comes From God, Not From Your Circumstances

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom

And there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls,

18 Yet I will exult in the LORD,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord GOD is my strength,

And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.

For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

It Is Good If It Works Out Where The Gospel Is Preached

Philippians 1:12-18

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Lee’s Personal Testimony

(Lee Delbridge’s Personal Testimony)

Recently I dreamed that I was taking a college-level course and was given an assignment to write a paper. The topic was something that had happened to me and how it affected me. I decided to write about my entire Christian experience. There are three parts: (1) What happens to me when I die; (2) What I should do while I am alive and still in fairly good health; and (3) What I should do if I become unable to do what I want to do because of my health.

When I Die

A person is not ready to live until he is ready to die (Hebrews 9:27). I realize that I am a sinner (Romans 3:23) and that my sins separate me from God. The wages of sin is death and separation from God (Romans 6:23a; Isaiah 59:2). Even though I am a sinner, God loves me and Jesus died for me (Romans 5:8). Jesus took the punishment for my sins upon Himself when He died on the cross (Isaiah 53:6). When I accepted Jesus as my Savior by faith in Jesus, repented of my sins, confessed Jesus publicly, and was baptized by immersion into Him (Romans 6:23, 10:9; Acts 2:38), the payment Jesus made on the cross was applied to my account. My sins were punished on Him and I received His righteousness (Philippians 3:9). Jesus paid it all. I accepted His offer of free salvation, but I did not add any value or merit to the transaction. I am going to heaven totally because of Jesus!!! My “ticket” to heaven is Jesus. It is not Jesus and Lee – just Jesus. I have assurance of salvation because I am trusting in Jesus alone (I John 5:11-13). It took several years after becoming a Christian before I understood the fact that Jesus took the punishment for my sins. Thank you Jesus for the free gift of eternal life.

While I Am Alive and Still in Fairly Good Health

I believe God wants me to grow spiritually and become more like Jesus (I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18a). According to Acts 2:42 there are four activities involved in spiritual growth: (1) Bible study, (2) fellowship with other Christians, (3) partaking of the Lord Supper regularly and (4) prayer. No one is perfect and we all continue to sin, but my intention is to be like Jesus. I fail miserably and am ashamed of my sins. In the Bible we are taught how to deal with sin. There are three steps: (1) Recognize sin as sin. (2) Repent of that sin. (3) Replace that sin with the Holy Spirit’s opposite equivalent. It is a sin when I violate a Biblical principle (I John 3:4; James 4:17; Romans 14:23). When I became a Christian I received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). With His help I should be able to live a more Christ-like life. I am disappointed in myself that I often fail in this area. Nine opposite equivalents, called the fruit of the Spirit, are listed in Galatians 5:22-23. After I repent of my sin, I should allow the Holy Spirit to replace that sin with the opposite equivalent – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and/or self-control. This battle against sin is a lifelong battle. I will never be totally like Jesus, but I should die trying.

If I Become Unable to Do What I Want to Do Because of My Health

My hope is that God will take me home while I am still able to do what I love doing (studying and teaching His Word); but if not, it is OK. Because of the curse of sin, we all get older and our health deteriorates. Like most people, I don’t like the fact that I am “going downhill” and am not able to do the things I used to do. My body is not as young as it used to be. My memory is not as good as it used to be. I love memorizing Bible verses and preaching without notes, but both of those things are getting more difficult. The Bible teaches that God will not allow anything to happen to me that He and I together cannot handle (I Corinthians 10:13). The Bible also teaches that God will eventually work all things out for my benefit (Romans 8:28) – all things, the good and the bad. God is in charge as to when I will die. I trust Him to do what is best for all concerned in all stages of my life.

I believe God has gifted me and has called me to teach His Word to as many people as possible. God created everything and everybody with and for a purpose – and gifted them so they could accomplish that purpose (Proverbs 16:4; I Peter 4:10-11). I love to study the Bible and teach it to other people. I believe that my primary gift is teaching. That is my passion. I believe that passion was put there by God and He expects me to do that as long as He grants me good health.

Conclusion

This has been a personal testimony, so it’s been about me. But what is true about me is also true about you. You too are a lost sinner in need of Jesus as your Savior. You too must accept Jesus as your Savior if you expect to go to heaven when you die. You, like me, were created with and for a purpose. God wants you to be saved, sanctified, and serving. Jesus died for you; and if you accept Him in the way the Bible teaches, you will have eternal, God-quality life. The Bible teaches that once you are saved you should grow spiritually, becoming more and more like Jesus. The Bible also teaches that God gave you service gifts that can be used to glorify Him and serve people. So, you have a purpose for living and assurance that when you die you will go to heaven to be with God. It is a win-win situation! If you live, you use your God-given giftedness to glorify Him and serve people. If you die, you go and spend eternity with Him. Paul taught this idea in Philippians 1:21-24. You should evaluate your life to determine where you are. If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that is the first and most important thing to do. Do it now. If you have already accepted Jesus as your Savior, then you should make sure you are growing spiritually and becoming more and more like Him. This growth process is an ongoing lifelong struggle. You should also discover your God-given giftedness and how you can use it to glorify Him and serve people. If your health is failing and you are no longer able to do the things you love to do, you need to accept that fact and trust God – knowing that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). This is true even in a sin-cursed world.

Let’s Review One More Time As It Applies to You

1. You are a sinner and sin separates you from God.  The first and most important thing you should do is to receive Jesus as your personal Savior (Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9; Acts 2:38, 2:42).

2. After you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you should begin a lifelong process of spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18a).  Four elements in that growth are Bible study, fellowship with other Christians, partaking of the Lord’s Supper regularly and prayer (Acts 2:42).  Your goal is to become more like Jesus.

3. You should discover your own God-given giftedness and find out where and how you can use that giftedness to glorify God and serve people (I Peter 4:10-11). You should live a purpose-driven life.

4. As you grow older, continue to do what you can do – but accept your own limitations with complete faith in God. Trust God to work it all out. He is God in the good times and in the bad times. He is God when you are young and healthy; and He is God when you are old and unhealthy.

Christian Assurances

There are at least eight assurances that every CHRISTIAN has that should be reviewed offen. They include the following:

Assurance of Salvation Through Jesus Alone

I John 5:11-13

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Assurance of Victory Over Sin

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Assurance of Forgiveness of Sin

I John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Assurance That God Cares For You

I Peter 5:7

casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Assurance of God Hears Our Prayers

I John 5:14

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Assurance That God Will Work All Things Out For Our Good

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Assurance That God Uses Our Troubles To Benefit Us

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Assurance That The Bible is the Sure Guide to Life

II Timothy 3:15-17

And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

How To Overcome Sin

Introduction

Jesus saved us from the penalty for sin when we became Christians. We will not have to experience the “second death” which is separation from God for all eternity. Jesus will one day save us from the presence of sin when he takes us home (heaven) to live with Him. Whether we die first or He returns, we will go to be with Him. Nothing evil or sinful will enter into the eternal dwelling. We will be away from sin and evil. Jesus also provides a way for us to be saved from the power of sin. The Bible presents a very simple plan to overcome the power of sin in our everyday life. Here’s how:

(1) Recognize sin as sin

(2) Repent of that sin and ask God to forgive you

(3) Replace that sin by allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life.

Recognize sin as sin

We humans have a strong tendency to be able to see everybody else’s sin but our own. We will loudly put down the person who lies to us and never even consider the fact that it may be just as bad a sin for us not to forgive that person. We may be angry with a person for mistreating us and know that he has sinned; but we may not recognize that anger we have is also a sin. (There is such a thing as righteous anger, but most of us have never experienced that kind.)

Study the following Scriptures and make a list of all the sins that are mentioned. The Scriptures are: Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:28-31; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 4:25-31; Revelation 21:8.

Go through the list of sins and mark each one that you have a problem with. Be completely honest with yourself as you do this. Some of the sins listed in these passages are listed below.

___Evil thoughts ___Fornications ___Thefts ___Murder

___Adultery ___Coveting ___Deceit ___Sensuality

___Envy ___Slander ___Pride ___Foolishness

___Idolatry ___Effeminate ___Homosexuality ___Drunkenness

___Reviling ___Swindlers ___Lying ___Stealing

___Bitterness ___Wrath ___Anger ___Unwholesome Words

___Malice ___Unforgiveness ___Unbelief ___Cowardly

___Immorality ___Sorcerers ___Unrighteousness ___Wickedness

___Greed ___Gossip ___Strife ___Haters of God

___Insolent ___Arrogant ___Boastful ___Untrustworthy

___Unloving ___Unmerciful ___Inventors of Evil ___Disobedient To Parents

Repent of your sins

Repentance is a change of the mind caused by a sorrow for sins leading to a reformation of life. It includes being sorry for the sin you committed but sorrow by itself is not repentance. Repentance also includes a sincere intention of not committing that sin again. You pray and ask God to forgive you. As you pray you also ask God to replace that sin with the fruit of the Spirit that is the “opposite equivalent” of the sin.

Replace the sin with the fruit of the Holy Spirit

For every sin there seems to be an “opposite equivalent” of it that the Holy Spirit will produce in my life when I allow Him to control me. Some of these are very obvious. For the sin of hatred there is love. For unforgiveness there is forgiveness. For sexual immorality there is morality and sexual purity.

Study the following Scriptures and make a list of all the good traits that are mentioned. The Scriptures are: Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14; Romans 12:9-21. These qualities are evident in our lives when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us. The Bible calls this being filled with the Spirit. Some of those qualities are:

___Love ___Joy ___Peace ___Patience

___Kindness ___Goodness ___Faithfulness ___Gentleness

___Self-control ___Tender-hearted ___Forgiveness ___Not Vengeful

___Holiness ___Compassion ___Humility ___Hospitable ___Prayerfulness ___Treating Enemies Well

Go through the list of righteous qualities that you made (or the one above) and mark each one that is not in your life on a consistent basis. Remember that these qualities are produced supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. You cannot consistently produce them in your human power.

Conclusion

If you are a Christian God has saved you from the penalty of sin (hell) and will one day save you from the presence of sin (heaven). You also can be saved from the power of sin during your life. You do this by following three steps.

(1) Recognize sin as sin

(2) Repent of that sin and ask God to forgive you

(3) Replace that sin by allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life.

Christian Programming

Christian Programming

by Lee Delbridge

A Person Is What He Thinks About All Day Long. A great number of people try to influence what you think. Teachers, Politicians, Advertisers, Music Writers, the News Media, TV Programs, and Marketing people are all trying to influence your actions by influencing your thoughts. Since You Become What You Think About, I Challenge You To Intentionally, On-Purpose, “Program” Your Own Mind For Godly Thoughts. If you don’t control your life, somebody else will!!! You can program your mind to respond in a godly way just like you used to program your VCR to record a TV program. Once you program it, it happens “automatically”.

Why?

1. We Are Commanded
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

2. Spiritual People Set Their Minds on Spiritual Things
Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

3. We Are Transformed By The Renewing of Our Minds
Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

How?

Your Mind is Like a Computer that can be programmed to do almost anything. Since Christians desire to do God’s will, they should ‘‘program’’ their minds for Godly actions and attitudes. Read the following ideas aloud early each morning to set the tone for the entire day. Do this every day for at least 90 days, maybe more.

I will put God first in every area of my life today. I will seek for and abide by His will in every decision I make and in every action I take. [Matthew 22:37; 6:33; James 4:15]

I will not worry about anything today. I will pray about everything. [Philippians 4:6-7]

I will settle today’s problems today. I will not allow problems to build up and accumulate. I will forget my failures and my accomplishments of yesterday and do today the things I should do today. [Ephesians 4:26-27; Matthew 6:34]

I will be kind and forgiving to every person today. [Ephesians 4:32]

I know nothing will happen to me today that God and I can’t handle. Whatever happens, there will always be a godly way out of the temptation or trial. [I Corinthians 10:13]

I know that with God’s help, I can accomplish great things for Him. [Philippians 4:13]

I will be patient with people today, knowing that they are not perfect either. [James 5:7; I Corinthians 13:4]

I will think good thoughts today about every situation and about every person. [Proverbs 23:7a; Philippians 4:8]

I know that whatever happens to me today, God will work it out for my benefit since I love Him. [Romans 8:28]

I will actively seek good for every person I come in contact with today. [I Thessalonians 5:15]

I will treat every person I meet today the way I would like to be treated if I were that person. [Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:31]

I will give of myself, my talents, and my treasures today knowing that if I give I will receive. [Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35c]

I will center my life around eternal things and not around temporal things. [II Corinthians 4:18]

I am in the process of becoming an expert in the areas I work. [Proverbs 22:29]

I will enjoy this day to its fullest because it is a day God has given me. [Psalms 97:1; Psalms 118:24]

I will seek to share the good news of free salvation in Christ Jesus with others today. [Matthew 28:18-20]

I will take care of my physical body today, knowing that it was given to me by God and good health is needed to accomplish the tasks He has for me. [I Timothy 4:8; Mark 2:27]

I will ‘‘plant’’ today what I want to ‘‘reap’’ tomorrow; knowing that a person always reaps what he sows. [Galatians 6:7-9; Ecclesiastes 11:1]