UPGRADE
(Upgrade Your Environment)
Upgrade - To raise to a higher standard by adding or replacing
Environment- The surroundings or conditions in which a person lives or operates
<Proverbs 15:17> NIV Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a
fattened calf with hatred.
THINGS TO REPLACE
 Negative environmental factors
 Destinationitis
 The thought that when ________ happens everything will be great
 Unrealistic expectations
 There is no perfect ________
 Progress and problems are a package deal <Proverbs 14:4> NKJ
 Chronic complaining
 Only highlights the negative
 Does not move you closer to solving the problem
 A major environmental drain
 Strife - angry or bitter disagreement / conflict
 Locate the reasons for strife
 Angry / hot tempered
 Scornful - contemptuous, mocking
 Selfish / quarrelsome
 A whisperer <Proverbs 26:20> ESV
 The best way to stop strife
 Catch it early <Proverbs 17:14> ESV
UPGRADING YOUR ENVIRONMENT
 Lessons from prison <Acts 16:20-26>
 Paul and Silas had to shift their focus
 Away from the negative physical surroundings
 Away from pain and discomfort
 Away from the "why me" questions
 Paul and Silas shifted their focus to God
 Prayer - talking with God
 Singing hymns - praise to God
 Questions for your environment
 Where is your focus?
 There will always be challenges and negatives
 What can you change?
 Your words can make a major difference <Proverbs 12:18> NIV
 How can you bring God into your environment?
 Prayer
 Giving God credit/praise <Psalm 34:1> ESV
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Proverbs 14:4 (NJK)
4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the
strength of an ox.
Proverbs 26:20 (ESV)
20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling
ceases.
Proverbs 17:14 (ESV)
14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks
out.
Acts 16:20-26 (NIV)
20They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and
are throwing our city into an uproar 21by advocating customs unlawful for us
Romans to accept or practice."
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates
ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged,
they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them
carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened
their feet in the stocks.
25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and
the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent
earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison
doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.
Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
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Digging Deeper:
1. Read Genesis chapter 13. What did Abraham do regarding strife? Consider
that he did not take the easiest path but God showed up and blessed him.
2. Read Mark 9:33-41. What caused the strife among the disciples and how did
Jesus answer the problem?
3. Do a word study on strife in www.biblegatway.com
Questions:
1. What (not who) would you most like to change in your environments?
2. What can you add or replace that would impact your environment the most?
3. How can you bring God into your environments?
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