Boundaries bring blessing. Remove boundaries and blessings are replaced with burdens.

• Paul had boundaries.

• Vs 20-22 - he knew what to say “yes” to and what to say “no” to.

• He wasn’t a DEVELOPER, he was a STARTER.

• Dr. Henry Cloud - “Without boundaries opportunities become threats.”

• We had to establish boundaries for our speaking:

• Only to certain groups.

• Only a few times a month.

• Rarely on the weekend.

• Your boundaries are defined by:

• Your Garden.

• Your Gifts.

• Benefits of Boundaries:

• 1) They define your identity - like a property survey with flags, they define where you stop and someone else starts.

• 2) They define your responsibility - when you know what’s yours you can take ownership of it.

• You can’t complete your God-given assignment if you don’t take ownership, and you can’t take ownership if you don’t know what your task is, like Paul.

• 3) They give you freedom - you are free to do within your boundaries whatever you want to do.

• 4) They protect your treasure - they keep the pearls in and the pigs out.

• Without boundaries you close yourself off so you keep the bad AND the good out.

• Our greatest gift is to give and receive love - w/out boundaries you can’t do this.

• How to establish Boundaries:

• 1) Put your mask on first - boundaries in relationships are like air to your lungs, so put your mask on first so you can help others.

• 2) Move to Who-ville - don’t think in terms of “what,” think of “who!”

• Boundaries protect YOU and THOSE YOU LOVE!

• Think of the things only you can do for those you love.

• 3) Live a life of “yes” - don’t think of who you’re saying “no” to, think of who you’re saying “yes” to.

• When you do this the word “no” becomes easy to say.

• 4) Make a rule - find the misery in your life and make a rule - this will give you your freedom back.

• Look at where you’ve lost control and get it back through a rule!

• An enemy is anyone who’s crossed your boundary.