Great time in church this morning. The place was busy with so many people and with a good number away on their summer hols! Paul Benger brought an excellent word entitled ‘God Unlimited’.
Isaiah 54:1-3 – (1) Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband, says the Lord. (2) Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. (3) For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
Limitation is incredibly frustrating. We need to take the limits off of God in our lives. Our lives may feel limited at times - we can reach so high but no higher...so far but no further. It’s like living with a ‘limiter’ in our lives.
Serving God can be fun and prosperous. Don’t limit God. Never say ‘I will always be sick’ or ‘the church will never have influence’. Christian influence has led the way over the centuries. In medicine, caring, education, social justice.
God is saying, ‘don’t limit me’. How do we limit God? By not believing all that He said he would do.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Take the limits off!
Two trains of thought - that God is sovereign, that He is in control. Also that God has given us responsibility for our world. These two thoughts have battled against each other through time. God wants to partner with us in seeing his will being done, that is why we pray ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done’.
Three promises from these verses in Isaiah 54 – the 3 E’s. God wants to...
Expand us – Our desire for the church is that we will grow, get bigger. That you will get bigger.
Empower us – power from His word for the whole week, the whole of the time.
Equip us – Equipped to live our lives.
1) You shall expand, Matthew 19:26 - Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
2) You will inherit, Isaiah 54:3 – We will inherit the nations
God is a rewarder. Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
God doesn’t gazump us! We don’t just receive back the measure we give...but more!
3) You will inhabit the desolate place. God is a restorer. He restores broken lives, dreams, destiny’s.
5 things (from Isaiah 54:1-3) that help us to take the limits off God.
1) Get a bigger plot
A bigger footprint! See a bigger future…buy some land! Enlarge the place of your tent (Vs 2) A time to rejoice, to see what God can do. Prophesy it! Change your thinking (Romans 12:2). Bigger people build a bigger world. You need a bigger plot, we (the church) needs a bigger plot!
2) Do more
Or do something! Stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back (Vs 2) Remember though our identity is in God, not what we do. But to bring the Kingdom of God into our world, to see His will being done, has an incredible amount to do with what we do.
3) Be generous
Spare not (Vs 2) – live with a generous attitude and spirit. Don’t limit God...i.e. don't be limited because we don’t have.
4) Build lasting relationships with the right people
Lengthen your chords (Vs 2) – Together we take the Kingdom forward. We change into the people we connect with. The power of fellowship.
5) Stay loyal to your commitments
Strengthen your stakes (Vs 2) – stay loyal to the people God has put you with. Need to stay connected.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Destinations IV
We completed our Destinations series this morning in church. I spoke on ‘Don’t Walk Alone’.
Life is a journey, often travelled alone (living for self only). What is our chosen path?
Follow Christ – let him be our Lord and Guide. Make Him Lord of your life.
But it’s not just ‘me and Jesus’ as we travel along our chosen path...it is ‘you’ me and Jesus.
We can be in ‘community’ but it can still be just ‘me and Jesus’. Right from the beginning (Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone) – this was God’s intention.
“… so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” (Romans 12:5)
This picture of the Body ruins any argument that the Christian life can be lived in isolation. God created you and I to live and grow within a community of Christians.
5 reasons why we don’t walk this road alone
1) I need others to walk with me
The Christian life is often described as a walk. This is because it has motion. It is not just an inactive status (inertia). It is an ongoing life. Growing, becoming more like Christ, changed from glory to glory.
Therefore Paul says in Colossians 2:6-7 - As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Three reasons why we need to carry out our Christian walk with others.
For safety – It is safer to walk with other people.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
For support - The shared life is not only safer it also has more support. Have you ever tried to do any serious exercise by yourself? Running partners are important. Helps us in our consistency and commitment to training. Find someone who will come alongside you to ask you hard questions about yourself, encourage you, and challenge you.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
It’s Smarter. Travelling together is also smarter.
Proverbs 11:14 - “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”
What is true for a nation is also true for us as individuals. If we are living life with other people, we can lean upon their advice and wisdom when needed.
Community is God’s answer to loneliness. He wants us to be connected with others.
2) I need others to work with me
Even before we were born God planned certain things he wanted you and me to do. This is what God designed us for. But he didn’t design us to work alone. “Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.”
“Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:10
3) I need others to watch out for me
We each need people who will defend us, protect us, stand up for us, warn us when we’re getting off the right path. We need people who will watch out for us.
Philippians 2:4 – Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own
Ecclesiastes 4:12 - “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Community is God’s answer to defeat
4) I need others to wait for me (and sometimes weep with me)
1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathise with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude
Every path has a puddle! We need one another when face those times in our lives
1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one member suffers, all suffer together
Paul says in Galatians 6:1, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.”
Community is God’s answer to despair
5) I need others to encourage me
1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 – (11) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (12) Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. (13) Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (14) And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (15) Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else
Have you ever known someone who believed in you, someone who frequently spoke words of encouragement and praise? The kind of person who made you feel you could do it, whatever "it" was? That’s the kind of person God wants us to be.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29)
Community is God’s answer to discouragement
Hebrews 10:23-25 – (23) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. (25) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Stick to the road you are on...no swerving allowed! But how are they to do this? How can they stay on track? Being committed to meeting together so that they can encourage one another.
Let us not walk alone.
Let’s travel together towards our destination - our great future in God.
Encourage/spur one another on!
Life is a journey, often travelled alone (living for self only). What is our chosen path?
Follow Christ – let him be our Lord and Guide. Make Him Lord of your life.
But it’s not just ‘me and Jesus’ as we travel along our chosen path...it is ‘you’ me and Jesus.
We can be in ‘community’ but it can still be just ‘me and Jesus’. Right from the beginning (Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone) – this was God’s intention.
“… so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” (Romans 12:5)
This picture of the Body ruins any argument that the Christian life can be lived in isolation. God created you and I to live and grow within a community of Christians.
5 reasons why we don’t walk this road alone
1) I need others to walk with me
The Christian life is often described as a walk. This is because it has motion. It is not just an inactive status (inertia). It is an ongoing life. Growing, becoming more like Christ, changed from glory to glory.
Therefore Paul says in Colossians 2:6-7 - As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Three reasons why we need to carry out our Christian walk with others.
For safety – It is safer to walk with other people.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
For support - The shared life is not only safer it also has more support. Have you ever tried to do any serious exercise by yourself? Running partners are important. Helps us in our consistency and commitment to training. Find someone who will come alongside you to ask you hard questions about yourself, encourage you, and challenge you.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
It’s Smarter. Travelling together is also smarter.
Proverbs 11:14 - “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”
What is true for a nation is also true for us as individuals. If we are living life with other people, we can lean upon their advice and wisdom when needed.
Community is God’s answer to loneliness. He wants us to be connected with others.
2) I need others to work with me
Even before we were born God planned certain things he wanted you and me to do. This is what God designed us for. But he didn’t design us to work alone. “Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.”
“Every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:10
3) I need others to watch out for me
We each need people who will defend us, protect us, stand up for us, warn us when we’re getting off the right path. We need people who will watch out for us.
Philippians 2:4 – Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own
Ecclesiastes 4:12 - “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Community is God’s answer to defeat
4) I need others to wait for me (and sometimes weep with me)
1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathise with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude
Every path has a puddle! We need one another when face those times in our lives
1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one member suffers, all suffer together
Paul says in Galatians 6:1, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.”
Community is God’s answer to despair
5) I need others to encourage me
1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 – (11) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (12) Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. (13) Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (14) And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (15) Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else
Have you ever known someone who believed in you, someone who frequently spoke words of encouragement and praise? The kind of person who made you feel you could do it, whatever "it" was? That’s the kind of person God wants us to be.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29)
Community is God’s answer to discouragement
Hebrews 10:23-25 – (23) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. (25) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Stick to the road you are on...no swerving allowed! But how are they to do this? How can they stay on track? Being committed to meeting together so that they can encourage one another.
Let us not walk alone.
Let’s travel together towards our destination - our great future in God.
Encourage/spur one another on!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Destinations III
We had the third in our ‘Destinations’ series this morning in church. Paul Benger brought a great message entitled ‘Lean Not’.
Proverbs 22:3, 27:12 – A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
The decisions that we make today are important in determining the direction that we go. Sometimes we need more than just good information to help us make the right choices. Sometimes we get the right information, good wisdom, and still choose not to heed it.
King Solomon was asked by God, ‘You can have one thing…what would you have me do for you?’ Solomon chose wisdom. 1 Kings 3:12 - I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be
What do we need to do more than anything, even more than just having good information?
Proverbs 3:5-7 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
1) Trust in the Lord with all your heart
In every area of life - leaning to God. It’s not just about having good information, your skills, your abilities. It’s about us putting all of our confidence and hope in the person of God. He knows everything past, present and future – he has all the information we will ever need.
2) Lean not on your own understanding
We don’t have all the answers - but God does. Lean into God. Your way isn’t always the best way. Read the manual, don’t trust in your own understanding. Submission to God helps us in life.
3) In all your ways acknowledge Him
Home, marriage, finances, career, relationships – every part of our lives.
4) He will make your paths straight
He will direct your paths. Submission comes before direction.
Live with submission. Even Solomon trusted his own wisdom and got it wrong. Information is not enough, we need a Saviour to submit to. Sometimes pride can override wisdom, if we are not careful. Arrogance will eventually overcome common sense. We need God, to submit to Him.
Concerning submission, 5 important things...
1) Make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life
2) Make time with God a daily pleasure
3) Keep a ‘God knows best’ attitude
4) Never believe the enemy’s lies about God and you
5) Surrender your circumstances to God and trust Him
The key to making a good decision = Submission
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
Proverbs 22:3, 27:12 – A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
The decisions that we make today are important in determining the direction that we go. Sometimes we need more than just good information to help us make the right choices. Sometimes we get the right information, good wisdom, and still choose not to heed it.
King Solomon was asked by God, ‘You can have one thing…what would you have me do for you?’ Solomon chose wisdom. 1 Kings 3:12 - I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be
What do we need to do more than anything, even more than just having good information?
Proverbs 3:5-7 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
1) Trust in the Lord with all your heart
In every area of life - leaning to God. It’s not just about having good information, your skills, your abilities. It’s about us putting all of our confidence and hope in the person of God. He knows everything past, present and future – he has all the information we will ever need.
2) Lean not on your own understanding
We don’t have all the answers - but God does. Lean into God. Your way isn’t always the best way. Read the manual, don’t trust in your own understanding. Submission to God helps us in life.
3) In all your ways acknowledge Him
Home, marriage, finances, career, relationships – every part of our lives.
4) He will make your paths straight
He will direct your paths. Submission comes before direction.
Live with submission. Even Solomon trusted his own wisdom and got it wrong. Information is not enough, we need a Saviour to submit to. Sometimes pride can override wisdom, if we are not careful. Arrogance will eventually overcome common sense. We need God, to submit to Him.
Concerning submission, 5 important things...
1) Make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life
2) Make time with God a daily pleasure
3) Keep a ‘God knows best’ attitude
4) Never believe the enemy’s lies about God and you
5) Surrender your circumstances to God and trust Him
The key to making a good decision = Submission
James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Destinations II
Jeannie Benger continued our Destinations series this morning with an excellent message entitled ‘Looking Ahead’.
Have you ever ended up in the wrong place? Better planning before we leave for our destination is so important to avoid this.
Matthew 25:14-30
The key verse we are looking at is in verse 21, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’
It is important that we plan and look ahead when we think of our future. This is so true when it comes to God’s Kingdom that we plan and prepare for the future. Position yourself where God can take you there.
Always start something with the end in mind. We need to know where we are going. It will be great to end with God saying, ‘well done good and faithful servant’.
Don’t say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ – tomorrow will not do! Use your time well with what time you have.
Is the path that you’re on going to take you where you want to go?
5 road signs what will help guide us in travelling the path that God wants us to travel...
Well – God wants us to finish well. Excellence is so important. God deserves the very best. It’s not ‘anything will do’ anymore. Our God is generous in every way and we are made in his image. Strive for excellence. It’s not just how we do it but it is about having an attitude of excellence. Being wholehearted. We want to be noted as a church that gives God the very best.
Done – Being fruitful is so important in where we are going. It is not an option. We are here to build the Kingdom of God, to impact our world.
Matthew 7:16-17 - By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
We want to encourage fruitfulness, fruit that the world will see and say, ‘I want what they’ve got’.
Good – Character is so important. Make sure you’re not in a position where your character cannot keep you. Be trustworthy, love people, honour people.
Faithful – Be loyal in your relationships. Friendships, marriage, church and with God. Be planted in God’s house where you will flourish. It is important that we are together. Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. His love for us never changes. Loyalty and faithfulness are great qualities for us to cultivate in our lives. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive
Servant – We need to have the heart of a servant. It is a privilege to serve. Serve the Lord with gladness – Psalm 100:6
1 Timothy 6:18 - Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share
Don’t do things grudgingly. Love God’s house. Serve out of a spirit of gladness.
Servanthood is central to our biblical lifestyle. It is all about attitude and not about position. Jesus placed high value on servanthood. He washed the disciple’s feet. Just like Jesus – seize the moment to serve. It is not about position but about passion. Passion for others, to serve, to bless, to lift the lives of others. Service is worship and not a chore.
Follow the road signs and reach your God given destination!
Have you ever ended up in the wrong place? Better planning before we leave for our destination is so important to avoid this.
Matthew 25:14-30
The key verse we are looking at is in verse 21, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’
It is important that we plan and look ahead when we think of our future. This is so true when it comes to God’s Kingdom that we plan and prepare for the future. Position yourself where God can take you there.
Always start something with the end in mind. We need to know where we are going. It will be great to end with God saying, ‘well done good and faithful servant’.
Don’t say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ – tomorrow will not do! Use your time well with what time you have.
Is the path that you’re on going to take you where you want to go?
5 road signs what will help guide us in travelling the path that God wants us to travel...
Well – God wants us to finish well. Excellence is so important. God deserves the very best. It’s not ‘anything will do’ anymore. Our God is generous in every way and we are made in his image. Strive for excellence. It’s not just how we do it but it is about having an attitude of excellence. Being wholehearted. We want to be noted as a church that gives God the very best.
Done – Being fruitful is so important in where we are going. It is not an option. We are here to build the Kingdom of God, to impact our world.
Matthew 7:16-17 - By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
We want to encourage fruitfulness, fruit that the world will see and say, ‘I want what they’ve got’.
Good – Character is so important. Make sure you’re not in a position where your character cannot keep you. Be trustworthy, love people, honour people.
Faithful – Be loyal in your relationships. Friendships, marriage, church and with God. Be planted in God’s house where you will flourish. It is important that we are together. Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. His love for us never changes. Loyalty and faithfulness are great qualities for us to cultivate in our lives. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive
Servant – We need to have the heart of a servant. It is a privilege to serve. Serve the Lord with gladness – Psalm 100:6
1 Timothy 6:18 - Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share
Don’t do things grudgingly. Love God’s house. Serve out of a spirit of gladness.
Servanthood is central to our biblical lifestyle. It is all about attitude and not about position. Jesus placed high value on servanthood. He washed the disciple’s feet. Just like Jesus – seize the moment to serve. It is not about position but about passion. Passion for others, to serve, to bless, to lift the lives of others. Service is worship and not a chore.
Follow the road signs and reach your God given destination!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Destinations I
We kicked of our new four part series this morning called ‘Destinations’. Paul Benger began with a great opener, ‘The Principle of the Path’.
People don’t get lost on purpose. They don’t set out to get lost in life. Everybody sets out for good. You don’t know you’re lost when you’re getting lost.
Whatever road you’re on determines where you end up. Our path determines our destination. This principle applies geographically but also in life.
It is never our intention or even our dreams that determines our destination. Our good intentions do not trump our chosen direction. Broken lives would not have happened had different paths been chosen or they had changed the direction they were going.
Proverbs 7:6-27
The young man chose the wrong path, the path that led to destruction.
Three thoughts about the Principle of the Path
1) Watch out for the disconnection that our culture feeds us
It is the path we choose, not our hopes and dreams or good intentions, that determine our destination. We may need to change the path we are on.
Choose a path of generosity, God is pleased with us when we choose certain paths.
Choose the path of spiritual growth. Choose to put God first in all that we do.
Choose the path of changing our world, not global, but our world is all those around us - our families, friends, workplace, school.
Choose paths of forgiveness, of integrity. All these paths lead to greatness.
Let us make the connection...don’t be disconnected.
2) Make sure our hearts are fixed and steadfast
Don’t get drawn away, enticed away to a path of destruction (like the young man in the Proverb)
King David chose a wrong path and was heading for destruction. This was his cry to get back on the right path again, Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me
Give me a steadfast, fixed spirit. An attitude that is not going to waver. Don’t get tossed back and forth by the winds and waves. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Even when others come and try to blow us off course - remain steadfast. David also experienced this.
Psalm 57:6-7 – They spread a net for my feet - I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path - but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
3) We need to remember the principle of the path – that it is the direction not our intention that determines our destination
Is this the right path we are on? Let us make sure we are on God’s right path for our lives. Heading in the direction he wants us to go.
People don’t get lost on purpose. They don’t set out to get lost in life. Everybody sets out for good. You don’t know you’re lost when you’re getting lost.
Whatever road you’re on determines where you end up. Our path determines our destination. This principle applies geographically but also in life.
It is never our intention or even our dreams that determines our destination. Our good intentions do not trump our chosen direction. Broken lives would not have happened had different paths been chosen or they had changed the direction they were going.
Proverbs 7:6-27
The young man chose the wrong path, the path that led to destruction.
Three thoughts about the Principle of the Path
1) Watch out for the disconnection that our culture feeds us
It is the path we choose, not our hopes and dreams or good intentions, that determine our destination. We may need to change the path we are on.
Choose a path of generosity, God is pleased with us when we choose certain paths.
Choose the path of spiritual growth. Choose to put God first in all that we do.
Choose the path of changing our world, not global, but our world is all those around us - our families, friends, workplace, school.
Choose paths of forgiveness, of integrity. All these paths lead to greatness.
Let us make the connection...don’t be disconnected.
2) Make sure our hearts are fixed and steadfast
Don’t get drawn away, enticed away to a path of destruction (like the young man in the Proverb)
King David chose a wrong path and was heading for destruction. This was his cry to get back on the right path again, Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me
Give me a steadfast, fixed spirit. An attitude that is not going to waver. Don’t get tossed back and forth by the winds and waves. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Even when others come and try to blow us off course - remain steadfast. David also experienced this.
Psalm 57:6-7 – They spread a net for my feet - I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path - but they have fallen into it themselves. My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
3) We need to remember the principle of the path – that it is the direction not our intention that determines our destination
Is this the right path we are on? Let us make sure we are on God’s right path for our lives. Heading in the direction he wants us to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
