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The Bread Box Staying The Course January 2004 |
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1. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, AND TAKE HOLD OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME YOUR WAY FROM GOD. WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO TRUST GOD, AND NOT TO LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF DISCOURAGEMENT. WE HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT DOUBT AND UNBELIEF WILL STOP OR CLOUD OUR THINKING. THIS KIND OF THINKING CHANGES OUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE FROM A PERSPECTIVE BASED ON TRUTH, (THE WORD OF GOD) TO A WORLDLY PERSPECTIVE. DOUBT AND UNBELIEF WILL ALSO STOP THE FLOW OF GODS SUPERNATURAL POWER IN YOUR LIFE AND WILL HINDER YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Mark 4:40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (from New International Version) NOW WE MUST LEARN HOW TO GET ON THE RIGHT PATH THAT GOD HAS SET FOR US. WE MUST TRUST THE ONE LEADING, BELIEVE IN HIM, AND THEN WE CAN GET ON THE ROAD WITH FULL CONFIDENCE THT WE WILL REACH OUR DESTINATION. AS CHRISTIANS, WE MUST RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE PEOPLE OF FAITH AND WE MUST WALK IN FAITH BELIEVING THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL OF OUR LIVES AND OUR FUTURE. OUR JOB IS TO CO-LABOR WITH HIM THRU PRAYER AND IN BELIEF AND BY BEING FAITHFUL TO HIM. AND AS WE CO-LABOR WITH HIM; WE THEN ARE CONFIDENT OF LIVING IN HIS PERFECT WILL. JESUS SPEAKING AFTER SPEAKING TO THE FIG TREE AND COMMANDING THE FIG TREE NOT TO BEAR FRUIT AGAIN, THE FIG TREE DRIED UP, HE SAID; Matt 21:21 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. 22 "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." NASU SO THEN WE ARE TO PREPARE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS, OUR ATTITUDES, THE WAY WE SPEAK, AND OUR LIFESTYLE, SO WE CAN LIVE VICTORIOUS LIVES. Rom 12:1 LET ME READ IT OUT OF THE LIVING BIBLE; 12:1 And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy-the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you. TLB I JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ALL OF US TO STAY IN GOD’S BEST PATH FOR OUR LIVES. AND BY OFFERING OURSELVES TO HIM ON A DAILY BASIS WE CAN REST THAT HE WILL LEAD AND GUIDE US THRU OUT THIS NEW YEAR. NOW THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PATHS WE CAN TAKE. AND IF WE ARE BORN AGAIN, THEY WILL GET US TO HEAVEN. BUT THE PATH I AM TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS THE PATH WE WALK WHILE WE HAVE LIFE HERE ON EARTH. GOD SPECIFICALLY HAS A BEST PATH FOR YOUR LIFE. AND IT IS UP TO EACH ONE OF US TO STAY SENSITIVE TO HIS VOICE TO MAKE SURE WE DON’T ALLOW THE ENEMY TO DECEIVE US AND GET US OFF COURSE TO WHERE WE NEVER REACH THE FINAL DESTINATION THAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR EACH ONE OF OUR LIVES. NOW WE KNOW BECAUSE OF DEUT. 28 THAT IF FOLLOW GODS COMMANDMENTS HIS BLESSINGS WILL OVERTAKE US. IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU CAN STAY IN THE CENTER OF GODS PERFECT WILL, YOU WILL HAVE SO MANY BLESSINGS THAT THEY WILL OVERTAKE YOU AND YOU CANNOT OUTRUN THEM. NOW IS THIS FICTION OR TRUTH? HERE IS WHERE OUR BELIEF OR DOUBT WILL DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THIS QUESTION. I WAS THINKING ABOUT I’VE NEVER BEEN SO CONVINCED AT HOW MANY OF GOD’S SUPERNATURAL BLESSINGS, HOW MUCH OF HIS SUPERNATURAL FAVOR AND HIS SUPERNATURAL ABUNDANCE WOULD OVERTAKE OUR LIVES. HOW HIS SUPERNATURAL HEALING AND DIVINE HEALTH WOULD COME INTO OUR LIVES. HOW HIS SUPERNATURAL PEACE AND HIS SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH WOULD OVERTAKE US IF WE’D SIMPLY DO OUR PART AND MAKE SURE WE’RE STAYING RIGHT THERE IN THE CENTER OF GOD’S BEST PATH FOR OUR LIVES. NOT GOING OF TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, BUT CENTER. Heb 12:1 Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. TLB WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT GOD HAS A SPECIFIC PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIVES. GOD HAS DRAWN OUT THE PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE, YOU MUST GRASP HOLD OF THE TRUTH THAT GOD IS CONCERNED AND LOVES YOU VERY MUCH. 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"- (from New International Version) YOU ARE SO VALUABLE TO HIM THAT HE HAS MAPPED A SPECIFIC COURSE FOR YOUR LIFE. IT IS CALLED HIS PERFECT WILL. HE OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THE BEST PATH FOR EACH ONE OF US TO REACH OUR FINAL DESTINATION. BUT IT IS UP TO US TO STAY SENSITIVE TO HIS VOICE THAT WE SEEK HIS WILL, AND THAT WE DON’T GO OFF TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT AND ALLOW THE ENEMY TO GET US OFF COURSE IN OUR LIVES. GODS BEST PATH FOR YOUR LIFE MAY NOT BE THE PATH THAT LOOKS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE. AS STRANGE AS THIS MAY SOUND, GODS BEST PATH MAY NOT BE THE JOB THAT PAYS THE MOST ETC. BUT YOU SEE THE ENEMY’S PLAN IS TO SHOW YOU A PATH WITH AN INCREDIBLE BEAUTIFUL ENTRY. YOU LOOK AT THE PATH AND SAY WOW, GOD IS LEADING ME; BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE AFTER A WHILE THE PATH WILL TURN FROM SMOOTH ROAD TO A BUMPY ROAD. AND WE SAY IF I HAD KNOWN IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS, I WOULD NOT HAVE TRAVELED DOWN THIS PATH. THIS IS USUALLY BECAUSE WE DID NOT SEEK GODS GUIDANCE. WE HAVE TO KNOW GOD IS UP HIGH, AND HE SEES THE WHOLE PICTURE. WE ARE LIMITED IN OUR VISION, WE CAN ONLY SEE SO MUCH OF THE ROAD AHEAD. ONE OF MY FAVORITE PASSAGES IN THE BIBLE IS IN JEREMIAH Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. TLB THIS SCRIPTURE BRINGS PEACE AND A CONFIDENCE IN MY HEART. WE MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR US IN THIS LIFE. WE ARE NOT TO WANDER AIMLESSLY. IN THIS ROAD ARE FORKS IN THE ROAD WHICH MEANS WE ALL HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS AND MAKE CHOICES. GOD’S WILL IS TO KNOW WHICH ROAD TO TAKE SO WE DO NOT GET OFF COURSE. GOD DOES NOT WANT US TO GET OFF THE PLAN THAT HE HAS FOR US. REMEMBER GOD SEES THE WHOLE PICTURE, AND HE KNOWS WHICH ROAD WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO THE SAME PLACE IN YOUR LIFE AND WHICH ROADS WILL KEEP YOU ADVANCING. HE KNOWS WHICH ROADS WILL BRING YOU BACK AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, 4 OR 5 YEARS HAVE BEEN WASTED. GOD KNOWS WHICH ROADS 4 OR 5 YEARS WILL COME TO A SCREECHING HALT AND END UP IN A DEAD END. GOD KNOWS WHICH ROADS LEAD TO DANGER, YOU SEE HE HAS A TREMENDOUS ADVANTAGE, HE CAN SEE UP AHEAD. HE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO WASTE 4 OR 5 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE JUST BECAUSE YOU MADE A WRONG CHOICE. AND IF WE CONTINUALLY ALLOW THE ENEMY TO DECEIVE US AND GET US OFF COURSE, WE CAN WASTE VALUABLE TIME. TIME IS SOMETHING WE CANNOT GET BACK, ONCE IT HAS BEEN USED UP. THE ENEMY WOULD LOVE FOR US TO USE UP ALL OF OUR VALUABLE TIME AND NOT BE EVERYTHING GOD WANTS US TO BE. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO AUTHORITY IN OUR LIVES. THIS KEEPS DECEPTION FROM US. I DON’T WANT TO WASTE PRECIOUS TIME FROM THE COURSE GOD HAS SET FOR THIS CHURCH, SO I CHECK WITH MY PASTOR AND SO ON. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT STAYING ON THE RIGHT COURSE FOR OUR LIVES AND FOR OUR CHURCH. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, GOD’S BEST PATH FOR YOUR LIFE IS NOT GOD’S BEST PATH FOR MY LIFE, OR VICE VERSA. IF GOD CHOOSES TO BLESS SOMEONE IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN HE HAS CHOSEN THE SAME PATH FOR YOU. SOMETIMES WHEN WE TRY TO DUPLICATE SOMEONE ELSE, ALL WE END UP IS SPINNING OUR WHEELS. THAT IS WHEN WE NEED TO GET QUIET BEFORE THE LORD AND ASK HIM IS THIS YOUR PATH FOR ME? AND JUST AS IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY ON GODS PATH, IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY ON HIS TIMETABLE. WE ALL WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, AND EVEN IF THEY LOOK GOOD, AND PERFECT, IF YOU WILL PRAY, YOU MAY NOT GET A RELEASE INSIDE. IN THE NATURAL IT MAY LOOK GREAT, BUT IF YOU HAVE THAT UNEASINESS OR UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING, IT MAY BE GOD TELLING YOU NO, NOT NOW OR NO NEVER. THERE IS DUE SEASON WITH GOD. Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. NKJV EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES THRU OUR LIVES, WE NEED TO EVALUATE AND ASK GOD IS THIS YOUR WILL FOR ME OR JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO VEER ME OFF COURSE AND WASTE VALUABLE TIME. THIS APPLIES TO ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE EVEN RELATIONSHIPS. REMEMBER WHAT EVER YOU GIVE UP; GOD HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU AROUND THE CORNER. OPPORTUNITIES WILL NEVER STOP COMING TO A CHILD OF GOD. WHEN PASTOR JOHN PASSED AWAY 6 MONTHS AGO, WE HAD TO SEEK GOD AND BE SURE THAT IT WAS HIS WILL FOR US TO TAKE THE CHURCH. ONE THING I LEARNED, THAT EVEN WHEN EVEN WHEN THE ROAD IS TOUGH AND THINGS ARE BAD, WHETHER IT IS FINANCIAL STRUGGLES OR WHATEVER, AND IF YOU ARE IN THE CENTER OF GODS PERFECT WILL, GODS GRACE IS PRESENT AND THERE IS A SENSE OF PEACE THAT THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE. WE HAVE GOD’S PROMISE; 2 John 3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. NAS WHY? 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. NAS I WANT TO CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU TODAY, YOU MAY SAY; I DON’T BELIEVE I AM IN GODS PERFECT PLAN FOR MY LIFE. YOU MAY SAY; I KNOW I HAVE VEERED TO RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT. I KNOW I AM HINDERING GODS BLESSINGS FROM COMING INTO MY LIFE. WELL LET ME CHALLENGE YOU AGAIN TO TAKE CARE OF IT NOW. YOU CAN GET IN THE CENTER OF GODS PERFECT WILL. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME OR ANYONE ELSE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, JUST MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO TAKE CARE OF IT TODAY AND LIVE FOR GOD. KEEP STRONG, KEEP STABLE, AND SET YOUR THOUGHTS TOWARD GOD. SEEK HIS WILL. THE BIBLE ENCOURAGES US TO SET OUR FACES LIKE FLINT SO WE WON’T BE ASHAMED. Isa 50:7 For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I shall not be ashamed. NAS PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND FINISH THE COURSE! GOD BLESS YOU! |
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