"How to Get Proper Directions"
Using life's roadmap
(Special Guest Speaker: Brother Lauren Weibe)
OPENING: Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV
Brother Weibe always takes a map with him when traveling. That is just common sense.
He drives and his wife gives him the directions off the map.
Today's Christianity, as a whole, is subjective. We are involved to live
according to how TV shows people dressing, eating... In addition, we're also influenced
by what T.V. evangelists and preachers from pulpits say.
Proverbs 3:5-6: With all this information being fed to us, how do we decide
what is right and good and true? Through this passage of scripture.
FOUR STEPS TO FOLLOW TO GET "PROPER DIRECTIONS":
#1/4: Proverbs 3:5--"Trust in the Lord with all thine
heart..."
People interpret the words "trust"
and "believe" to have the same meaning
in the English language (see highlighted for definition), but they do not mean the same thing.
For example, would you BELIEVE one of your weightlifting friends could grip you
in the "bearhug"? Sure. But would you TRUST that same friend to bearhug you over a cliff?
Perhaps not.
You must trust and
believe God! Two aspects of this.
To what extent do you trust God?
Proverbs 3:5: "...with all thine heart..."
What is God's intent when you trust Him?
So God may give you direction: You must trust God when He tells
you to go here or there (see "Arise and Go"
sermon for greater detail).
Correction of our way: On our Christians paths, we all stumble off
sometimes.
Isaiah 55:7-8: God will abundantly pardon us for our stumbling.
For He wants us to get back on the "straight and narrow." God understands we don't think
purely as He does. We must be mindful not to "follow the crowd." Just because the whole
world walks one way doesn't mean it's God's way.
#2/4: Proverbs 3:5--"...and lean not unto
thine own understanding."
Let's admit it ... some of us have our life mapped out in one or another:
a mansion overlooking a hill, retirement plans, cruise, etc.
When we don't lean on our own knowledge, we:
We recognize the failure of (even the wisest) man's wisdom
Jeremiah 10:22: We're not capable to direct our own steps.
1 Corinthians 3:19-20: Even the smartest man on earth is foolish
compared to God. So what if man put a man on the moon or dug the Panama Canal? God made
the moon and dug the Grand Canyon!
Proverbs 23:4: Did you know God doesn't want you
to play in the Stock Market?? Don't labor for riches or trust/believe in yourself.
Labor, trust, and believe in God.
Recognize God's wisdom
Romans 11:33: God's ways and judgments are beyond our comprehension.
Our pastor Byrd has been researching a specific text of scripture since 1980 and is still
inconclusive of his findings!
Matthew 7:24-27: The promise for those who heed God's word is like
the story of building your house upon the rock.
#3/4: Proverbs 3:6--"In all thy ways acknowledge
him..."
To acknowledge Him is to acknowledge your own weakness and His greatness.
You could not get out of bed, go to work or go to church on your own strength;
Everything you are able to do is because of God's strength through you.
John 15:5
Psalm 127:1
Isaiah 33:13: Man is so proud of his vast accomplishments--
with all his hard work and the fruits of his labor. But God can save souls from
going to hell and spoke the universe into existence--and all with words, no labor.
Psalm 86:10: In anything you do--dress, friends, church,
places you go ... if you cannot acknowledge God like you do in church, then you best
not go where you plan on going.
Proverbs 14:12: Use the principle in this verse of scripture
before acting: can you acknowledge God in doing this? If not, forsake it. If you can't
acknowledge God in your circle of friends, then its best to forsake them, too.
#4/4: Proverbs 3:6--And God's promise to you? "...
and he shall direct thy paths."
He directs our path in life
True story: EXAMPLE OF WHY YOU SHOULDN'T LEAN IN YOUR OWN
UNDERSTANDING OF WHY EVENTS HAPPEN: Brother Weibe loved his prior Air Force base
where his spare time was spent fishing and relaxing in the cool, shady mountains.
Then he was called to Scott AFB in the southern tip of Illinois. He was not happy at
all about this but it came to be that he met his wife there.
Psalm 25:9: God directs our path when we make a decision.
God is so important to you that He--not his angels--will help you through life's roads.
He directs our path in truth and will guide only those who trust in Him.
John 16:13
Proverbs 3:5-6
God is your wise counselor.
Psalm 73:24: God doesn't counsel us today like he did talking
directly to Abraham and Moses in the Old Testament. Today God uses various other methods.
Pastoral counseling
Pastors have PhD's--a People Helping Desire.
Sometimes people come to the pastor for advice, already having a pre-conceived
answer. But the pastor has a Holy-Spirit led answer that may differ from yours; The
pastor will tell you exactly what you need to know--now what you want to hear.
Through elders -- we pray for one another so elders may gain wisdom
as they age so we may rely upon them.
Parental counseling
Christian brothers/sisters fellowship -- we should be walking in the Spirit
so we will not gain an indifferent attitude. If anyone confronts you asking for counseling,
give Godly counsel.
God directs us through uncertainties
Isaiah 42:6: Trust God through life's uncertainties. If you're
sent to go somewhere or to stay where you are now, trust the Lord it is the right
decision for you.
God will stay with you to the end of life.
Psalm 48:14: Some people are unsure how to handle that time
when pain and uncertainly will come. But God's grace gives answers to all your questions
"even unto death."
CLOSER
I know not where
my Lord may lead
on barren plain
or grassy knee
through valley or
through maintain crest
but where He leads
I know 'tis best
Therefore, it's best to Proverbs 3:5-6.
That's the simple plan for your proper direction.
