77. What To Expect In Life. Hebrews 11;8

In the above scripture the Bible tells us, ‘By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going’ Or all the difficulties he would encounter. Isn’t it good that God doesn’t give us the whole picture of our journey!! In that light let’s look at things we should expect on life’s journey… 1. Opportunities and Opposition. Paul wrote in (1Corinthians16:9) “a great and effective door has been open to me, and there are many adversaries.’ Indeed we will encounter obstacles and opposition, and we should pray that God keeps the eyes, and ears of our hearts open to these and that He may awaken our minds and spirits to the opportunities He is presenting to us. As we progress on our God-given assignments there will often be attacks. But here’s the good news; We are in Christ, and the enemy has to respect that authority, but, because the enemy still considers each of us a High-value target and a threat to his plans. we must stay alert 2. Setbacks meant to derail you ...; (Proverbs 24:16) says ‘A righteous man may fall seven times and rises again’ think about this.. Who is Solomon describing? Answer ‘a righteous man’ How often does he fall and get up again? answer ‘seven times’ He is saying failing doesn’t make us a failure, not learning from our mistakes and refusing to change our methods does, and so does refusing to take advice and try again. If sin causes us to stumble, we must repent and renounce it, then get back on track. If you fell because you were trying something new and unfamiliar, you don’t need to beat yourself up but draw on God’s grace, resolve to do better and keep moving forward. By doing this, we are making sure at the end we will be able to say like Paul in (2 Timothy 4;7) ‘I have finished the race’ Not everyone who starts the race will finish it. Many will start and drop out for one reason or another, don’t be one of those. Again in (1 Corinthians 9:24:27) Paul writes.. Do you not know that those who run in a race; all run, but one receives the prise? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prise is temperate in all things, they, to obtain a perishable crown, but we, for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run.. not with uncertainty… I fight not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into submission, lest, when I preach to others, I myself may become disqualified.’ Paul is not talking about his salvation here; that was a settled issue, He’s talking about the heavenly reward, and these particular words should make us stop and think “Lest I Myself Become disqualified.” Paul is speaking here about people coming after us, that we are to be living examples of how those who fought the good fight to the end, not only received the crown which awaited them, but left a blue-print for the next generation to follow, just as Jesus did for us Here are some things that may cause us to stumble on our journey. 1. Failure to pray and read God’s word everyday. 2. Saying No to God when He deals with us about a specific area in our life. 3. Moral failure stemming from wrong habits and relationships. 4. Allowing doubt and fear to cripple us. 5. Wasting time on frivolous pursuits instead of focusing on the one thing God has called us to do, 6. succeeding in our careers and failing at home. 7. Not sowing our treasure, talent and time into God’s Kingdom, resulting in a lack of resources to fulfil His will for our life. And the list can go on and on. Now, Even God doesn’t expect you or me, to accommodate that list everyday, but when things are not going right it’s good to have a check-list handy and refer to it regularly. Also, If you say Psalm (139; 23-24) daily with sincerity it will keep you close to God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart, see if there’s any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” I say a similar prayer each morning, David said it and God said of him “He is a man after my own heart.” We must all take responsibility for our own lives instead of blaming others. In the garden of Eden , when God asked Adam why he had eaten from the tree, he blamed God and his own wife “The woman YOU gave me” Read Genesis 3:12-18” and when God asked Eve about it she said “The serpent deceived me and I ate” and so on it went. But God accepted none of it , in fact as you read the above verses you will see they paid a great price for their disobedience. And so are we. You may ask,”Since God is all knowing How come He got so angry with Adam and Eve? Answer, Because neither one would take responsibility for their actions! When we sin and ask His forgiveness, God willingly forgives us (see Nehemiah 9:17) What He wont accept, however, is blaming, rationalising, justifying, and excusing. His word says in (Proverbs 28:13) He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will receive mercy. Here are two more things you need to know; the wrong people will hurt you. There are two groups of people you should not allow to influence you. 1. Very needy or very negative people, they will cling to you and you will end-up being their security blanket; they will get possessive and pull you down and nothing you say will satisfy them. Point them to a professional they require that sort of help. Such people are very draining, doubting and distracting. These are people who really don’t want to know about God, they just “jump on the band-wagon” for the ride, or are looking for an argument. I say to such people, “Listen, I am happy to talk and discuss your problem, but if you are looking for an argument I’m just not interested.” Love them and help them as much as you can, but never be influenced or led by them, just disconnect graciously. 2. The right people will help you. When God has a job to be done, he seldom calls one person, He usually calls others to help to stand and support you. That means your willingness to reach for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Paul spent an entire chapter in the New Testament acknowledging the people who helped him fulfil his vision. (Philippians 3:5). If you are wise, you will acknowledge that God hasn’t gifted you to do everything, so delegate, and work from your own core strengths. That takes humility on your part, but pays great dividends in the long run. Another valuable lesson we all must learn is to give up short-term gratification for long-term fulfilment. Paul bottom-lines his life and ministry in (1Philipians 2-16) ‘I know that my work and efforts were not useless’ Nothing in life is more important than the choices we make. See (Genesis 13:12) ‘Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom’ and for a while he prospered, but in the end everything he worked for went up in smoke. In the next verse we read, The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him; ‘Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – Northward, Southward, Eastward, and Westward for all the land which you see, I give to you.’Lot chose the easiest but wrong direction and lost. Abram relied on the Lord and took what was left, and won. Choices, choices, choices! When it comes to making choices make a habit of asking yourself these questions; How will this effect my character, my sense of self respect and confidence when I approach God in prayer? How will it affect my influence and respect with other people? How will it affect my family and those who are following in my footsteps? The Bible gives us the answer; (Hebrews 12:1-2) ‘Therefore as we are surrounded by such a huge crowed of witnesses to the life of Faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, and especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Thank you for reading “What to expect in life” As Bible believing Christians, we must keep our eyes and ears open to the Word of God DAILY, or we will miss what God has to say to us each day. This is so important I can’t emphasise it enough. Think about it 30 minutes a day spent with God, Reading His Word aloud and listening to Him; if you do, you will never hear those words:--”Depart from Me; I never knew you.” I challenge you to... Try it for a month and see the difference He will make in your life. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of God.” I am praying for all who read this. God bless. Phaline. ----------------------------