The New Life in Christ: It Takes Time: (The Purpose Driven Life-RICK WARREN.)

The Bible says, “Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

There are no shortcuts to maturity.

While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow.

Growth is often painful and scary.

There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain.

Every change involves a loss of some kind.

Material support brings immediate result. But God’s plan, Spiritual support works slowly in your life.

Believe God is working in your life even when you don’t feel it.

Be patient with God and with yourself: God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time.

James advised, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed.”

Don’t get discouraged: When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn’t think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say: “These things I plan won’t happen right way. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”

Years ago people wore a popular button with the letters PBPGINFWMY. It stood for “Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.” Amen.

                               

The New Life in Christ: It All Starts with God. (THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE)

For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible,…

everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Colossians 1:16.
You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.

But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.

Bible says, “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.”

You could reach all your personal goals, becoming a raving success by the world’s standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.

Ask God.

He has clearly revealed his five purposes for our lives through the Bible. It is our Owner’s Manual, explaining why we are alive, how life works, what to avoid, and what to expect in the future.

To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God’s Word, not the world’s wisdom.

You must build your life on eternal truths, not pop psychology, success-motivation, or inspirational stories.

Amen.

The New life In Christ: Just learn to Trust Me.... in all things, the Good & the bad, says God.

 Me: God, can I ask you a question?

God: Sure

 Me: Promise you won't get mad

 God: I promise

Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do you mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late

God: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start

God: Okay

Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait

God: Huummm

Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call

God: All right

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. But it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one

of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that…

Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me: (embarrassed): Okay

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm Sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in all things, the Good & the bad.

Me: I will trust you.

God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...

The New life In Christ: “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39.

Jesus spoke up…”A certain creditor had two debtors; the owed five hundred denarii, the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.”

And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.

But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And said…”Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:40-50.

Jesus compares Simon's acts as a host to the sinful woman's acts of love.

Simon's Acts	The Sinful Woman's Acts
No water to wash feet	Washed feet with tears, wiped with hair
No kiss of welcome	Kissed feet continually
No scented olive oil for his guest's hair	Poured perfume on his feet

Amen.

The New Life in Christ: “Stop crying; don’t let your eyes fill with tears,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 31:16. For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15.

I am like a worm instead of a man. People make fun of me and hate me. Those who look at me laugh. Psalm 22:6.

Insults have broken my heart and left me weak. I looked for sympathy, but there was none; I found no one to comfort me. Psalm 69:20.

HE, the LORD, was hated and rejected by people. He had much pain and suffering. People would not even look at him. He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him.

But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. Isaiah 53:3-4.

And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself suffered and was tempted. Hebrews 2:18.

For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15. Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Serving God does make us very rich if we are satisfied with what we have. 1Timothy 6:6.

Do not judge unfairly or take sides.

Do not let people pay you to make wrong decisions, because that kind of payment makes wise people seem blind, and it changes the words of good people. Always do what is right so that you will live and always have the land the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 16:19-20.

A person who does what is right and speaks what is right,

who refuses to take money unfairly,

who refuses to take money to hurt others,

who does not listen to plans of murder,

who refuses to think about evil-

this is the kind of people who will be safe.

He will be protected as he would be in a high, walled city.

He will always have bread, and he will not run out of water. Isaiah 33:15-16. Amen.

The New Life in Christ: Did you let Satan rule your thoughts to lie to the Holy Sprit? Acts 5:3.

A man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold some land. He kept back part of the money for himself; his wife knew about this and agreed to it. But he bought the rest of the money and gave it to the apostles.

Peter said, “Ananias, how is that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Acts 5:1-10.

The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow. 1Timothy 6:10. Amen.