Road signs are posted along the road. What are they there for? Is the government trying to fence you in? Police can be seen monitoring traffic. What are they there for? Is their sole purpose to catch you breaking the law? We understand that the rules of the road are for our well being and protection. Police patrol for the same reason. 

God’s word was not given to fence you in. God is not watching merely to catch you in a sin. God loves you. He has given His word to provide direction. It is for your well being and spiritual guidance. 

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  Ps 119:11 ESV

  Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.  Ps 119:24 ESV 

God knows best what is good for us. Hold fast to His word and His guidance. You will be better off.  Have a great week. Be steadfast. 

***

Believe it or not, I can still remember back to my college days. I attended my first two years at a local junior college. Classes were small and intimate. The physics classes, especially, were quite small. It was great that we knew each other and helped each other. Frequently, especially before tests, several would congregate at someone’s house and study together. That help and encouragement often paid off in better grades. 

We certainly can face the problems of life better when we know we are not alone. The strength and help that we get from brothers and sisters in Christ are very important to our spiritual well being and will help us pass the test of life. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.  Eccl 4:9-12 ESV 

Be an encourager to your brothers and sisters, and when you need encouragement, seek help from your spiritual family. Isn’t God’s plan of a spiritual family wonderful? 

***

In a leadership seminar I attended years ago, we were encouraged to keep our goals before us in every way we could. We were told to use sticky notes to post goals on the bathroom mirror and other places they could be seen as we went through our daily activities. 

Our ultimate goal, of course, is heaven above. One of our intermediate goals should be to assemble every first day of the week to worship God. 

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!  Ps 96:7-9 ESV 

Assemble with the saints. Give glory unto His name. He is worthy of your praise and adoration.

 

TLM

Sermon Outlines

Printable PDF Version

The New Birth	What About the Resurrection	A Way of Life
It Is a Tight Squeeze	The Day I Die	You Can Make a Difference
Equipping the Saints to Bear One Another's Burdens	I'll Do It Myself	Why Should We Preach...
Jesus Christ: The Prince of Peace	The Good Shepherd	What Is Fellowship?
I have Found the Book	How the O.T. Helps Us Today	Motivation for Christian Living
The Faith to Endure	The Bases of Fellowship in Jesus	The God that Sees
The Humility of Jesus	Jesus: The Great I AM	Committment in Marriage
Jesus' Passion for the Lost	When Time Ends	A Seperate People
Christians Are Special	Who Is Satan Part I?	You Have no Right to Judge!
Why Be a Leader?	Developing Wise Leaders	The Mighty One of Jacob
Who Is Satan Part II?	Feelings Felt by a Suffering Servant	Why Are There So Many Churches?
Value of Fellowship with Deity	I'm too Young	Running the Race of Christian Faith
Made in the Image of God	Is the Bible You Use Reliable? Parts 1 & 2	Is the Bible You Use Reliable? Parts 3
Healing from Hurt	Inherited Sin	How They Viewed Jesus
Why Do We Believe Jesus Is the Christ?	Why We Believe in One Faith?	The Thief on the Cross