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Author
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Topic: Stay Close
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Keeper
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Member # 7675
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posted
Well Betty, it was brought up 3 or 4 weeks ago with hardly any visits. Dat's Y.
Posts: 481 | Registered: Apr 2009
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Betty Louise
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Member # 7175
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posted
Keeper,
Why do you think we would not want advice on witnessing? We all can learn and I know I appreciate Carol for posting that.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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Keeper
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Member # 7675
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posted
don't expect much conversation on this.
Posts: 481 | Registered: Apr 2009
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Carol Swenson
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posted
Guidelines
Like most things in life, witnessing has guidelines. Following is a list of 20 Do's and 12 Don't's. They should aid you while witnessing and help prevent serious errors. If, however, you choose to ignore them, witnessing will be difficult and awkward.
Things that you should do include:
Pray before & after witnessing.
Speak so that you please God.
Have a Bible or small New Testament with you.
Start with a positive witness for Jesus Christ (practice).
Keep things simple.
Share your salvation experience with them.
KNOW what you believe (see 4 above).
Have a genuine love in your heart.
Be simple and define your terms.
Memorize appropriate Scripture Verses.
Be ready to learn from the people you witness to.
Be patient and gentle.
Listen to them attentively.
Answer their questions.
Ask them questions.
Let them save face.
Bring them, if possible, to a decision about Jesus Christ.
Encourage them to study the Bible.
Use Scriptures that are in context.
Remember who you are witnessing for, Jesus Christ.
Things that you should "not" do include:
Don't attack directly or make fun of someone.
Don't jump from one subject to another.
Don't expect too much from him.
Don't have a spiritual chip on your shoulder.
Don't lose patience.
Don't come on too strong.
Don't debate peripheral issues or doctrines.
Don't get sidetracked defending your denomination.
Don't be uptight.
Don't assume.
Don't argue.
Don't speak too fast or unclearly.
I hope these do's and don't's have brought to your attention areas that would improve your witnessing. If some of them have struck you as being particularly applicable then I would suggest you think them over and in prayer ask God to work on your heart and teach you the right way to witness. He will bless you. All you need is to trust Him and go witness.
(Pastor Russ)
http://www.russpickett.com/evan/dodont.htm
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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posted
Witnessing 101
Bravely Reaching the Lost For Christ
Sharing the simple message of Christ in our world isn't often easy. We have to work at witnessing. Even so, it is possible to win others to Christ.
Going out on short-term mission trips is a wonderful way to learn witnessing skills. It is usually easier to witness to strangers than to people in our workplace or family. Strangely, I am braver when I am on mission trips, possibly, because my focus is witnessing. The vigorous training received beforehand prepares those going out.
For others, it isn't always possible to leave families, home, work and children to go on a short term mission trip. Often times the only mission field most see is the field in which God has placed them.
I've learned over time it takes a conscious effort on my part to be an effective witness. Caught off guard on occasion, I've fumbled my way through a few witnessing opportunities. The idea here is at least to try. God will always bless our efforts.
Sharing Christ with people in our world doesn't have to be hard. All of us can witness for Christ, no matter where we are, but for a little help try these suggestions:
• Get to know co-workers. It is easier to witness if you know their background, beliefs and personalities. Don't be judgmental.
• Look for common interest. If an individual likes basketball, talk to them about your favorite team. Talk about your children, teenagers, grandparents or anything to help build on the relationship.
• Show you are interested in what they have to say. Ask questions. You can't expect people to listen to you if you aren't interested in what they have to say.
• Attend events and functions with co-workers and friends. This demonstrates your interests expand outside the walls of the church. It is important for others to see you as a normal everyday person, not some churchy, preachy type person.
• Your actions, attitude and behavior in the workplace as well as at home can influence others. Be sure to think before acting or reacting. Others are watching. We must continuously guard our actions as well as carefully choose our words.
• Integrate your faith into your world. In public, don't be afraid to bow your head, asking the blessing over your food before eating. Gently let people know if their language offends you. Be encouraging and kind to everyone. Show respect to employees in restaurants and other service jobs.
• Invite people to church. Don't harass them but if the opportunity arises during conversations, don't be afraid to offer an invitation to attend a worship service with you. Volunteer to pick them up on your way.
• Handle difficulties in a Christ like manner. Perfection is not expected nor required. Even Christians face difficult times. The manner in which you respond to the complexities of your world, speaks more than any words you have to say.
• The key to influencing others for Christ is prayer. You should lift the names of the lost in your world up to Christ. Recruit fellow Christians to help you pray.
• Always, always, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your every word. Allow Him to work. Don't try to push people into making a decision.
• When possible, have a fellow Christian pray silently and inconspicuously while you are witnessing.
• Have verses in your Bible already highlighted in advance. It's easy to become frazzled and forgetful when witnessing. Thumbing through the Bible looking for that particular verse becomes a distraction. Be prepared.
Some of us may go a lifetime without witnessing to the lost around us. It is a shame for us not to try. Remember Christ opened the door to salvation for you when you were not part of the original family of God.
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV)
Life for Christians has but one goal: accomplish God's Mission. According to Acts 1:8, our mission is to be His witnesses. Witnessing won't always be easy and many times will be unpopular. However, we have to overcome our fears because the lives of the lost in our world lie in our hands.
(D. Snyder)
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Found in Him
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Member # 7596
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posted
Keeper writes.. My Mammy used to say, Birds of a Feather Flock Together. She was so right. Well, aren't All women right? My wife says so.
You should thank Jesus for a wise Mother and wonderful Wife Keeper.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Keeper writes..Where and with Who do WE spend our hours?
That's just it...some are employed in Egypt. Egypt doesn't particularly care for the salt of the Earth!
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Keeper
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NOW LISTEN ! (he-he) I like Charles Stanley too.
If you are not a Charles Stanley listener you may not understand the little chuckle above. When he gets ready to make a point, he stops and says NOW LISTEN !
Anyway, this is a lesson on Staying Close and a good one. My Mammy used to say, Birds of a Feather Flock Together. She was so right. Well, aren't All women right? My wife says so.
We got off on to this subject a couple weeks ago.
We were talking about inviting the lost to church. I was surprised to find that some on here didn't agree with that. But then I got to thinking that it shouldn't come as such a shock.
I had seen that several times before.
Then I remembered the many letters in the bible to people who were learning about Jesus, but they were in churches weren't they? Some were trying to learn, some had troubles understanding, some were in culture shock, some were there for what they could get out of it, some were ill, but all were sinners. Isn't that sorta what folks are, who have not witnessed Jesus?
Just how much damage can we do to them if they come visit us in church ? LOL You might be surprised. And that's for just an hour or two.
The opening script was not about church time, but it could be. It was about the 166 hours left over in the week and who we spend our time with. But it wasn't about that either, it was about us. oops! Yeah! Where and with Who do WE spend our hours?
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Found in Him
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..For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ...
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Found in Him
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Awwww... What a sweetie! ![[hug]](graemlins/hug.gif)
A good goal for me would be the same and praying for open doors to share the good news with the lost.
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Carol Swenson
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If the One who is as glorious and perfect as He is can forgive and love someone as woefully imperfect as I am, then I should be willing to forgive and love other people.
This is a good place for a goal to start. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Found in Him
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He really does love us all that intimately.
We are loved with an everlasting love...
Eph 3
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
What a mouthful! What a love!
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Carol Swenson
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Beautiful. Very sensitive.
It's difficult for me to imagine someone as magnificent as Him feeling that love for me, and yet He does.
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Found in Him
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Here is another thing that I did-- not a poem. I printed and laminated this-- it stays in my Bible.
Copy and paste the words below in word or word pad and then center it on the page and tell me what you find...
He
IS:
God
Alpha
Omega
Beginning
End
I AM
Master
Savior
Love
Deliverer
Advocate
Intercessor
Lamb Of God
King Of Kings
Great Physician
Prince of Peace
Champion
Councilor
Son Of God
Ancient Of Days
Word Of God
Lord Of Lords
Rock of Salvation
Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah
Author And Finisher Of Faith
Faithful Friend
Christ
Messiah
Mediator
Confident
His Majesty
Immanuel
Almighty
Rabbi
Creator
...Taking up the sword of the Spirit which Is The Word Of God Eph 6:17
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Found in Him
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His Beautiful Face...
This is the brow that wore a crown of thorns for me.
These are the eyes that saw who I could be.
These are the cheeks that bore many a tear for me.
These are the ears that heard my cry for help, my plea.
These are the perfect lips that pleaded "Father please forgive"
The voice that proclaims life everlasting, that I might live.
This is the face of The One that I adore, to whom my all I will give.
This is The Beautiful face of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Carol Swenson
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I hope you will share some of your poems with us sometimes.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Found in Him
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Carol writes... We parents need to watch it ourselves Work environments are filled with "educated idiots" did i say that? oops.
Some of them are in charge.
AMEN Sister!
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Found in Him
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Well, I don't know if it's a goal..maybe more like a mission.
I find quiet time with The Lord daily. Whether it's writing a poem to Him or sitting quietly with a cup of coffee with Him and His word. I find this one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling times of my day.
I started this back about 12 years ago and found myself rushing home after work to be alone with Him more and more with each passing year.
I so far have an entire book of poems and a closer relationship with The Lord.
The days that I didn't or couldn't find this time with Him made my day feel incomplete. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
To avoid spiritual drift, set clear goals for yourself, spiritually and otherwise. In general, the more carefully you plan, the more likely you are to succeed (Prov. 21:5). And those who have specific, godly goals typically don’t have time to drift spiritually.
What do you think is a good goal? I know of one lady who wrote personal outlines for nearly every book of the Bible over her lifetime!
In Discover Your Destiny Charles Stanley writes:
A Joy in the Doing
Those who find and daily seek to fulfill God’s unique destiny for sharing Christ with others experience much greater joy in life. They can hardly wait to see what God is going to do next in their lives. They are eager to get up in the mornings and to get busy.
I have this same joy in my work—every day has its own schedule, its own opportunities, its own challenges, and yes, its own problems. Even the problems, however, are exciting because I’m always on the search for how God is going to solve the problems. He comes up with the most creative solutions imaginable.
When you find your destiny in Christ, you will also find joy. Nobody will even have to talk to you about hope. You’ll feel it welling up in you continually because you’ll know with a certainty that
• there is still more that God wants to teach you about Himself as you read His Word.
• there is still more that God desires to show you about how to live on this earth as Christ would live.
• there is still another person with whom God desires for you to share the love of Christ and the message of the gospel.
As long as you live, God has a daily blueprint for your life that He is unfolding before you.
Nobody else can fulfill what He has for you to do. And as you trust the Holy Spirit to lead you and to empower you, you can and will succeed in fulfilling His mission in your life.
God is at work in you, and He will use you to accomplish His purposes in the lives of others. At the same time, He is at work in the world around you, and He will use others to accomplish His purpose in your life. You can be assured that until your last breath, God has a purpose and a plan for your life.
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
We parents need to watch it ourselves Work environments are filled with "educated idiots" did i say that? oops.
Some of them are in charge.
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Found in Him
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Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. (Proverbs 13:20)
This is a hard lesson for some...Like my Daughter who is her early twenties and is struggling to discern between the wise and foolish friends. It really can alter thinking and attitudes if we are not careful who we keep company with.
We parents need to watch it ourselves ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) Work environments are filled with "educated idiots" did i say that? oops.
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Carol Swenson
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Good post Found in Him ![[thumbsup2]](graemlins/thumbsup2.gif)
quote:
You can escape the pain caused by spiritual drift. Stay close to the Lord, deal quickly with sin, develop strong friendships, and pursue godly goals. As you do your part, you can be confident that God will do His.
I love Charles Stanley!
The first question you asked is:
quote:
What does Proverbs 13:20 say will happen to someone who is a companion to fools?
The KJV:
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
I like the way The Message puts it too:
Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.
And The American Bible Society's Good News Translation:
Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.
WELL then...
How do we "keep company with the wise"?
Paul gives us some examples.
What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. (Acts 20:38, NIV)
Fellowship builds strong personal relationships. Paul’s relationship with these believers is a beautiful example of Christian fellowship. He had cared for them and loved them, even cried over their needs. They responded with love and care for him and sorrow over his leaving. They had prayed together and comforted one another. Like Paul, we can build strong relationships with other Christians by sharing, caring, sorrowing, rejoicing, and praying with them. We will gather others around us only by giving ourselves away to them.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. (Philippians 1:7, NIV)
Genuine fellowship fosters the love of Christ. Have you ever longed to see a friend with whom you share fond memories? Paul had such a longing to see the Christians at Philippi. His love and affection for them was based not merely on past experiences, but also upon the unity that comes when believers draw upon Christ’s love. All Christians are part of God’s family and thus share equally in the transforming power of his love. Do you feel a deep love for fellow Christians, friends and strangers alike? Let Christ’s love motivate us to love other Christians, and to express that love in our actions toward them.
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Found in Him
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The word of God is also important to stay close...
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.(Psalms 119)
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth". (John 17)
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119)
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psalms 119)
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. (psalms 119)
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. (psalms 119)
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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Found in Him
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Bible Study
Preventing Spiritual Drift
In Touch Ministries
Protecting our relationship with God is possible, but doing so requires purposeful attention to our spiritual life.
A. To stay on course spiritually, surround yourself with godly friends. Because of the negative influence of the world around us, we must cultivate close friendships with strong believers.
1. Be careful when reaching out to godless people. To be effective witnesses, we must love non-Christians and spend time with them. But the Bible warns us against the influence of those who don’t respect God, His word, or even natural consequences of poor behavior.
The Bible calls these people “fools.” Our culture considers this word synonymous with “idiot.” But the biblical concept refers not to intellectual ability, but to spiritual and moral aptitude (Prov. 18:2).
* What does Proverbs 13:20 say will happen to someone who is a companion to fools?
* Why do you think Proverbs 28:7 made a similar prediction about a “companion of gluttons”?
Allowing unrepentant people to become our best friends will almost certainly lead to spiritual drift. In contrast, a close, godly friend challenges us to be our best spiritually.
2. Purposefully befriend strong believers. Look for ways to connect on an intimate level with those who are passionate about their relationship with God.
* Read Hebrews 10:23-25. What are some ways believers can “stimulate one another to love and good deeds”?
* Name one specific action you could take to develop closer friendships with those you respect spiritually.
* Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 gives a picture that represents one advantage of having a faithful friend. Describe a time when you experienced this benefit.
Godly friends also give wise advice.
* What does Proverbs 15:22 say about how to plan successfully?
* What do you think the writer of Ecclesiastes meant when he said, “It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools”? (Eccl. 7:5).
* Paraphrase this verse, putting it into modern, everyday words. Keep in mind the biblical idea of a “fool.”
* Do you agree with the author of Ecclesiastes? Why or why not? Along with investing yourself in intimate friendships with believers, having a vision for your life will help you stay on course spiritually.
B. To avoid spiritual drift, set clear goals for yourself, spiritually and otherwise. In general, the more carefully you plan, the more likely you are to succeed (Prov. 21:5). And those who have specific, godly goals typically don’t have time to drift spiritually.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” This doesn’t just mean praying for God to bless our plans, but discovering what His purposes are in the first place (Rom. 8:14).
1. Ask God for direction. How can you know the Lord’s wisdom regarding a specific goal? Listen for an internal “voice” that sounds much like your own thoughts but has a wisdom that isn’t your own. But make sure your goals are in line with scriptural wisdom.
* How many believers can hear Jesus’ voice, according to His words in John 10:27-28?
* Stop right now and listen to God’s plans for your life, using the steps above.
2. Look for scriptural goals. Almost any biblical command can become a goal. For instance, Jesus commanded us to share the gospel with others (Matt. 28:19-20). As you pray, you may realize that God wants you to reach out to a lonely person at work who doesn’t yet know the Lord.
Scripture abounds with other worthy goals that we can adopt as our own.
* Summarize Paul’s ultimate goal (Phil. 3:7-15).
* What did Paul tell Timothy the goal of their instruction was? (1 Tim. 1:5)
Fear of failing or making a mistake holds many people captive to the status quo. But the good news is that God will correct your path if you set off in the wrong direction (Prov. 16:9).
Closing: You can escape the pain caused by spiritual drift. Stay close to the Lord, deal quickly with sin, develop strong friendships, and pursue godly goals. As you do your part, you can be confident that God will do His.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the principles You’ve given in Your Word about how to stay strong spiritually. Reveal to us Your wonderful plans for our lives, so that we can keep our spiritual fervor and enjoy godly success. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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