Previously: Wise Lessons from the Live of Solomon
I. Start Well by Learning the Will of God
II. Live Well by Evaluation, Execution and Perspiration
III. Finish Well by Transforming Desires to Value God's Will more than Life
I. Our Consequences are Determined by Our Choices (and resultant actions/follow through)
Dt 30:15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you...
II. Our Choices (and actions/follow through) Determined by Our Mindset and Affections (values)
1Ch 28:8 be careful to seek out all the commandments of Yahweh your God, that,,,may possess good land, and leave it as an inheritance
9 know the God of your father,
and serve Him with a loyal/perfect/whole heart and with a willing/(desire/pleasure) mind/soul;
for the LORD searches every heart and understands all the intent/imaginations of the thoughts.
If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to...be strong, and do it." (cx Dt 17; 1Kg 11)
Josh 1:7 be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go 8 Book of the Law...meditate..do.. prosper..success
III. Our Mindset and Affections are Determined by Embracing God's Word or Satan's World
1Ch 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor/glory come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 " Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. 15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope. 16 "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.17 I know also, my God, that You test* the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.19 And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision." *Job 23:10; Ps 11:5; 17:3; 66:10; 139:23; Pr 17:3; Jer 17:10; Zech 13:9; Heb 4:13; Rev 2:23
A. Our incomparable God owns it all, and gives riches, honor, greatness, and strength to His people, who thank and praise Him.
B. God gives: our life, intellect/knowledge, strength, opportunities/experiences, riches and honor, as a test to demonstrate uprightness
C. We demonstrate uprightness by giving back to God, what He's given us, using all for His pleasure and purposes (God's will).
Mt 6:9 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us...12 forgive us 13 temptation...deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 26:41 Ps 141:4
IV. A Biblical Mindset Views Life as the Opportunity to Exchange the Fading Temporal for the Eternal
Mt 16:23 said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.25 For whoever desires to save his soul (mind/will/emotions) will lose it, but whoever loses his soul for My sake will find it.2 6 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliott, martyr and no fool. (Jn 12:24)
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:- How would you summarize your thinking about life, and its purpose? What most influences your thinking? See TOYL on Truthbase.net
- Why do some people think there is no cause and effect relationship between what we sow, and what we reap? Gal 6:7-10
- What steps have you taken to make sure you're wiser than Solomon, and don't wind up being like the worlds biggest loser?
- In what ways can you use your unique background, experiences, and abilities to do God's will and glorify Him?
- Are you and God delighted over what you got in exchange for the the last 168 hours? Will anything be different next week?
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