by L.M.Reeves
First of all, to be able to establish a good pattern for living, one must be saved. Accepting the finished work of the cross by faith and receiving Jesus Christ into your heart begins a right relationship with the Truth of the word of God. Then you have the power to establish good patterns for living.
Romans 10:17 - "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."
Second, after salvation comes the ever on going process of edification and application in one's life.
I Timothy 4:8b - "...but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
I. If you want to be distressed, look within.
A. Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked who can know it?
B. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, bretheren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR MIND.
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FOCUS.
IV. If you want to be dismayed, look before.
A. Acts 1:7 "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, ..."
B. Psalm 37:5-7 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently on him ..."
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TRUST.
V. If you want to be delivered, look to Christ. Proverbs 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FORGIVENESS.
VI. If you want to be delighted, look up! Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR CONTENTMENT
What is your daily pattern?
How do you go about your day?
Do you decide how to feel based on the weather?
Do you wake up on one side of the bed or the other?
What is the foundation for all occasions in your life?
First of all, to be able to establish a good pattern for living, one must be saved. Accepting the finished work of the cross by faith and receiving Jesus Christ into your heart begins a right relationship with the Truth of the word of God. Then you have the power to establish good patterns for living.
Romans 10:17 - "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."
Second, after salvation comes the ever on going process of edification and application in one's life.
I Timothy 4:8b - "...but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
I. If you want to be distressed, look within.
A. Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked who can know it?
B. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, bretheren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR MIND.
II. If you want to be defeated, look back.
A. Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kindom of God."
B. Philippians 3:13 "...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching froth unto those things which are before,..."
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR ACTIONS.
III. If you want to be distracted, look around.
A. II Timothy 2:4 "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to ve a soldier."
B. II Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
A. Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kindom of God."
B. Philippians 3:13 "...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching froth unto those things which are before,..."
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR ACTIONS.
III. If you want to be distracted, look around.
A. II Timothy 2:4 "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to ve a soldier."
B. II Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FOCUS.
IV. If you want to be dismayed, look before.
A. Acts 1:7 "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, ..."
B. Psalm 37:5-7 "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently on him ..."
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TRUST.
V. If you want to be delivered, look to Christ. Proverbs 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR FORGIVENESS.
VI. If you want to be delighted, look up! Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
A GOOD PATTERN FOR LIVING - STEWARDSHIP OF OUR CONTENTMENT
