Our God has a great plan for our lives!

1
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• I vividly remember as a young man having great
  doubts about what life would bring for me. There
  is no certainty without God. (Ps 9010-12)

2
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• Psalm 9010-12 - The days of our lives are
  seventy years And if by reason of strength they
  are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor
  and sorrow For it is soon cut off, and we fly
  away. 12 So teach us to number our days, That
  we may gain a heart of wisdom.

3
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• Much of my thinking was short term.

4
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• Much of my thinking was short term.
• Much of my worry surrounded the dating game and
  seeking a mate.

5
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• Much of my thinking was short term.
• Much of my worry surrounded the dating game and
  seeking a mate.
• There were other very important relationships
  that my God provided me that were critical
  in my future relationships.

6
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• Much of my thinking was short term.
• Much of my worry surrounded the dating game and
  seeking a mate.
• There were other very important relationships
  that my God provided me that were critical
  in my future relationships.
• My God answered prayers and provided wonderful
  people in my life.

7
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• In becoming a Christian it changed my
  relationships over time.

8
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• In becoming a Christian it changed my
  relationships over time.
• I cannot give enough thanks to God for those who
  wanted to be a part of my walk of faith. Jesus
  promised this would be so! (Mk 1028-30)

9
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• Mark 1028-30 28 Then Peter began to say to
  Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."
  29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say
  to you, there is no one who has left house or
  brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife
  or children or lands, for My sake and the
  gospel's,

10
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• 30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in
  this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and
  mothers and children and lands, with persecutions
  -- and in the age to come, eternal life.

11
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• I found that as I became closer to God that my
  relationships changed!

12
Our God has a great plan for our lives!

• I found that as I became closer to God that my
  relationships changed!
• Let us look at scripture and then our lives and
  see the direction of our lives.

13
The priorities of our relationships

• Jesus knew that one of the greatest tests will be
  in relationships.

14
The priorities of our relationships

• Jesus knew that one of the greatest tests will be
  in relationships.
• Does Jesus come first before all relationships?
  (Lk 1426-27)

15
The priorities of our relationships

• Luke 1426-27 - "If anyone comes to Me and does
  not hate his father and mother, wife and
  children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own
  life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 "And
  whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me
  cannot be My disciple.

16
The priorities of our relationships

• If that is not the case we will find out in a
  hurry.

17
The priorities of our relationships

• Some have found ways to be in good standing with
  brethren and with those that hate and oppose
  strong Christians! (Lk 626)

18
The priorities of our relationships

• Luke 626 - Woe to you when all men speak well of
  you, For so did their fathers to the false
  prophets.

19
The priorities of our relationships

• Some will abandon you because you correctly stand
  on a doctrinal issue that is not popular with
  some brethren! (Ex. Dancing) (Gal 612)

20
The priorities of our relationships

• Galatians 612 - As many as desire to make a good
  showing in the flesh, these would compel you to
  be circumcised, only that they may not suffer
  persecution for the cross of Christ.

21
The priorities of our relationships

• If we would make that unwavering commitment to
  love God with all that we have, then the
  pain of lost relationships will be bearable.

22
The priorities of our relationships

• Committing yourself wholly to God will always
  bring great changes.

23
The priorities of our relationships

• Committing yourself wholly to God will always
  bring great changes.
• Look at the life of Joseph in its entirety! (Gen
  5020)

24
The priorities of our relationships

• Genesis 5020 - "But as for you, you meant evil
  against me but God meant it for good, in order
  to bring it about as it is this day, to save many
  people alive.

25
The priorities of our relationships

• At the first this is hard to see. Here knowledge
  of God and His promises will sustain us. (1 Pt
  312-14)

26
The priorities of our relationships

• 1 Peter 312-14 - For the eyes of the LORD are on
  the righteous, And His ears are open to their
  prayers But the face of the LORD is against
  those who do evil." 13 And who is he who will
  harm you if you become followers of what is good?
  14 But even if you should suffer for
  righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not
  be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.

27
The priorities of our relationships

• David pointed this out in many ways! (Ps
  3723-25)

28
The priorities of our relationships

• Psalm 3723-25 - The steps of a good man are
  ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
  24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast
  down For the LORD upholds him with His hand. 25
  I have been young, and now am old Yet I have not
  seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants
  begging bread.

29
The priorities of our relationships

• The greatest associations you will ever find are
  among the people of God who have stood and
  suffered. (Heb 1032-33 1124-26)

30
The priorities of our relationships

• Hebrews 1032-34 - But recall the former days
  in which, after you were illuminated, you endured
  a great struggle with sufferings 33 partly
  while you were made a spectacle both by
  reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you
  became companions of those who were so treated

31
The priorities of our relationships

• It is not uncommon for weak Christians to
  distance themselves from strong Christians and in
  some cases even persecute them.

32
The priorities of our relationships

• Paul talked about the danger of being ashamed of
  him. (2 Tim 18, 16)

33
The priorities of our relationships

• 2 Timothy 18 - Therefore do not be ashamed of
  the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His
  prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for
  the gospel according to the power of God,

34
The priorities of our relationships

• 2 Timothy 116 - The Lord grant mercy to the
  household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed
  me, and was not ashamed of my chain

35
The priorities of our relationships

• I will never forget the little church in
  Abbeville, Alabama or the brethren that I met in
  Charlottesville, Virginia.

36
The direction of our relationships

• You can definitely see your spiritual direction
  by your relationships.

37
The direction of our relationships

• You can definitely see your spiritual direction
  by your relationships.
• Peter made a series of bad decisions that led him
  into a place where he would fall. (Lk 2254)

38
The direction of our relationships

• Luke 2254 - Having arrested Him, they led Him
  and brought Him into the high priest's house. But
  Peter followed at a distance.

39
The direction of our relationships

• Paul was encouraged to know he had brethren that
  would stand with him! (Acts 189-11)

40
The direction of our relationships

• Acts 189-11 - Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the
  night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak,
  and do not keep silent 10 "for I am with you,
  and no one will attack you to hurt you for I
  have many people in this city." 11 And he
  continued there a year and six months, teaching
  the word of God among them.

41
The direction of our relationships

• I am speaking of relationships where we depend on
  others and let our guard down around others.

42
The direction of our relationships

• I am speaking of relationships where we depend on
  others and let our guard down around others.
• Our relationships change over time. How are they
  changing?

43
The direction of our relationships

• Are you moving away from zealous, faithful
  Christians? (Ps 11-3)

44
The direction of our relationships

• Psalm 11-3 - Blessed is the man Who walks not
  in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the
  path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the
  scornful 2 But his delight is in the law of the
  LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
  3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers
  of water, That brings forth its fruit in its
  season, Whose leaf also shall not wither And
  whatever he does shall prosper.

45
The direction of our relationships

• You can move to those in the world or to worldly
  Christians, both will work against your spiritual
  life. (Prov 1320)

46
The direction of our relationships

• Proverbs 1320 - He who walks with wise men will
  be wise, But the companion of fools will be
  destroyed.

47
The direction of our relationships

• Some have what is called a toxic faith. They
  are scoffers and pull you into a pool of poison.
  (1 Cor 1533)

48
The direction of our relationships

• 1 Corinthians 1533 - Do not be deceived "Evil
  company corrupts good habits.

49
The direction of our relationships

• When you are drifting doctrinally this also
  happens. (Gal 416-17)

50
The direction of our relationships

• Galatians 416-17 - Have I therefore become
  your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17 They
  zealously court you, but for no good yes, they
  want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for
  them.

51
The direction of our relationships

• You must fight and escape such relationships! I
  have known of some respected preachers like
  this. (Heb 1215)

52
The direction of our relationships

• Hebrews 1215 - looking carefully lest anyone
  fall short of the grace of God lest any root of
  bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by
  this many become defiled

53
The direction of our relationships

• What a blessing to have crazy friends that love
  to talk about the word of God and of saving
  souls! (Ps 11963 Mal 316-18)

54
The direction of our relationships

• Psalm 11963 - I am a companion of all who fear
  You, And of those who keep Your precepts.

55
The direction of our relationships

• Malachi 316-18 - Then those who feared the LORD
  spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and
  heard them So a book of remembrance was written
  before Him For those who fear the LORD And who
  meditate on His name.

56
The direction of our relationships

• 17 "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts,
  "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I
  will spare them As a man spares his own son who
  serves him." 18 Then you shall again discern
  Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one
  who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

57
Wisdom in our relationships

• Be the kind of friend you would want to have!
  (Ruth 311)

58
Wisdom in our relationships

• Ruth 311 - "And now, my daughter, do not fear.
  I will do for you all that you request, for all
  the people of my town know that you are a
  virtuous woman.

59
Wisdom in our relationships

• How did David and Jonathan become friends? (1 Sam
  181-3)

60
Wisdom in our relationships

• 1 Samuel 181-3 Now when he had finished
  speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit
  to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as
  his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and
  would not let him go home to his father's house
  anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a
  covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

61
Wisdom in our relationships

• My best friends have come in very obscure places
  and circumstances. One thing they all had in
  common was a service to the Lord.

62
Wisdom in our relationships

• My best friends have come in very obscure places
  and circumstances. One thing they all had in
  common was a service to the Lord.
• When we become people of integrity and principle
  then we are becoming like God. That kind of
  person will never forsake us.

63
Wisdom in our relationships

• My best friends have come in very obscure places
  and circumstances. One thing they all had in
  common was a service to the Lord.
• When we become people of integrity and principle
  then we are becoming like God. That kind of
  person will never forsake us.
• Can you find a mate like this?

64
Wisdom in our relationships

• Learn how to share burdens without becoming
  bitter.

65
Wisdom in our relationships

• I have had to work with friends who were moving
  towards bitterness because someone hurt me.
  Preachers who move likely will face this
  scenario.

66
Wisdom in our relationships

• Your friend nor you will be profited by sharing
  an uncontrolled anger. (Eph 426-27 1 Jn 315)

67
Wisdom in our relationships

• Ephesians 426-27 - "Be angry, and do not sin"
  do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor
  give place to the devil.

68
Wisdom in our relationships

• 1 John 315 - Whoever hates his brother is a
  murderer, and you know that no murderer has
  eternal life abiding in him.

69
Wisdom in our relationships

• I need people who can understand and then help me
  to move on!

70
Wisdom in our relationships

• Be around thankful people.

71
Wisdom in our relationships

• Do you have friend that can go on at length about
  how God has blessed them and others?

72
Wisdom in our relationships

• Do you have friend that can go on at length about
  how God has blessed them and others?
• I need people to help me lift up my eyes and see
  the eternal blessing given by our God! Are you
  with thankful men? (Rom 121 Phil 46-8)

73
Wisdom in our relationships

• Romans 121 - because, although they knew God,
  they did not glorify Him as God, nor were
  thankful, but became futile in their thoughts,
  and their foolish hearts were darkened.

74
Wisdom in our relationships

• Philippians 46-8 - Be anxious for nothing, but
  in everything by prayer and supplication, with
  thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
  God 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all
  understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
  through Christ Jesus.

75
Wisdom in our relationships

• 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
  whatever things are noble, whatever things are
  just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
  are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
  if there is any virtue and if there is anything
  praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.

76
Wisdom in our relationships

• What have you learned about yourself by looking
  at your relationships?

77
Wisdom in our relationships

• We need to help our students in this area! An old
  study found that the key in making it as a new
  convert was breaking 3 old relationships and
  establishing 3 new.

78
Wisdom in our relationships

• We need to help our students in this area! An old
  study found that the key in making it as a new
  convert was breaking 3 old relationships and
  establishing 3 new.
• Parents, you can make a huge difference in the
  relationships your children establish!

79
Wisdom in our relationships

• Let us pray for our God to provide the wonderful
  gifts of relationships with faithful Christians!
  (Heb 1023-25)

80
Wisdom in our relationships

• Hebrews 1023-25 - Let us hold fast the
  confession of our hope without wavering, for He
  who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider
  one another in order to stir up love and good
  works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of
  ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but
  exhorting one another, and so much the more as
  you see the Day approaching.