Navigating the RIGHT Direction (Part One)

It’s significant that in Scripture, wisdom is often associated with a path, road, or direction. Are you going in the right direction? Are you living off-road? Do you know where you are on the map? What’s your compass? How do you navigate? Living the right way is less about information than orientation. All the global geographic data points are useless if we have no sense of north. We wander in whichever nomadic direction our hearts choose until we submit to the authority of God’s good compass. He alone illuminates the way. The fool says in his heart, There is no God (Psalm 14:1) and thus walks aimlessly without clear direction. The wise man, by contrast, lives a God-centered life. The sailors from yesterday locate their position on the sea by “shooting” the sun. We may get our moral bearings by looking at God. We must begin with God. We are right when and only when we stand in a right position relative to God, and we are wrong so far and so long as we stand in any other position.

Here are several compass points that we need to orient ourselves with so we can stay on course with Jesus:

Stay close to Jesus; know and love Jesus; be known and loved by Jesus:

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Psalm 145:18, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

Talk to Him every day – prayer:

Colossians 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”

Read His Word every day – know and study His Word:

Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it Day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

Be filled with the Holy Spirit:

Ephesians 5:18, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Have a supportive group of people around you:

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”   1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Ask for help:

Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Be quick to forgive:

Colossians 3:13, “Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Navigating Through Life Together,

Pastor Steve

Next week:

1. Share with others about Jesus

2. Serve and love one another

3. Work hard but don’t take things too seriously

4. Let the joy of the Lord fill your heart and mind

5. Maintain an attitude of thankfulness and praise

6. Never forget whose you are – children of the most high God

7. Learn to take minute vacations of worship and praise

8. Never give up on the Lord or yourself