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Assessing the Past o Too often we assess the past based on 1) what I did (or failed to do) and 2) how I feel about it. We say "I want to lose 15 pounds" or "I want to finish my degree this year" or "I want a new job" and then whether that happens or not we judge how successful the year was. What happens is that we fail to account for one very important factor - found in James: James 4:13-17 13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. Now I know we know this intellectually, but do we know it practically? And if we ask for something and it is not the Lord's will - does that signal failure as well? So how should we evaluate our past year? I want to give you 8 questions to ask yourself: 1. What challenges did I face and how did God work in them? (2 Thes 2:2-3) 2. Am I more like Christ? (2 Cor 3:18) 3. What prayers has God answered? (Psalm 34:4) 4. What direction has God given me? (Psalm 73:24) 5. Was failure really failure? (2 Cor 4:7-12) 6. Have I put to death some deeds of the flesh? (Romans 8:13) 7. Have I relied more on the Spirit? (Gal 5:16) 8. Am I more in love with the Lord? (Rev 2:4) Planning the Future Keeping James in mind - how do we go about planning for next year? Should we even plan - or should we just live day to day and not worry about it. Well, I think we should not let the future distract us from living life dependent on God today - but I also think we need to plan for how God can work through us - we need to purpose to draw closer to Him. Luke 14:28-30 28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' We need to plan for what the cost of discipleship will be. And we need to consider what building projects that Lord is starting in our lives. Prov 14:15 15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. o Creating good goals o Creating attainable goals 1. What will further God's kingdom? (Matt 6:10) 2. Are there areas where God is speaking to me? (Rom 12:2) 3. How can I help fulfill the Great Commission? (Matt 28:19) 4. What relationships can I foster or create? (1 John 4:21) 5. How can I make "straight paths for my feet?" (Hebrews 12:12-13) Now I want to look at a section of Scripture that kind of sums up a way of looking ahead. It comes from 1 Peter 4. Now the Christians to whom Peter was writing were the marginalized of their society - they were of the slave class, and didn't have many rights. Because of that many suffered persecution as Christians. I think many of us can relate to a group of people facing hard times - how do we look ahead when the future appears so bleak? There are 7 principals I want to look at in this section from 4:1 through 5:11. 1 Peter 4:1-5:11 1. Look to Heaven, Live on earth 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 2. Make your prayers more effective by cleansing your mind from pollution 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 3. Love deeply 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 4. Serve faithfully 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 5. Rejoice in suffering 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 6. Shepherd humbly 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7. Endure patiently 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. I think if I were to sum up these 7 principals I would boil them down to only three: 1. Love deeply 2. Serve faithfully 3. Endure patiently 1. Do everything for God Colossians 3:16-17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 2. Stay busy, but Live like He's coming back today Matthew 24:42-47 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. |
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