Life is a journey that has many unexpected turns and paths. Who of us could have traced the path that life has led us on that led us to where we are now? Who could have know that life would have so many twists and turns and yet here we are. Our inner person is very sensitive to the outward circumstances of our life. Those circumstances can change very quickly. Human c character is more complex than any of us can comprehend. Often we do not understand what is going on. Life can be so contradictory that only God can sort it out. This realization should quicken us to be careful how we judge what we see in other people. Often we look at others and determine where they should be; that they should be further down the path. We do not have the perspective to make those judgmental. In our text, we find Elijah hiding in a cave. None who know him would have predicted that he would wind up in that cave. He was not there because he lacked courage, knowledge, understanding or a lack of discernment. He failed in the strangest place: the place where he was the strongest. He fled from death but then turned around and prayed to God for death. We can learn from this man's story that we are all susceptible to human weakness. Elijah story reminds us that we are defined by more than our current circumstances. Fear, doubt and uncertainty had found their way into Elijah's life. The war that was going on in his mind does not mean that he was a failure. Things had not turned out the way he thought. At Jezebel's word, he ran in a moment of fear and weakness. This transition was literally overnight. We are all our own worst critics. The whispering in our mind can do more to drag us down than any devil. Our text finds Elijah hiding in a cave. God comes to him with a simple question: "What are you doing HERE?" God had to ask the question twice. The first time, Elijah began to do what all of us do; he began to plead his case. God tries again: Elijah, what are you doing HERE. This time He did not wait for an answer, God goes on to tell Elijah what he was supposed to do. God didn't argue ore debate. He simply reminded Elijah that there was work to do, and that it couldn't' be done hiding in that cave. Too many of us have retreated into our caves to hid. Where we are is not where God wants us to be. God knows us and our frailties. He did not come to Elijah to rebuke him and tear him down. God came to remind him, and us that it is time to get out of the cave in which we are hiding. We cannot do what God wants us to do in the place we are now.

Life is a journey that has many unexpected turns and paths. Who of us could have traced the path that life has led us on that led us to where we are now? Who could have know that life would have so many twists and turns and yet here we are. Our inner person is very sensitive to the outward circumstances of our life. Those circumstances can change very quickly. Human c character is more complex than any of us can comprehend. Often we do not understand what is going on. Life can be so contradictory that only God can sort it out. This realization should quicken us to be careful how we judge what we see in other people. Often we look at others and determine where they should be; that they should be further down the path. We do not have the perspective to make those judgmental. In our text, we find Elijah hiding in a cave. None who know him would have predicted that he would wind up in that cave. He was not there because he lacked courage, knowledge, understanding or a lack of discernment. He failed in the strangest place: the place where he was the strongest. He fled from death but then turned around and prayed to God for death. We can learn from this man's story that we are all susceptible to human weakness. Elijah story reminds us that we are defined by more than our current circumstances. Fear, doubt and uncertainty had found their way into Elijah's life. The war that was going on in his mind does not mean that he was a failure. Things had not turned out the way he thought. At Jezebel's word, he ran in a moment of fear and weakness. This transition was literally overnight. We are all our own worst critics. The whispering in our mind can do more to drag us down than any devil. Our text finds Elijah hiding in a cave. God comes to him with a simple question: "What are you doing HERE?" God had to ask the question twice. The first time, Elijah began to do what all of us do; he began to plead his case. God tries again: Elijah, what are you doing HERE. This time He did not wait for an answer, God goes on to tell Elijah what he was supposed to do. God didn't argue ore debate. He simply reminded Elijah that there was work to do, and that it couldn't' be done hiding in that cave. Too many of us have retreated into our caves to hid. Where we are is not where God wants us to be. God knows us and our frailties. He did not come to Elijah to rebuke him and tear him down. God came to remind him, and us that it is time to get out of the cave in which we are hiding. We cannot do what God wants us to do in the place we are now.

Unlike ladies on mother’s day, Men have a heavenly example of perfect fatherhood. None of us are perfect. There is only one that was without sin. The rest of us fall under the category of fallen and strive to rise up to be good men. As good as David was, his record as a father was blemished. Absolom had a different view of his father than others on the outside.

You are a man what do you know. There are some things that as a man we do know. We have learned that our shadow reaches further than we realize. Our words have more affect than we know. God is not looking for perfect men. He will supply the perfect. As hard as we try, we will make mistakes as a father. When we fall it is best to get back up, because there are others who depend on us getting backup. Our influence is great. When we least think they are watching; they are. There is nothing that is lost in life by maintaining integrity. The blessings of god are the result of walking with him. In Micha 7:2, he laments "the good man is perished out of the earth" Many may feel that way today. Our world needs good men who will stand and be counted. Good men who will say "I will serve the lord."

In our text, the bible tells us to follow the path of good men. This implies that there are other paths that men can follow. Many are made in private, and he thinks nothing of it. These decisions set the course for great moments, or great failure. The bible does not say perfect men, or great men. It says good men. There is no disappointment in doing good. Good things come from following good men. When we pursue good, the evil will be cast out. The two cannot co-exist. When we follow the path of good, we will leave the path of evil. The bible says to follow the path. This is intentional. There is no accident to be good. If we are to find the good things, it will because we actively walk into it.

There are two great dangers to good men. One is the evil man. The other is the evil woman. The evil man appeals to the mind and thoughts. The wicked may appear to be succeeding, but psalms tells us that their end will be destruction. The wicked will take shortcuts to profit, but those shortcuts will not lead to true success. The evil woman appeals to the fleshly appetite and desires. We must guard our appetite and desires. These temptations will lead us off of the path of good men.

Here is what we learn from good men in Hebrews 11

Noah taught us to build now and we won't be sorry later. Abraham trusted God when he couldn't understand Him. Enoc walked with God and that walk led him to better things. Jacob teaches that good men can make mistakes, but if we keep reaching for God, we can recover. Joseph brought much on himself because of naivety. Joseph teaches us that we must live for God no matter what happens. No matter what family or friends do to us, we must live for God.

There are many things that are hard to deal with in life. Through it all, we must follow the path of good men and decide that no matter what, we will server the Lord.

Unlike ladies on mother’s day, Men have a heavenly example of perfect fatherhood. None of us are perfect. There is only one that was without sin. The rest of us fall under the category of fallen and strive to rise up to be good men. As good as David was, his record as a father was blemished. Absolom had a different view of his father than others on the outside.

You are a man what do you know. There are some things that as a man we do know. We have learned that our shadow reaches further than we realize. Our words have more affect than we know. God is not looking for perfect men. He will supply the perfect. As hard as we try, we will make mistakes as a father. When we fall it is best to get back up, because there are others who depend on us getting backup. Our influence is great. When we least think they are watching; they are. There is nothing that is lost in life by maintaining integrity. The blessings of god are the result of walking with him. In Micha 7:2, he laments "the good man is perished out of the earth" Many may feel that way today. Our world needs good men who will stand and be counted. Good men who will say "I will serve the lord."

In our text, the bible tells us to follow the path of good men. This implies that there are other paths that men can follow. Many are made in private, and he thinks nothing of it. These decisions set the course for great moments, or great failure. The bible does not say perfect men, or great men. It says good men. There is no disappointment in doing good. Good things come from following good men. When we pursue good, the evil will be cast out. The two cannot co-exist. When we follow the path of good, we will leave the path of evil. The bible says to follow the path. This is intentional. There is no accident to be good. If we are to find the good things, it will because we actively walk into it.

There are two great dangers to good men. One is the evil man. The other is the evil woman. The evil man appeals to the mind and thoughts. The wicked may appear to be succeeding, but psalms tells us that their end will be destruction. The wicked will take shortcuts to profit, but those shortcuts will not lead to true success. The evil woman appeals to the fleshly appetite and desires. We must guard our appetite and desires. These temptations will lead us off of the path of good men.

Here is what we learn from good men in Hebrews 11

Noah taught us to build now and we won't be sorry later. Abraham trusted God when he couldn't understand Him. Enoc walked with God and that walk led him to better things. Jacob teaches that good men can make mistakes, but if we keep reaching for God, we can recover. Joseph brought much on himself because of naivety. Joseph teaches us that we must live for God no matter what happens. No matter what family or friends do to us, we must live for God.

There are many things that are hard to deal with in life. Through it all, we must follow the path of good men and decide that no matter what, we will server the Lord.

There are people in the real estate business called flippers. They purchase homes at a discount, fix it up and sell it for a profit. Some of these homes are in desperate need of maintenance. The flipper comes in and gets to work. Bro. Long declares to us that we need to focus our flipping efforts on our spiritual house. Out text extols God's people to get to work and put His house back in order. Our church is in the midst of a remodeling project due to the flood. In addition to rebuilding the physical house, we are dedicated to a spiritual renovation. We look at the news of the day and feel as if all is lost. The church takes one step, and the world takes two steps back. The bible declares that He is coming back for a church without spot and wrinkle. Revival is about to sweep across this place. Not just our church, but across our nation. Flipping this house will require some changes. We will have to tear down some walls. We will have to fast, pray and read the world. The bible is the blueprint for the remodeling project. The bible is the best selling book of all time. But it is often the most unused book. Some buy a bible as an insurance policy. They place it in their home in the hopes that it will protect them. The true protection of the bible comes from reading it and living the life described in it. Many today undertake DIY - Do it Yourself projects. The home improvement market is full of stores and lumber yards to provide professional quality materials and advise to the do it yourselfer. In the spiritual realm, God does not want a DIY project. He wants us to rely on HIM for our project. Our text tells us the the latter will be greater than the former. He is coming back for a church, but first we must flip this house. The change we want to see must begin in us. Before we flip His house, we must flip ourselves. Are there things hidden in us that need to be repair. We must take a place that may seem to be in ruins and repair it.

There are people in the real estate business called flippers. They purchase homes at a discount, fix it up and sell it for a profit. Some of these homes are in desperate need of maintenance. The flipper comes in and gets to work. Bro. Long declares to us that we need to focus our flipping efforts on our spiritual house. Out text extols God's people to get to work and put His house back in order. Our church is in the midst of a remodeling project due to the flood. In addition to rebuilding the physical house, we are dedicated to a spiritual renovation. We look at the news of the day and feel as if all is lost. The church takes one step, and the world takes two steps back. The bible declares that He is coming back for a church without spot and wrinkle. Revival is about to sweep across this place. Not just our church, but across our nation. Flipping this house will require some changes. We will have to tear down some walls. We will have to fast, pray and read the world. The bible is the blueprint for the remodeling project. The bible is the best selling book of all time. But it is often the most unused book. Some buy a bible as an insurance policy. They place it in their home in the hopes that it will protect them. The true protection of the bible comes from reading it and living the life described in it. Many today undertake DIY - Do it Yourself projects. The home improvement market is full of stores and lumber yards to provide professional quality materials and advise to the do it yourselfer. In the spiritual realm, God does not want a DIY project. He wants us to rely on HIM for our project. Our text tells us the the latter will be greater than the former. He is coming back for a church, but first we must flip this house. The change we want to see must begin in us. Before we flip His house, we must flip ourselves. Are there things hidden in us that need to be repair. We must take a place that may seem to be in ruins and repair it.

Our text in Mark is one of the of the greatest stories in the bible. This is more than a story, but a revelation. This occurs just after the Jesus teaching the multitude and the feeding of the 5000. Jesus sent his disciples into the boat to travel to the other side of the sea of Galalie . It was purposeful. It was not an accident, Jesus sent them. It was part of the plan and purpose of God. They were sent, but they were not sent without trouble. The sea of Galilee, was a sea of trouble. It is situated in such a way that it was rife for storms because of the mountains and it's elevation. Storms could and did arise quickly. We live on the gulf coast where storms can come up and disrupt life. We may not like it, but this is where God has placed us. We will have to go through things in life to get to where God wants us to be. There are moment when trouble comes quickly upon us and we find ourselves in the midst of turmoil. The disciples did not understand the command, but they did not question. They got into the boat and struck out. Mark describes the scene as they made their way across the sea. After the high of the teaching and the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, the disciples find themselves in a situation where the winds were contrary. The winds were against what they were trying to do. The winds of life were trying to stop them from doing what God had told them to do. The events of life are not always directed to help us. The winds conspired against them. The cause seemed lost in the futility of the moment. The sea of Galilee was only about 6 miles wide. Normally the transit time was very short, but on this night, these men were out for over 9 hours and had only traveled 3 miles. That is a lot of rowing and toiling for nothing. The disciples must have been exhausted, but Mark describes how these men managed their situation. He said they were toiling. The English word does not fully describe what the original text meant. Literally the word means tormented. They were tormented in their work. It was only by painful effort that they could make headway. They were simply battling and trying to stay on course. Here is where contrary meets committed. The thing that brought them to the place where they ultimately met up with Him again, was that they continued to row. Life is not easy, but they were committed. They continued to work to do what He had told them to do. If we stay on course and keep rowing, we will rondevaeux with Him. That is the answer to life's problems: keep rowing. They could not tell on open water if they were making headway, but God knew and had the situation in control. It does not matter if we can see if we are making a difference, if we are making progress, God knows and out job is to keep rowing. They harder they tried, the harder the wind blew, but they kept rowing. What elements have conspired to stop us from our path: Poor decisions, financial trouble, broken marriages. The answer to living for God in each of these situations is to keep rowing. When we keep rowing, we will find ourselves where God wants us to be. Why did Jesus send them to be in the storm for so long? The bible tells us that He saw them struggling, but He did not go them until the 4th watch of the night. There are some who have given up on God when He waited to answer a prayer. Perhaps the reason he lingered so long was to teach them that trouble is part of life, and we must continue the struggle in order to over come it. His coming sooner would not have thought them the lesson that the Lord needed them to learn. These men went on to take the gospel to the world and suffer other hardships. This story taught them and us that He will be right on time to take us to where He wants us to be. If they had given up after one or two miles, they would not have been in position to meet up with Jesus. Keep rowing.

Our text in Mark is one of the of the greatest stories in the bible. This is more than a story, but a revelation. This occurs just after the Jesus teaching the multitude and the feeding of the 5000. Jesus sent his disciples into the boat to travel to the other side of the sea of Galalie . It was purposeful. It was not an accident, Jesus sent them. It was part of the plan and purpose of God. They were sent, but they were not sent without trouble. The sea of Galilee, was a sea of trouble. It is situated in such a way that it was rife for storms because of the mountains and it's elevation. Storms could and did arise quickly. We live on the gulf coast where storms can come up and disrupt life. We may not like it, but this is where God has placed us. We will have to go through things in life to get to where God wants us to be. There are moment when trouble comes quickly upon us and we find ourselves in the midst of turmoil. The disciples did not understand the command, but they did not question. They got into the boat and struck out. Mark describes the scene as they made their way across the sea. After the high of the teaching and the miracle of the feeding of the 5000, the disciples find themselves in a situation where the winds were contrary. The winds were against what they were trying to do. The winds of life were trying to stop them from doing what God had told them to do. The events of life are not always directed to help us. The winds conspired against them. The cause seemed lost in the futility of the moment. The sea of Galilee was only about 6 miles wide. Normally the transit time was very short, but on this night, these men were out for over 9 hours and had only traveled 3 miles. That is a lot of rowing and toiling for nothing. The disciples must have been exhausted, but Mark describes how these men managed their situation. He said they were toiling. The English word does not fully describe what the original text meant. Literally the word means tormented. They were tormented in their work. It was only by painful effort that they could make headway. They were simply battling and trying to stay on course. Here is where contrary meets committed. The thing that brought them to the place where they ultimately met up with Him again, was that they continued to row. Life is not easy, but they were committed. They continued to work to do what He had told them to do. If we stay on course and keep rowing, we will rondevaeux with Him. That is the answer to life's problems: keep rowing. They could not tell on open water if they were making headway, but God knew and had the situation in control. It does not matter if we can see if we are making a difference, if we are making progress, God knows and out job is to keep rowing. They harder they tried, the harder the wind blew, but they kept rowing. What elements have conspired to stop us from our path: Poor decisions, financial trouble, broken marriages. The answer to living for God in each of these situations is to keep rowing. When we keep rowing, we will find ourselves where God wants us to be. Why did Jesus send them to be in the storm for so long? The bible tells us that He saw them struggling, but He did not go them until the 4th watch of the night. There are some who have given up on God when He waited to answer a prayer. Perhaps the reason he lingered so long was to teach them that trouble is part of life, and we must continue the struggle in order to over come it. His coming sooner would not have thought them the lesson that the Lord needed them to learn. These men went on to take the gospel to the world and suffer other hardships. This story taught them and us that He will be right on time to take us to where He wants us to be. If they had given up after one or two miles, they would not have been in position to meet up with Jesus. Keep rowing.

f someone says to us "I say you the other day" we would not think too much about it. But when Jesus told Nathaniel that, it meant something very different. This must have been a pivotal point in Nathaniel's life because when Jesus mentioned that particular instance it struck him. It was enough to convince Nathanael that Jesus was the Messiah. When he thought he was alone and by himself, but Jesus knew where Nathaniel was. As great as this was in the mind of Nathaniel, Jesus tells him that if that impressed him, that he had not even scratched the surface of what was to come. Many of us come to church and are amazed by a move of God and are happy with that blessing. But God has much more than that in store of each of us. The bible has many amazing stories of the miraculous; but water into wine, opening of blind eyes and Lazarus rising from he dead, Jesus walking on the water, the feeding of the 5000 are only the beginning of what God wants to do. Nathaniel's life continued with many experiences where he continued to see much greater things as he followed Jesus. On each occasion, Nathaniel must have been reminded of the words of Jesus: You haven’t seen anything yet! The church's greatest days are not behind us. Jesus knew where Nathaniel was when he was under the fig tree. God knows where we are and what we need. He knows our needs and what it will take to get us there. The blessings we have experienced so far are just the beginning. The best is yet to come. You haven't seen anything yet.

f someone says to us "I say you the other day" we would not think too much about it. But when Jesus told Nathaniel that, it meant something very different. This must have been a pivotal point in Nathaniel's life because when Jesus mentioned that particular instance it struck him. It was enough to convince Nathanael that Jesus was the Messiah. When he thought he was alone and by himself, but Jesus knew where Nathaniel was. As great as this was in the mind of Nathaniel, Jesus tells him that if that impressed him, that he had not even scratched the surface of what was to come. Many of us come to church and are amazed by a move of God and are happy with that blessing. But God has much more than that in store of each of us. The bible has many amazing stories of the miraculous; but water into wine, opening of blind eyes and Lazarus rising from he dead, Jesus walking on the water, the feeding of the 5000 are only the beginning of what God wants to do. Nathaniel's life continued with many experiences where he continued to see much greater things as he followed Jesus. On each occasion, Nathaniel must have been reminded of the words of Jesus: You haven’t seen anything yet! The church's greatest days are not behind us. Jesus knew where Nathaniel was when he was under the fig tree. God knows where we are and what we need. He knows our needs and what it will take to get us there. The blessings we have experienced so far are just the beginning. The best is yet to come. You haven't seen anything yet.