Lessons for Living (Audio)

We all have regrets about decisions we made in our lives – things we did as well as things we didn’t do. And we have to live with the consequences of those choices made or not made. Pastor Mark will be talking about these things in relationship to becoming obedient to God’s direction. We may have experienced God’s prompting us to do something for or say something to someone, and experienced the pleasure of obedience. We’re going to be reminded of events in the Bible and encouraged to consider what would have happened if different choices had been made.

We all have regrets about decisions we made in our lives – things we did as well as things we didn’t do. And we have to live with the consequences of those choices made or not made. Pastor Mark will be talking about these things in relationship to becoming obedient to God’s direction. We may have experienced God’s prompting us to do something for or say something to someone, and experienced the pleasure of obedience. We’re going to be reminded of events in the Bible and encouraged to consider what would have happened if different choices had been made.

It really is tough to hear something like this. We understand and acknowledge the idea of God equipping someone else to be a missionary or lay leader; just not us. The notion of trusting God to the point that we are required to make a huge leap of faith – well, the fear of the unknown is just overwhelming. Pastor Mark will be teaching about our need to increase our level of not only listening to God’s voice but then doing what Christ followers throughout history have done – jumping off the metaphorical cliff and trusting God to either catch us or help us survive the fall.

It really is tough to hear something like this. We understand and acknowledge the idea of God equipping someone else to be a missionary or lay leader; just not us. The notion of trusting God to the point that we are required to make a huge leap of faith – well, the fear of the unknown is just overwhelming. Pastor Mark will be teaching about our need to increase our level of not only listening to God’s voice but then doing what Christ followers throughout history have done – jumping off the metaphorical cliff and trusting God to either catch us or help us survive the fall.

The idea of being led, visibly, by God is an intriguing one. Having what appears to be a concrete evidence of God’s hand on your life is really reassuring. Our reality, though, is that we don’t have that kind of public visual indicator of God’s presence in our life. Pastor Mark will be teaching the truth of the matter – we have what the Bible calls better than what the Israelites had. We have the Holy Spirit, sent from God, to indwell us and lead us and guide us! Every day, if we take the time to listen, He is here with us. The catch is that we have to be obedient to what He says.

The idea of being led, visibly, by God is an intriguing one. Having what appears to be a concrete evidence of God’s hand on your life is really reassuring. Our reality, though, is that we don’t have that kind of public visual indicator of God’s presence in our life. Pastor Mark will be teaching the truth of the matter – we have what the Bible calls better than what the Israelites had. We have the Holy Spirit, sent from God, to indwell us and lead us and guide us! Every day, if we take the time to listen, He is here with us. The catch is that we have to be obedient to what He says.

When we train for a vocation or job, there is a point when we have to put the theoretical we’ve read or learned into practice. In the same way, we can read the Bible from cover to cover but if we don’t begin to do the actions God tells us to do, it’s no good for us. Pastor Mark is teaching about our need to put aside our fears and apprehensions and just obey God. Many times, what God is asking doesn’t seem difficult, like obeying His commands about honesty and integrity. There will be times, however, when we will be required to simply obey and trust Him for the outcome.

When we train for a vocation or job, there is a point when we have to put the theoretical we’ve read or learned into practice. In the same way, we can read the Bible from cover to cover but if we don’t begin to do the actions God tells us to do, it’s no good for us. Pastor Mark is teaching about our need to put aside our fears and apprehensions and just obey God. Many times, what God is asking doesn’t seem difficult, like obeying His commands about honesty and integrity. There will be times, however, when we will be required to simply obey and trust Him for the outcome.

How many of us have children? How many of those children always do what we tell them to do? Almost none, right? We tell them what we want done but somehow the hearing doesn’t always translate into doing. Pastor Mark will be teaching that we as God’s children often have the same problem that our children do in obeying our directives. God has given us some instructions that He expects us to carry out. Firstly, we have to know what God’s commands are – He has given us His words in the Bible. We have to become informed, then become willing to obey what He tells us to do.

How many of us have children? How many of those children always do what we tell them to do? Almost none, right? We tell them what we want done but somehow the hearing doesn’t always translate into doing. Pastor Mark will be teaching that we as God’s children often have the same problem that our children do in obeying our directives. God has given us some instructions that He expects us to carry out. Firstly, we have to know what God’s commands are – He has given us His words in the Bible. We have to become informed, then become willing to obey what He tells us to do.