Cross Roads In The Journey Of Life

Cross Roads in the Journey of Life

Thesis: We will always face those cross roads moments in life as we travel on this journey. The key is to make sure that you seek the Lord’s directions, work hard, do not worry, do things right, and above all be sensible.

Scripture:

Proverbs 3:1-7:

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and shun evil.

Other Proverbs references

Introduction:

As I have been advancing through Proverbs I have discovered many wise and divinely inspired thoughts to live by as I travel this journey of life.

I recall when I graduated from High School that this was a cross roads moment in my journey.

I had to decide if I really wanted to be a construction worker or something else. I choose to pursue the construction field. I had doubts about whether I wanted to do this or if I should stay working in a grocery store. I made my choice and it eventually led me to Jesus. I found the Lord in Minnesota working on a construction site where I ended up working with a laborer who helped lead me to Jesus. When I made the choice to go into construction believe me this was not one of my goals. But it was God’s ideal goal for me! He knew how to get through to me and He did!

I recall when I crossed over from a Carpenter to a Bible College student this was a cross over moment.

This time in my life was filled with indecision, apprehension, doubts, and yet I felt this strong draw to go to Bible College. This draw was the Holy Spirit leading me and nudging me ever so gently that I needed to grow in the knowledge of the Word of God. I remember my dad asking me, “Why I wanted to spend more money on Bible College and then end up when I graduated making less money?” Believe me this was a struggle for me too. Do I leave my good Union Carpenter Job to go to school and make less money? I admit I felt a deep concern as to whether I could even do the school work. I was not accustomed to ever writing major papers. Kathy helped teach me how to write and she edited and typed a lot of my papers. I had really never had to do this before and it showed. But I remember my first day of school at NCBC. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was in the will of God. I also knew clearly what my purpose in life was and that it was to be a pastor for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord even reminded me that my boss is a Jewish Carpenter and I will still be a builder and construction worker for the Kingdom of God. My new jobs would be helping to build and rebuild people’s lives. That first chapel service at NCBC impacted me so much that I felt hope and peace for the decision I had made. I knew which way to go and how to get there.

I remember vividly my crossover from the Bachelors life to getting married to Kathy. I met the woman of my dreams. It was the greatest move I ever made and I knew the Lord wanted me to marry her. He told me, “She will be the best influence in your life” and she is! I lover her more today then I did when we first got married and she is wonderful. You might be thinking, “Were there questions of doubt at the time of the proposal and the wedding?” Yes! But I sought the direction from the Lord and He confirmed to me that this was the one who was to travel this path with me. I remember the confirmation Word from the Lord even today, “Get married it will do you a lot of good!” My wife has been a wonderful inspiration to me and an awesome teacher on how we should live in this life.

I recall when I graduated Bible College and took my first Pastorate this was a cross over moment.

While this was a scary time for me because now I had to step out in faith and really trust God to provide. I had to put my faith into action. Kathy and I candidated at a church in Grygla, Minnesota called Liberty Chapel. We went just to get experience in candidating as a pastor. I preached - God moved and they wanted me to come. I discovered what they would pay 1/8 of what I was making running my construction company. I was very convinced at first that this was not God. Why? Because I felt that I needed to work a couple years to pay off my school loan and Kathy’s school loan. But the Lord gave me direction from a radio minister and I listened to His direction and trusted the Lord. The day the Lord spoke to me He also confirmed to Kathy that we needed to go. We went and God stretched our faith and helped us to grow in Him. We learned what it meant to have God provide for our finances super-naturally. The fear and insecurity was replaced with hope and excitement as we worked at our God given construction project in Grygla.