Introduction

Good morning, my dear friends. We're gathered here today with hearts full of hope. Hope, that is the very essence of our faith, isn't it? It's like what G.K. Chesterton once said, "Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all." And that's exactly what we're here to do today. To hope. To believe. To trust.

We're going to talk about decisions today. Not the easy ones, like what to have for breakfast, but the tough ones. The choices that shape us, mold us, and ultimately, define us. We're going to talk about paths. Not the smooth, easy ones, but the rough, challenging ones. The paths that test us, stretch us, and ultimately, strengthen us.

We're going to talk about regret today. Not the fleeting, momentary ones, but the deep, lingering ones. The regrets that haunt us, hurt us, and ultimately, humble us. But don't worry, my friends. We're not here to dwell on the pain, but to find the remedy. The remedy that heals us, helps us, and ultimately, uplifts us.

Before we start, let's turn to the Holy Scriptures. The book of Jeremiah, chapter 6, verse 16 says, "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

Let's bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of hope. We ask for Your guidance as we navigate the challenging paths of life. Help us to make the right decisions, to learn from our regrets, and to find rest in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, are you ready, my friends? Are you ready to hope, to believe, to trust? Are you ready to make decisions, to walk on paths, to face regret? Are you ready to find the remedy? I hope you are. Because that's what we're here to do today. To find rest for our souls. To find the good way. To walk in it. Together.

Decisions in Destiny

When we stand at the crossroads of life, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the magnitude of the choices before us. It's like standing at the edge of a vast ocean, with no compass to guide us. We're left to rely on our instincts, our faith, and our wisdom. These decisions, these choices, they shape our destiny. They're like the strokes of a painter's brush, each one contributing to the masterpiece that is our life.

Ancient paths. Now, let's consider the ancient paths mentioned in Jeremiah. These paths represent the wisdom of the ages, the tried and tested ways of our ancestors. They're often rough, challenging, and filled with obstacles. But they're also the most rewarding. They lead us to a place of rest, a place of peace.

The first aspect we need to consider is the importance of seeking wisdom. Wisdom is like a lamp that illuminates our path. It helps us see the obstacles ahead and navigate around them. It's not something we're born with, but something we acquire through experience, through learning, through prayer.

The second aspect is the role of faith. Faith is like the wind in our sails. It propels us forward, even when the waters are rough. It gives us the courage to make tough decisions, to walk on challenging paths. With faith being our anchor in the storm, there is no sea we cannot traverse.

The third aspect is the power of perseverance. Perseverance is like the steady beat of a drum. It keeps us moving forward, step by step, day by day. It helps us stay the course, even when the path is steep and the journey is long. Perseverance is our strength in the struggle, our endurance in the race.

The fourth aspect is the significance of humility. Humility is like the soil in which our character grows. It keeps us grounded, even when we reach great heights. Humility helps us learn from our mistakes, to grow from our failures. It's not something we can fake or feign, but something we embody through our attitude.

Recap/Transition. So, as we stand at the crossroads of life, let's remember these aspects. Let's seek wisdom, have faith, persevere, and be humble. Let's make decisions that align with our values, that reflect our character, that shape our destiny. Let's walk on the ancient paths, the good way, and find rest for our souls. Let's not just exist, but live. Live with purpose, with passion, with peace.

Painful Paths from Personal Perception

As we continue to navigate the complexities of life, we often find ourselves on paths that are far from smooth ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO