I’m Moving On Up!

Deuteronomy 1:5-7-On this side of the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying, “The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 1:5-7-While the Israelites were in the land of Moab east of the Jordan River, Moses carefully explained the LORD’s instructions as follows.

"When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, ’You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on. (NLT)

We are going to talk about change and most of the time when we think about change we are thinking about how someone else needs to change!

There was guy who made a list of New Year’s resolutions: be nicer to people; eat nutritious food; be more giving to my friends; cut down on sweets & fats; be less critical of others. This guy, then showed the list, to his Pastor. His Pastor was quite impressed. They were great goals. “But the Pastor asked him, “do you think you’ll be able to meet all of them?” And the guy said, “Why should I,” “This list is for you!”

You-If you want get out from doing the same thing over and over again, it starts with you.

Most people when they are in a situation or circumstance they don’t like, they start the blame game

If so and so wouldn’t have passed me over for that promotion, I’d be boss by now!

If my parents would have treated me better, then I would treat my kids better!

If Texas burger didn’t sell such good burgers, I wouldn’t be fat now!

I’m not saying that bad things don’t happen to us or that we are not affected by things in our past, but I am saying we all have a choice to change!

We all have a choice to be different than the people that has hurt us!

Proverbs 23:7-For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

We sometimes don’t think to highly of ourselves, we don’t think we can do any better, we don’t think we can change.

A lot that comes from trying to change and not being able to, so we give up!

But when you get up in the morning and look at yourself in the mirror, I want to think about your self the way God thinks about you!

Even if you have to say it out loud (What if someone hears, just say I’m talking to myself)

“God loves me, God die for my sins and God is going to help me change!”

His opinion of you is the only one that matters!!!!

Another thing that will help you to change is found in Philippians 4:8-Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

When You Think Different You Will Be Different!

You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.

Dwelt-What you are dwelling in, is different than what I’m dwelling in!

You may be dwelling in…Sin

You may be dwelling in…Unforgiveness

You may be dwelling in…Sorrow

You may be dwelling in…Vengeance

You may be dwelling in…Self Pity, Hatred, Prejudice

In other words what He is saying is, “You been here long enough!”

Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains

Take-There is your promise! There is your victory! There is your strength! But you have to take it!!!

The old legend tells us about two brothers who were convicted of stealing sheep in an Old World country. For their punishment, they each were branded on the forehead with the letters ST, for "sheep thief." One brother, bitter tot he core, ran away to another land to build a new life . Even there, people continually asked him about the strange letters on his forehead. He agitated so much about the stigma, that he took his own life.

The other brother thought his predicament out. "I can’t run away from the fact that I stole sheep, he said, "But I will stay here and win back the respect of my neighbors and myself." As the years went by, he earned a reputation of honesty, respect, and love. One day a stranger saw the old man with the letters branded on his forehead. He asked a citizen of the town what the letters stood for. The townsman replied, "It happened a great while ago. I’ve forgotten the details, but I think the letters are an abbreviation for Saint."

Page 467-I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I am gaining everyday. Still praying as I onward bound, Lord plan my feet on higher ground!