Lordship And Stewardship

Dear friends, we need to people who pray and read the Bible each and every day; who seek to think Christ’s thoughts.

Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" (Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus)

Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… and the God of peace will be with you."

III. MY WAYS – HIS WAYS (in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.)

Your way, path or direction—Is the direction of your life consistent with the direction that God wants for your life?

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us that “Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life.” Narrow is the way, and few that find it, said Jesus.

Like the person who wrote: "$3 WORTH OF GOD"

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.

I don’t want enough of him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant.

I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth.

I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

[SOURCE: Citation: Wilbur Rees, Leadership, Vol. 4, no. 1.]

Psalms 128:1 "Blessed are all who fear the LORD; who walk in his ways.” And Proverbs 16:7 "When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him."

There is peace, prosperity, and safety in being in the center of God’s will and walking in His ways.

The pioneer missionary to Africa, David Livingstone told how he was chased up a small tree and besieged by lions. He said the tree was so small that he was barely out of reach of the lions. He said they would stand on their back feet and roar and shake the little tree, and that he could feel the hot breath of the lions as they sought him. "But," he stated, "I had a good night and felt happier and safer in that little tree besieged by lions, in the jungles of Africa, in the will of God, than I would have been out of the will of God in England." There is one safe and happy place, and that is in the will of God. [William Moses Tidwell, "Pointed Illustrations."]

Haggai 1:5-7 "Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.

IV. MY CLEANLINESS – HIS CLEANLINESS (Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.)

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.