The Bigger Picture

2.17.08

The BIGGER PICTURE by William Akehurst, HSWC

1 Peter 1:13-21

Scriptures Referenced:

1 Peter 1:13-21

Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, 20:7

Matthew 4:10

Luke 16:13

Amos 3:3

Matthew 5:34

Exodus 20

Deut 6:5

Basic Outline:

GUARD YOUR MINDS. Our minds must be clear and ready for action

1 Peter 1:13-21

BE HOLY. Live Separate of this world in every aspect of life.

Leviticus 11:44, 19:2, 20:7

SERVE GOD.

Matthew 4:10

Luke 16:13

Amos 3:3

Matthew 5:34

Exodus 20

Deut 6:5

KNOWING and realizing that we can not buy our freedom and forgiveness. It was bought by the blood of Christ. This was known before the world existed, but for our good, became public in this last period of time, this time in which we live. That through Jesus, we do believe in GOD. Let your faith and confidence be in GOD.

* * * * *

As we read through the Bible, from beginning to end, we get a bigger picture of GOD’s plan for humanity, to spend eternity with Him. This is our training ground. We are given the choice to obey or not. We are to be obedient to HIM in this life, and those who are, will serve HIM for eternity. Life is not about who we are. Life is about who we serve.

Sometimes in order to understand, we can no longer stay on our perch above, but must DIVE IN HEAD FIRST and be fully immersed in life. That is how GOD wants us to get into HIS WORD. DIVE IN HEAD FIRST.

The BIGGER Picture

Everyone these days it seems is talking about widescreen or big screen tvs. On Extreme Home makeover, it seems that every house has a built in movie theater somewhere in the home.

This isn’t unusual, since the beginning of the moving picture shows, people have wanted to see things in a big light.

Movie theaters are big screens, but there are still bigger screens…at the Science center, there is the IMAX theatre with its screen of 70.9’ x 54.5’ that’s 3864.05 SF BIG

We all want to see the bigger picture don’t we.

Since last week, those of you who heard the message of the LORD, and have heeded it, followed it. Those of you who have been moved to act on our instructions last week. Those of you who have gotten into the word and consumed it. Taken it in…are beginning to see…The Bigger Picture.

Last week, I challenged you to set aside time for the LORD, Daily. Who took the challenge?

We began a program of reading the Bible in 90 days. There are many books and reading schedules out there from the Bible in a Year, which I have done with my family as a child, and we did with our family. But one thing I am realizing is this…Time is short…we can not waste any more time, and must get into the word.

As a favorite song from Stephen Curtis Chapmen goes. DIVE IN.

Sometimes we are so stuck in our ways, we believe things are as we see them from a distance. But there are times that we must walk over to the edge, and dive in and immerse ourselves headfirst. 1 Pet 1:13 says Gird up the loins of your mind… (and dive in – head first)

GOD’s PLAN

As we have started this study throughout the bible, taking a selection of chapters of the scriptures each day, we see the hand of God at work in HIS world.

There are many lessons to be learned as we go through each chapter and each verse. Some verses jump out at you saying…HERE IT IS, THIS IS THE MESSAGE FOR YOU TODAY.

I’ve seen verses that pertain to life, love, parenting and business. What have you seen?

INCREDIBLE DESIGN

From Creation, to the fall.

God’s provision for life, and His disappointment with man’s sin.

From Noah’s Ark and the Flood, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

All along the way, we see how our world developed.

How, languages and diversity of the nations were created at the tower of Babel when God caused everyone to speak a different language, and people gathered with those they were able to communicate with and formed their own new communities.

PRAYER ANSWERED

We have seen men of God seek the LORD for help through prayer, and seen prayer answered as with Abraham’s servant in search of a wife for Isaac. The servant, by faith, asked the Lord to send the girl to be Isaac’s wife to the well to fetch he and his camels water. And when the girl came and did as he asked of the LORD, he knew in his heart that God had answered his prayer. Genesis 24:12 And he shared it with the girls father, and then with Abraham when he returned.