NEW BEGINNINGS!

It is Spring after all. What better way then to have an early - early spring! And, then a wedding coming up here soon. From all of us who know Cheryl Sheeler and Bill Redinger - Congratulations! Six months ago, if you had said to Cheryl or Bill, you will be married on April 28, 2012, they would have both laughed you away. Look at God's awesome gifts already in 2012. He certainly does have a plan and a journey. We can be assured about that. His Word is full of different roads and paths that our cloud of witnesses have been down. Paul had no IDEA he would be struck blind and be a beacon of light for Jesus Christ. Joseph had no idea he would be thrown down into a pit and rise up to be a great King. And, then on top of that - he saved his family from starvation and homelessness. I can could go on and on. So, I guess what we get from all this is, sit back and enjoy the twists and turns. We will ALWAYS land back on our feet in ways we had not anticipated at all. Of course, I love surprises. Some people don't.

Today I want to talk about some guidelines that God gives us very clearly for our lives.

We are looking at II Peter 1: 4/11. It is a map that spells out how we are to grow and develop on those roads to holiness. Even though we never get as holy as our Lord God, we can certainly see here what He wants for us and our heart needs to follow and desire this journey. Tough, sure, but rewarding.

You will need to read that entire passage of scriptures. Too long to spell out. I want to concentrate on 4 -

II Peter 1: 4

"By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may ESCAPE (by flight) from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature."

Pay close attention to that part of . . .you may ESCAPE (by flight) from the junk of this world. The things that are going on right now are draw-dropping. But His promises are that if we develop the following things, we can STEER as clear as possible from them. Trusting Him for a good outcome as long as we stay on the path.

I hate ruts, and pot holes. So I get a little testy when I hit them or aren't paying attention and slip off the berm. Yuk!!! So STAY ON THE PATH - THE ROAD.

Therefore, we need to cultivate * diligence * virtue *knowledge (intelligence)
* self control * steadfastness * patience * godliness (piety) * brotherly affection
*Christian love.

Peter goes on to say how this keeps out of idleness or unfruitful distractions. He warns us to stay on track here less we get shortsighted and forget what Christ has done for us.

Homework: I took a sheet of paper and in the middle I put a covered wagon. Then all around the outside of it I put those things (Indians or pirates with weapons) that create distractions or conflicts. People, family, career, anything that generates taking us from the task of drawing closer to God. I came up with 14 items that I think about each day and sometimes stress over or get conflicted about. I turned them back over to God and am committed to developing diligence, virtue, intelligence, self control, steadfastness, patience, piety, brotherly love, Christian Love.

Just think how we would the enemy out if we all did that at once. Let us kick the enemy to the curb and get better focus.