Excuses Breed, II
Proverbs 24:12 “Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew…”
Yesterday, we began to look at the first of three excuses that deplete spiritual traction. And it is The Excuse that breeds SELF-INDULGENCE. Read the rest of this entry
Excuses Breed, I
Luke 14:18-20 “But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’”
We are still learning about Traction, and for the next few days we will be fixing our gaze on spiritual traction. Read the rest of this entry
Listen!
1 Peter 3:10 “For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” (emphasis added).
To put your Two Hands On The Steering Wheel means that you need to take ownership and control of your life. Read the rest of this entry
Take Ownership
Proverbs 16:32 “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power.” (NLT & MSG)
Jeremiah 2:25 “Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it…’” (MSG). Read the rest of this entry
Take Control
Jeremiah 2:25 “Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it…’” (MSG)
For traction and control, the first thing you need is a Good Grip With The Road (The Way). The second thing you need is to Control Your Speed. You need to control your speed even in good conditions. Read the rest of this entry
Mud & Ice, II
Romans 8:38 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
What are the things that get between us and The Way, those things that prevent traction? Yesterday we looked at the first, which is Sin. The second is Fear. Every time you see fear, you cannot find faith. Fear, they say, is the opposite of faith and that is so true. Read the rest of this entry
Mud & Ice, I
James 4:8-10 “Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life… Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” (MSG)
In the two scenarios we have examined thus far of cars without traction, it was ice and mud that prevented those cars from having traction and prevented them from getting a grip, or gaining control. Read the rest of this entry
Good Grip
John 14:6 “Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.” (MSG)
If you are in a rut, more often than not, what will get you out of that rut is an external force. If you are in a rut, what will get you out of that rut are the people that God has put in your life. Read the rest of this entry
Force
Psalm 40:2 “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (NIV)
Traction is the frictional force between two surfaces that creates movement without slipping. Getting a grip requires the use of our limbs. Looking at the physical anatomy of man, to get a grip, he needs his hands. Read the rest of this entry
Firm Grip
1 Samuel 17:45-46 “David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you…”
Gain Momentum by Disrupting Your Patterns. Rely on God’s Strength, Not Your Own. Identify And Eradicate Intimidation. 1 Samuel 17:48 “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.” David was not intimidated by Goliath. Read the rest of this entry
