“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Please, don’t trust yourself.

I know. That’s not really PC. That kinda goes against the mantra of our culture – you do you. Trust in yourself. Do what your heart tells you to do.

Look – the life you are living right now is the result of your choices. For good or bad, you got yourself right where you are. You did it. You chose it.

The life you are living is the result of the decisions you’ve made and the things and people you have allowed in your life. If you want a different life, a better life, a more satisfying life, a more purposeful life, a more God-honoring life, you have to change your decisions and you have to change who and what you allow in your life.

You have to make better decisions. Make decisions based on God’s truth. You’ve seen what decisions based on your feelings and your thoughts have got you. You are right here because you followed you.

If you want a better life, you have to make better decisions. For goodness sake, STOP TRUSTING YOURSELF!!! Trust God. Follow him.

The second thing is you are where you are because of the stuff you allow in your life. There are things that have no place in your life. There are people who have no place in your life. There are habits that have no place in your life. Get them out. Your future hangs in the balance.

Choose well.

For goodness sake – stop trusting yourself.

Trust God.

“If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

“If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples” (John 8:31).
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).
“Whoever obeys my word will never see death” (John 8:51).
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love” (John 15:10).
“You are my friends, if you do what I command” (John 15:14).

It’s clear that Jesus takes this obedience thing pretty seriously. Why is that? Why is obedience such a big deal? What delight does Jesus get from making us obey?

You see, Jesus wants us to obey not so he can feel better about himself – more Lord-ly, more God-like. Jesus wants us to obey because that’s how WE experience joy and freedom. It’s in obedience that we become who we were truly made to be, and in living into our purpose we experience joy and freedom.

The greatest beneficiary of our obedience is US!

That’s why Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples.” And when we obey, “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Isn’t that interesting that our freedom is found in our obedience. We are most fully free when we are most obedient because, when we obey, we are most fully who we were created to be.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get busy obeying!!!

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

We are to outdo one another in spurring one another, encouraging one another, nudging one another toward love and good deeds. And one of the primary ways we do this is by encouraging one another to not give up meeting together in worship. Our place in worship – whether online or in person – is essential to a growing faith.

When you show up for worship on Sundays, take a look around you. Who is missing? Note who’s absent and give them a call to let them know that they were missed. Ask if they are doing ok.

I am not sure who wrote the following, but I like it says about worship:

If you go to church looking to become offended, you will succeed.
If you go to church looking for places where people fall short, you will find them.
If you go to church looking for imperfection, you will see it.
But if you go to church looking for an opportunity to worship alongside broken people, you will find it.
If you go to church looking for a place to serve, you will find one.
If you go to church to love people like Jesus, you can.
Ten out of ten times…you find what you are looking for.

Look for Jesus.