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First of all,
we must look at our chart and set a course so we can know where we're
going, (of course, our chart is God's Word ... the Bible)
As good sailors, we must also take a compass to guide us along
the way. (a compass has a magnetized pointer which always points
northward, so you will know directions as you sail) You must know and
use the promises of God, and keep your mind on those promises.
Be sure to take your back-pack along
too. You must fill it with God's promises, and they will help you
handle any problems you may encounter on this voyage. The first
promise you must be sure to use so you can be in fellowship with the
Lord and so you can be guided in the right direction is:
"If we name our sins. He is
faithful and
fair to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wrong-doing"
(I John 1:9)
Now that you are in fellowship with the
Lord, He will guide you in the right way. We can pull up the ship's
anchor and set sail out into the open sea.
The Lord wants to tell us what He
expects us to do in order to have a wonderful voyage through life.
Some instructions are:
"In all your ways, acknowledge the
Lord, and He will direct your way."
(Proverbs 3:6)
"I will guide you and instruct you
in the way you should go."
(Psalm 32:8)
"Your ears shall hear a word behind
you that will say, 'This is the way.
Walk in My way."'
(Isaiah 30:21)
In case you become frightened because
of rough seas or dangerous reefs, the Lord says:
"Trusting the Lord 1s the beginning
of knowledge. Only a foolish person
hates wisdom and instruction."
(Proverbs 1:7)
"Christian, if you will learn and obey
My words, you will have understanding
and wisdom. If you want to know more
about Me, and you will search My Word
as carefully and earnestly as you would
search for hidden treasure, you will
learn how to trust Me and you will have
wisdom."
(Proverbs 2:1-5)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not depend upon your own
thoughts.
Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways,
and He will direct you in the way you
should go."
(Proverbs 3:5,6)
Well, now you have a back-pack bursting with some of God's
wonderful promises. When you use those promises. He will guide you
along life's voyage, and help you steer around dangerous reefs and
rough seas, which may be some of the large and small problems that you
might face on the way to your destination.
What is your destination? The Lord
gives us a very wonderful answer to that question in I Thessalonians
4:13-18:
"I don't want any Christian to be
ignorant
of what is going to happen very
suddenly ..
in an instant of time.
I will leave my throne in heaven and
come
down into mid-air to meet all those who
have
believed in Me since My resurrection
and My
ascension into heaven ... those who
have
died, and also living believers like
you.
I will give a resurrection body to each
of
you on the way up to meet me in the
air.
Then I will take you back to heaven
with me,
and you will be with me forever.
My child, encourage your friends and
family
who are Christians with this blessed
hope."
Only the Lord knows when the event just
described will take place ... it could happen soon, or it may not take
place for many more years to come. However, we do know that when it
does happen, we will be able to "drop anchor", "leave the ship", and
be with the Lord throughout eternity.
(Dear Reader: For the purpose of simplification
and for easier understanding, some of the verses in this lesson of
STORY TIME have been paraphrased)
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