Proverbs
Strategy for Effective Living
By Richard, SFCC Youth Pastor

The book of Proverbs could easily be the most widely read book in the Bible.  I mean the book of Proverbs covers from A-Z, from family to finances, to laziness, to temptation.  An overall layout for living an effective life, we see very quickly that God gave Solomon an extra two to three doses of wisdom to write this book.  Solomon's purpose was to teach people wisdom and discipline.

Now just a quick wisdom check, you're driving along on the highway doing your thing (texting, makeup, looking in the mirror) and you see an officer up a head. You:

A.     Speed up and go racing by the officer; or

B.     Make sure you're going the speed limit.

I mean it would be smart to go the go the speed limit right?  That means it would be pretty foolish to go speeding by the officer; pretty simple right?  Well that is what we see in Proverbs; very simple points to allow us to live an effective life.  Read God's Word, apply god's Word, act upon God's Word.

Strategy for effective living begins with.God's wisdom.

It involves respecting and appreciating who God is, and reverence and awe in recognizing the almighty God.  Think of a time where somebody just went above and beyond for you.  Maybe they got you something you did not expect, or helped you out, or maybe someone took the youth minister to lunch after church; basically did something really nice.  Do you just say "ah, thanks man". Or do you give a genuine thank you from the heart?

Reference Joshua 3:14-17, 4:21-24

Now God commanded Joshua and the Israelites to cross the Jordan River which was at flood stage and seeing how God had brought back the river just as He did with the Red Sea; they built a memorial on the other side to be a reminder of what God had done not only to the nation of Israel but to other nations as well.  Their children could be at awe and appreciate what God had done by the telling of what God had done.  Growing up my parents shared with me what God has done in their life and in turn I can better share what God has done in my life.  The Israelites recognized gods power by building this reminder.

Strategy for effective living requires.moral application.

In involves trusting in god and His Word, allowing His Word to speak to us personally and being willing to obey.  Anybody can come in here and be "God is good all the time, He put a song of praise in this heart of mine", and then go out of this place and live like the next guy.  Moral application of God's Word starts on the inside, the heart.

Dennis Jernigan one of the greatest worship leaders of the 90's, before living for God, lived a homosexual life.  Before coming to Christ, he had to apply god's Word to His morals.  Dennis had to be willing to obey God's change of direction; not half way, but all the way.  When we do this, we change according to God's Word not the other way around.

We all know that the 2007 NFL football season will be starting up soon, and one thing that I've been hearing a lot of this year is that quarterbacks will pay the receivers that they play with; pay their way to come and work out with them.  So they spend time together and get to know one another, so they'll know the direction and expectations from the quarterback.

The same thing applies with us and God.  We need to spend time with god so we know what direction we need to go in.

No God, no direction;

Know God, know direction

You see, the Rich young ruler couldn't see past his possessions, his money.  If only he would have spent time with Jesus, he would have reaped the rewards.

Husbands/Fathers: spend time with God and He'll give you direction on how to love your spouse and how to raise your kids.

Wives/Mothers: spend time with God and He'll give you direction on how to support your husbands and how to protect your children.

Kids/Youth: you have to understand that spending time with God will provide you with a foundation that you cannot afford to be without.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

It's me God; I just wanted to spend a little time with you.

Slam!!!

.And we wonder why we struggle with knowing God's direction for our life; when we continually slam the door in the face of God.

Strategy for effective living results in.effective living.

We experience what god does with our obedience.  When we obey God, He will move in our life, He will move in our churches, our families

Proverbs 15:3         God sees it all

Proverbs 16:2         God knows the hearts of men

Proverbs 16:33       God controls all things

Proverbs 18:10       God is a strong, uncompromising tower

Proverbs 11:31       God rewards the righteous

Proverbs 15:8         God delights in our prayers

Proverbs 15:9-10   God loves those who obey Him

Proverbs 21:27       God hates evil

Are you ready? Are you ready?

Look at what we're missing.effective living an effective life.  You're absolutely no good to God if you're on the sidelines, not willing to get into the game.  Today if you want to experience that kind of life, by giving your life over to God; call or come see us today.  If you need any prayer, we're ready to lift up your needs.