What is your WHY? – Part 2

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”

Continuing, Pastor Kyle explains that the only true obedience comes from the heart; where you don’t think, speak and act out of strict following of commands and rules, but from willfully desiring to do them from the heart with loving joy. The heart can turn or turn back. The natural man from sinful fallen humanity has a natural tendency to be distracted from the things of God. The same 1828 Webster’s dictionary further states that “Religion”, as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law. Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Trust turns to God. The storms of life will come, and God carries us through the storm, but comfort comes after the storm.

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Sometimes trusting and obeying God means doing the opposite of what feels natural. You may not feel like you are winning and may even feel that it is getting worse. But, the dividends and yields of obedience to God and His Holy Word are like long-term investing, which increases over time. Invest your life in the ways of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:9-12 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”

Investing your life in the Lord includes honoring the Lord with the first-fruits of your wealth; giving back a portion of what He has first given us. Never withhold good from God or mankind when it is in your control to do so. Be a relational bridge builder rather than a bridge burner. It all comes down to this: What is your “Why?” If you don’t know where you are going, then your “what” will break down. Is it what God wants? Trust God.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

In Christ, Brian