Proverbs 4:26 "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways."
Proverbs 7:6-27 6 At the window of my house, I looked down through the lattice. 7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. 8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. 11 (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; 12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) 13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: 14 “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. 15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! 16 I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 19 My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. 20 He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” 21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. SHOW: https://screenrec.com/share/Vzsu31ygtO Proverbs 4:26 "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet Every decision leads us down a direction, and the direction leads us to a destination. https://screenrec.com/share/gvftuoF9RD Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it I: Everyone is on a path SHOW https://screenrec.com/share/0p9xXvc3NF We get to where we should be the same way we get to where we should not be!! II: We hope a bad decision will lead to a good destination Proverbs 7:7-8 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house. He ' lacked judgment'- mark of the young Proverbs 7:12-13 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. ...She took hold of him and kissed him Proverbs 7:24-25 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. III: The 3 Lies We Tell Ourselves #1 I am the exception Proverbs 7:26 Many are the victims she has brought down Proverbs 7:22-23 like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. #2 I can make it up later Proverbs 7:27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death #3 I had good intentions Decisions we make, not intentions we have, determine our destination IV: The longer you stay on a path, the further it takes you Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Philippians 2:14 (NIV): "Do everything without grumbling or arguing
Philippians 4:8 (NIV): "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things
How to be Positive in a Negative World
1. I get out of the muck when I remember God's Power
1 Samuel 17:11 On hearing the Philistines' words, Saul and ALL the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
1 Samuel 17:32 David says to Saul: “Let no one lose heart (faith) on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight”.
1 Samuel 17:37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:46 David says to Goliath, “This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I'll strike you down and cut off your head and today..."
1 Samuel 17:47 "The whole world will know that there's a God in Israel and those who gather here will know that it's not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, but the battle is the Lord's and He will give all of you into our hands."
2. I get out of the muck walk by faith not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 "we walk by faith, not by sight"
1 John 5:4 (NIV): "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith."
1 Samuel 17:48 "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it in his slingshot and struck the Philistine on the forehead."
3. I get out of the muck when I surround myself with encouraging people
1 Samuel 17:52 "Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron."
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Bad company corrupts good character."
Joshua 6:10 “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout.”
4. I get out of the muck when my hope is NOT in this life
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Something better