"Paradise Vs Parking Lot" - Theme: Relational Awareness & Correction.
Scripture: Ps 107:33-34 He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into a thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
Observation: Any part of our lives that we choose to live in rebellion to God's plan purpose and standard for our lives will run the risk of loss! Wickedness and rebellion draws His attention but not in a positive way! It grabs His attention for the need to try and adjust back onto the correct path. The path that leads to life, away from the path that leads to destruction! It would appear that God is far more interested in our long term eternal security than he is in our short term earthly pleasure and comfort.
Application: It is very important that I give my life regular check ups. Ask myself the difficult questions: How is my marriage going? What is the temperature of our relationship? is it still brimming with life or is it starting to turn into a dessert? How are my relationships doing at work? How are things at school, University, College, Home, Footy team etc? What does the barometer say about how fresh and full of life these relationships are?
If they are starting to dry up. If life is starting to trail off. If love is dwindling & frustration appears then I need to ask myself some tough questions. What is going on in me? How is my attitude towards God? Do I still love spending time with him in prayer and the reading of His Word? What attitudes have I developed out of hurts and offense? What wickedness have I allowed to take root in my heart so that God is turning my Paradise into a Parking lot! What is he trying to get my attention in to get me back onto the right path? The path of life from which I have strayed?
Prayer: Father help me to know myself and train me to quickly recognize when the world of relationships around me is turning into a waste land! Then give me a heart that is quick to repent and respond to your correction back to the right path of life.
Observation: Any part of our lives that we choose to live in rebellion to God's plan purpose and standard for our lives will run the risk of loss! Wickedness and rebellion draws His attention but not in a positive way! It grabs His attention for the need to try and adjust back onto the correct path. The path that leads to life, away from the path that leads to destruction! It would appear that God is far more interested in our long term eternal security than he is in our short term earthly pleasure and comfort.
Application: It is very important that I give my life regular check ups. Ask myself the difficult questions: How is my marriage going? What is the temperature of our relationship? is it still brimming with life or is it starting to turn into a dessert? How are my relationships doing at work? How are things at school, University, College, Home, Footy team etc? What does the barometer say about how fresh and full of life these relationships are?
If they are starting to dry up. If life is starting to trail off. If love is dwindling & frustration appears then I need to ask myself some tough questions. What is going on in me? How is my attitude towards God? Do I still love spending time with him in prayer and the reading of His Word? What attitudes have I developed out of hurts and offense? What wickedness have I allowed to take root in my heart so that God is turning my Paradise into a Parking lot! What is he trying to get my attention in to get me back onto the right path? The path of life from which I have strayed?
Prayer: Father help me to know myself and train me to quickly recognize when the world of relationships around me is turning into a waste land! Then give me a heart that is quick to repent and respond to your correction back to the right path of life.
