Year End Close Out Special. Part II

By Ronald E. George Jr.

Jan. 4,1998

Where are we going?

A ship was wrecked. As the sailors were making their escape in small boats, suddenly two of them sprang overboard, swam back and entered the ship. They soon reappeared with something in their hands, and swam at great risk to their boats. They had forgotten to take their compass.

As you set sail, Christian, into the great, unknown sea of the New Year, forget not to take with you God's compass, which contains sure and explicit directions, for it is his compass alone that will guide you to the safest harbors and the strongest fortified ports.

Scripture Text:

Deu 31:1 And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. 2 And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. 3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said. 4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed. 5 And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Are we going to make some progress? How do you know? Ask the Stars…

It is important when facing opposition to have sense that you are making progress. Do you know what Christopher Columbus wrote in his diary, on his way to a New World, not yet discovered? Bear in mind, he faced mutiny, many of his men wanted to turn around, and he was in trouble most of the trip. And every day on his log the last entry that he would write was: "Today we moved WESTWARD!"

So in this New Year, keep moving out for God and look for progress along the way.

Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I. Look Back to the Past to discover where we have been.

Wondering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Delivered from the Egyptian bondage.

Saved several years ago, but haven’t made any progress since?

Church Attendance, Bible Study, Daily prayer and devotional time?

II. Discover where you are.

What does God want in your life? Where does God want you to go?

What is God’s Plan for your life.

Where is God Leading in your life? Does He care enough about you to talk to you and to lead you?

III. Excuse me, the line is moving , Are you? Are you in line?

Go On! Life moves on with or without you. God wants you and us to move on! God wants you to have the best of the Promise Land.

IV. Emphasis is on the Lord.

Eight times he says, the LORD and 10 other times Moses refers to God as "He."

Remember God’s Promises.

Don’t be afraid

Be Strong

God can’t lie, He can’t fail.

He will go before you and clear out the path, if …

Will you trust Him?

During the new year I will:

Like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press forward.

Like David, lift up my eyes to the hills from which my help comes.

Like Abraham, trust my God implicitly.

Like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father.

Like Moses, suffer rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time.

Like Job, be patient and faithful in all circumstances.

Like Joseph, turn my back on all evil advances.

Like Gideon, advance even when my friends are few.

Like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to Christ.