My Way
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Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee - 9 / 9 / 2019
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:8-9
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
(Pro 14:12)
There was a very popular song many years ago written by J Revaux, C Francois, and one time teen idol, Paul Anka. It was sung by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The song was entitled “My Way” or “I did it my way.” We all understand our tastes vary and anyone of us can ‘pick apart’ any song or writing that we don’t care for, but that is not my intention - however, let’s just look at a section the lyrics – it lines up with the world view today. The song is about an individual looking back on his life and seemingly being satisfied of his accomplishments. He has “Few Regrets”. He is proud that he did it his way. Here is a portion of the lyrics.
. . . “I’ve lived a life that’s full • I’ve traveled each and every highway
And more much more than this • I did it my way
Regrets I’ve had a few • But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do • And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course • Each careful step along the byway
and more, much more than this • I did it my way”
The above focus is on “me” and “myself” only. Herein lies a lot of problems in many people’s lives. The focus has been removed from God (or it never was there - don’t know) and directed toward man. When we take our focus off God, we immediately place our thoughts and actions on the things of this world, or satan. In Proverbs 6:16-19, the Bible tells us that pride is NOT “HIS WAY.” None of the mentioned verses are “His way.” There cannot be but two ways: It’s either “my way” or “His way” and no other. You can’t “ride the fence”. The Bible shows us many examples of how people failed miserably by doing things their ‘own way’ instead of God’s way. Do you remember Jonah in the Bible? The Lord sent him on a missionary trip to Nineveh, not too far northeast from where he was located. Jonah decided to head out by ship in the opposite direction - to Tarshish. He was "running from God." Just as today - Many believers are running from God. It almost ended tragically for Jonah. Our arms are “too short” to spar with God”! Many people of faith 'slip up' and try to do it “their way” often. I have been guilty of that also. It usually ends badly as it did for me at times. Isaiah 59:2 reads: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. God will not listen or answer a stubborn or prideful man or woman. God hates Pride (Pro 6:16-19).
God loves us and wants what is best for us, and when we make decisions to do things “our way,” we are acting out in an independent, ‘self willed’ manner. That is called SIN. Disobedience. Adam and Eve tried it their way – what a loss! They ruined a good thing. In God’s eyes, it is all “rebellion.” Think about the Garden of Eden: There were no weeds, no rotten fruits, no car payments, no insurance requirements, no filthy language was heard, and Adam and Eve had no bad skin because of the "perfect hydration system". There was no hate, no pain: I'll bet even the animals had no fleas. But Adam and Eve made a choice to ignore GOD's rules and listen to the devil instead of being obedient to the Creator. The phrase “I am the LORD” appears over 160 times in the scriptures in that exact phrase, and over 200 more times in different variations. So GOD wants us to know that HE is the LORD and that there is none other above Him. Now the question is: How can we know for sure that it is “God’s way” and not “our way?” Let me offer you just three (3) points from God’s holy word, the Bible. Three (3) Questions if you will. Open up a Bible and double check the verses as you read them. Don't trust me 100% - Check it out for yourself.
1. Is It God Ordained?
Has God ordained the situation? Do you know if it has been foretold or ordered by God? Jeremiah said this: O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jer 10:23). God will light up our path when we 'trust' Him. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps 119:105). So we will know what God has ordained by reading God’s word. He requires for us all to do it “HIS WAY,” for our own good and the good of our families. IF GOD ORDERED IT, IT IS ORDAINED BY GOD. Simple as that. So we must get in His word and stay in His word continually. Not occasionally. Jesus said of His disciples; “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (Jn 15:16). Just as His disciples 2000 years ago, were ordained, we, as followers of Christ today, are also ordained. Stay in prayer, read and listen to His word.
2. Can God be Trusted?
Can God be trusted? There is a simple but meaningful verse we all should have committed to memory: Prov 3:5 -- Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. When we “trust the Lord,” we are resting on the integrity or principle of the Lord. We have confidence in Him. God will hear our prayers when we ‘trust Him’ and will not turn His ear away from us. When we trust in our ‘own mind’ or ‘our own ways’, we become a fool. The Bible warns us in so many places that we need to place our trust in HIM. The Bible reveals to us the results when HE is not trusted. We all must have “confidence” that God will do as He says. Trust is important. When we do things our ‘own way,’ as stated, we become friends of this world. Let’s look at James 4:4 for a moment. Ye adulterers and adultresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God . Being friends of this world and NOT trusting GOD, amounts to ‘spiritual adultery’. This is called SIN. What seems right to ‘us’ may not always be ‘right’ with God (Pro 14:12). When we do not trust in the Lord, it always ends up badly. Let us not forget, the LORD says His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways (Isa 55:9). He spoke the world into existence. He created us along with the planets and the solar system. He created all of the animals and fish and the birds in the air. He supplies our needs from day to day. When we wake after 7 hours rest, HE kept our hearts beating, more than 20,000 times while we slept. So I think HE can be trusted - don’t you?
3. Is God Glorified?
Is God glorified in all we do and say? Ask yourself this question before making any decision in life. If God doesn’t receive glory, then we as followers of Jesus Christ should not pursue it. The Bible reads: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1Cor 6:20). And since we have been purchased with a price, the blood of Jesus, we belong to Him. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 15:6). Often, decisions in our lives are made without asking this question. Does this glorify GOD? OR How does this glorify GOD? Before each ‘move’ we make in life, we should ask ourselves these questions. Friends, I have personally ‘gotten ahead’ of the Lord a few times in my life and it always turned out in a negative way. Whether it’s relationships, jobs, purchases, situations, life decisions, or paths to follow, GOD must be glorified. Realize that when we 'stumble' (sin), we can turn it over to our Lord in prayer. He will show us a more Godly path in life IF we include God in all things. When we do things “our way,” we are displaying “mistrust” to our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When we do things HIS way, GOD is always glorified. And believe me, we will live our lives a lot smoother.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I understand that we stumble and fall (sin), but God wants to hear from us and help us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He is faithful and just and understanding. Like children, we have all went astray. But when our focus is on God, we will do things HIS WAY in every facet of our lives instead of doing things OUR WAY. Let’s change the last verse of the song “My Way” to: The record shows, 'I bowed my knees • And did it GOD’s WAY'.
My Friend, if you are reading this, or listening to this short message, and are tired of things not going “your way” and failing, it's time for a change. Are you living in frustration, in toil, in worry, and drama, then you do indeed need a big change in your life. Does your life have any "meaning"? Or "purpose?" Are you at the point that there is "nowhere to turn?" And you are NOT in control? Then try ‘putting on Christ’. I know somebody has said to you in the past that ‘you need Christ in your life.’ Perhaps you have "scoffed" at their remarks because they were too “preachy” as I’ve heard it said. So I would like for you to start by simply “acknowledging Him (Pro 3:6).” Acknowledge that HE is the Christ - the Messiah - the Savior. GOD in the flesh. Then start ‘trusting Him’ (Pro 3:5) with the burdens of this life.
Hand over one at a time if you think I’m being 'pushy' or 'preachy'. Jesus said, My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matt 11:30) but you’ll never know until you ‘try Him on’. You’ve heard about Jesus probably most of your life, but may have never “tried Him On.” Sound silly?? It’s like a parachute, I heard someone say. ‘You can know what a parachute does and you may know all about the operation of a parachute – but if you jump out of an airplane and don’t put it one, ‘you will perish’. Jesus said something similar. “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Lk 13:3). Jesus is not only your Creator, but He is your Savior. And someday HE will be our JUDGE.
Remember: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death (Pro 14:12).
Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life;
no man cometh to the Father but by Me (John 14:6).
He is the way - the only way.
Repent (turn) and trust HIM. God sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16-17) as a sacrifice for our sin debt. Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross for you and me.
He is not wanting any to perish (2 Peter 3:9).
Try putting on Christ. Call upon Him from where you sit (Rom 10:13).
GOD WANTS US ALL TO DO IT HIS WAY -- AND NOT "MY WAY" or "OUR WAY".
Thanks for “Taking 5" – Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
God bless and bless GOD – www.iamnotashamed.com
