A Word for the Grads

Single best piece of advice I can give you that comes from

- my 30 years of existence and living (19 of those with Christ)

- 18 years of education with 2 college degrees to show for it

- 10 years as a pastor watching and learning from (how many grads and families)

- And something that God has been personally reminding me of this week on an even deeper level as I live and deal with the challenges I face and my family faces.

God brought me back to a familiar passage.

It is this:

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (CSB)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

Difference: “KNOW”

Lots of scripture painting the picture: Gods way is best. That we need to trust in the Lord and not ourselves!

(Wed) Ps 1:6 “6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.”

(Wed) Ps 23:1 “1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.”

Pr 10:29 “29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable, but destruction awaits evildoers.”

Pr 14:12 “12 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

Pr 16:9 “9 A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.”

Pr 16:25 “25 There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

PR 20:24 “24 Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord, so how can anyone understand his own way?”

Pr 16:17 “17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.”

Ps 94:11 “11 The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind; they are futile.”

Pr 29:25 “25 The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.”

In all your ways, KNOW and He will guide you

Ps 111:10 “10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.”

Prov 1:7 “7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Prov 9:10 “10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Scripture is clear: Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”

And of all of those passages, most of them were written by Solomon - who was known mainly for having the greatest wisdom ever - skill on how to live well.He even wrote a book based on pursuing and finding the most beneficial and most rewarding path of life.

His findings?

Eccl 1:1-2 “1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.””

Eccl 1:12-14 “12 I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to examine and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.”

Eccl 12:13-14 “13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”

Of everything I can share and offer, this is the biggest - to KNOW GOD - put your trust in Him - deny yourself - and follow him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”

How? How do we know and trust Him?

1)- through the word of course

Ps 119:105 “105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

This book as the Words for life - it leads us deeper in relationship with Christ. And as I always say, we must get into the Word if we want the Word to get into us.

I heard this yesterday, we don’t read the Bible to master it, instead we read the Bible so that it masters us!

It brings light to our path, to our lives, and therefore, allows us to bring light to the world.

Get into the Word! Learn to read the Bible for life!

Psalm 1 - explored 2 Wednesdays ago.

Psalm 1:1-3 “1 How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

How? How do we know and trust Him?

2) Silence - through solitude and silence.

It says know the Lord - well how do you know the lord?

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

What are you doing? What is the activity? (Nothing) - Be still…

(Summer coming. swimming. Good swimmers? Bad swimmers?

Going to be taking Carissa to pool. Even begin teaching her a bit how to swim. kicking, flailing a bit. Doggy paddle.

Want to know the key to not drowning: to let someone save you.

Let me say it differently: if you are ever drowning and someone is trying to save you, stop fighting, cease striving, and allow them to save you.

Otherwise you may still drown or even cause them to drown.

(GUARDIAN) movie

Same with God.

CSB - Ps 46:10 “10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.””

Learn to be still, stop trying to do everything yourself, and know God, spend actual time with Him!

Easy way to do this is the Psalm 46:10 method.

“Be still, and know that I am God. “Be still, and know that I am. “Be still, and know that I. “Be still, and know that.

Again how? How do we know and trust Him? Through solitude with His word, silence with Him.

3) Then Support in His community.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (CSB)

24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Find a church community, a truly Christian community for you to plug into as you may leave here. God created the church for a reason. He tells us to be a part of it for a reason.

So that we can have support - but even further - so that we can support others!

Church isnt about you receiving something - it is about you fulfilling the law of love - loving God and loving others! Being loved by God and being loved by others.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (CSB)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

Again how? How do we know and trust Him? Through solitude with His word, silence with Him, then Support in His community.

Final passage.

Prov 3:1-12 “1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. 3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest; 10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.”