Living with "No Regrets"

“The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.”

“My dear terrified graduates, you are about to enter the most uncertain and thrilling period of your lives. The stories you are about to live are the ones you will be telling your children, and grandchildren, and therapists.”

“The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.”

—Sarah Brown

“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”

—Will Rogers

“Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.”

—Ellen DeGeneres

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

—Mark Twain

“Your families are extremely proud of you. You can’t imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.”

—Gary Bolding

“To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you too may one day be president of the United States.”

—George W. Bush

“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.”

—Betty Reese

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well neither does bathing; that’s why we recommend it daily.”

—Zig Ziglar

“Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.”

—Oscar Wilde

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

—Thomas Edison

“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs . . . one step at a time.”

—Joe Girard

“The road to success is always under construction.”

—Lily Tomlin

“There may be days when you’ll say to yourself, ‘I can’t. I literally can’t even.’ But you can! You can even!”

can even!”

—Katie Couric

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.”

—Charles Schulz

—Theodore Roosevelt

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”

—Audrey Hepburn

Some humerous words of wisdom from those that have lived.

I was thinking of another famous person who probably in the World’s eyes was thought of as being crazy. A disappointment, Never reaching there full potential.

So many people today just exist they never truly live

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire." --

William Borden's life

No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets

Quotations taken from Borden of Yale, by Mrs. Howard Taylor, Moody Press, Chicago

In 1904 William Borden graduated from a Chicago high school. As heir to the Borden family fortune, he was already wealthy. For his high school graduation present, his parents gave 16-year-old Borden a trip around the world. As the young man traveled through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, he felt a growing burden for the world's hurting people. Finally, Bill Borden wrote home about his "desire to be a missionary."1

One friend expressed disbelief that Bill was "throwing himself away as a missionary."

A story often associated with Borden says that, in response, he wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No reserves."

Even though young Borden was wealthy, he arrived on the campus of Yale University in 1905 trying to look like just one more freshman. Very quickly, however, Borden's classmates noticed something unusual about him and it wasn't that he had lots of money. One of them wrote: "He came to college far ahead, spiritually, of any of us. He had already given his heart in full surrender to Christ and had really done it. We who were his classmates learned to lean on him and find in him a strength that was solid as a rock, just because of this settled purpose and consecration."2

During his college years, Bill Borden made an entry in his personal journal that defined what his classmates were seeing in him. That entry said simply: "Say 'no' to self and 'yes' to Jesus every time."3

During his first semester at Yale, Borden started something that would transform campus life. One of his friends described how it began: "It was well on in the first term when Bill and I began to pray together in the morning before breakfast. I cannot say positively whose suggestion it was, but I feel sure it must have originated with Bill. We had been meeting only a short time when a third student joined us and soon after a fourth. The time was spent in prayer after a brief reading of Scripture. Bill's handling of Scripture was helpful. . . . He would read to us from the Bible, show us something that God had promised and then proceed to claim the promise with assurance."5

Borden's small morning prayer group gave birth to a movement that soon spread across the campus. By the end of his first year, 150 freshman were meeting weekly for Bible study and prayer. By the time Bill Borden was a senior, one thousand of Yale's 1,300 students were meeting in such groups.

Borden made it his habit to seek out the most "incorrigible" students and try to bring them to salvation. "In his sophomore year we organized Bible study groups and divided up the class of 300 or more, each man interested taking a certain number, so that all might, if possible, be reached. The names were gone over one by one, and the question asked, 'Who will take this person?' When it came to someone thought to be a hard proposition, there would be an ominous pause. Nobody wanted the responsibility. Then Bill's voice would be heard, 'Put him down to me.'6

Borden's outreach ministry was not confined to the Yale campus. He cared about widows and orphans and the disabled. He rescued drunks from the streets of New Haven. To try to rehabilitate them, he founded the Yale Hope Mission. One of Bill Borden's friends wrote that he "might often be found in the lower parts of the city at night, on the street, in a cheap lodging house or some restaurant to which he had taken a poor hungry fellow to feed him, seeking to lead men to Christ."7

Borden's missionary call narrowed to the Muslim Kansu people in China. Once he fixed his eyes on that goal, Borden never wavered. He also challenged his classmates to consider missionary service. One of them said of him: "He certainly was one of the strongest characters I have ever known, and he put backbone into the rest of us at college. There was real iron in him, and I always felt he was of the stuff martyrs were made of, and heroic missionaries of more modern times."8

Although he was a millionaire, Bill seemed to "realize always that he must be about his Father's business, and not wasting time in the pursuit of amusement."9 Although Borden refused to join a fraternity, "he did more with his classmates in his senior year than ever before." He presided over the huge student missionary conference held at Yale and served as president of the honor society Phi Beta Kappa.

Upon graduation from Yale, Borden turned down some high-paying job offers. It has been reported that in his Bible, Bill Borden wrote two more words: "No retreats."

William Borden went on to do graduate work at Princeton Seminary in New Jersey. When he finished his studies at Princeton, he sailed for China. Because he was hoping to work with Muslims, he stopped first in Egypt to study Arabic. While there, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25-year-old William Borden was dead.

When the news of William Whiting Borden's death was cabled back to the U.S., the story was carried by nearly every American newspaper. "A wave of sorrow went round the world . . . Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice" wrote Mary Taylor in her introduction to his biography.10

Was Borden's untimely death a waste? Not in God's perspective. As the story has it, prior to his death, Borden had written two more words in the back of his Bible. Underneath the words "No reserves" and "No retreats," he is reported to have written: "No regrets."

Portions based on material in Daily Bread, December 31, 1988, and The Yale Standard, Fall 1970 edition

So many today just exist … They never truly live.

Our lives should be lived with “No Regrets” and How can I say that because we live for Christ.

Solomon has already said

Ecclesiastes 1:2–3 KJV 1900

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1:

vanity- means meaninglessness. (result) Solomon is painting a bleak picture for us all here. You would think the wisest would have something more enlightening to open with then Bubble of Bubbles all is Bubble

Solomon name is never mentioned in the book of Ecclesiastes but he was the “Preacher” the “Son of David” the “King of Jerusalem.”

Solomon had big shoes to fill with King David no longer ruling.

Solomon was humble and recognized early in life that he was inadaquet to rule. Solomon asked God for wisdom.

1 Kings 3:9 KJV 1900

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

and God gave Him wisdom and so much more.

1 Kings 3:11–14 KJV 1900

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

I Kings 3:11

This is not the context to which Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. It was not the best of times spiritually for King Solomon. He had forgotten the most important connection in life. His connection to God.

Illustration: The Spider in a tall barn on one single thread came down in a certain part of the barn where there was a lot of insect traffic. The spider off that one single strand spun a beautiful web which allowed him to grown very fat off of all the insects he gather, but one day forgetting the importance of the one stand severed the single strand that reached high above and out of sight and at that moment the whole web began to fall apart.

Some people’s lives fall apart externally for everyone to see. Some people’s lives fall apart internally for no one to see.

Solomon was that King whose life fell apart on the inside.

The once vibrant relationship with God had grown dim and dark the closeness had fallen into closed.

He had many political marriages which after a while the wives influenced his worship from the one true God.

He taxed his people heavily

He worshipped some of the most savage and abominated religions of that time .. Milcom and Moloch.

Had a fool for a son

Lost the respect of his people

His prodigal ways had done more to contribute to the decay and destruction of the Davidic Kingdom

It is obvious from Ecclesiastes that Solomon wasn’t a happy man

He wasn’t a happy man, but a haunted man.

Three brief was to prevent a life of Regret in Your Life.

I. Always Remember God vs 1

A. Patterns in life are developed from early on.

1. Remember this means to keep in mind for attention or consideration.

2. Timing is everything for the end is really developed by the end. “In the day of youth”

Proverbs 22:6 KJV 1900

Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This is a principle not a promise we have seen many who have been taught and rejected.

3. “Youth” a time period. You know 8th-10th grade. Wow Mark twain said when a young person becomes a teen put in a barrel feed them though a hole in side of the barrel.

Paul admonished Timothy

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV 1900

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

B. Pleasant days come early on

The days of youth carefree does not mean live a carefree life. Free love of the 60’s came at a price tag we learned love wasn’t free and eventhough we say what’s done in Vegas stays in Vegas we found out that just isn’t true. The Bible says … “Be sure your sin will find you out.”

Two seasons of life a sowing season and a reaping season. May they both be pleasant.

Ecclesiastes 11:8-

Ecclesiastes 11:8–10 KJV 1900

But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

I. Always Remember God vs 1

II. Always Respect God vs 13

Famous last words from a preacher … in conclusion or just a few more minutes.

Solomon really is bringing this matter to a conclusion.

As we all bend down to hear what he has to say.

“Fear God” respect or reverence Him.

Deuteronomy 6:2 KJV 1900

That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

David was fleeing Jerusalem because of his son and we here these epic words from a foreigner Ittai

2 Samuel 15:19–21 KJV 1900

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

II Samuel 15:

Ruth said the same thing to Naomi

Ruth 1:16–17 KJV 1900

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Jesus said to his disciples

Luke 6:46 KJV 1900

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Luke 6:46

Have a Dynamic faith not a Dead or Demon Faith.

Live what you believe ... have respect unto it.

I. Always Remember God vs 1

II. Always Respect God vs 13

III. Always Retain God’s Word vs 13

A. Read God’s Word.

1. How do we know God, but what we learn about Him through his word. It frames our thinking.

2. Faith come by hearing hearing the Word of God.

3. it changes your life one word at a time.

4. Augustine heard those words from children playing in a court yard next to him take up, take up and read. He took up the Word of God and God used it to change His life.

5. “lamp unto my feet”

6. “It cleanses”

7. Read when you feel like it … Read it when you don’t feel like it?

B. Reflect on the Word of God.

1. Reflect on God’s Word in your head and your heart.

2. Meditate on God’s Word “in crisis”

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

In routine … George Mueller in “Soul Nourishment First” said “The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.”

Hide God’s Word in your heart so you might always be ready in any and every situation.

2 Corinthians 10:3–6 KJV 1900

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10:

Last Words Parting Words not a suggestion.

1. This is your duty not based on feelings. Sometimes I need the wanter to catch up.

2. Nothing will be hidden - Totally Exposed.

Remember Solomon’s Words

I. Always Remember God vs 1

No

II. Always Respect God vs 13

III. Always Retain God’s Word vs 13

Live like Borden … No regrets.