Set your direction

I was driving home from Bedford this week when I found myself not going along the A1 but rather going off it. I was happily drifting left, over the dotted white line and into the side of the road and off onto a slip road. I realised that I didn’t want to go that way, signalled and steered back onto the road.

I wasn’t distracted, I wasn’t asleep. So, why did this happen?

I wasn’t asleep

So, why did this happen?

It was simple I just followed the road. My driving was not intentional, I simply followed the road which at that point had turned into an exit to another road.

I simply followed the car in front of me.

It is so easy to do that when you are driving. Especially when you are on a very familiar stretch of road.

Life is pretty similar - it is so easy to stay on the same old track or follow the people around.

When you drive a car you have two ways to do it. You follow along or you drive with intentional direction. The same is true in life.

January is a time that people are often set themselves new goals - Debenhams sent me a number of emails declaring New year, New You.

Picture

While I like the idea of change I am not sure that I want to be a black lady and that shade of pink doesn’t suit me.

I have seen similar adverts for Gym membership, diet companies, even for personal loans. The loans are probably needed to pay for the Gym membership, the gluten free, lactose free, meat free - taste free diet food and that little pink number from Debenhams.

January first is the time people make decisions about their future, new years resolutions. By January 10th that vast majority of those resolutions have been forgotten and life goes on as normal.

Not a resolution.

Some Churches including this one will often spend time on a Sunday service like this one getting each of us to write down what we are going to change or what we are going to do for God this year.

They are sort of like holy new years resolutions.

Some of you will have been through this.

Now I am not knocking those of you who God has put something you your heart for a year and you have stuck through with praying or serving or seeking - that is great. But I suspect for a number of us, me included you had not got a clue what to write, so you didn’t or you wrote something that meant nothing because it was so ambiguous - “know God more” - which is great but how

Or you lost the piece of paper between your seat and getting Coffee.

I am not being critical here, I am recognising how hard it is to stick to a resolution - unless God puts it on our heart and we partner with God to achieve it.

I am also recognising that for some of us we need to catch hold of what God want’s for us.

This

See I believe that God want’s each and every one of us to be “a new you - this year” I don’t know what that means for me specifically or for any of you individually. But I do know something that applies to us all; I am one hundred percent convinced that God wants you to commit to not drifting through this year.

I didn’t want to speak about this the first service back for two reasons. I don’t want you to think this is a new years resolution. And secondly I don’t want you to think that this is about you and your efforts.

Last week we spent the service focusing on Jesus - the giver of everything, the author of salvation.

This week is no different. Everything I am bringing to you is about Him and how we worship, love, obey, serve, and honour him.

What God wants of you.

This year I believe God is no asking you to necessarily

pray more,

read your bible more,

speak about him to your neighbours more,

give to the poor more,

volunteer more

sing more

praise more

What I believe that God is asking this church to do, asking each of us to do is simply be intentional about including Him more.

God is asking this church to be intentional in the way we:

Seek Him

Worship Him

Engage with Him

Acknowledge Him (refer)

Represent Him

And that for some of us may result in you :

pray more,

read your bible more,

speak about him to your neighbours more,

give to the poor more,

volunteer more

singing more

praise more

Speaking to your neighbours

But the emphasis is not on the doing the things it is on Him.

This really matters because when we focus on the activity we focus on us, not on Him. When we focus on Worshipping him for example we don’t count success or failure base on numbers or activities. We base it on that beautiful relationship between me and God, you and the father.

All that sounds very grand so what may it look like to live intentionally...

VIDEO

no one committed to being a bible studying hermit or to given up their possessions to live a life of piety. Or praying for an hour a day. No they chose to intentionally

Seek God by giving space to him.

Engage with God by Asking what he wanted to do

Acknowledge God by saying I go to church want to come

Represent God by showing his love and meeting the needs we encounter.

Worship Him by - by loving him one day at a time.

Non of the actions were hard but all of them were intentional.

It is a bit like driiving the car. When I drive with intentional direction that car goes that way.

When I don’t it drifts off and I follow that road.

God want’s us to take charge of our lives. To Live them intentionally.

To Include Him in them. not as an after thought, not as an addition or an accidental encounter but intentionally every day.

Why we are not intentional

Some times we struggle to commit to things like this.

We have tried in the past to do something and failed.

We find the truth of intentional living in God’s word.

I love God’s word - it is a real comfort for us.

What area of your life do you need to take action on to create an intentional life?

You will have heard

Below are 25 of my favorite scriptures for intentional living.

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 tim. 3:

it is there to reset our misconceptions.

So if you are sitting their thinking I can’t live intentionally for God because I haven’t in the past or I have tried and it has’t worked it.

Be encouraged today!

Letting Go of The Past:

 ESV

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

If you holding unforgiveness or feel unforgiving

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Forgiveness:

 ESV

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

If you don’t think you are capable or worth...

But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Low Self-Concept/Identity:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

If you are too busy or it seems like too much work

Busyness:

 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

  ESV

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 ESV

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

 ESV

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Fear of Failure & Rejection:

NIV

Follow God’s commands and He will give you success; do not be afraid.

NIV

Have faith in God and he will bring you success.

NIV

He plans success for the decent and honourable; he guards the course and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Don’t feel you know God

He sought the Lord, and God gave him success.

NIV

Do not be afraid, for God goes with you to give you victory.

Intimate Relationship w/God & Others

 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to

NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

NIV

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

For every fear, Doubt or excuse the bible gives us comfort, hope and a reason to live intentionally.

So if you have just thought of a reason why you can’t do this - come and see me at the end because my God says you can.

How to live intentionally

intentional {adj} performed with awareness;. done deliberately, consciously or on purpose.

it is is the complete opposite of just drifting along, following life.

It takes intentional effort.

Lack of Goal Setting:

  ESV

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 ESV

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

 ESV

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”  ~Thomas Edison

It takes decision and awareness

1 Timothy 4:15–16 NLT

15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

1 Tim. 4:

1 Timothy 4:15–16 AMP

15 Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody. 16 Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

A WORD FOR THE CHURCH

I Really believe that this is a word for the church, for this Chruch in 2020. We need to stop bumbling around, driving on auto pilot and be intentional in out Journey with God.

Which is why we are going to start a season of Prayer. A season of prayer that last for the whole of 2020

Intentionally:

Seek Him

Worship Him

Engage with Him

Declare Him (refer), promulgate [to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation .

Represent Him,

On the last Wednesday of every month we are going to pray.

Sermon Illustrations PRAYER

A small town that had historically been "dry," but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that "no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not."

Pray Up

As we give worship, glory and thanks

Pray out

As we pray for the village, the region, for education, community, commerc

As we ask Gods Kingdom to come.

Pray Around

As we pray for each other

Ask Go what now.

I want to encourage any one that can to come along and take part.

even if you can’t I want you to commit to something else.

20:20 - stop and pray

We’ll give

Conclude.

Romans 15:13 NIV

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 4:3 NLT

3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.

Colossians

What area of your life do you need to take action on to create an intentional life?

Below are 25 of my favorite scriptures for intentional living.

Be encouraged today!

Letting Go of The Past:

 ESV

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Forgiveness:

 ESV

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 ESV

But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Low Self-Concept/Identity:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Busyness:

 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Lack of Goal Setting:

  ESV

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 ESV

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

 ESV

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Fear of Failure & Rejection:

NIV

Follow God’s commands and He will give you success; do not be afraid.

NIV

Have faith in God and he will bring you success.

NIV

He plans success for the decent and honorable; he guards the course and protects the way of his faithful ones.

NIV

He sought the Lord, and God gave him success.

NIV

Do not be afraid, for God goes with you to give you victory.

Intimate Relationship w/God & Others

 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

NIV

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.