Set The Lord In His Rightful Place Where

INTRODUCTION • In Psalm 16: 11 we are reminded that in the presence of

INTRODUCTION • The answer is found in Psalm 16: 8 • "I have set

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • LET NATURE HELP YOU DRAW

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • When we take time to

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • OTHERS USED NATURAL SETTINGS IN

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • Walking alone at eve and

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • GOD'S WORD PROVIDES THE FULL

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • It is only through Divine

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • OTHERS DEPENDED UPON THE WORD

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • Sitting alone at eve and

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS • A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP MUST BE

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS • OTHERS FOUND PRAYER THE MEANS

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS • Closing my eyes at eve

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • STRENGTH COMES FROM ASSEMBLING TOGETHER.

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • THE EARLY CHURCH FOUND STRENGTH

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • OUR ASSEMBLIES CAN BE A

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • Oh! for a home with

CONCLUSION • Do you desire to draw closer to God? • Then "set the

Slides: 19

Download presentation

Set The Lord In His Rightful Place Where Is God In Your Life? Psalms 16: 8

INTRODUCTION • In Psalm 16: 11 we are reminded that in the presence of God there is fullness of joy and true happiness. . . • "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. " • I am sure that all Christians would agree; but even so, there are times. . . • We all find ourselves not as close to God as we would like. • We find ourselves spiritually weak, filled with depression and anxiety. • In such times, what can we do in order to become close to God again?

INTRODUCTION • The answer is found in Psalm 16: 8 • "I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. " • It is when we "set the Lord before us" that we receive the benefits of His Presence. . . • In this lesson, let us review ways that you can draw closer to God anytime you find yourselves drifting away from God. • Perhaps a good place to start is to. . .

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • LET NATURE HELP YOU DRAW CLOSE TO GOD. . . • For the Creation speaks to us of God • It tells of His glory and His knowledge – Psalm 19: 1 -2 • It impresses us with His eternal power and His deity – Romans 1: 20 • In their own way, such inanimate objects worship God - Psalm 68: 8, 11 -13

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • When we take time to contemplate God's creation. . . • We understand more of His power and of His person • This understanding enables us to come closer to God • Just as increasing understanding between friends enhances friendship • As it does any relationship (e. g. , marriages)

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • OTHERS USED NATURAL SETTINGS IN DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD. . . • Isaac would go out into the fields to meditate – Genesis 24: 63 • Jesus would often go to the mountains to pray Matthew 14: 23 • It is easier to draw closer to God in the midst of God's creation (nature), and away from man's creation (cities)

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S CREATION • Walking alone at eve and viewing the skies afar, Bidding the darkness come to welcome each silver star; I have a great delight in the wonderful scenes above, God in His power and might is showing His truth and love. • -- Alone At Eve, Will W. Slater, vs. 1 • But God's creation can tell you only so much about Him. To draw closer, you need to. . .

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • GOD'S WORD PROVIDES THE FULL REVELATION OF GOD. . . • Through nature we are limited in what we can learn from God. • We can see His power, divinity, glory, and knowledge, • But we learn nothing of His will and purpose for us.

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • It is only through Divine revelation that God has made His will fully known. • He has revealed many things through His Spirit, who in turn revealed them through the apostles – 1 Corinthians 2: 9 -12 • Such things were written for our benefit and understanding - Ephesians 3: 3 -5

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • OTHERS DEPENDED UPON THE WORD TO REMAIN CLOSE TO GOD. . . • David used it in many ways to stay close to God Psalm 119: 92 -93, 105, 147 -148 • Jesus used it to ward off the Tempter - Matthew 4: 4, 7, 10 • Let God's Word help you draw near to Him who is the source of peace and strength

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH GOD'S REVELATION • Sitting alone at eve and dreaming the hours away, Watching the shadows falling now at the close of day; God in His mercy comes with His word He is drawing near, Spreading His love and truth around me and everywhere. • -- Alone At Eve, Will W. Slater, vs. 2 • But do not stop with listening to God through His Word. To really draw close to God, you need to. . .

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS • A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP MUST BE A TWO-WAY STREET. . . • God has revealed Himself to us through His creation and revelation • We must reveal ourselves to Him, which we do through prayer • The means by which to express every concern, to receive appropriate blessings - Philippians 4: 6 -7 • The means by which to draw boldly to God, to obtain mercy and grace to help - Hebrews 4: 14 -16

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS • OTHERS FOUND PRAYER THE MEANS TO RECEIVE HELP FROM GOD. . . • David found that confessing sins to God brought forgiveness - Psalm 32: 3 -6 • Jesus found prayer to be a source of strength in times of trial - Matthew 26: 36 -44 • Draw near to God's throne through prayer, let Him know of your deepest needs.

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS • Closing my eyes at eve and thinking of heaven's grace, Longing to see my Lord, yes, meeting Him face to face; Trusting Him as my all wheresoever my footsteps roam, Pleading with Him to guide me on to the spirit's home. • -- Alone At Eve, Will W. Slater, vs. 3 • Finally, allow me to suggest that you. . .

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • STRENGTH COMES FROM ASSEMBLING TOGETHER. . . • Just as there is strength in numbers - cf. Ecclesiastes 4: 9 -12 • In view of the very real danger of falling away. . . • We need to exhort one another daily - Hebrews 3: 1213 • We need to admonish one another through our frequent assemblies - Hebrews 10: 24 -25 • -- Like coals in a fire keeping each other hot, assembling together is designed to keep the "spark" alive in our relationship with God

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • THE EARLY CHURCH FOUND STRENGTH BY ASSEMBLING TOGETHER. . . • As when Peter and John were released after being arrested - Acts 4: 23 -31 • As when Peter was imprisoned - Acts 12: 12

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • OUR ASSEMBLIES CAN BE A FORETASTE OF GOD'S PRESENCE. . . • In which we are drawn near to God together through song, prayer, and His word • In which we enjoy the fellowship of God and His servants even now – “ cf. Revelation 7: 9 -17

SET THE LORD BEFORE YOU THROUGH YOUR FELLOWSHIP • Oh! for a home with God, a place in His courts to rest, Sure in a safe abode with Jesus and the blest; Rest for a weary soul once redeemed by the Savior's love, Where I will be pure and whole and live with my God above! • -- Alone At Eve, Will W. Slater, chorus

CONCLUSION • Do you desire to draw closer to God? • Then "set the Lord before you" through these avenues: Contemplating nature Meditating on God's word Spending time in prayer Having fellowship with other Christians Do this, and we can draw closer to God, singing with David: (Psalm 16: 11) • "In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. " • • •