8 Words to Direct Your Life

Opening Scriptures:
Matt. 5:13 - you are the salt
Matt. 5:14 - you are to be the light of the world
Eph. 2:10 - you were created by God for good works
1 Cor. 12:7 - every Christian given manifestations of the Spirit for the good of others 

Point = You are here for a Reason!  a Purpose!
In other words -- to MAKE A DIFFERENCE    (MAED)  - make an eternal difference

in light of that.....  8 words to direct your life... FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

#1.  CONSIDER = stop and think, examine, reflect on LIFE and YOUR life
Jesus said, "life is more than food and clothes"  - more than material things.
Should ask self "where I came from?  Where am I going?  WHY am I here?  - sum total of philosophy

Prov. 14:8, 15, 21:29    Matt. 6:30-33

#2.  CHOOSE - on one hand, can't choose all things (when and where born, to whom, siblings, etc)
                      however, CAN choose what to DO with what you have
Deut. 30:11-15, 19

John 1:11- given opportunity to accept Christ.

#3.  DEVELOP- IF you choose Christ, THEN are to Develop your Christian Character!  2 Pet. 1:3-9
This requires... attention, effort, discipline, continuity

#4.  INFLUENCE - "salt, light, fishers of men, helpers" = INFLUENCE
in other words, guide, direct, convince, sway, shape, change for the better
2 Cor. 5:17-20
"ambassador" - seeks to Represent Christ
                     - seeks to influence people for Christ

Lest I present Christianity as ALL work and responsibility ... add
#5.  ENJOY!  1 Tim. 6:17
Proverbs says a lot about "glad heart, cheerful heart"
Ecclesiastes - "nothing better than Be Happy - Do good - eat, drink and find satisfaction in your work - this is God's gift to man"
Nehemiah 8 = "Go enjoy choice food, sweet drinks, do not grieve FOR (1) this is a holy day" AND "the joy of the Lord is your strength"

But also...
#6.  PREPARE   Luke 12:13-21 - this man had an Abundance!!  Was prepared to ENJOY it!! But failed to prepare for most important time of his life!!! (ie:  death and thereafter!!)  Hence = "Rich Fool"

#7.  REVISIT - ie:  Reexamine, Review, Reevaluate these things! 
Is often repeated in Scripture: "Remember, don't forget, be careful, watch out, etc....
BECAUSE We = forgetful... Especially when times are good!!!
2 Pet. 1:12-13  - The value, benefit of attending a good Bible based church!

#8.  READJUST - compare to self-guided missile.  Knows the target but has to readjust course many times during the trip there.
But, we are not machines, we don't automatically readjust.  We have to consciously choose to readjust course.
must apply 'self.... attention, examination, willingness, effort

This seems intense!  A lot of effort and work and self-discipline!  And it IS!!! But.... John 13:17 - "not you know... blessed If you DO....!!
This I know about you..... in other words, You Want to Be Blessed!!!

Closing Scripture:  Deut. 28:1-6