Greater Life Church Kenneth Baker

Waypoints are stopping points on a journey are markers that indicate a course change. Our graduates are at a waypoint in their life's journey. They are at the end of a chapter in their lives and must choose the next direction. The place we are in life has a divine purpose and order. Brother Nance advises these graduates to seek God's will and blessing in all they do and lean on God's plan to provide for whatever His purpose and calling is in their lives.

Waypoints are stopping points on a journey are markers that indicate a course change. Our graduates are at a waypoint in their life's journey. They are at the end of a chapter in their lives and must choose the next direction. The place we are in life has a divine purpose and order. Brother Nance advises these graduates to seek God's will and blessing in all they do and lean on God's plan to provide for whatever His purpose and calling is in their lives.

In the story of the tortoise and the hare, the tortoise wins the race because he just kept going. Progress is progress, no matter how slow. People who run know the importance of pacing themselves to keep from expending all their energy and having nothing left to continue on—every step we take counts. God notices and honors every step. The people around us also notice. They notice how we keep going, even in the face of adversity and setbacks. Progress is progress. In our text, David sets out to bring the Arc of God back from Oben-Edom's home. After only six steps, he offers sacrifice to God and dances in celebration. Those six steps were an accomplishment and represented a success compared to the previous attempt to return the Arc to its home. It was only six steps, but those six steps added to the following six steps, and the next six steps after that add up to miles and a successful completion of the journey. Celebrate and thank God for the progress. Each step we take counts. Every tiny, slow step toward the goal is essential.

In the story of the tortoise and the hare, the tortoise wins the race because he just kept going. Progress is progress, no matter how slow. People who run know the importance of pacing themselves to keep from expending all their energy and having nothing left to continue on—every step we take counts. God notices and honors every step. The people around us also notice. They notice how we keep going, even in the face of adversity and setbacks. Progress is progress. In our text, David sets out to bring the Arc of God back from Oben-Edom's home. After only six steps, he offers sacrifice to God and dances in celebration. Those six steps were an accomplishment and represented a success compared to the previous attempt to return the Arc to its home. It was only six steps, but those six steps added to the following six steps, and the next six steps after that add up to miles and a successful completion of the journey. Celebrate and thank God for the progress. Each step we take counts. Every tiny, slow step toward the goal is essential.

Today's text was written by a man struggling with contradictions he observed in life. On the one hand, he had learned of the goodness and love of God, but he also saw the wicked prospering while he struggled. He wondered if living for God was worth it when he said, "I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency." This reflective psalm is written after his breakthrough, which comes in the final verse: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." He went to church. The word from the original text isn’t just "attended" or "went in the door." The original wording suggests participation, engagement, and intentionality. God doesn't receive glory when we bring our body to church. He gets glory when we bring our minds and attention to church to engage Him. This man did not accidentally go to the house of God; he went there with a purpose. He was engaging, and receiving what God had to offer changed his perspective. If we go to church to encounter God, we must leave changed. It changed the way he looked at the world. The ministry of His spirit will make clear the path to take. Rather than looking at others and comparing their success to our progress, we set ourselves up for failure. Almost any act of comparison will leave us ungrateful for our blessing and success. Come to church with expectancy and hope for change.

Today's text was written by a man struggling with contradictions he observed in life. On the one hand, he had learned of the goodness and love of God, but he also saw the wicked prospering while he struggled. He wondered if living for God was worth it when he said, "I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency." This reflective psalm is written after his breakthrough, which comes in the final verse: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." He went to church. The word from the original text isn’t just "attended" or "went in the door." The original wording suggests participation, engagement, and intentionality. God doesn't receive glory when we bring our body to church. He gets glory when we bring our minds and attention to church to engage Him. This man did not accidentally go to the house of God; he went there with a purpose. He was engaging, and receiving what God had to offer changed his perspective. If we go to church to encounter God, we must leave changed. It changed the way he looked at the world. The ministry of His spirit will make clear the path to take. Rather than looking at others and comparing their success to our progress, we set ourselves up for failure. Almost any act of comparison will leave us ungrateful for our blessing and success. Come to church with expectancy and hope for change.