1 Finding Our Way in Life John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

2 How Do We Find Our Way? John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He didn’t say, “I will show you the way!” He didn’t say, “I will show you the way!” He didn’t say. “I will give you a map!” He didn’t say. “I will give you a map!” He didn’t say, “I will give you directions!” He didn’t say, “I will give you directions!” He just said, “I am the way….” He just said, “I am the way….”

3 To Find Our Way, We Must Renew Our Minds Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God If you keep doing the same things the same way, you will keep getting the same results. If you keep doing the same things the same way, you will keep getting the same results. If you don’t like the results you are getting, you must change the things we do. If you don’t like the results you are getting, you must change the things we do. This means we need to stop being like everyone else (conforming) and start being like Christ (transforming). This means we need to stop being like everyone else (conforming) and start being like Christ (transforming).

4 How Do We Become More Christ- Like? 2 Corinthians 4:15-16 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:15-16 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. One day at a time – “Day by day” One day at a time – “Day by day” We mustn't be discouraged, knowing that so long as we keep working on the inner man, the outer man will get weaker. We mustn't be discouraged, knowing that so long as we keep working on the inner man, the outer man will get weaker. Each day, we need to make an effort to improve ourselves and draw nearer to God. Each day, we need to make an effort to improve ourselves and draw nearer to God.

5 How Much Did Abraham Know About God’s Way? Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Very little -He said to just follow him and he will fill in the details later. Very little -He said to just follow him and he will fill in the details later. Are you waiting for all the details before you act on God’s will? Are you waiting for all the details before you act on God’s will? The important thing is to get moving and God will guide you as you go along. The important thing is to get moving and God will guide you as you go along. Abraham filled in the lack of details and directions with faith! Abraham filled in the lack of details and directions with faith!

6 How Much Did The Apostles Know About What Came Next? Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. Nothing! Nothing! They simply acted on faith and followed after the things of the Lord! They simply acted on faith and followed after the things of the Lord! Could you have done the same thing? Could you have done the same thing? If not, maybe that’s why we lack purpose and direction. If not, maybe that’s why we lack purpose and direction.

7 Why Can’t Some People Find Their Way? Luke 9:59-62 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:59-62 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. They have too many excuses! They have too many excuses! What is your excuse? What is your excuse?

8 What Happens When We Try to Interpret God’s Purpose? Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Genesis 16:1-2 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:1-2 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

9 Instead of Waiting on the Lord, Sarah acted and interpreted God’s way. Instead of Waiting on the Lord, Sarah acted and interpreted God’s way. The end result way that it created many problems between her and the hand maid and between their children. The end result way that it created many problems between her and the hand maid and between their children. When we too make bad decisions, we cause many problems for ourselves and others. When we too make bad decisions, we cause many problems for ourselves and others. What steps have you taken without waiting on the Lord? What steps have you taken without waiting on the Lord?

10 How Can We Be Sure The Lord Will Provide The Way? Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Once we put on Christ, the Lord has to keep his promise just as he did to Abraham. Once we put on Christ, the Lord has to keep his promise just as he did to Abraham. This is how we too can live by faith. This is how we too can live by faith. Does your lifestyle indicate you have put on Christ? Does your lifestyle indicate you have put on Christ?

11 How Does The Process of God’s Guidance Work? Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Step 1 - Work out your salvation – in the church and/or your community. Step 1 - Work out your salvation – in the church and/or your community. Step 2 - Do it with a sense of purpose, and sincerity as if your future depends on it. Step 2 - Do it with a sense of purpose, and sincerity as if your future depends on it. Step 3 – God begins to direct you in accordance to his own will! Step 3 – God begins to direct you in accordance to his own will!

12 How Does God Direct His People? Jeremiah 10:23-24 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jeremiah 10:23-24 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. We must first recognize that it isn’t up to us to find our way! We must first recognize that it isn’t up to us to find our way! God simply says, “Just get going – step out in faith and I’ll let you know when you get off the right path.” God simply says, “Just get going – step out in faith and I’ll let you know when you get off the right path.” He will probably nudge us in the the right way. He will probably nudge us in the the right way. Others may need a stiffer form of correction. Others may need a stiffer form of correction.

13 How Else Does God Guide Us? Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. He does it with love! He does it with love! He uses great loving kindness to draw his people in the way they need to go. He uses great loving kindness to draw his people in the way they need to go. He fills us with a Spiritual well-being when we are doing what he wants us to do. He fills us with a Spiritual well-being when we are doing what he wants us to do. The prophets and apostles were also drawn in the way they needed to go with God’s love. The prophets and apostles were also drawn in the way they needed to go with God’s love.

14 Why Doesn't This Process Work For Everyone? Isaiah 63:9-10 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Isaiah 63:9-10 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. God hurts for us, carries us, supports us and when we choose our own path we hurt him and anger him. God hurts for us, carries us, supports us and when we choose our own path we hurt him and anger him. When this happens, he turns against us! When this happens, he turns against us!

15 Conclusion – How Do I Get Started On Doing it God’s Way? Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Surrender to God’s will with all your heart! Surrender to God’s will with all your heart! Don’t trust yourself! Don’t trust yourself! Acknowledge him - Give him the honor and glory for everything he does. Acknowledge him - Give him the honor and glory for everything he does. Discern how God works in our lives – work with him not against him! Discern how God works in our lives – work with him not against him! Then God will continue to reveal his way for our lives! Then God will continue to reveal his way for our lives!