In Order Live To The Maximum Degree The “Good News” “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1) For Too Many The “Good News” Has Become Empty, Pious Rhetoric. Unconnected To The Power Found In The Word… Get Connected: In Order Live To The Maximum Degree The “Good News”

“With what shall I come to the Lord and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:6-8 “My God and I go in the field together , we walk and talk like good friends should and do…”

Be Willing To Listen, Learn & Apply Be Transformed “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 Oh, for a closer walk: Be Willing To Listen, Learn & Apply Be Transformed

But We Can Find Help & Strength From One Another “Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2 Are You Enjoying Or Enduring Being A Christian? We Are Not Alone… Ephesians 4:14-18 We All Have Failings; But We Can Find Help & Strength From One Another 1Corinthians 12:13ff We Need Each Other Care, Concern & Understanding Romans 15:1-2, 5-6

The First Step Is Usually The Hardest… Awareness: In Order To Draw Closer To God, We Have To Admit We Are Out Of Step… “God be merciful to me, the sinner!” Luke 18:10-14 Is There Something Holding You Back? For Some It Is Not Enough To Simply Be “Broken” Before They “Surrender” Luke 15:11-32 Daniel 4:1ff

Peter was “beginning to sink” when he cried out “Lord, save me!” YOU CAN RIDE THE DUMP TRUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE DUMP, OR GET OFF ANY WHERE YOU WANT BEFORE IT GETS THERE… Matthew 14:30 Peter was “beginning to sink” when he cried out “Lord, save me!” Recognize Fully What Are Our Sins… Humble & Sincere GENERALIZATION OF SIN IS EASY & REQUIRES LITTLE EFFORT: BUT SOUL WRENCHING INTROSPECTION IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO BRING ABOUT THE NEEDED CORRECTION Matthew 10:29-33 Hebrews 4:12-13 God Clearly Knows You: How Well Do You Really Know Yourself?

“I will get up and go to my father…” Luke 15:18 Resolve: to find an answer; a strong determination; fixed purpose; to make a firm decision about The Prodigal Son was at his lowest ebb, but was RESOLVED, no matter what, he would make it “home” He knew that he needed his father and a close relationship therein How RESOLVED are you?

Not A Forgetful Hearer, But An Effectual Doer “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 John 6:67-69 “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Matthew 13:44-45 Determined/Resolved Psalms 119:2, 5, 10-11, 24-25, 32, 105 1John 5:1-3 Let Go & Let God James 1:22-25 Not A Forgetful Hearer, But An Effectual Doer

“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” Proverbs 28:13 “I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son…” Luke 15:21 Repent/Restore 1John 1:8-10 James 4:6-10 Humble Self Draw Near To God Matthew 27:3-5 Judas felt hopeless Strive To Make Things As Right As Possible

FOR A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD… AWARENESS Of Sin & The Need To Align Self In Order To Be In Step With God RESOLVE To Make The Necessary Changes, In Order To Realize The Goal. A Mind Set Of Victory REPENT & RESTORE Be Honest With Self & Move In Such A Way As To Make The Mistakes In The Past; A Thing Of The Past, Not To Be Repeated