1. God’s Puzzle – When the Pieces of Life Don’t Seem to Fit

2. 1. Pick a puzzle you want to do * No choice is still a choice - and a disasterous one! 2. Find the edge and corner pieces and put them together first. 3. Organize the middle pieces that are left by similar colors and patterns 4. Keep putting the pieces together that you know until the puzzle is done. So how do you put a puzzle together?

3. 1. Decide what puzzle you plan to put together. 2. Find the edge and corner pieces and put them together first. 3. Organize the middle pieces that are left by similar colors and patterns 4. Keep putting the pieces together that you know until the puzzle is done. How to put God’s puzzle of your life together

4. 1. Decide what puzzle you plan to put together. * No choice is still a choice - a disastrous one! How to put God’s puzzle of your life together

5. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 (NASB)

6. 1. Decide what puzzle you plan to put together. 2. Put together as many edge & corner pieces as you can * These are truths that are unchangeable. * Use as them a foundation for living my entire life. How to put God’s puzzle of your life together

7. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

8. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name John 1:12 (NASB)

9. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

10. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NASB)

11. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NASB)

12. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (NASB)

13. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NASB)

14. 1. Decide what puzzle you plan to put together. 2. Put together as many edge & corner pieces as you can 3. Sort the middle pieces for patterns and colors that are similar and appear to fit together. * These are the pieces of life that are not directly addressed in scripture * They are are mixed in with pieces addressing scriptural principles How to put God’s puzzle of your life together

15. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 (NASB)

16. “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ” Matthew 6:31-33 (NASB)

17. 1. Decide what puzzle you plan to put together. 2. Put together as many edge & corner pieces as you can 3. Sort the middle pieces for patterns and colors that are similar and appear to fit together. 4. Focus on putting the pieces together that you can find right now * Using the scriptural principles that touch the pieces of your life So how do you put a puzzle together?

18. 1. Decide what puzzle you plan to put together. 2. Put together as many edge & corner pieces as you can 3. Sort the middle pieces for patterns and colors that are similar and appear to fit together. 4. Focus on putting the pieces together that you can find right now 5. The number of pieces left that you can’t fit into the puzzle will become less and less until eventually the puzzle is done – when we step into eternity. * You will never see the whole picture in this life * But you will get to see the beauty of parts of it. So how do you put a puzzle together?