1. THE PATH LESS TRAVELED

2. Psalm 1:1-3 gives us guidance  v1. How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers.  Jesus walked, stood & sat with sinners, so what is the Psalmist telling us ?

3. The real meaning…  Walk: Hb “to go the way of” those who don’t know God  Stand: Hb “in the midst of” A position of NOT moving. Not in the midst of unrighteousness, and ungodliness  Sit: Hb: “to hold authority” (as in a throne). A position of authority that mocks God/His truth/His ways/His character

4. How should we walk?  Gal 5:16 “Walk by the Spirit & you won’t carry out the desires (appetites)of your flesh.”  Eph 4:1 “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling…”  Eph 5:2 “Walk in love of Christ just as Christ also loved…”  Eph 5:8 “…for you were formerly of darkness…walk as children of light”  Eph 5:10…intentional righteousness

5. How should we stand & sit?  Rom 5:2 “stand in the grace provided…”  1 Cor 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith”  Eph 6:14 “Stand firm therefore having girded your loins with truth…”(armored for battle)  Lk 9:1 “…and (He) gave them power & authority…to proclaim the kingdom of God…”

6. Be selective re influences  Prov 13:20 “He who walks w/wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”  1 Cor 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character”  Prov 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything you do” (for where your heart is, there is your treasure )

7. Connect to the Source  V2 : “But his delight is in the law of the Lord & in His law he meditates day & night.”  Our life as a godly & blessed person is derived from & sustained by the inexhaustible wisdom in the Word of God.  All attitudes and actions are borne from what we believe.  Garbage in – garbage out.

8. Rooted = Godliness  V3a “ And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water…”  Roots provide stability, maturity & growth  When the storms of life come, will you have deep roots being fed by the Living Water  When the storms of life come, will you have deep roots being fed by the Living Water ?

9. Intentional Destiny  V3b “… which yields it fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Every season should either yield fruit, or is a time to put down deeper roots.

10. The challenge…  When you come to a fork in the road, do you know which path is going to take you where God wants you to go?  Will your choices contribute to continued transformation to godliness?  Will they advance the cause of Christ & His Kingdom for His glory?

11. The blessing….  Jn 8:12 “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.”  3 Jn 4 “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”