Tomorrow morning, Sunday November 29, through God’s grace I am planning to preach a message entitled, “GPS.”
Many of us have benefited from “Tom Tom” or “Garmin” in the last few years. These amazing pieces of equipment can show us where we are, show our desired location and hopefully show us the most timely way to get there. This information comes from satellites in the sky. The concept of GPS–Global Positioning System, and its’ birth came from the Department of Defense. These ideas were toyed around with in the 1960′s and now you and I benefit from it today. There are GPS devices for our cars, bicycles, boats and even hand-held models for hikers and hunters. Most of the time, and I use the word “most” loosely, our GPS devices are right on target and get us where we want to go seamlessly. However, at the most inconvenient times, they will tell us to turn down a road that no longer exists or tell us to go in the wrong direction.
However, I am thankful Christians have a more reliable GPS. Our GPS is not a “Global Positioning System,” but rather it is “God’s Positioning System.” God told Abraham to leave his country, his family and his people and step out in faith. God didn’t tell him how he would get to where he was going, He just told Abraham to go! Abraham may have been the first husband that could honestly say, “Honey, I’m not lost, I just don’t know where I am at the moment!”
God positioned Abraham to be the father of a great people through which the Messiah (Jesus) would be born. I’m amazed at how God has positioned the right people, at the right time and in the right place throughout history. Yes, God is sovreign…but He also gives man a free will. He gave Abram conditions/choices. He had to leave home and his family behind to see God’s plan fulfilled through His life. God also gives YOU choices. Choices that will enable YOU to experience God’s best or miss out on His plan for YOUR life.
GPS is not just about Bible “characters.” These were real men and women just like YOU! GPS is for YOU! God has direction for YOUR life. God has a plan for YOUR life, for YOUR future, for YOUR benefit. However, He gives YOU a choice. He offers YOU life or death, blessing or cursing…choose life! Choose His will and His way.
There will be many voices calling out to YOU, telling YOU to turn here or turn there…take this exit or take this exit. There is the WPS (World’s Positioning System), FPS (Flesh’s Positioning System) & the DPS (Devil’s Positioning System). Each of these are seeking to lead you down the wrong path and away from God’s best. Make sure YOU are listening to the GPS!
How can YOU be sure? John 10:27 is where Jesus reminds us: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Be sure first of all that YOU are God’s child. If you are YOU will know God’s voice. YOU will recognize God’s Word and His leadership because the two go hand in hand. Secondly, stay close to God. The farther YOU are from Him the more difficult it is to hear. Third, determine not to take any shortcuts. The WPS, FPS or the DPS will promise YOU that YOU can arrive at the same destination that the GPS offers but arrive much quicker. Did that work too well for Abram and Sarai? No it ended in disaster! Remember, Sarai told Abram to have a child with her hand-maid, Hagar. “Go ahead Abram, you’ll end up with the same result, you’ll just get there a lot sooner.” Can you imagine how many times Abraham and Sarai wished they could take back that mistake? Now we’re still dealing with the results of that mistake in the Middle East. No dear friend whatever route GPS tells YOU to take, take it and do not deviate from it to the left hand or to the right! He will always lead YOU through His Word and the Holy Spirit down the right road to the right destination in the right amount of time!
