Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
December 30, 2007 - W0752

God’s love is so amazing! His love is great regardless of circumstances and situations. You see, it’s not about us, but all about Him. It’s about giving away and serving one another. He is the One that gives a future and hope. If Jesus is your Lord, you’ll have the strength and fortitude to overcome whatever you may face tomorrow.

Despite our past events in life, this should not make our future. But more importantly, it’s what we do with these events. So who should we look to as examples? Well, God placed mentors within the Bible as examples for us. “These things that were written in earlier time were written for our instruction upon whom the end of the ages have come” (Rom. 15).

Yes, examples have been recorded in the Bible for you and me. David will be the first hero we’ll learn from in our new series titled “Heroes”. You see, mentors and Bible heroes are essentials for our lives today. We’ll find the essentials that were distilled in their lives. David is a hero of mine. However, his days were numbered.

In fact, King Saul was intimidated by David that he put a contract on David’s life. Furthermore, if anyone helped David they had a death sentence on their lives as well. This applied even unto  Saul’s own son, Jonathan.

Imagine if your life were numbered just as David’s. More than likely you’d reassess your life. You’ll find things that were important wouldn’t be anymore. And, things you’ve taken for granted would now become a priority in your life. Above all, there should only be four or five things that describe what your life’s all about. What are these things? Well, these things should be the most important things of all.

Remember, we have one chance at life here on earth. At the moment, we’re traveling over 6,600 miles an hour. That’s how fast the earth is spinning on its axis, whipping through space around the sun. This means you’re going faster than the spin cycle on your washing machine! 

But why wait for our days to be numbered by a gangster, a disease, an accident or terrorist before we start living a life with what’s most important. Life is short. David says our life is like a sigh. James says our life is like a vapor. Job says our life is like a breath. So how do we live a life with focus without waiting to the end when it’s too late? Here is what the Bible tells us.

 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psm. 90:12

In 2008 our prayer should be, Lord would you teach us to number our own days! To live in such a way that our days our numbered, but not by a gangster, but by choice. You see, when we live this way wisdom enters in. And we then live our lives a whole lot smarter.

You see, in the earlier parts of our lives everything was pretty much automatic. However, now it is manual. What? For example, when you were a baby your parents diapered and fed you. As you were growing up things were bought for you. And this was done automatically for you.

Education is another example of things done automatically. Here in America there is a law that states you have to go to school. So you have no choice but to be taught. All you needed to do was show up in school and they’d give you the books and lessons. All this was automatic. Making friends was also automatic when you went out to play during recess.

And here’s the switch. The older you get, life goes from automatic to manual. Huh? Yes, it’s sort of like cars, but the other way around. You see long ago cars were so called manual. There was manual standard transmission. Windows needed to be rolled up and down by hand and intentionally. Even the air-conditioning was manual. Yes, remember those little side vent windows that looked like wings? If you remember these growing up, then you’re old!

Years later, they were designed to be automatic. They were build with powered steering, powered windows, even the seats were powered. Well life is like this, but in reverse. Everything in the beginning is done automatic for you. And as you get older, everything becomes intentional. Meaning you’d have to work at it. For instance, when I was young I’d eat anything I wanted to and stayed skinny. Now, if I wanted to be healthy or educated, I’ll need to do it intentionally.  

Likewise, families do not run on automatic. If you want a good family, you’ll need to work on it intentionally. You’ll need to pinpoint and focus on specific areas to build a good family. Being intentional applies to all ages. In fact, it starts when you’re around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Yes, when you were younger you’d simply make friends at the playground. But when you become a teenager, you’ll need to choose your friends wisely. Or, you’ll hang around with the wrong people. Remember bad company corrupts good moral. Therefore, friendships are not automatic.

Anything that’s worth anything in life must be done intentionally. In addition, wisdom does not seep into your life until you number your days. But let’s not wait for a terminal disease, an accident or terrorist to number our days. By then, it’ll be too late. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter how young or old you are. Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you’re invincible. All it takes is one accident and that will change your future.

So how then should we live in 2008, knowing our days are numbered? And how do we make the transition from automatic to manual? Here are three life essentials. The first essential is…

1.      IDENTIFY FOUR OR FIVE MAJOR GEARS IN LIFE.

Your life has a lot of moving parts, like gears. These gears could be your job, sports etc. Identify all the gears in your life. Certain gears are bigger than others. These are the ones that grind along and have been around a long time. And, these are the important ones because they keep all the smaller gears in your life going. Please understand that if the little gears in your life go bad, no problem. It won’t create havoc with the rest of the gears in your life. But when one of the major gears goes bad, it’ll affect all the rest.

It is also important to understand that seasons change and with it comes changes in life. For example, in one season you may be developing financial stewardship. Another will be focused on education. Or, it could be developing your faith.

And, our faith should be a no brainer. We should get beyond questioning, doubting or being ashamed of our faith and just walk in it. For many of us, our faith is a big part and may well be a major gear for us.

So take the time and take inventory of these gears in your life. You may find that you’ll need to move pieces around in your life. And with some, you’ll have to wrestle with. Nonetheless, identify those that are most important. Remember we go around in life only once. And, we can’t come back to try again. This is it, we have one chance! So the first essential to living intentionally in 2008 is identifying important gears in your life. The second is to….

2.      INVEST IN THESE.

After you’ve identified your four or five major gears in life, you’ll need to invest in specific ways. For example, if having a good family is one of your gears, be there for one another. Listen to your children and see what’s going on in their lives. Or, if it’s about your health, then talk to your doctor for medical advice and start taking care of your self. Once you’ve identified the major gears in your life and wonder how often you’ll need to invest, here is the third and final essential.

3.      INVEST IN THEM EVERYDAY!

If you do these three things, your 2008 will be so far more successful than you’ve ever expected. By doing so you’re raising the bar. The potential will already be in you. By the end of the year, you’ll see how much God had breathed into the potential that was latent in you that had never came to pass.

As for me, I do this on my calendar. It’s called, what’s most important. One of them is communicating with my kids. Here is a side bar for parents. Find out how your children like to communicate with you. My son and I like to BBQ, paddle etc. so we get together to do these things. My oldest daughter who lives on another state likes to talk with me so from time to time I go to visit her. She enjoys having breakfast together. This is where we talk about things.

As for my youngest daughter, I found out she doesn’t like to talk. I’d leave voicemail messages and she’d never return my calls! So I got a phone that was able to text messaging and text her. And lo and behold, she speaks! To my surprise, she responded two seconds later! And so now this is how we talk to one another.

So find out how your children like to communicate with you. In addition, communicate with them on their level. And do it everyday. Remember things are not automatic, but manual. Being intentional in 2008 will add value to your days!

In recapping, identify four or five major gears that are important in your life. Then, invest in them everyday. Remember, we have one chance here on earth. And if our days our numbered, lets live life intentionally the best way we know how for His glory!

Let’s give thanks for this year and stay focused in 2008. For our Father’s love is indeed great, regardless of events or circumstances! Thank you Father for wonderful year! Happy New Years!

DISCUSSION SUGGESTIONS

1.      Have you been obedient in what God has given you in 2007?

2.      Have you learned the lessons from 2007?

3.      What are your four or five major gears for 2008? Write them down where you can see them everyday.

4.      In what practical ways can you invest in these four or five major gears of your life?

5.      What impacted you today and how will you be a better person because of it?