Men,

Are you a man who goes his own way?

That is a tendency I have. Especially after a time of what seems like success. We are coming off one of the most powerful retreats we've ever had at Cedar Mill Bible Church. A time when many men responded to challenges, repented, built new relationships, learned to apply brotherly love and just had a blast together. After high points like that, I can tend to coast for awhile, put off times with the Lord a little more easily, get to feeling a little smug. It's a time of potential danger because it can lead to backsliding.

The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above (Proverbs 14:14)

This isn't about making sure you spend a certain amount of time in the word each morning or how much time you pray each day or even how many memory verses you can recite. Of course, those are good habits to develop, but this is a matter of the heart. What is key in this verse to me is, being satisfied from above. Am I really satisfied with the Savior? If not, what am I letting myself get satisfied with?

Do you need to turn back? You may feel you really haven't turned away that much. But any sea captain will tell you, just a slight turn of the wheel eventually puts a ship way off course. Turn back, like the father of the prodigal son, the Lord is waiting, lovingly for you to come home again.

Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:7b)

Men, the retreat was a great time, but now that we're back home, let's not stray from the fundamentals. Let's not allow the routine of life to take us from the river of life. You and I need to fight the tendency go our own way. We need to drive that stake in the ground and determine....

It is the Lord I choose to follow.

I will go His way.

Ron

Let's get back to praying with each other again in the Prayer Room this Sunday at 10:35 a.m.