Most people would love some new direction for their lives in the New Year, but because of past failed “New Year’s Resolutions”, they say, “what’s the use.” In this sermon series, Pastor Tom Cogle will guide us each week in how we can turn our “Downhill Habits” into “Uphill Hopes” for 2020. God can give you a new direction in this New Year!
UPHILL HABITS
New direction for a New year
Week 4: Choose Relationships Carefully
Pastor Tom Cogle
January 26, 2020
Most people have uphill hopes and downhill habits.
(Romans 12:2 MSG) Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Habit #4Choose my relationships carefully.
(Proverbs 27:19 GN) A mirror reflects a man’s face but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.
Nurture my important relationships.(1 Peter 4:7-8) The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Restore my broken relationships.
(Colossians 3:13) Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Sever any harmful relationships.
(Proverbs 13:20) He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Initiate some meaningful relationships.
(Hebrews 10:25) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Mastering the Habit
1. Develop my relationship with my church.(Ephesians 2:19 LB) …You are members of God’s very own family… and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.
2. Develop my relationship with godly friends.(Acts 2:44 LB) All the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other.
3. Develop my relationship with a team.(Ecclesiastes 4:8-9) There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
4. Develop my relationship with God.(Jeremiah 29:13 NLT) If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.