It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings.

1. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Self-deception is often preferred to avoid short-term pain. (Prov 16:2)

2. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Proverbs 16:2 (NKJV) - All the ways of a man arepure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.

3. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Those who do this are running from God. This is a path of a fool.

4. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Those who do this are running from God. This is a path of a fool. • God knows and tells us the dangers of life. Will we honestly seek wisdom? (Prov 1:20-22; Jer 32:19)

5. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Proverbs 1:20-22 (NKJV) - Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

6. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Jeremiah 32:19 (NKJV) - You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes areopen to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.

7. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Years ago Yvette made a point to me that is a product of the wisdom of God. “If I am unhappy and filled with unrest over a period of time, then the problem is a spiritual one and is a product of my own doing. I will only find relief when I open up my own heart to God’s will and change my thinking.”

8. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • The scriptures bear this out. If I am right with God then I will have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control dominating my life! (Gal 5:22-23)

9. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

10. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Even when I am wronged and have a cause to be angry, this anger is limited in time by a living faith in a God who is in control. (Eph 4:26-27)

11. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV) - “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.

12. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Those who fail to guard their hearts can fall into a snare that creates a poison in their thoughts and among those who share in those thoughts. (Heb 12:14-15)

13. It is very hard for a man to see his own shortcomings. • Hebrews 12:14-15 (NKJV) - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

14. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • A living faith will thrive in a certain kind of heart. You must learn to “pull weeds.” (1 Pt 3:8-9)

15. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NKJV) - Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

16. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • Too many people have been poisoned by their past. It does not have to be that way. Those who do not trust God want vengeance to be their own.

17. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • What a waste of energy to dwell on things out of your control.

18. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • What a waste of energy to dwell on things out of your control. • A living faith will teach you to use your energies on those opportunities that God has placed before you. (1 Pt 3:10-11)

19. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • 1 Peter 3:10-11 (NKJV) – For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let himturn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

20. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • It took me years to realize this simple truth. I often tried to work in areas that I could accomplish nothing. (Ex. Work with those that are interested.)

21. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • It took me years to realize this simple truth. I often tried to work in areas that I could accomplish nothing. (Ex. Work with those that are interested.) • How many people have you known that has held on to their hurts like it is their last few cents? Are they seeking peace?

22. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • Bitterness will lead you to putting a microscope on the one you hate. You will overreact and slander the one who has done wrong.

23. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • There is a path to good days and a life that is loved and a path to a self-imposed torment.

24. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • There is a path to good days and a life that is loved and a path to a self-imposed torment. • A living faith will teach you that God is in control and that you need not fear the consequences of this life. (1 Pt 3:12-14)

25. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • 1 Peter 3:12-14 (NKJV) - For the eyes of the Lordare on the righteous, And His earsare open to their prayers; But the face of the Lordis against those who do evil.” 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

26. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • This is simple, understandable but impossible to follow unless you trust God.

27. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • This is simple, understandable but impossible to follow unless you trust God. • True maturity is not found in just being able to point out the sins and weaknesses of others, but in doing that in light of the love of God. (1 Cor 8:1-3)

28. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NKJV) - Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

29. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • God has not made me the master of my brethren. (Rom 14:4, 15)

30. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • Romans 14:4 (NKJV) - Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

31. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • Romans 14:15 (NKJV) - Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

32. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • When you understand this, you can have peace and joy in the presence of your enemies. (Ps 23:4-5)

33. A Living Faith will overcome all earthly circumstances • Psalm 23:4-5 (NKJV) - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

34. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • We must never become blind to God’s blessings. (Col 3:15-17)

35. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Colossians 3:15-17 (NKJV) - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

36. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • 17And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

37. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • If you are so overwhelmed by events that you can see and rejoice in the good things God has done for you then you are in serious trouble.

38. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Over the years I have seen those “go negative” on a local church or in brethren in general. No use in mentioning any good – they will not see it.

39. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Over the years I have seen those “go negative” on a local church or in brethren in general. No use in mentioning any good – they will not see it. • This is a powerful and common tool used by false teachers. (Gal 3:17-20)

40. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Galatians 4:17-20 (NKJV) – They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

41. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

42. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Sadly I have seen brethren do this to their own children. Do you have a heart problem? Do you have a lousy attitude? Wake up and repent!

43. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • How was Jesus able to endure the cross? (Ps 22:3-5)

44. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Psalm 22:3-5 (NKJV) - But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

45. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • We need to carefully watch our associates. (1 Cor 15:33-34)

46. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NKJV) - Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

47. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • We need to be around people who love God and will build us up by their actions and their words. (Col 2:2; Acts 4:36, 11:22-23)

48. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Colossians 2:2 (NKJV) - that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,

49. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Acts 4:36 (NKJV) - And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,

50. We need wisdom to guard our hearts • Acts 11:22-23 (NKJV) - Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.