Guarding Your Heart: Avoiding Two Degrees Off in Life by Reverend Andrew Lim
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, I want to share with you the powerful insights we
received from last Sunday's (23rd, July, 2023) sermon by Pastor Andrew Lim. The sermon was
centered around the scripture from Proverbs 4:27 and 2 Corinthians 2:11, and it
provided valuable wisdom on how we can guard our hearts and avoid veering two
degrees off course in our lives.
1. Your Bearings Determine Your Destination:
Pastor Andrew emphasized that the choices we make in
life, big or small, will shape our journey. We must be mindful of our
direction, ensuring that we align ourselves with God's will and not swerve to
the right or left, for it is in doing so that we avoid evil.
2. Where You Set Your Bearings is Where You Will End Up:
It's crucial to keep our focus on God and His word. The
scripture from Proverbs 4:23-27 reminds us to guard our hearts above all else,
for it is the wellspring of life. By staying fixed on God's path and wisdom, we
ensure that our destination remains aligned with His purpose for us.
3. Beware of Two Degrees Shifts:
Pastor Andrew pointed out four critical areas in which we must be vigilant:
a) Two Degrees Shift for the Pleasures of the World:
We need to be cautious of seeking worldly pleasures over
spiritual fulfillment. It's easy to get caught up in material pursuits or the
allure of success. Instead, let us fix our minds on heavenly things and serve
God rather than money.
b) Two Degrees Shift from the Fear of God:
Recognizing our sinfulness and our need for God's grace is vital. When we lose sight of our shortcomings and fail to fear God, we may become complacent in our faith.
c) Two Degrees Shift from Being Grateful:
Gratitude is a powerful force that guards our hearts
against negativity and pride. When we lose gratitude, we tend to grumble and
focus on ourselves rather than appreciating God's blessings.
d) Two Degrees Shift in Our Passion and Excitement for
God:
Our passion and excitement for God can wane over time if
we allow ourselves to be influenced by external factors. To maintain our
enthusiasm, we must daily examine our hearts and cultivate a habit of
thanksgiving for even the smallest blessings.
4. Maintaining Spiritual Discipline:
Pastor Andrew stressed the importance of maintaining
spiritual disciplines, such as daily journaling, prayer, and reading the Word
of God. These practices act as a safeguard for our hearts, reminding us of our
direction and keeping us in alignment with God's will.
5. Do Not Tolerate Shifts:
We must be diligent in identifying and addressing any
shifts in our hearts. Ignoring warnings or neglecting spiritual disciplines
will only lead to further drifting. Let us be vigilant and steadfast in
maintaining our focus on God, for it is in Him that our hearts find true
fulfillment.
If you ignore too long, the warning will stop. If you ignore too hard, you will
be deaf to the warning.
Whatever you do or you want to ignore in life, take heed to maintain the
spiritual discipline as this is the only way to guard your hearts.
In conclusion, let us take to heart the profound wisdom
shared by Pastor Andrew. As we go forth in our daily lives, may we guard our
hearts diligently and avoid the two degrees off course that can lead us astray.
By staying close to God and being mindful of our direction, we can ensure that
our destination remains aligned with His perfect will for us.
Proverbs 19:21
"Many are the plans
in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s
purpose that prevails."
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