Psalm 108:1-6 A God-Oriented Day 7-17-11 RC Thesis: A good day is a God-oriented day! Introduction A wedding is a bride-oriented event! Share how, when I am conducting wedding rehearsals, I instruct the Groom and the Groomsmen to always face the bride. Flip the imagery to the Church (bride) always looking for the Bridegroom (Jesus). The Church is a Jesus-oriented people! We are to live Jesus-oriented or God-oriented lives. How can I live a God-oriented day? (Define) Read text. The Psalmist was experiencing a God-oriented day! How can I live a God-oriented day? I need: 1. A Determined Heart! (v. 1) Expl. O God, my heart is steadfast (unwavering - Common English Bible

confident Holman Christian Standard Bible; I am determined New English Bible)

Ive got a made-up mind! The Psalmist was absolutely determined to have a God-oriented day! Illus. You can be a good athlete without being determined, but you cant be your best! The same is true in every arena of life: Marriage, employee, student,

entertainer, writer, Christ-follower You cannot be your best without determination!

Appl. Fundamentally and first: Am I determined to have a God-oriented day? A good day is a God-oriented day! A God-oriented day requires a determined heart! Not only does a God-oriented day require a determined heart, it also requires:

2. An Early Start! (v. 2) Expl. I will awaken the dawn David was not going to waste his hours! His determined heart was expressed by an early start! Illus. You dont have a second chance to make a first impression.

You dont have a second chance to start your day well! I start my day with a prayer of thanksgiving

I start my day with a prayer filled with praise Let me tell you I have learned the joy of living

And its based upon the way I start my day. Kirk Talley

I know this is a challenge for so many! (Mothers, etc.) Appl. Worship God before you wash your face! Praise God before you put your feet on the floor! A good day is a God-oriented day! A God-oriented day requires an early start! 3. A Worthy Goal! (v. 3) Expl. Among the peoples . . . among the nations Davids day started with praise, and it may well have been private. He understood that His faith involved a public stewardship. He understood Gods heart for all peoples! David knew he had a worthy goal! Appl. Is it possible to have a God-oriented day without a sense of mission? God has given everyone of us a mission! We are to raze hell! (Destroy the works of the devil!) Illus. In John Eldredges book (Wild at Heart) he addresses the God-given

urges that are placed on the hearts of males everywhere: a wound that needs to be healed, an adventure to live, a battle to fight, a beauty to save.

Tom Elliffs call (at the 2011 SBC Annual meeting in Phoenix) for churches to embrace one of the 3800 unreached people groups a worthy goal!

I believe God has placed a desire for a significant adventure into the hearts of all His children! Appl. Embrace the call to a glorious adventure every day! A good day is a God-oriented day!

A God-oriented day requires a worthy goal! A God-oriented day requires a determined heart, an early start, a worthy goal, and, finally: 4. A Worthy God! (vv. 4-6) Expl. Notice the specifics of Davids song as it related to his God: He sang of Gods mercy: translated faithful love (131 occurrences); love (35 occurrences); kindness (29 occurrences)

loyalty (18 occurrences); etc. (HCSB). He sang of Gods truth, he sang of Gods exaltation and His glory!

He also sang of Gods saving power! David knew his God was a worthy God! Appl. Is it possible to have a God-oriented day if God is diminished in our minds and hearts? Illus. J. B. Phillips book, Your God is Too Small (1961): It is the purpose of this book to attempt two things: first to

expose the inadequate conceptions of God which still linger unconsciously in many minds, and which prevent our catching a glimpse of the true God; and secondly to suggest ways in which we can find the real God for ourselves. If it is true that there is Someone in charge of the whole mystery of life and death, we can hardly expect to escape a sense of futility and frustration until we begin to see what He is like and what His purposes are."

Appl. God is worthy to be praised! He is worthy to be the organizing principle of our lives! He is worthy to be the constant around which we orient our lives! A good day is a God-oriented day! A God-oriented day requires a worthy God! Conclusion For some of us, we are getting a delayed start today. Even though we are participating in the gathering of the church, we cannot yet claim a God-oriented day. The good news is this: You can start right now! It is not too late! Every day, bring a determined heart, an early start, a worthy goal, and a worthy God! A good day is a God-oriented day!