Bat Cave : Critical

Recently a few new people have expressed an interest in this Bible study and I did warn them I did illustrations a little different than other leaders or speakers due to me liking diverse things. I found some verses for us to look at. Proverbs 4:20-27 to be exact. I've read the Bible through a few times but this time I'm noticing something Solomon says a lot. "My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words." There's a reason this stands out to me. First of all he's talking to his son and wants his undivided attention. One of my favorite superheroes Nova derived his powers from this computer called the Xandarnian Worldmind and it was always at critical junctures telling him "Richard Rider it is critical that you pay attention at this time!" See Solomon is imparting truth and he needs our full attention. FOCUS!!! So what is it he wants us to do with these words we're listening to? "Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them and healing to their whole body." There's reasons for these words and purpose behind them. "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." There's this video game I've played and if you're shooting very badly a British voice tells you "Aim straight." Don't give your heart to the wrong people or things. "Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech." Seriously if you use so much profanity that no one can tell you're a Christian find some habanero and purge your mouth! Ephesians 4:29 "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." These next verses have to do with direction. "Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what is before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." Many years ago My sister Monica and I took a motorcycle safety course. Driving a two wheeled vehicle is very different than a car in fact the perspective is wider. See in a car you have the windshield and the frame of the car. On a motorcycle you have wherever you turn your head or lean your body. To impress this thought on us the instructor made this profound statement. "Where you look is where you go." It applies to walking, driving and ultimately to life. Making decisions gives us a bit of power. But remember "With great power comes great responsibility." To be going the right way is a willful choice. Dear reader "It is critical that you pay attention at this time!"

Colossians 3:1-3 "1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. "

Hebrews 12:1-3 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.^aBecause of the joy^b awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;^c then you won’t become weary and give up."

Matthew 7:24-29 "24“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law."

Two Sets of Jones' (Live)