Intro:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Habit 2 is Begin with the End in Mind

What are some goals that you have in your life? (personal, financial, relational)

Our main goal as followers of Jesus should be to know Him, become like Him, and help others follow Him. What are the steps you are taking to make that happen in your life and in the lives of others?

We will examine our perspectives and our priorities in light of verses 14-22 to see if they line up with God’s Word.

TEXT: Psalm 103:14-22

14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 16 The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. 17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children. 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans,listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Perspective and Priorities

Perspective:
Do you feel like your life is flying by?

It is so easy for us to get caught up in all of our daily responsibilities that we lose sight of

.

BUT what lasts forever?

The love (hesed=covenant love, loyal kindness) of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him, who are faithful to Him, who obey his commandments (covenant relationship)

We know that we are saved by

, through

Reveal Answer

, not as a result of our behavior.

Priorities:

All of creation

God in some way.

Can you say that about your life?
Does your attitude, your behavior, your conversation glorify Him?

The word for “praise” or “bless” in the Hebrew implies a strong

for God as well as a sense of

Reveal Answer

for all He has done.

Closing:
David ends the Psalm just as he began it, with an encouragement to Himself to praise the Lord. He has gone through all of the reasons why we should praise the Lord. Let’s do a recap:
3: he forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases
4: he redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies
5: he fills my life with good things and renews my strength
6: he gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly
8: he is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and full of unfailing love
9: he does not constantly accuse us or remain angry with us
10: he does not punish us for all of our sins or deal harshly with us like we deserve
11: his unfailing love is as high as the heavens above the earth
12: he has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west
13: he is tender and compassionate
17: his love remains forever with those who fear Him
19: he rules over everything