Jesus got His directions right. He knew where He was going and He did not waver from His appointed destiny. Jesus resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem. He knew where God was leading Him, because He knew God intimately. He got His directions right. He made the way for us to have a life of meaning and purpose...a life of hope and calling!

The people of Samaria could see something different in the Man passing through their territory. They had opportunity to slow Him down...to be touched by Him and turned toward Him. But they wanted nothing to do with Him, because they knew His direction. Too many prejudices to get over. Samaritans knew they were "second-class" people to the Jews. They could not see Jesus being anything more than "one of them." If they only knew. The "Sons of Thunder," James and John, wanted to wipe out the town. Jesus had to re-direct them: "Get it right, boys. The Son of Man came to save lives!" The first ones He needed to save were His own followers- then and now!

We declare for Jesus, but we stumble in our walk with Jesus, and we mumble in our words about Jesus. We need to keep a good picture of Him in our hearts and minds. We can prepare for Easter best when we keep Jesus in view each day. He gives us directions for real living. That means that you and I must get to know Him. Then, the directions will always make sense. Only our pride has to be put aside.

We men, as a gender group, have a lot riding on what we like to believe is our great ability to find our way through unknown parts of this world without asking directions. It takes a very patient family to go along with us. They must have strong constitutions! Some of you have had the challenge of finding your way in a foreign country, (no, not Texas)! I learned very quickly in my international travels to prepare. 1- look at a map first; 2, plan enough time to get where you must go, and 3, stop, get course corrections along the way!

How I wish charting a clear course in life could be as easily done as following a highway map. Now, here is where both genders, men and women, need to get our directions right. The older I get, the more I realize that life can get confusing. Even painful. We get into situations where we thought God was with us, but somewhere along the line He seemed to disappear from sight. Perhaps it is nothing more than trying to get ahead in the world with promises of wealth. A fantastic return was guaranteed on your $100 investment. It sounded too good to be true. It was. Now, your money is gone- your confidence, too. Perhaps you went through surgery. The doctor assured you the disease was going to be taken care of...but has worsened. Instead of a good quality of life, you now can hardly move. Or, perhaps a friend betrayed your confidence. Now what you shared in secret shame to another has included those who did not need to know. You wonder if you can go on. So many things can cause us to lose our direction. When these things happen, you and I can lose sight of God. We can forget His directions for our lives.

When you get lost in life. When you sense that life seems to be caving in by things that happened to you...or that you caused to happen....you can do something about it. I want you to do two things this morning. "See Jesus in your mind." See your favorite picture of Him. Is He smiling or sad? Do His eyes convict you? Then, know that comfort will be found. Does His smile make you want to turn away? Then, know that you will hear His voice call your name with a melody of joy. How? Well, I heard Him in Psalm 42. He re-directed me to Him..and to His way. Let me share His directions with you.

We can GET THE DIRECTIONS RIGHT.

Stop looking at yourself - Start looking at God. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O God. (1) A reporter asked Billy Graham, "In your years of ministry, who has been your greatest enemy?" "Oh, that’s easy. I see him every day in the mirror." Each of us can be fooled by who we see in our mirrors. It is such a small frame of reference. Let’s be sure we know what we are looking in our mirrors.

God created us to have fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ. We experience the full potential of Christ working through every part of our bodies. Satan knows this and tries to destroy us, or at least diminish us in every way possible. For example, smoking pollutes our ability to breathe effectively. But worse, he makes us think we were cheated out of what we think we should have. You ladies, think about the most beautiful woman you know. Some women you know feel cheated by God, because they cannot look like their ideal. You men, think about the strongest or most handsome man you know. Some men feel cheated by God, because they cannot match their ideal.

Before we were born, God prescribed us just the way He wanted us. I praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139.14) And, good news, He is not through with us, yet. He is not concerned with our outward appearance. Oh, sure, we should make ourselves presentable....but He works on the inner person. He wants to produce the character of Jesus in each one of us. Sometimes, He will sacrifice outward appearance to give us the opportunity to build on the inner person. His message speaks through us!

Stop looking at your past - Start looking at your future! When shall I come and appear before God? (2) What does your past look like? Some people cannot stand to look themselves in their mirror. They see how far off course they traveled away from God. I remember one woman years ago who confessed, "When I put on my makeup, I only see an eye, or my lips, or cheeks, but I can’t stand to see me!" A past that remains unconfessed will give Satan a victory. A past that is laid open to God and His healing power gives the forgiven saint one more reason to tell others of our God who is able to do all things well...even turn us from failure...to a future hope! Look at 1 John 1.5, 9.

If you ever have experienced the wonderful forgiveness of God, you want to rush into the presence of God again and again! You can’t wait to see His eyes and hear His voice! How welcome and wanted! A family that holds up past failures against each does not know the living God. But a family that knows the joy of each day with God knows how to laugh and love and let go of painful pasts.

Stop looking for Reasons to turn away from God - Start looking for Promises holding us to Him. My soul is in despair...therefore I remember Thee from the land of the Jordan (6) Remember when you were in that lonely spot? Why are you cast down, O my soul? You and I are faced with a challenge. We can choose to be down and depressed. That usually happens when we want answers. And the answers are to be pleasing to us, or we will lose sight of God. Too often we are cast down because we want to be. We can always come up with reasons for turning away...the bottom line is that we want our own way. Or, we can place our Lord before our eyes. We can see Him moving toward Jerusalem and our salvation. No one ever cared for you...like Jesus!

Stop looking for answers - Start enjoying His presence. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life. (8) Our Lord moved toward Jerusalem. He did not waver in His step. Yes, He felt the struggle. He knew the rejection to come. The price was worth it...The Son of Man came to save lives....yours and mine.

The key to meeting this kind of God is simple: FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS. I have drawn you with cords of compassion. .. I will never leave you, nor forsake you. .. No one can snatch you out of My Father’s hand. It is the Lord who carries us through the tough times! What a faithful God!

No matter where you are in your life...no matter what you have done with your life, place Him for a moment in front of you. See Him loving you. Hear His voice in His Word redirecting you! Take a step toward Him...now. You will be amazed how close He is.