I’m Gonna Need A Bigger Plate

I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE – I’M GONNA NEED A BIGGER PLATE

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. 

Psalm 90:12

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT

Our has limits.
Our has limits.
Our has limits.
Our has limits.

GUIDING TRUTH: We don’t need a plate. We need to know what belongs on it.

REMEMBER THIS: Just because we carry it doesn’t mean God us to.

Biblical wisdom teaches us what to , what to and what to .

HOW OUR PLATES GET TOO FULL

Other people’s – “I can’t disappoint them.”

Other people’s – “If they’re unhappy, I have to fix it.”

Other people’s – “I need to rescue them.”

An we feel obligated to maintain. 
“Our house, kids, marriage, career and finances all need to look successful.”

WISDOM FOR AN OVERLOADED LIFE

1. when it’s too much.

“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.

Exodus 18:17-18

Moses’ problem isn’t that he’s doing the wrong thing. He’s doing the the .

         2.  Know what’s ours to .

Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 

Exodus 18:19-20

Sometimes we need to carry the load. Sometimes we need wisdom to it.

We must ask the question: “Who put that on our plate?” 

God put it there → .
I put it there → .
Others put it there → .
It should be shared → .
It belongs to God → .

         3.   what was never ours to carry .

But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.

Exodus 18:21-22

Asking for help isn’t an admission that you’re . It’s an acknowledgment that you’re .

         4.   God with what we cannot .

If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

Exodus 18:23

We can pray for our kids.
We can’t control their decisions.

We can work hard.
We can’t control the economy.

We can love somebody.
We can’t control whether they love us back.

We can apologize.
We can’t make somebody forgive us.

Our job is to God. The belongs to .

LOOK AT HOW JESUS LIVED

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

John 4:34

Jesus didn’t live controlled by everyone’s . He lived to the Father’s .

FINAL TRUTH: The goal isn’t an plate. The goal is the on the plate.