Set Yourself Up . . .
Several years ago my passion in life was to fly airplanes. I remember those days real well, and especially some of my landings. Especially the dangerous ones. In ground school young pilots are/were taught to “set yourself up to land.” This means to get in the “pattern” and follow the basic rules carefully (or exactly) and then a good landing will happen. (A monkey could do the take off with only a little help, but that monkey would sure make a big mess of the landing.) You don’t sit up in the sky in an aircraft and point it at the runway below and head for the ground. That method will bust the airplane & passengers every time. Hitting the end of the runway at 150 MPH is only good for heavy airliners.
The pattern starts at about 800 ft. above the ground. The inbound to land aircraft enters the pattern about a half mile from the runway and parallel to it flying with the wind. For light aircraft maybe 80 MPH depending on type of AC. Power is then cut back & the bird will begin to descend. This is the “downwind leg” of the pattern. At about half mile beyond the end of the runway and about 600 feet above ground the pilot makes a standard 90 degree turn (left is normal) and enters the “base leg” of the pattern. The speed will be about 75 MPH. Just before reaching alignment with runway the pilot turns 90 degrees again to line up straight with the runway into the wind. This is the “final approach.” Speed will be about 70 MPH and 300 ft. above ground. The pilot holds alignment and speed exactly and carefully touches down at end of runway. This pilot “set himself up to win” by observing the aviation “pattern” rules and made a good landing.
People fail to realize that in life there is also a “pattern” that needs to be followed to “win.” Such as getting a legitimate education for their intended vocation, living within their means, avoiding pitfalls like drugs & alcohol abuse, pursuing teamwork in the home, and being productive. Then God’s salvation is also a big part of the “pattern” and the successful “landing.” God’s word tells us, “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4 “...Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 “The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not,” Isaiah 58:11
The above “pattern” of successful living is greatly enhanced by living and walking with Jesus Christ. Why not tap into God’s free salvation & blessing by accepting Christ today? “Behold, I stand (J.C.) at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Don’t set yourself up to lose. Choose Jesus and His spirit. And SET YOURSELF UP TO WIN. See also link #28 "What's In It For Me"
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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