Tag: path

How Dare We

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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

How dare we question God.

Yet we do.

Why? Because we want our own way.

We think we know better than Him.

Do you see how selfish that is?

How arrogant?

Did we create the earth and all it contains?

Did we place the stars in the heavens?

Did we design life with such variety and beauty?

Absolutely not.

We are God’s creation.

God is not our creation.

I get it though. Often our lives seem to turn unexpectedly, down a path we wished to avoid.

We question God. We question because we hate it. The direction we travel.

God allows things.

He created us with the ability to choose, and sometimes people make bad choices.

Or, sometimes it’s our own fault.

Yet God allows it.

We can be assured from Ecclesiastes 9:1 that “… how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.”

All we do are in God’s hands.

We need God. He helps us filter out bad choices when we cannot see what’s right.

Further, we can rest assured God works all things for His purpose.

Romans 8:28 reminds us,” And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

God sees everything.

He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly.

While He might allow circumstances you detest, He will stay by your side.

And He has a plan. Do you trust Him?

You are worth more to God than anything else He created.

He sent His only son to die on the cross for you so you can spend eternity with Him.

Yes, God is holy.

Yes, He created all things.

And no, we are not in charge.

But you can rest assured God is.

God, who created order and beauty, is on the throne.

And when trials come, He will be with you every step of the way.

His ways are higher than ours.

We must not question God, but live peacefully, knowing He cares for all of His creation.

Yet we are of more value than many sparrows.

We are made in His image.

Photos by Marshall Patterson, Mathew Schwartz, Cédric VT, & Nicole Wreyford on Unsplash

Watching

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God is watching.

Always.

He is always watching for you.

You.

He waits for your return.

Longs for it.

Like the prodigal son’s father watched every day for the return of his wayward son, God watches for your arrival.

For your restoration.

If you are completely lost, when you decide to return to God, He’ll scoop you up the second He sees you, forgiving you completely.

If you are wandering away, stepping off into self-focus, not relying on Him, the moment you decide to return life’s burdens to Him, He’ll take them back in an instant.

Because He’s always watching for you.

Watching out for you as you walk with Him, guiding you around the rocks so you don’t stub your toe.

Showing you which path to take, when the path splits in two.

And protecting you with His umbrella when the dark storms arrive.

He’s also watching for you when your choices take you apart from Him.

When you’re determined to make it all on your own.

When you selfishly trudge on alone, thinking the entire world is against you.

It’s not, and God’s available to give you His peace.

He longs to have a relationship with you.

What are you waiting for?

God, who created you and all things, craves a relationship with you.

He can make all things new.

He can cross your every t and dot your every i.

Effortlessly.

Why wait?

Whenever you are ready, God will be there.

Always.

Because He is forever watching for you, His precious child, to return completely unto Him.

What on earth are you waiting for?

Photos by Edu Grande, Mantas Hesthaven, Aaron Burden, & Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

The Lord Goes Before You

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The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

When God goes before us, He knows before we do.

He sees things before we do.

He feels things before we do.

He literally clears the path before us.

Picture a shepherd or a warrior.

Taking their weapon, they sweep the weeds, creating a path for you.

Scouting their eyes, they notice dangers.

They note possible wild animals.

Depressions in the earth.

Approaching weather.

Even good things, they notice.

Then He runs back to you, walking by your side.

He’s your protector.

Your shield.

He’s your dad.

Never leaving.

Always available.

For your safety and wellbeing.

How can I ever be afraid or discouraged with God going before me?

Facing an uncomfortable situation?

Picture God already going before you, literally clearing your path.

Picture Him running back to walk with you every step of the way.

He’s got you.

He’s got me.

He’s got this for us and more.

Photos by Emma Frances Logan, JOHN TOWNER, Karl Anderson, Subhadeep Dishant, & tamara garcevic on Unsplash

God’s Faithful Path

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All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10

When you keep walking on the path God has for you, you will experience His love and faithfulness.

No, it won’t always be easy, but you will stay within Him.

You will walk in His love, which is God Himself.

God is always faithful to those who keep His covenant.

To those who keep His commandments, His word.

And when you obey Him, you will stay within His love and faithfulness.

There is nothing better then experiencing God’s love.

His love is perfect.

All encompassing.

All knowing.

His faithfulness reminds you He is always with you.

HIs promises are true.

God’s faithfulness to you is a beacon of hope.

A promise of future security.

A secure dwelling place.

When you choose to walk with God, He will be your faithful friend.

Your heart will be filled with His love.

Your blanks will be filled with Him.

But only when you choose to follow Him, walking hand in hand down His path.

What is stopping you?

Selfish desires?

Do you not know God has your very best interest at heart?

Seek Him with all you have.

Ask Him to fill you with HIs very self.

And in return, you will be reminded of His faithfulness and love for you.

As you keep His covenant, you will be a testimony to God Himself.

What an absolute honor.

Am I right?

God doesn’t need you to fulfill His plan.

But He wants you to join Him.

Take it in all humility, and watch Him work through you.

Become His vessel through which His love and faithfulness is revealed to the world.

Through this choice, you will keep His covenant, showing the world His testimony through you.

What an honor.

Photos by Ars Buchatski, Mick Haupt, Maksim Shutov, & Jan Huber on Unsplash

Slow Slide

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Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13

Satan rarely enters with a bang.

He rarely announces his presence, coming through our choices instead.

It’s usually one choice.

That leads you to another.

And another.

And another.

And before you know it, you don’t recognize the path anymore as you’ve veered away from God.

It’s rarely fast; it’s usually slow.

So slow, you don’t even notice.

Panic from not studying, you glance at your friend’s test paper.

Just one look.

Just one answer.

Never again, you tell yourself.

That was easy.

Next time, it’s even easier.

Justified in your mind.

You sneak a pack of gum into your pocket without paying.

At home, the gum doesn’t taste as good as you thought, but it was free.

The next time it’s easier.

Justified in your mind.

You start spending alone time with a person of the opposite gender.

Lots of time.

But you’re married.

The friendship grows.

Becomes more.

One day at a time.

Justified in your mind.

Satan rarely announces the wrecking of your life.

The justification he wants you to follow.

How do we keep doing exactly what God wants us to do?

We must weigh everything with Him.

Ask Him.

Ask Him about everything.

He’s always right there, wanting to help you.

I Peter 5:18 reminds us to Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

It’s possible to love God and remain passive.

I’ve seen it multiple times as little sins become big, building up and refusing to leave as pride takes over common sense.

Lord, may we seek Your will in all we do.

Please guide us into Your plans and give us Your wisdom for every little thing.

Amen.

Photos by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

God’s Continuing Provision

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He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights. 

Deer are so nimble.

Unlike us.

We tend to fall.

A lot.

But deer rarely stumble.

God made them that way.

When we trust God, He will cause our feet to stay strong.

Firm.

Securely on the path He has opened for us.

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He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 

God helps us fight.

He shows us what to do and just how to do it.

He gives us His incredible strength to accomplish great things.

Necessary things.

We are amazed at our strength when we are strong through Him.

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You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. 

God helps us, saving us, shielding us.

We do not falter with His right hand steadying us.

Keeping us upright.

More than upright, but successfully tall.

Standing tall and unharmed.

Perfectly whole.

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You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. Psalm 18:33-36

God creates the path and walks with me, guarding every step, ensuring I don’t fall. 

All I must do is trust His way, holding onto Him.

The way is unknown, every step taken in faith; however, it is very good. 

Why? 

Because God is perfect. 

God is good. 

I am His.

And He is mine.

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Photos by Matt Palmer, Rebecca Prest,Guillaume Briard,Orlova Maria, & Karsten Würth (@inf1783) on Unsplash

Walking Towards Whom

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All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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Who are you walking towards for comfort?

Jesus?

Or Satan?

We are all walking towards one or the other.

Walking towards Jesus will give you life.

You may have momentary sorrow as you empty your selfish needs before His feet.

But that choice, choosing Jesus, will bring peace.

Life.

Walking towards Satan will bring death.

Maybe not immediate, and the feeling will be almost satisfactory.

But that choice will certainly bring death.

The absence of peace.

Regret in the morning.

Our choices in life bring us closer to one of them.

Our choices in life bring us closer to either Jesus or Satan.

Life or death.

Every time.

To whom do you walk towards….?

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