Tag Archives: God’s direction

Jan1

A Fresh Start

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New Year

Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NIV

As the New Year dawns, many of us make a noble list of New Year’s Resolutions.  A brand new year seems like a gift, a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to turn the page to a new chapter in our lives.  We usually start out the month of January with grand intentions and high ambitions, but we find that we often lose that enthusiasm as the days and weeks click past.  Our list of resolutions gets buried under the stack of papers that we intended to organize, and we forget about all the things we resolved to do over the next 365 days.

The truth is that we should live each new day with resolve and intent.  God has given us a certain number of days to fulfill our life’s purposes, and we should ask Him to give us the grace to understand the important significance of each day (and each  moment) that we spend here on earth.  Some of us have more time than others, but none of us know the exact amount of time that we have left to complete our life’s mission. We should diligently pray for divine instruction concerning how to use our time throughout the days of our lives.  Thoughtful time management is an excellent art whether you’re a business professional, student, homemaker or retiree.  God models time management for us when we consider the account in Genesis 1 of His orderly creation of the universe; each day was filled with important tasks and accomplishments, and He even set aside time for rest. When you number your days to good purposes, according to God’s guidance, you will live wisely and your heart and mind will be inclined to achieving God’s mission for your life.

So instead of making a list on the first day of the new year of things you want to accomplish in the next 12 months, you should make a list as you begin each New Day.  It might be helpful to write your daily list on a calendar or in a notebook, so that you can look back over the year and see all the things that you and God have accomplished together. Live each New Day as though it were a gift of time, a new beginning, a fresh start, and a chance to fulfill God’s grand purpose.  If you order your days according to God’s plan, rather than your own desires, you will feel a divine sense of fulfillment each day of your life, and no moment will be wasted.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:16

Nov2

The Straight Path for Life

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P1100268Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

lean not to your own understanding. 

In all your ways, acknowledge Him,

and He will make your path straight.

Proverbs 3:5 – 6 (NIV)

Do you desire a “straight path” in life that is free of wasted time heading in the wrong direction, without unexpected U-turns, void of treacherous twists and turns, and detours around devastating dead ends?  God knows what is best for you, and He promises to make your path straight if you follow these clear instructions:

“Trust the Lord with all your heart…”  Trust God from the bottom of your heart.  Place all your confidence and faith in the wisdom, power, love, promises and goodness of God.  Believe with your whole heart (not just a portion of it!) that he is able to do anything and that His plan is best for your life.

 “…lean not to your own understanding.”  When you physically lean on something or someone, you confidently trust that your whole weight will be supported by that object or person. You wholeheartedly believe that this support will not fail.  Learn to lean on God’s understanding…not our own.  Don’t try to figure everything out for yourself based on your finite experience and insight, and don’t assume that you know it all. Totally depend on Him for His guidance in your life.  Discern His will through reading His Word and talking with Him in prayer.  The limitations of human understanding are of no comparison to the flawless and divine understanding of our Heavenly Father.  Lean into Him, and don’t rely on your own judgment.

“In all your ways, acknowledge Him…” It’s easy to turn to God when the going gets tough, but God desires that you acknowledge Him in every ordinary moment of your life.  Trust God completely for every choice you make.  Begin each day by asking Him for His guidance, and listen for His direction in everything you do and everywhere you go throughout your day.

“…and He will make your path straight.”  God will keep you on the right track if you trust Him with all your heart, lean into His understanding, and acknowledge Him in all your ways.  He knows the best route for your life’s journey.  Wholeheartedly believe in His promises and allow Him to make your path straight by placing all your confidence in His divine direction.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21

 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  Proverbs 25:9

I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.  Jeremiah 10:23

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

 Teach me your way, Lord; Lead me in a straight path… Psalm 27: 11

 The path of the righteous is level; You, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.  Isaiah 26:7 

 

Aug25

Choose the Road to Somewhere

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crossroads

”Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.”

Psalm 119: 29 – 32 (MSG)

Navigating your way along the roadway of life can seem like a confusing maze.  Around every twist and turn there are unexpected surprises, giant potholes, and sometimes dead ends. 

Most of us wouldn’t think of striking out on a long journey without first consulting a map or plugging the destination into our GPS.  God’s Word is our roadmap for life.  Seek His guidance along every step of your journey, and He promises to direct you on the “true road to Somewhere.”  Post His road signs at every curve and corner, and cling to whatever He tells you.  Trust Him to barricade any road that leads Nowhere and show you how to run the course He has laid out especially for your life.

As He graces you with His clear revelation and direction, take time to enjoy the majestic scenery on the road to your eternal destination!

“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Ps 119:105 (NIV)