“Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands” Deuteronomy 7:9.

After traveling in our sailboat for three months, we were all excited to have a rental car and be heading off to town in Puerto Rico to gather the supplies we needed. We had a makeshift map and spotty Wi-Fi and we were off.

Much to our astonishment, we had driven for twenty minutes and not found a single street sign! How were we to know where to turn? Which direction should we go? What a frustrating experience. We were lost without proper directions.

In the same way, I can get lost each and every day if I don’t look to the road signs that God puts out for me. When I hear that still, small voice nudging me to hold my husband’s hand, to give an extra-long hug to a child who needs it, or to make that long overdue call to a friend, I need to follow those directions. These are the road signs God puts out for me in order to show His love to those around me. Now, isn’t that what we are called to do?

When we listen to God, He will pour out the spirit of wisdom upon us and make us wise. He will let us live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm. When we listen and obey, our paths will be straight and we will not question which way to go. He will guide and direct us at every turn.

Thank you God that you know the way. You ARE the Way, the Truth and the Life. You guide and direct us and show us the path we should take. Please help us to remember to follow your directions each and every day and not rely on our own understanding. Amen.

By Corice Peters
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Our Steps

He Will be My Guide

Set Your Compass in the Right Direction

The post Where are the Road Signs? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways”. Proverbs 4:26

I don’t recall why, but I when I was around four-years-old,  I decided to run away from home. Problem: I wasn’t allowed to cross the street.  So I trudged around the block with my little pink suitcase in one hand and my stuffed lion under my arm. Within twenty minutes I had circled the block and ended up back at home in tears.

What made me recall this incident I won’t  reveal how many decades later? While preparing to give a talk to some churchwomen, I found these children’s letters to God online. This one in particular spoke a deep truth.

“You don’t have to worry about me. I always look both ways.” (DEAN)

As a small child, I had strict boundaries and knew the rules. It appears Dean does as well. As long as he looks both ways before crossing the street, nothing bad will happen to him, right?

If only life was so easy. As adults we get used to weighing the odds and making all the decisions. We set the rules. We decide our actions. We plot our course. Problem is, we can’t predict the future.

Sometimes we assume the way is clear. We quickly glance first then head out. WHAM – life hits us unexpectedly. Didn’t see that coming. Didn’t detect it, hear it, smell it, or even fathom it.  A tornado siren sounds one minute and your whole life ripped apart the next. The phone rings. A routine blood test comes back with bad news. A pink slip lands on your desk.

But after the shell shock, we may realize that someone was watching out for us. Something prepared us in ways we never knew. A hand held on and yanked us out of the way, or drew us closer.

A  quiet thought, steadfast rule, or profound statement embedded in our subconscious begins to acts as a lifeline. We cling to it. Such as  Romans 8:28 or Philippians 4:6-7 or Psalm 121:3-8.

Or my mother’s admonition to never cross the street alone.

Perhaps we adults need to be more childlike and go back to the basics.  Ask permission. Seek guidance. Wouldn’t it be more wise to look again–just in case–instead of being so sure of ourselves as little Dean is? Maybe we need to grab Daddy’s hand more often, no matter how big we feel we are.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

https://wheredidyoufindgodtoday.com/

FURTHER READING

Prayer for God to Make a Way

A Prayer to Stay on God’s Path

The Path of Life

Staying on God’s Path

The post Do You Look Both Ways? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path.”
Psalm 40:2b (AMP)

The year came in with a vengeance.

On top of seeing snow in unexpected places,  we have seen a number of tragedies, deaths, illnesses, hurricanes, among other life-altering challenges. It’s almost as if the bottom fell out and many of you find yourselves trying to find sure footing again.  Is there a place of certainty that I can find rest? Is there hope for me, my family, and our future?

Even in this moment of transition I speak peace to the weary souls that are at a place of turmoil. I speak rest to your minds from the anxious toil.  Cease striving trying to figure it all out and rest in the unfailing love of the Father; for He gives rest to His beloved.

We must learn to accept His sovereignty and receive His grace. There are situations we will never be able to understand.  We are to trust that God has it all under control and He is working it all together for our good. He will also reveal His plan as time unfolds.

 2 Corinthians 12:9 encourages us to rely on the grace of God; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   Paul wanted God to remove the problems he faced because they seemed too much for him to bear, but God knowing all too well the purpose of those trials encouraged Him that His power was all He needed.

I challenge you today as you read this to take a step back and ask God to help you see your situation through His eyes.  In times like these we need Him to broaden our perspective. As He does take comfort in the rest that He has already provided; be still my friend and know that He is God. There is nothing too hard for our God to handle. When everything around you is shaking, He is a firm foundation. He is the rock of ages. He knows how to steady you and establish your footing on solid ground.

Father, teach me to rest in your unfailing love. I admit I get lost trying to find my way through life’s ups and downs. I don’t always know where to go or what to think. I don’t always know what to do, but you do. May I take comfort in knowing that Your purposes for me will be fulfilled.  There is nothing that I will encounter that can separate me from Your love. Thank you, Father. In Jesus’s name Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission
https://findingtruthwithin.com/

Further Reading

•  Religion Causes Conflict and Strife– No Thanks!  

•  Getting Life Back on Track

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Steady Me, Lord appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you” Psalms 32:8.

We were anchored at a beautiful beach in the Spanish Virgin Islands. My thirteen-year-old daughter had met a friend and they were off adventuring in the kayaks.

Upon their return, they were full of excitement, chatting about the spot they had found. After beaching the kayaks and discovering a mountain they wanted to climb, they ventured all the way to the top. They navigated their way through steep, rocky terrain covered with many different types of cactus. As they didn’t anticipate the treacherous journey they would encounter, they neglected to bring shoes.

The next day, my daughter was up bright and early, excited to take me on the same trek. With shoes on, we boarded the kayaks. Once ashore, we began the excursion up the mountain for the spectacular view. Not long into the journey, we looked just five feet over and saw a well-traveled trail. She couldn’t believe her eyes: a trail with no jagged rocks or thorny cactus. Just a slight alteration to yesterday’s route, and they could have spared their feet such agony.

How many times do I find myself in parallel situations? If only I had consulted the Lord before retaliating with my tongue. If only I had remembered God’s word about being a servant. What about the times I deliberately choose not to follow my husband’s lead because I want something else?

How many times conflict could have been avoided if I spoke to Jesus first and recalled what He has taught me in His Word. Seeking the path He has laid out for me in scripture, rather than forging my own way, will protect me and the relationships with those around me.

Spectacular view from the top. Follow the map.

Thank you Jesus, that you have given me an exact map for my travels in life. Thank you that Your Word provides all the answers I will ever need. Please help me to look to you before making any decisions or course changes in order that I do not wander away from your plan for my life. Thank you for making your direction clear to anyone who looks for it. Amen.

By Corice Peters
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Feelings, Forgiveness and Peace | by Dr. Muriel Larson
•  The Power of Forgiveness | by Dr. Henry Brandt
•  Salvation Explained

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The post Dangerous Path appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read: Psalm 1

The Bible declares the Lord’s great power and majesty while also revealing His deep mercy and love. He is worthy of wholehearted, passionate submission, but He doesn’t often get it. Are you among the few who offer themselves to Him without reservation?

Complete obedience is a choice to follow God regardless of the consequences. This means that we obey the Lord even if our friends choose a different path or when suffering or embarrassment is guaranteed. Seeing His will done is more important than our own comfort or personal ambition. We commit the consequences to God and cling to His promises: He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), and He makes good out of every situation (Romans 8:28).

Notice the word ‘commitment‘ in the title of today’s devotion. I’m not writing about obedience that is born of the moment (as in, I choose to follow God in this instance) but about submission as a way of life. Setting restrictions on compliance is so tempting–we want to be able to change our mind when obeying upsets our lifestyle, the final result is unclear, or we’re just plain scared. But let me ask you this one sobering question: If Jesus is the Lord of your life, what right do you have to limit how and when you’ll do His will?

Believers have no right to set their own limits; their one criterion for making decisions should be, What does God want me to do? The answer at times may cause suffering, but obedience is always right. And following God in all things is the surest path to favor and spiritual growth.

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Used by permission
https://www.intouch.org/

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