Choosing the right path.

Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)

In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

In every area of our life we need focus on God and leave it to Him. He has your back.

In life there are so many paths to choose. Some people chose the path of college, others go to the armed forces. Some go to a professional school to learn a trade, while others stay home and work. Whatever the case, these are all paths that, right or wrong, people have chosen to walk. And like all paths, they sometimes make unexpected twists and turns along the way. Solomon is teaching that as children of God, we must acknowledge Him. This means we must really get to know God. Once we do, then He will make our paths straight. This really means that God will guide in the ways that we are to go, and help us along the way. The key, however, is that we have to acknowledge God in ALL of our ways, not just the areas we feel comfortable. So, not just in Church on Sunday, or during Bible Study, but in every place including at school, work, the mall, everywhere. Then, God will make our ways straight, which is another way of saying God will make our lives better, and help us out. I don't know about you, but help from God is something I always want.

Today, as you walk your path, look at the areas where you're not acknowledging God. For just one day, switch up and acknowledge God in those areas. If that works, then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and next week, and on and on...

Dear Lord, help us to acknowledge You in every area of our life. God help us to allow You to make our paths straight. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Two ears one mouth

Proverbs 1:5 (ESV)

Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

    and the one who understands obtain guidance.

Wise people listen and learn from what they hear.

Start today, this new beginning, out right by listening more than you talk. In the book of Proverbs, written by Solomon (called the richest and wisest man to ever live), we hear this same advice. Ideas and thoughts may come to you quicker than those around you, but there is still something important about listening more than talking. You only have two ears and one mouth, and that might be a sign that God built us to listen twice as much as we talk.

The Bible says we add to our learning, and, one day, we will be able to cash in (get paid) on all of the listening. But also, as you listen, the verse says that we should also get guidance (that's understanding) that everything we hear won't always make sense. There will be some things in life that, no matter who you are, will need to be explained to you. However, you have to admit you don't know everything, this is a good lesson to learn no matter your age, and then go get the guidance.

Listen more than you talk and get guidance from the right people. Listening and guidance comes from God and the people God has placed in your life to help you. Not from music videos, radio, or your favorite TV/reality show. Pray that God would guide you and that He would bring the right people into your life.

Dear Lord, help us to listen more today than we talk, and to gain from our listening what You have for us to learn. We also pray that we would seek the right people for guidance in the area where we need help. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

God’s guidance system

Colossians 3:15 (ESV)

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

 in our lives is often as simple as a peace in your heart. When you are praying about a certain decision your facing, ask God to help show you which choice is the one He wants you to do.

He often will show you the right decision by giving you peace about it. Sometimes the other choices seem better but it’s best to go with the peace in your heart. The Bible says in Proverbs to not lean unto your own understanding. That’s how peace often works. It might not even completely makes sense going in the direction that you feel peace however, you just know that it’s the right decision.

You’ll always want to balance out your decisions with first and foremost the Bible. God will never lead you in a direction through peace that does not line up with other principles He’s clearly already spoken on in the Bible.

Today if you are facing a tough decision, is there a particular outcome that you just have more peace on the inside about? This can often be a good indicator that God is helping to lead you towards that.

Dear Lord, help us to look for the peace from You. When we need to make a decision we thank You that You will give us a peace about what You want us to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Is God's Hand in Your Glove?

Psalm 16:8 (New International Version)

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8 says, " I have set the Lord always before me." What does this mean? To set the Lord always before you means to allow Him to be the driving force in your life. This point can be brought home with the use of a baseball mitt. There are several different types of mitts available. Serious baseball players would probably choose their gloves according to the position they were going to play. An outfielder or pitcher's glove would be needed to snag those long fly balls. A first basemen's glove would need to be able to scoop the ball out of the dirt when it comes to first base. A catcher's mitt must be equipped with a little extra padding in order to take the heat.

As is the case with each individual glove, you and I have also been designed for a unique purpose. It is important to understand that a baseball glove is nothing more than a useless piece of leather without a hand to guide it. A person's hand enables that glove to work for a particular purpose-its intended purpose. In much the same way, we are nothing more than a physical body unless the Lord is working in and through us. As our Creator, He is the only one who understands how we work, and therefore He is the only one who is able to direct us toward the fulfillment of our intended purpose.

Perhaps this has happened to you. You are playing catch-warming up before the game. You take off your glove to adjust your cap or uniform and someone throws the ball at you, unaware that you do not have your glove on. There is no time to prepare. So what do you do? You take the glove and throw it at the ball-hoping to knock it down so you won't have to chase it. Some of us are trying to navigate through life in much the same way. If God's hand is not in our glove (life), we will spend the rest of our lives chasing obstacles.

Dear Lord we pray today that we would let your hand be our guide today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.