Path of Life
What Sticks
People spend a lot of time and money on plans. Planning is a good concept, but Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that the only ones that stick are the plans of God. Does this mean we don’t make plans? No, there are plenty of times where the Bible tells us to be prepared (1 Peter 3:15, Proverbs 6:8; 24:27). As a believer I prayerfully make plans and remember that God is in control.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making plans that will stand. Please help me to make plans that are in line with Your will.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Glad Rejoicing
Fervently Seeking
This passage in Jeremiah is ultimately written to the nation of Israel. However, I think the concept of fervently seeking God is applicable to New Testament believers today. After all, 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that everything we do should be for the glory of God.
We have no trouble earnestly seeking what we want. Unfortunately, our strong desires do not always start with our Heavenly Father. The blessings in Jeremiah were conditional. God gives us some conditions in the New Testament. 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins God will faithfully forgive. The condition is our confession.
We won’t know or understand what God wants unless we fervently seek Him. God is worth the time and effort.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the conditions and provisions You give us in the Bible. Please help us to seek You fervently.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Not Shaken
Do It!
As a child of God, I consider reading and studying the Bible to be very important. I attend church regularly to hear the preaching and teaching of the Bible. James 1 reminds us that we shouldn’t only “hear” (or read) God’s Word; we should put action to what we hear. James 1:25 tells us that if we act on what we are told, we are blessed in that action. God never lies.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the many instructions You give us in Your Word. Please guide us to hear and act on Your commands.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleasant Places
Fear and Shame
The last three weeks I have had to fight fear over a “lump” that I found. This felt similar to what I had 2 ½ years ago. I had visions of surgery and potentially other treatment. As I made diagnostic appointments (and waited about 1 ½ weeks to go to the appointments), I chose this verse. There is worry involved in medical issues. I had to pray my way through allowing God whatever He chose.
Praise the Lord, he allowed me to only have 2 cysts and a non-malignant spot. No surgery or medical treatment needed. I am grateful for God’s kindness in allowing this news.
I have prayed many times in recent years that I am willing and able to endure whatever God asks of me. I was wrestling with that prayer before finding out the prognosis. I appreciate these verses. Seeking God helps deliver us from our fears. I know that I can feel shame as I wrestle with my fears – verse 5 reminds us that we can be radiant and unashamed as we look to God.
The simple reminder is to seek God and I can be delivered. The difficult reality is that I need to keep working hard to give my fears and worries to God and leave them there. I am glad God is patient and kind in providing for my weakness.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for closing this chapter in health issues. Please help me to continue to give all of my fears to You. Please help me to encourage others to do the same.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Preservation
Love with Discernment
The apostle Paul wanted the Philippian believers to increase in their love. Sadly, we have seen culture misuse this concept. Society wants to define love their own way. I’m confident that is why the apostle Paul said that the love should abound “with knowledge and all discernment.” Verses 10 and 11 continue the concept, “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Our love needs to be directed by the truth in the Bible (the only source for truth). The only way we can know the truth is to read and study God’s Word. The pursuit of Biblical knowledge is very rewarding.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us absolute truth in the Bible. Please give us an insatiable desire to read and study Your Word. Help us to have discernment to know the truth.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 