Can You Understand Your Way?

Well, the power is out at work so I thought I'd write a little...

A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?

Lately this Scripture has brought me comfort. Though, implied is the fact that you will be feeling discomfort in order for this verse to bring you comfort.

Ha.

Funny ;)

The reference is from Proverbs 20:24. On the surface it makes sense - that we won't necessarily understand life's ups and downs, changes, sames, and so on... If God is directing our steps, how then can we as finite beings understand or grasp His infinite wisdom in how He directs?

However, the discomforting reality is that we WON'T understand.

That's hard.

At least for me.

Maybe those with greater faith never have a problem with not understanding, but not understanding is difficult for me. So many questions...

What about...?

How long...?

How does this fit...?

Am I missing You Lord...?

Are you really directing my steps...?

I guess this is where trust comes in. I don't have to understand, but I do need to trust....

Trust in Him and lean not on my own understanding.

Trust that all things work or good for those who love Him.

Trust that HE IS directing my steps.

And if I'm off track? If I've made a mistake or missed Him? Trust that He will guide me back on track. His track.

Lord, I don't understand my steps, but you have said that I won't necessarily understand when You are the One in control. Teach me to trust You more. Teach me to walk one day at a time and trust the "why's" of life to Your infinite wisdom. And help me to trust that if I'm off track, if I seek you and trust you and don't depend on my understanding, you will direct my steps. I want to stay close to You no matter what. You are enough. Amen.

Look at the Birds

Have you taken time lately to look at the birds?

Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? http://bible.us/Matt6.26.NLT

Daily Bread

Jesus told us to pray for our daily bread. Not tomorrow's... not next month's, or next year's.

He promises to take care of our needs as we seek Him first (He already knows what our needs are before we ask!) and not to worry about tomorrow...

All of the above is so much easier said then done.

Father, please help me to walk in your ways.

Amen.

Trustworthy

You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV

Amen!

The Lord is an everlasting Rock. He does not change. There is no "shadow of turning" in Him. He is trustworthy.

While in prayer the other day, the Lord pressed upon me His trustworthiness. God knows what He is doing. He opens up doors and places His people where He wants them for a reason. We can trust that a righteous man's steps are ordered of the Lord. As we trust in Him with all our heart, he directs our paths.

Knowing we can trust Him brings peace to our lives and to the situations we are in.

His ways our good, and His desire is for our welfare, peace and for a hope.

Let's lean on and trust in the only Rock of ages, the Lord God.

Trust, Revisited

We revisited these verses as a family tonight... with His help, we will be a family who trusts in the Lord, through all things.

http://bible.us/Prov3.5.ESV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Trust, He Will Act

About 10 years or so ago, an older and godly man in the faith encouraged me with this Scripture when I was trying to determine what to do with my life.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalm 37:5

Ten years later I have never forgotten that. I didn't know at the time that he was actually quoting scripture. Today, this scripture encourages me so much for this season of our lives.

May it encourage you as you pursue His will too.

Trusting in Him...

His Kindness

God is so kind. His love for His people is too great for me to comprehend.

In this season of trial and adventure, it's been difficult to not try and lean on my own understanding. Of course, my understanding falls short. It's limited. And as days pass, it seems as though I end up with more questions than answers.

During our time of worship today at The Chapel, God gave me what seemed to be three specific words. They were words I needed to hear, and bring great peace and comfort to my heart.

Now, my mind would have said I needed some more "direction" inspiration from Him, but God knows best, doesn't He? God is more concerned with my faith and my character over what I will be doing tomorrow.

He's got tomorrow handled. It's my heart He's after.

I'm learning to walk with Him closer and wait for HIS timing and provision. It is a good work He is doing in our lives.

As each day plays out, I believe He is guiding our steps. I can take comfort in knowing He has all the details,

and,

He has me.

That's all I really need to know.

Trust

The Lord has been using this promise of His greatly in my life lately... I hope it provides encouragement to someone else tonight as well.

I would encourage you to read and pray through each line of this passage, one by one. Do it with the Holy Spirit, and let His truth sink in deep.

May the Lord overwhelm you with His peace as you trust in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Stressin' No Mo

I've been stressin' a little lately. When I'm stressin', I start taking life and matters into my own hand, leaning on my own understanding and efforts. But after a healthy and loving smack upside my head by my wife, and some time in prayer with the Lord and in His Word, the tea kettle is cooling off and I am getting some sense back. Some God-sense.

God sees our struggles and stresses differently than us. Therefore, it's important for us to know and have His mind and perspective and wisdom for the things we go through.

This morning I went to a verse that I have visited much over the years - Proverbs 3:5,6.

Most people, including myself, put such emphasis on those couple verses of Proverbs 3. And we should, as His Word in those verses helped ignite life and perspective and trust in Him in my heart as I read them this morning. However, I was delighted by what I read in other parts of Proverbs 3 as well, as they too encouraged my faith.

Maybe they will encourage someone else's faith too...

Proverbs 3:1-12 NLT

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.


Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.


Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.


My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Trust

I was reminded this morning that God has great plans for my life. He has great plans for us as a family.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11,

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Praise God that today we can trust that the Lord has great plans for us! He knows us by name, and knows what plans He has for us!

And now on to trusting Him...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Trust... can sometimes be the hardest part.

Maps

I love maps. Not sure why. But I do. I have been wanting to post about maps for a few days now, I feel like they mean so much to me. Weird, I know.

If you've hung around me or gotten to know me, at some point when we are discussing where something is, you've seen me turn to my Google Maps on my phone to pin point the location.

Stop the conversation, I need to check my map.

Street view, satellite view, or my current favorite, terrain... doesnt matter, I like maps. Rand McNally and I - buddies. For Life. BFF. (Well, not that close).

I'd say I prefer to have a map in my hand, but I also love the interactivity of the Maps App on my phone. Got an address? I'll find you. You cant hide from me.

I better move on before I go overboard.

My family went on road trips when I was young. They were great. It was a great time for everyone to stop the busy-ness of life and just spend time with each other. No distractions, just family. I remember following the maps that we had as we drove to our destination. This was before GPS world. Need to know mileage to next exit? Got it. Time till we get there? No problem, I'll use my map and sign skills. I still remember to this day predicting to the minute our time of arriving at a particular point on our trip. I thought I was pretty special.

So I have always loved maps I guess. I could gaze at them for hours. I love to see the bigger picture, and zoom in on the details. I love trip planning, and scoping out the area of where we are going - using maps.

There is something to a map. It shows you where you are, where you want to go, and how to get there. Even showing elevation, satellite views, detours, etc. using today's interactive maps.

I guess in some ways that's how I am in life. I love understanding where I am at, where I need to go, and how to get there. Problem is, I don't always see my life map as clearly as a road map. I wish it were that easy. That is where trust enters. God knows where I am, my destination, and how to get there.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
   and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 ESV

With that I will leave you with a snapshot of my current favorite map view - Terrain. The particular snapshot is of a town called, Bluefield, VA. I heard about this place talking with one of the ladies from The Neighborhood, a local home for senior living. She said it is where she is from and said it was the highest town (in elavation) this side of the Mississipi. Not sure if that is true, but I do love her map :)


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