Tag: Christian Faith

ONLINE MAGAZINE

Your Spiritual Journey

cherylz1961

*Light on Path

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

“For this is God,our God forever and ever;He will be our guide even to death.”   Psalm 48:14 (NKJV)

Your spiritual journey will have many different terrains and not just one footpath. Each trail was carefully designed and laid out by God long before you were born. Some routes will lead to valleys and others will suddenly slope upwards leading to high and occasionally dangerous mountaintop experiences. No matter where you proceed remember God is by your side.

Some paths are for but a short distance yet they have a meaningful purpose a lesson. Take time to reflect as you journey into each new territory and collect knowledge and wisdom from every spiritual adventure. What you gain from one path is knowledge that can later be applied to even greater challenges lying ahead.

Our individualized paths are more than we can manage on our own. We must rely on God’s provision as we trudge to, and then beyond each twist, turn and milestone. Some believers will start their spiritual expedition with pride in their backpack. They don’t want to trust anyone, not even God, to help them overcome difficult obstacles. Self-reliance is not what God intended when He created our will to survive. Rather, He meant for us to persevere and face every challenge while relying on HIS strength and power.

Our spiritual trek is life long and life changing, as long as we yield to God’s will and purpose. Sanctification takes us through the Refiner’s fire over and over, until we are purified and reflect the image of Christ. Then, when our allotted number of days is finished, we will reach our eternal home and receive our just reward.

How rapidly we travel upon our path is not determined by God. No, we set our own pace. The measure of our surrender will determine the amount of knowledge we gain on our journey and how quickly we progress through specific terrain. A yielded heart of obedience will do wonders for ones gait. By listening, obeying, and trusting God, we conquer even the greatest depths and heights on our journey.

Foolishly, some wander off the path of life and get lost. The Good Shepherd searches for each one calling them by name. And because they were never really out of His sight, every lamb is found. But many in His flock will remain rebellious and refuse to heed His call. He will not force them to follow Him. With sadness in His heart He leaves, never abandoning and always hoping for repentance, to rescue wounded lambs that require His arms to carry and heal.

If you are overwhelmed with the journey before you, consider whether you are piloting the way. Slow down, reflect, and ask God to lead. Maybe your path is pitch-black and you can’t seem to find your footing. Remember, God is eternal light. Ask Him to light your way. If you hold His hand He will guide you though your adversity. He knows every stumbling block to avoid. And eventually the light on your path will extend out a bit further so you can see more than three feet in front of you. This means you have grown stronger, strong enough for God to reveal more of His plan for your life. Until then, lean into Him and trust your Shepherd with each step forward.

DURING YOUR QUIET TIME READ THESE SCRIPTURES AND CONTEMPLATE THE QUOTE. ASK GOD TO LEAD YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY WITH HIS PROVISION, STRENGTH AND MIGHT.

“You will show me the path of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.” Psalm 27:11 (NKJV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4 (NKJV)

“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

“Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well.”   ~ Alexander MacLaren

*This is a devotion from my book FACING ADVERSITY WITH WISDOM, PRAISE, AND PROMISES. Look for it on Amazon

ONLINE MAGAZINE

Waiting Patiently

cherylz1961

*Patience

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, 
 and He shall strengthen your heart; 
 Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

“But those who wait on the Lord
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
they shall run and not be weary, 
they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

In order for us to wait on the fulfillment of hopes, callings, and desires, Ms. Patience must step forward and work her wonders.  I picture Patience as a good and kindly woman full of compassion and love. Her mere presence calms and soothes even the most harassed and anxious of souls. Within her gentle nature, there is a hidden and marvelous strength. This strength rises out of self-control and her faithfulness to the one she serves. In fact, it is with pure joy that she assists others, for she lives to glorify her master.

If you read the first paragraph once again, you will come to realize that successful waiting requires the fruit of the Spirit. Patience is tied to love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The soul, who lays aside personal goals and chooses to trust God with His timing and purposes, truly lives in freedom. He or she is blessed for you see, they have learned the way to endurance. Job is a good example of faithful endurance, for in the end we see how God greatly blessed and rewarded his devotion and patience. 

Our Lord knows all about waiting. He has been waiting a very long time to be united with His Bride, the church.  And because the church is still incomplete, we must wait some more. There are many folks who have yet to join the Body of Christ. Because of His immeasurable mercy and grace, He will never consider leaving even one of His beloved behind. This is why His return has not yet materialized.

Therefore, we must rest in the knowledge of His promised return. To do so with an assurance that permits peace and rest is not easy, if our flesh is leading the way.  Instead, it is the Spirit within us that must spur us on to endure.

So, as our God waits, we wait. His justice and truth prevails. One by one, lost lambs are found and carried home to safety by the Good Shepherd. Many dear ones, near to death, suffer from deep wounds and gashes. Though He heals each and every wound, they have been saved right out of the mouth of that horrible lion. 

Eventually, God exposes and disarms every spiritual snare the enemy so cunningly sets. No trap escapes the eyes of the Almighty. Therefore, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25) We who long for His return and wait are called blessed in Isaiah 30:18. 

Let me share a warning. While waiting for something to happen, it is easy to get distracted. We can all quickly loose our focus and allow our eyes to slip from His loving reflection. Our gaze sadly settles on the things of the world. What dangers befall those who let this occur! Too often a believer lacks the self- control to wait for the promises of God to appear, therefore slipping off the course ordained for them by God.

Oh, the misery of missing out on even one of the gifts and blessings of God. Do you really want to let even one of them slip away? If you are desperate to have something right now, when patience and waiting is required, really pray fervently. Consider whether your desire is a need or a want, and if it is aligned with Gods will for you. Are you willing to settle for a temporary contentment when God is offering you a complete fulfillment, so long as you agree to wait for His timing and purpose? 

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11 (NKJV)

“Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you, for the Lord is a God of justice; 
 Blessed are all those who wait for Him.”  Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV)

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8 (NKJV)

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

Isaiah 50:7

secretangel

Keep our eyes on the LORD…

not looking to the left or the right.

For when we keep our eyes on Him…

we will be walking toward the Light.

And no matter what happens…

in the world all around.

No fear and no worries will occur…

for with Him, only Peace is found.

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”

Isaiah 50:7

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

My Prayer For Today: Psalm 5

secretangel

My Prayer for today:

Psalm 5

Listen to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.
 Hear my cry for help,
    my King and my God,
    for to you I pray.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people are not welcome.
 The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
  you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
 But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
    toward your holy temple.

 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight before me.
 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
    with their tongues they tell lies.
 Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favor as with a shield.