Psalms 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers, light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, the Christian's charter, a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.
Its doctrines are holy. Its precepts are binding. Its histories are true. Its decisions are immutable.
Christ is its grand subject, our good its design and God's glory its end.
Read it to be wise. Believe it to be safe. Practice it to be holy.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. It is given you in life, it will be opened at the Judgment, and it will be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents.
---Author Unknown
God is always working out your path. Regardless of where life leads, know that He is in control.
Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord; and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
Everything God allows in your life is His way of maturing you in the image of His Son. He feels your pain. He knows your problem.
You might say, "How can God know what I'm going through? He's in Heaven and I'm down here."
Jesus knows because He lived "down here" in his human body. It hurt when His own people rejected Him. He knew hunger, suffered pain, grief, and loneliness. Being God in the flesh, He could've walked away from the horror of Calvary, but He gave His life for the sins of man.
For your path, know that Jesus has cleansing power, healing power, load-lifting power, mountain-moving power---all power. Trust Him. He knows you and cares about your needs.
When Jesus died on the cross He tore down the social walls between the Jews and Gentiles. He tore down the spiritual walls between lost sinners and Holy God.
In Christ our differences disappear. Abiding in Jesus destroys everything that stands between sinners and God.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God;
Jesus can take us where we could never take ourselves. I'm glad He removed the impossibly high barrier of my sin, reached out, claimed me, and brought me to the Father.
Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me.
If you define God only in your limited interpretation of your own circumstances and feelings, you will never discover who He really is.
John 16:26-27 At that day ye shall ask in my name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you; For the Father Himself loveth you because ye have loved me and have believed that I came out from God.
Jesus teaches us to pray with a sense of security in the Father's love. Because we believe in Jesus, we can pray, "Our Father which art in Heaven."
When you pray, know that God is not distant, indifferent, uncaring or angry with you. You can be confident that God the Father is concerned and cares. Never doubt His love for you.
When human love falters, God's love flourishes.
Jesus knows the cares of life better than anyone who ever lived on earth.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
SUCCOUR: To run to the cry of a child; to bring help when it is needed.
God hears the cries of His children. When we speak His name or cry out for help, He is there.
You will never face a trial or valley that Jesus won't walk with you. He is as near as calling His name.
Hebrews 4:15,16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I can rejoice in that. I've been there.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Man is in darkness (spiritually blind), and apart from Jesus can't know God.
When we acknowledge that we are sinners before God and accept the blood atonement provided in Jesus, we are set apart "in Christ", and the very light and life of Jesus lives in us, illuminating our hearts, minds, and lives.
The light of Jesus should shine through our attitudes, values, decisions, and actions every day. The darker the world around us, the brighter our light should shine.
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
Daily prayer and Bible study fuel your beam.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in The Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
When life goes bad we tend to focus on the problems that arise around us. When this happens we become defeated and depressed.
However, at all times of life we are challenged to let The Lord be the focus of our attention. If we can focus on Who He is to us, what He has done for us, where He is taking us, and how much He loves us; even the darkest day can be endured because we know something better awaits us down the road.
When we are lost in Him our will and desires will be lost in Him as well. He will lift us out of our sadness and fill us with His glory.
When The Lord is our delight, we will only want the things which bring Him glory and please Him. When we arrive at that place, God will open the windows of Heaven and give us every desire of our hearts.
