Our Google Map for the Journey

It is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  – 2 Corinthians 4:6

A thought from the post “Gaining Wisdom for Life” is that the more good information you can gather, the better decisions you can make. This is the main reason God had Solomon write Proverbs so you have wisdom and instructions for life.

One benefit of Google Maps is that you can use street views when planning out a trip to places that you’ve never been before. It’s kind of like visualizing the future so that things are planned out in your mind; what turns will be needed, what signs to look for, and the assurance that you are going to where you need to go.

Proverbs is our Google Map on the journey of life. A lie the world tells us is to do things your way but the best way is to work with others, accept the help God gives in Christ, and accept the obvious as truth.

This day will be amazing because God helps you plan the right things for your day and things fall into place for an amazing day. Take inspiration from the song Good, Good Father by Chris Tomlin and believe the pathway set before you will lead to where you want to go.

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Perfect Clarity

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. - 1 Corinthians 13:12

God is involved in the movement of history just as was shared in the post “Obedient and Persistent”. Keeping track of history gives us insight into what could happen in the future and in turn, help us to make informed decisions for today.

Historical data helps us predict the weather. Of course, being able to predict the weather in Texas is not that easy. Our county fair in Waco is in October and some years it can be freezing and other years, it can be sunny and in the low nineties with everyone wearing shorts.

Even though the future can be hard to predict, the Good News for us is that God knows what we need and like the song Good, Good Father – Chris Tomlin, He is perfect in all His ways to us.

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Care and Share

In the post “Stirring Each Other Up”, I shared some thoughts on actively seeking out others to care about and share God’s Word with at our places of work, in our neighborhoods, or at the schools we attend.

The lost get found by taking every opportunity to care about each other and to share about Christ. Whether it is at lunch break sharing about God’s Word, helping a neighbor, or meeting people on a road trip as Britt Nicole did in this video: The Lost Get Found – Britt Nicole, we are giving glory to God by reaching out to others right where we are.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. - Matthew 28:19-20

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Being Smart By Trusting

As written about in the post Perfect Guidance, the King of Egypt didn’t want to let the people go to the wilderness to worship God. He just wouldn’t give in even after several plagues but it’s not unlike how many are today at times.

There are many that will suffer through life because they are stubborn and refuse to open their heart and mind to listen to God. Maybe there is some unconfessed sin that has to be dealt with or some other character flaw.

All it takes is asking God for help by accepting Christ into the heart which is the main thought from this song: The Heart of Worship – Matt Redman.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

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Meeting Challenges Head On

Sometimes we face challenges in life that seem overwhelming. That’s when knowing that with God, everything is possible can keep us heading in a positive direction. We can pray about the challenge, make accurate decisions, gain momentum, and meet the challenge head on.

In the post Healing Power, I wrote about Peter receiving the power through Christ to heal a paralytic man named Aeneas and bringing a disciple named Dorcas back to life. The amazing power of God was made known and many turned to the Lord.

These were two of the great miracles found in the Bible but the greatest miracle of all is eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. We serve an awesome God … enjoy today’s inspiring video: Awesome God by  Michael W. Smith.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. - Ephesians 3:20

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We are Never Alone in Difficult Times

Many times people will oppose us just like in the post Boldness Given by the Holy Spirit when Peter proclaimed Christ as the Savior before the group that had crucified Him. Like Peter, when sharing about Christ we might face opposition but with the Lord, we can take courage and boldly stand up to them.

Remember, God is with us to fight our battles. Here is a video assuring that we are never alone during difficult times: I Am Not Alone – Kari Jobe.

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

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Return and Discern

The followers of Christ joined together constantly in prayer and as explained in the post Vision for Decisions, they benefitted from scripture, prayer, and God’s providence to change the course of history.

We can tap into the same beneficial resources of God this New Year to enable us to make good decisions as we lead our families, communities, and work places; helping us to plan the right things to do for an amazing New Year. Receive inspiration from today’s video: Lead Me - Sanctus Real.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

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Leadership Is Not A Popularity Contest

Written about in the post The Trial of Jesus, we get a lesson in leadership. Jesus demonstrates leadership with poise, courage, and strength. On the other hand, Pilot and Herod demonstrated poor leadership skills. They couldn’t make a decision because they lacked the courage to stand up and do what was right.

With God, we can be assured of a promising future and this gives us confidence to face our challenges with confidence. We know that He is faithful. He is like a mountain; standing rock solid over time and protecting us in our time of need. We can take courage, for God is there for us. Today’s inspirational video highlights these thoughts: Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin.

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

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Look Forward To Time Spent With Him

From the depression of the 1930’s and to a smaller degree with the stock market crash in 2008, there is a lesson to be learned. Bad loans build up a bubble that eventually will burst. As written about in the post Heaven’s Riches Are Far More Valuable Than Earthly Wealth, a manager was accused of wasting a rich man’s possessions. We are not told what possessions the manager was wasting but we have to speculate that the manger’s greed caused him to take risk with the rich man’s money.

It could also have been that he just couldn’t say “no” to those who bought things from his master on loan without the ability to pay back the loan. We see the same things happening with many money managers of today. There is this push to sale things or give out loans to people that can’t pay it off.  

When we serve God, the emphasis is not so much on short term gain but on doing the right things that result in long term success. There are right attitudes, motives, and actions to take. If we are focused on serving Him only; to being a good steward for what He gives and look forward to the time we get to spend with Him each day, then we have a tendency to think things through and make better decisions.

I found this video that inspires this desire to hear God’s voice and help make good decisions: Word of God Speak – MercyMe. As we go to God each day in prayer, it’s important to listen for the instructions and take the proper steps.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5

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Gaining a Heart of Wisdom

As I wrote in the post Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife, the blessings of God brought Joseph great success. With each passing day, there was success in everything he was in charge of and we can take this lesson to help us in how we live. Each day, we can live more abundantly than the day before. Knowing that God is with us, there is faith that we can accomplish more than we could ever have dreamed possible.

Make the decision to live by God’s standards and He will be faithful so that our every need is met. Like Joseph who faced adversity, stress, and temptation, the favor of God can bring us out of our difficulties and turn them around for good. Today’s video is about asking for God’s help as we take on the challenges we face: Carry Me – Josh Wilson.

Teach us to number our days aright. That we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalms 90:12

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Putting our Attention on His Greatness

In the study of Genesis 16 and writing about it yesterday in the post Trust in His Perfect Timing, the lesson for me is that we should be careful not to force the issue. We should put our attention on God and do things according to His timing; to trust Him to work situations out for us.

God may get our attention in many ways. There are times of the year that inspire and bring out  memories; the end of summer when football starts, the fall and the smell of pecan pie, the winter when the leaves have fallen and you look up into the cold night sky and see more stars than you could ever count. The spring and the memories of playing baseball and the summers going to the water park; you can count on the seasons. They are coming, you can depend on it, but they never are exactly the same because life and how we see things is always changing.

Music also has a way of bringing out memories and giving inspiration. Here is a video about God’s greatness from a young lady in my local community that does just that: How Great Thou Art – Holly Tucker on the Voice.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. - Colossians 3:2

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