The Straight Path

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

Written about in the post “Seek Direction“, was how the leaders of Israel were fooled by a plan of deception. They were caught off guard by the misleading plan of the Gibeonites but the biggest mistake was their failure to seek direction from God to follow the straight path.

The lesson for us is to always let God be a part of our decision and approval process. This includes concerns with our family, business, organization, or job. The good news is that as the title of the song Grace is Enough by Matt Maher, we have grace to always fall back on when we make mistakes. We can take in the lessons, seek God’s direction, and be guided to better decisions in the future.

Index of devotionals

The Best Way Out of a Situation is Always Through It

In any tough situation in life we go through, we want immediate action but most of the time the best way is to think it out and ask for God’s direction to stay on track. In the post Handling Situations, I wrote about the scandal of Jacob’s daughter being raped by the son of the ruler of the land.

Jacob was thinking ahead to handle the situation with his daughter Dinah in a civil way. He resisted the temptation to physically harm the man that had defiled Dinah but perhaps he accepted a compromise too fast instead of going to God for direction.

The best way out of a situation is always through it. One step at a time, let it run its course. Go to God with questions, admit your pain, and ask for the best way to handle the situation. Like this video, God can best bring you through: The Hurt and the Healer – MercyMe.

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

Index of devotionals

Our Amazing Creator

In the post Nothing is too Difficult for the Lord, we learn the lesson that all things are possible for the Creator of all things. Sarah was up in age but the promise was made that she would have a child. There is always hope when God is in the driver’s seat and we are doing what is right.

The problem is that sometimes we do not follow His direction. As was the case of those in Sodom who were not doing what was right in God’s eyes. Abraham had a nephew named Lot that lived in Sodom and the Lord listens to Abraham’s request as Abraham intercedes for Lot before God’s judgment falls upon the city.

Remember friends, faith gained on Sunday will pull us through on Monday so we can step ahead into Tuesday. It’s hard to understand but God can pull us through. Here’s a song about the fact that God is beyond description: Indescribable – Chris Tomlin.

For nothing is impossible with God. – Luke 1:37

Index of Devotionals

Standing Up to Those Who Ridicule

                                                   Photo Credit – Google Images

Peter is writing this letter to remind about the predictions from the apostles and from Jesus of the coming of those who will ridicule their faith. Reading in 2 Peter 3:1-10, many in the world will doubt the second coming of Christ (v. 3). They will make light of sin and mock at salvation by Jesus Christ therefore they will not be God fearing and will not consider God’s judgment. They will not see the need to seek the happiness beyond this world.

The scoffers will say that God does not intervene in history but Peter uses history to refute this argument by pointing out that past judgment was with water during the time of Noah (v. 6). Many believe the world should get better and better but this goes against scripture which tells us there will be a second judgment of God which will change history by refining with fire.

So, the things we see happening in our world today like disasters, wars, and cultural decay will only confirm our faith. This will indicate Christ is near and make us reach out to more so they can look forward to the happiness beyond this world.

This day with God, let us submit to Him and put His will first in our life. Let us always be prepared by practicing our faith day in and day out. Until the day He comes or calls, let us pray for direction and discipline in His ways.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

What Will be Your Story?

After dinner, Annie went out on the back porch. It was a Saturday evening and darkness had started to set over the Delaware sky. Her mom noticed that Annie was looking up at the stars so she went out to take a look. Annie’s Mom had always loved to star-gaze and had recently noticed that her daughter had this same passion so she had taught Annie the constellations. Annie’s Dad was finishing up dinner. Later he would meet with his business manager about a major project in his shipbuilding business.

Several years went by and Annie was home for Christmas. She was taking a few weeks away from traveling and dabbling in photography to think about her future. She decides to go out on that same back porch she used to go as a child to look up at the Delaware sky. She had graduated from Wellesley College recently where she studied physics and was contemplating reentering college to specialize in astronomy at Radcliffe College.

A few more years went by before Annie got word that she had been appointed to the staff at Harvard College Observatory to record, classify and catalog stars based on temperatures. Five years later, this would lead to the publishing of a catalog of 1,122 southern stars. In 1910, her system was adapted by observatories worldwide. Annie Jump Cannon’s system of star classification groups stars into categories labeled O, B, A, F, G, K and M (known by the mnemonic, “Oh, Be a Fine Girl, Kiss Me”)

She later compiled the Henry Draper Catalogue which was published by the Harvard Observatory between 1918 and 1924. The catalogue lists the spectral types, magnitudes, and positions of 225,300 stars and continues to be used internationally by astronomers.

This story is just one of many great stories found when we look into the lives of people that have made a difference. You see, Annie set in motion the tremendous discoveries that are being made today. Just recently, astronomers have found a new planet in a different solar system that may be Earth’s twin; capable of supporting life. They study the brightness of stars and notice a planet because its orbit crosses in front of the star and causes it to dim. Here’s a link: New Planets Discovered.

What will be your story? Right now, you may know of something that no one else could possibly know about. My hope is that this video will inspire you to give some thought to what great discovery you might make in the future: Giants Awakening - Vision for Success.

You may be like Annie’s mom and give a child a dream or you may be like Annie, looking to make new discoveries. Reflect on these thoughts each day and be thankful for the opportunity to reach for the stars in whatever you do.

Check out my other blogs where I receive a constant supply of inspiration for my writings by clicking on the links below:

Step Ahead

This Day With God