Years ago, God orchestrated a new and beautiful relationship with a lovely woman.  Her name is Norma, and she is one lovely mentor to my heart and life.  She may not realize it, but she is.  She has a great “grace” about her that allows me to bubble forth my thoughts and ideas, and her response is kind and receptive.  This “grace” was the first thing I noticed about her. 

When I met this woman a number of years ago, I was in the thicket of grief as my father had gone to be with the Lord a number of weeks prior.  She welcomed me into a Bible Study she was leading at the time.  Someone must have asked how I was doing, and my grief streamed out like a flood.  She and the others just “listened.”  When you heart is overwhelmed, friends can gift you with the “grace of listening.”  Listening is like a tender balm that shadows over and around your hurting heart.

You know, what we say to others can greatly influence the direction of their lives and yearnings.  This friend introduced me to a phrase that she had used in her  counseling career.

“Your profession is Jesus Christ

Your career is how you carry Him into your world”

Let’s see what Daniel Webster says about the meaning of a “profession.”  A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and formal qualification.  We might add other descriptions which would include:  vocation, line of work, day job, position, calling, or walk of life.

If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, and you “profess Him as the Lord of your life;” and you are one that takes your commitment to Him seriously, then Jesus, in reality, is your “calling or walk of life.”

If that’s you and that’s me, then He has the right to call the shots in our life.   He is not only our personal Savior, He is also the “Leader, Director & Orchestrator” of our individual being.

A directional verse I love is Proverbs 4:26 “Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.”  (established by our Lord Jesus)

Here’s a companion verse that follows up on how our steps are established by Him when we are surrendered to Him.

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man (that’s your ways and mine) are before the eyes of the Lord.  And He ponders all his paths.”

Did you catch that last phrase….” And He (capital H for He – God) ponders all his (small h for our paths).   GOD PONDERS OUR PATHS!

THAT’S UNBELIEVABLY INCREDIBLE

We’re to watch our steps, where they go and how they go, and to whom our steps correspond with.   It’s allowing God to “establish our comings and going!”   It’s a STOP SIGN for our hearts and our planning.  It’s okay to plan and all, but not to “manipulate or self-orchestrate” our lives down to the minute and beyond.

To be honest, for most of my Christian walk, I felt the need to “plan to the hilt!”  I’d lay awake at night anticipating and planning the next 5 years of my life.  How ridiculous that was.  For it’s my Father-God, and your Father-God, in this verse, that shows us He is the One Who wants to be in charge of our lives and the steps that take us there.

Yes, we can plan, but He is the One who has the “last word.”  It makes sense to commit all our ways to Him, giving Him the right to perhaps redirect us in another direction.   I may not know you personally, but my guess is that God has interrupted your plans many times…. with His own plan.

Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are of the Lord.  How then can a man understand his own way?”

This verse has removed a lot of self-induced stress in my life.  I say that due to the fact that endeavoring to understand the twists and turns in life, that routine just brings on stress that we were never intended to nourish or carry.

And then, notice in the following chapter, verse 21 that God (Immanuel…God with us) ponders all “our paths.”   I find this verse thrilling…. because it’s rehearsing in our hearts that:

GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT ME

GOD KNOWS EVERYWHERE I’VE BEEN AND

GOD KNOWS WHERE HE WANTS TO TAKE ME

There are no surprises with Him!

For years felt I was working FOR God.

But when I began memorizing and musing over

Proverbs 4:26  “Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways  be established.”

my life, slowly began to relax from the urgency of planning and anticipating.  To read “and let all your ways be established” became a compass verse to point me to better travel in life.   I’m still in His class, but through that verse, He continues to encourage me to have a clearer and more profound perspective.

Yes, my mind, heart and life need constant “alteration.”  But this verse seems to bring a better and more relaxed vision for my journey.  If our God designed us for “His purposes and plans,” then only He knows best the route to take us down here.  He’s helping me resign the position of being my own GPS.   He has His own GPS…. God’s Positioning System. 

This morning, in my time with Jesus, I was reading in 1 Samuel 14:45b and the teaching of Proverbs 4:26 appeared again in one astounding phrase:

“for he (Jonathan) has worked WITH GOD this day.”

That verse literally erupted in my thoughts.  Jonathan was not working FOR GOD, but WITH GOD.  The distinction between “working for” and “working with” is in the nature of the relationship and the dynamic of working in cooperation with our Father.  

Practically, it’s working within His direction and timing, not working ahead of Him, but linking up to how and where He “establishes our steps.”  It’s allowing Him to not only set the pace, but re-direct as He wishes.

When you work “for” someone, you are that person’s employee, you are in a subordinate position, you take orders from that person and are responsible to that person with regard to the work that you do.

When you work “with someone,” you are that persons’ colleague, or that person is involved in some way, in the work that you do.  You collaborate with that person.

When we speak of working “with God…. your heavenly Father,” it’s an endearing and growing “relationship” …. not a boss as we think of it here on earth.  It’s an invitation from Him to “join Him in what His plans and purposes are” in building His kingdom.

Working with God is the highest privilege a person can experience, regardless of the assignment, whether menial or lofty…. it’s all the same to Him.

So, if we “profess Him as our Lord and Savior,” our “career” is to express Him in whatever we do, whether in a hospital, kitchen, laboratory, office or wherever we are.

MAY OTHERS BE DRAWN TO HIM BY OBSERVING HIM IN YOU AND ME.

HOW DO YOU AND I CARRY HIM INTO OUR WORLD?

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

My goodness, God’s Word addresses every area of our walk of faith…. every area.  The scripture above came to life for me the other morning at a local department store.  This department store had “sales” going on just after Christmas, and I thought I might check it out for opportunity gifts later in the upcoming year.  When an advertising sign shouts 50 PERCENT OFF…. that can be an attraction to my billfold.

This morning I had a family member in mind together with the item I was specifically looking for.   The store wasn’t as crowded as I thought it might be, so I casually strolled the aisles looking for this item. 

I was “focused!”  There were people around me here and there, but my eyes were fixed on just what I was looking forward to purchasing.  In my tour of the women’s department, I did notice an older woman using a walker and a younger gal in front of her, but I kept moving along with my eyes gazing at price tags and the merchandise that was along my route.

My frustration was building as there seemed to be nothing that would be attractive for the person whom I was buying for.  I was beginning to think that my “gift hunting” was about to come to an end.

Then, it happened.  This woman appeared again, and upon my glance in her direction, she piped up and asked me, “Are there any sweaters in this store?”  I quickly responded with a quick statement, “I don’t know,” attempting to move away from the woman.  After all, I was on mission and had only about one and a half hours to make this purchase a reality.

However, God had “other plans …. His plans.”  At first, I asked her what type of top or sweater was she looking for.   Before I knew it, I was enlisted (by Jesus’ touch on my heart) to sort of help this woman.  So, I invited myself for a few moments to be her personal “sweater shopper.” 

This was just a casual question, as I wanted to show her to an area where there were sweaters, and move along with my own agenda.

This was NOT TO BE!   It was obvious that she was a little confused and frustrated.  She began her introduction by saying, “I’m an old lady and live in a care facility.”  Well, I didn’t require an address, as I knew immediately what she meant. 

She was driven in a large community bus to “do some shopping.”  The driver had given her an hour at this department store, and she felt time was passing and afraid she wouldn’t be able to complete her shopping excursion in time.   She was also fearful that the driver would be upset with her.

Well, that introduced a new dilemma to my plans.  It took about 5 minutes before it dawned on me (I’m slow at catching on to God’s directives sometimes, and this was one of them) that maybe God was involved in this situation.

I glanced at her walker and she smiled as she showed me this particular blouse which was draped over the handles to her walker.  My immediate comment was, “That’s nice.  That would be something I would buy.”

She caught on to that puzzle peace and indicated that she liked how I was dressed.  Unanimously, we agree that we had similar taste in clothing…. a “tailored look.”  Her face brightened and my heart began to make “adjustments” to my purpose in being in that department store.

Within moments, I felt like God was nudging me to take an unanticipated tour of the store, along with my new friend, who was picking up speed with her walker.  She was maneuvering the corners of the store as good as I was.

During our visit in and out of the aisles, I realized that God had prompted me to help this woman, and “forget my own agenda!”

After about another 25 minutes, alas, we found a black and white sweater-like top that was warm, and stunning.  I pulled it out to display before her eyes.   SHE LIKED IT!   After I announced the size, she immediately said, “It won’t fit, it’s too small.” 

By now, as her uninvited but welcomed shopping attendant, she trusted me enough to allow me to help her “try on the garment.”  Voila, it fit “perfectly.”

During all of this, she was still was concerned that the driver would soon be in the store looking for her.  She was right.  We practically bumped into him.  Just as she decided she wanted to purchase the sweater, there he appeared.  

I thanked him for his patience and shared with him that we were heading for the checkout area and wouldn’t be long.  He was more than cooperative…. which was a blessing to this frustrated lady.

By now, time had passed, and I realized that there was nothing in that store that was appropriate for what I wanted to purchase.  So, before I realized it, I was walking with her to the checkout to make sure that her purchase was complete, without any hiccups.

There was a couple in front of us, and people behind us.  It was at this moment that I focused on “who” she was.  I asked her for her name.  “It’s Rose and I live at Legacy Senior Center.”

Rose began thanking me profusely and then she asked my age.  I told her and with a sudden increased volume said, “You don’t look it!”   She repeatedly looked at me to thank me.

I couldn’t take it any longer, for that morning I had given this day over to the Lord Jesus to direct my steps and conversations.  So, it was “Jesus” who directed our coming together in the store, and it was now time to share that information with this dear woman.

I leaned over and quietly told her that it was Jesus who brought us together this morning.  She repeated His Name!  I mentioned that I had prayed this morning and asked Him to direct my steps.

Within about 30 seconds I remembered that I had a brochure in my purse.  It was “Steps to Peace with God.”  I removed it from my purse and told her that Jesus had saved my life.  She just looked at me.

Her next comment at full volume was, “What did He save you from?”   My response was, “He saved me from my sin.”

Again, she repeated out loud, “He saved you from your sin?”  “Yes, that’s right.”   I gently placed the brochure in her opened purse and asked her to read it when she got home.  “OK” was her comment.

I walked her to the bus and she wanted to give me a big hug.  Before boarding, I waited until she was boarded and waved goodbye.

I smiled inside and out all the way walking to my car.  I had joy that filled me to over-flowing…………………and I had to write about it!

We never know who the Lord will place in front of us, regardless of our plans, and on this day, I couldn’t be more pleased with His direction.

At the end of this year 2023, let’s give thanks for those people who have crossed our paths and look with anticipation for those whom the Lord Jesus will direct our way in the coming year.

Moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month…. if we belong to Jesus, He is orchestrating His plans and providence for His glory and our good through His sovereign will.

“A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?”  Proverbs 20:24

It was an ordinary day!  You know, errands galore and our last stop was the grocery store.   There must have been an advertisement of a special sale in this particular supermarket, as the line up on the aisle to pay was rather crowded.   

I wasn’t obvious at first, but the women next to the cashier was fussing with her children and her purse.  Alas, she found her credit card and was attempting to insert it into the card reader device to pay for her groceries.

It wasn’t going smoothly at all, as the credit card machine and the clerk trying to accept her payment weren’t on the same page, shall we say.  Her credit card wasn’t being accepted and that’s when things began to escalate.

She began fishing in her billfold for an alternate card; and wouldn’t you know, it was also rejected.  From the distance I was away from her, I noticed the perspiration beginning to build on her forehead; and if I had been intently looking at her blouse (and I wasn’t), I probably could have noticed her heart pounding as well.    

The scene changed when she opened her billfold yet again and clearly, the reaction wasn’t positive.  It seems she was counting on the credit card to take care of the payment and not a payment in cash.  This was not to be.

Not only was this mother nervous and frustrated, so was the clerk.   From our vantage point, he certainly wasn’t behaving in a compassionate manner and this only created more tension in the woman, and in those in the line up.

There was one man behind this anxious mother who took notice of this seemingly delicate dilemma, and he moved ahead of others and inquired of the clerk what the amount “owing was.”  His heart and cash went into “gift mode” and he just quietly handed over the required amount for her load of groceries.

Then a beautiful thing happened.  The woman was apologetic, and thanked the man for his very kind intervention at the check out.

She left the check-out line and proceeded to pack her items in a bag wiping the tears from her eyes.

It was soon our turn to pay for our groceries.  As my husband was doing the credit card thing in the reader, I felt prompted to go over to the woman and put my arm around her shoulder to give some comfort and support.  Through the tears, she said she couldn’t believe it.  I burst forth with “You know, that was the love of Jesus reaching out to you.”  She must have been a Christian, as she wholeheartedly agreed.  I extended one last hug and off I went.

I was in that grocery line to witness a “living sermon” and to add a “warm bow” to the gift of kindness by a stranger.

This is the Christmas Season, I know; but can’t we all be on the lookout for opportunities to “BE A GIFT TO SOMEONE IN LINE.”  We might just allow the person or two behind us in a line-up to go ahead of us.  I did that just recently and gained two smiles and a lovely conversation.  

May the REASON FOR THE SEASON…. JESUS

prompt each of us to “gift others” with kindness in our lineups.

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

   For Christ is born of Mary

   And gathered all above

   While mortals sleep, the angels keep

   Their watch of wondering love

   O morning stars together

   Proclaim thy holy birth

   And praises sing to God the King

   And peace to men on earth

      How silently, how silently

      The wondrous gift is giv’n!

      So God imparts to human hearts

      The blessings of His heav’n

       No ear may hear His coming;

       But in this world of sin,

       Where meek souls will receive Him still

       The dear Christ enters in

          A holy Child of Bethlehem

          Descend to us, we pray

          Cast out our sin, and enter in

          Be born in us today

          We hear the Christmas angels

          The great glad tidings tell

          O come to us, abide with us

          Our Lord Emmanuel

Hello….and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Our December newsletter has been sent and we look forward to hearing from family and friends, especially this time of year.  It’s a wonderful time to make that special effort to connect with people you know, love and hold dear.

In all honesty, I thought that piece of correspondence was all we were going to mail out, either through the mail or on email.

But as I was having lunch, I tuned in to Christmas Music on YouTube.  There’s much to choose from to listen to as you go about your chores and daily routine at home.  I enjoyed a cup of tea and a small ham and cheese sandwich.  Would have loved if you could have joined me.

I was sipping my tea as my inner ear was tuned in to the lyrics of the Christmas melodies.  My heart seemed to skip a beat when I not only listened, but sang along to “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”   Too often, I think we may sing along with the music, enjoying the tune and neglect “listening to the lyrics.” 

My lunch time was different today!  I sang the song a number of times and the more I sang and listened not only with my ears, but with my heart.  It wasn’t long before I was gripped by a number of the words.

Look to verse 1 with me at the phrase, ‘yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.’  That light is Christ….and if you’re a follower of Jesus Christ, you and I carry Him on all the streets and sidewalks we come to.

Then again, the phrase, ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.’   We all have hopes and fears throughout our year.  But Christ comes to bring us individual hope amidst all of life.  Especially the fear of “death.”  That is a universal fear.  Yet Christ wants to meet and address that fear too.   He offers “life” not only here, but the moment we leave our earthly tent.

Look to verse 2, “and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.”  Is this for real…. peace to mankind on this earth?   In our current world, there seems to be anything but peace.  This is a peace that lies “deep within a heart” not the ceasing of wars necessarily, but a stillness that God gives even amongst the turmoil of the world, or the turmoil of your circumstances. It’s a “divine quietness” that only God can give.

Let’s move to verse 3 “How silently, how silently the wondrous GIFT is given.”  God came to this earth, in the person of His Son, Jesus (a baby, God in the flesh, a human so we could relate to God in a personal way). 

Babies are adorable and non-threatening, gentle, wanting to be held and embraced.   Jesus came for each of us, to be embraced within our hearts and lives.  He came to show us, in human form, Who God is and what He is like.  He longs to be embraced and held in the highest regard.   His ways may appear “silently” and most often missed by us, because we either think we don’t need Him, or we’ve allowed the “world’s agenda” to drown out His tender touches in our lives.

Throughout our life, He seeks us to get our attention through good days, bad days, sad days, health issues and weakness and a myriad of circumstances…. knocking at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to “ask Him in.” 

That can only happen if we, as it’s said in verse 3, a “meek soul will receive Him, then He enters in.”  Scriptures tell us to come to God as a “child, trusting Him to enter our lives upon our asking Him.” 

I love it that Jesus is such a tender and caring Savior because He will never push or force Himself upon our lives…. but waits for “our personal invitation.”  As humans, visiting our friends, family and neighbors, the most excellent and finest way to come into their home is to ring the doorbell and wait for a “response….and invitation to come in.”   That happens to be God’s way too. 

And finally verse 4 is really a personal prayer, a personal invitation to:

Descend to us or   ”come down to where I live and move”

Cast out our sin or  ”forgive me of all my sins & give me a new heart not to respond

           to sin’s ways”

And enter in – be born in me today or

          “come inside my heart & life and make me new, giving me a new

          nature so I can now begin to respond to You.” I was cold to You

          before & non-responsive.

CHRISTMAS is a wonderful gift-giving season. But you know, we can celebrate the SEASON and yet “miss the REASON” for the season. The Greatest Gift to mankind, to you and to me is the FORGIVENESS & CLEANSING THAT COMES BY JESUS TAKING THE PENALTY OF OUR SIN/WRONGDOING enabling the GIFT OF HIS PRESENCE WITHIN US, through His Holy Spirit.

Like all gifts, they become yours when you undo the wrapping, open up the box and make it yours. Make Him “your Savior” this Christmas.

JESUS AWAITS YOUR PERSONAL INVITATION ! Your life is the gift He’s been waiting for.

Romans 3:23 ”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (no one is perfect)

Romans 6:23 ”For the wages (payment) of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Our sins bring us the death penalty, but Jesus paid the price for God to forgive us & make us right with God.

Romans 10:13 ”For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Jesus “is” the Savior of the world. (If we admit we are a sinner and need a Savior….He comes to live within us and upon our last breath here on earth, we enter His presence eternally….forever).

         THERE IS NO GREATER GIFT ON EARTH THAN JESUS

            He is EMMANUEL…..God with us!

           REMARKABLE…..DON’T YOU THINK??!!

We’ve all had down, disappointing days, haven’t’ we!  Just a few days ago, I had mine.  I woke up, not in a positive mood.  Have you had that experience yourself?  For no reason, I woke up in a not-so-happy mood.

I’m so glad the Bible covers unexplained bad moods.  Jesus knows that we are but dust, and that we can fall apart emotionally at any moment.  Yes, we are fragile and need Him constantly.

As I was having my morning coffee, I read my Bible and shared with the Lord Jesus that I felt I just needed “His encouragement.”   I also expressed that He could choose whatever scenario He felt best to encourage me.

Later in the afternoon, I put my body in gear and took our little dog for a walk.  I headed out and walked one block.  As I came to the intersection, I decided to head down the street on my right, instead of my usual left.

We were well into the walk when I noticed an odd package in the middle of the street at an intersection.  At first glance, it looked like a wrapped Christmas package.  As I considered going over to pick it up, I thought to myself there surely wouldn’t be a wrapped package, bow and all, in the middle of the street.

Curiosity wouldn’t let me proceed further on the path ahead of me, so I walked over to the beautifully wrapped item. The closer I got; my eyes increased in focus.  IT WAS A BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED PACKAGE.   I leaned over this gorgeous surprise and saw that it was a gift box of Belgin chocolates.

This can’t be…. or can it?  One of my favorite two verses in the Bible is found in Proverbs 4:24. “Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established,” Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

Well, let’s get serious here; if I consider and apply those verses, the Lord was directing, or shall I say redirecting my steps to this item in the street. 

I Iooked around to see if there was anyone in the vicinity of this beautiful package.  Not a soul in sight.   This wrapped delight was in the middle of the street in a pivotal location for a car to smash it to pieces.

I could stand it no longer.  I leaned over and retrieved the box and headed home.  In route, it dawned on me…. the Lord Jesus brought me “chocolates” to encourage me. 

You may not choose to believe this, but if we “acknowledge Him in all our ways,” and we LOOK FOR HIM in our activities, responsibilities and surprises.   Today, it was His delight to surprise me on my walk with chocolates.   How practical is our heavenly Father!!! 

I just smiled and thought to myself, I must take a photo of this because no one is going to believe me.  So, the photo below is my gift to you, even if you can’t taste the contents.  

I was so surprised and delighted, I decided to leave the gift wrapped (without indulging myself) and place it in our mailbox as a gift for our mailman.

The next morning, my mailman received the gift with delight.  God blessed two people….my mailman and me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU

And I hope your heart experiences the gift of His presence in your life, not just at Christmas, but every day of your year.

Let’s keep our eyes wide open and our hearts attuned to His presence with us all the time, so we won’t miss His “PRESENTS” to us in whatever way He chooses.

What are your “current priorities?”  Yes, I realize it’s the Christmas Season, but I still challenge you and me with the question of our “current priorities.  It’s a heart-felt question, isn’t it!  For what we hold “dear” to us really occupies the priorities of our heart.

I don’t know about you, but I find it a challenge sometimes when I go for a walk and see all the Christmas decorations scattered around the neighborhood on lamp posts or garage doors or have a stroll in the Hobby Lobby store.  It seems to me that the clients of those department stores seem to have a lot of decorations on their mental agenda.   The lights of the season are beautiful, for sure. 

But my heart has been drawn to another “Light…. the Light of the World…. THE SAVIOR.”   You know, as followers of this wonderful Savior, we have the privilege and honor to “celebrate every day of the year…because of His residence within our hearts.”   Yes, we “carry the Holy Spirit of the Living God” wherever we go!  

We carry Him in our words, our attitudes, our smiles, our patience (in a shopping line).  Think about that for a moment!   So, wherever we are, we can express Him to those around us.

We all have a HISTORY of past Christmas events, good and not-so-good, happy times and saddened times when we’ve experienced a great loss in our lives.  Nonetheless, if we belong to the Savior, He has come to “inhabit” and “made His home in our hearts.”

But He hasn’t come to just “live within us,” but to burst forth on the scenes of our everyday lives to make an impact on others.   He yearns to ooze out of the pores of our individual lives to touch those around us.  Our every step of life is orchestrated or allowed by Him for grander purposes…. His purposes and His plans.

For you see, He is the “Orchestrating Author” whose main purpose in life is to make us more like His Son, Jesus.   So that everywhere we are, people can see that His presence within us makes a difference. 

He designs our circumstances so that we “reflect Him.”  In a very real and wonderful sense, God, “your Creator” longs to “AUTHOR YOUR LIFE.”   Each moment of every day is like a page, unwritten, but ……. each day and the moments therein, is like a page in a book waiting to be scripted on your life.  I love the Scripture in Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5 and 6.

Your name _______________” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; but in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”

Read that verse aloud and very slowly.  The Creator God is asking each of us to “recognize and grant His intervening presence” in all our daily events.  He’s asking us to allow Him the privilege to orchestrate and establish the journey of our moments.

For you see, He is wanting to write upon your life HIS STORY!   HIS PLANS!  HIS PURPOSES!   For that’s why you were designed.  As He authors your moments of each day, your life becomes the “HIS-TORY” of His love and care for you.  So that when others look at your life……. THEY SEE THE SAVIOR!!!

Just yesterday I heard a song come across the radio that I have never heard.  I tuned in to hear Christmas music.  The song is called “Make Room.”  My heart seemed to pause a beat when I heard the lyrics and especially the chorus, which was, IS THERE ROOM IN YOUR HEART FOR GOD TO WRITE HIS STORY?

The phrase in that song brought my thoughts back to Bethlehem, where God became human, (that’s Jesus) to show us Who God is and what He is like.   But……………there was no “room in the local inn” to allow Him a pleasant entrance to our world.

So, with that in mind, let’s not make that mistake within each of our lives.   Let’s make sure we ……

“make room in our heart for His residence and His authorship of our lives.” 

May this Christmas Season be especially meaningful to you!  

How many times in a day do you and I “look up?”  That may be an odd question at first.  If a poll was taken, I’d guess that not everyone here on earth looks up at the sky every day.   Our eyes are drawn to down-to-earth living.   We often speak of being on vacation and catching a sunrise or sunset, but some only notice those daily joys when they’re on holiday – not every day.

My husband and I enjoy the sunrise most mornings as we sip our coffee together and interact over our plans for the day.   Then we separate to head off to a quiet corner of our home to spend time reading our Bibles and then speaking and listening to our Heavenly Father.    It’s there we commit our agenda of plans and activities for God’s intervention and/or redirection.

Prov 20:24  “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand their own way?”

All through God’s Word, we’re told that God is sovereign, almighty, all-knowing, and present everywhere.  He knows everything about “each of us” and is surprised by nothing.  And yes, He longs to be involved in the “details” of everyone’s life…. upon our invitation.   I’d guess to say that most people either don’t believe that, or don’t want that involvement.  We can be like two-year-old and say, “I do it myself.”   How foolish we can be.    How thrilling to have the Creator of our world and each life on earth want to be intimately involved in the events of our daily, oatmeal-like life.

Just the other day I began the journey of reading through the Bible, from beginning to end.  I’ve done that many, many times.  But rather than read three or four chapters, just to get through the Bible in a year, I’ve been choosing to read to absorb, learn and enjoy the events portrayed.   It’s like I want to climb onto the pages and “live out in my thoughts” what’s portrayed on paper of those real-life events.

I love it that God paints people and circumstances just as they are, not as we wish they’d be.   The Bible is a real-life journey into a wide variety of personalities, challenges, agreeable and disagreeable people, sinful behavior and their consequences.  His paintbrush of truths was carried by His Holy Spirit onto a wide variety of men who wrote what they heard and saw.  It’s the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

My eyes were stepping into the second book in the Bible, Exodus.  God had seen the awful oppression of His people, the Israelites, by the Egyptians.  He had given Moses the “Divine assignment” of his life at age 80.  So, if you’re feeling your age, be encouraged that God desires to use each of His children at any age, 8, 80 or l08.   If you’re breathing and still here, He has things for you to do.

My heart stood still when I read the commentary by Dr. David Jeremiah on Exodus, chapter 2.  It’s too good to pass up, so I’m sharing it with you.

“As the Israelite journey into that vast wilderness began, the Lord reassured His people with the CLOUD OF HIS PRESENCE, showing them WHERE and WHEN to CAMP.  But that meant that they had to WATCH THE CLOUD EVERY DAY.  When it STAYED, they stayed.  When it MOVED, they LOADED UP and FOLLOWED. 

Knowing that God goes ahead of us removes so much of the fear from the dramatic changes in life.   In such seasons, however, it is easy for us to become preoccupied with our situation and take our eyes off THE CLOUD.

Our all-knowing, Omniscient Leader has promised to guide our steps and give us the wisdom we need (Prov 16:9; James 1: 5-7), but we must first set aside our anxiety, quiet our hearts, and set our minds on seeking HIS WILL and HIS TIMING (Phil 4:6-7).  That way, when the CLOUD MOVES, we will be READY.”

Honesty prevailing, I went outside later and looked up….and I saw no clouds, but it made me “think.”   The desert wilderness is vaguely bland, with no billboards or caution signs and the weather is “warm.”

As the 2+ million people traveled along, following God’s presence (the CLOUD), it wasn’t difficult to get too distracted, I would think.  The Israelites were glad to get out of the country where they were so mistreated.

The leaders and people would be keen to follow this CLOUD.  They had their directions from God through Moses….and their focus would be “upward.”

I don’t know where you are in your journey with Jesus Christ, or perhaps you’re not even sure you want to journey with Him. 

Jesus said: “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

As long as the people followed “the Cloud,” they would have clear direction because God was “with them” in the presence of the Cloud.   Amazingly, our God wanted His own to realize that He wanted to walk “with them to the Promised Land.”  Why?  I think God wanted to show the people that He cared and would give them direction each and every day, as they kept their “focus” on the Cloud. 

Haven’t you ever wished for “road signs” here on earth?  You know, so His will would be clear and precise.   We’d read the sign and say, “Got it.”  And hopefully we’d be off and running “in His revealed will” on the sign we just read.  But how would our “faith grow.”  Remember, we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

Today we have His Word, His presence within us through His indwelling Holy Spirit (if we’ve given our life over to Him) and guided circumstances to accompany our life.  Their walk in the desert was “moment-by-moment” and “day-by-day” just like ours.  Not everyone is in the desert.  We are, because we currently live in Arizona; but all of our individual life paths are before our God, just like the Israelites.

When Jesus said He is the “Way,” He’s saying stay close to Him in a moment-by-moment, day-by-day walk, interacting with Him throughout the day, as you would a friend or guide on a hike in unknown territory.  Every moment in the future is unknown to us, but known to Him. 

 I wonder if we just had a sign to read and move on…. we may be tempted not to draw close to Him.  It’s “intimacy in our walk” that builds our character and faith.

Well, I have no idea where you are at this time; but my husband and I are preparing for a BIG TRANSITION.  We’ve done our part, as God has led us, but our eyes are fixed on Him (The Cloud).

FROM GEORGE MULLER…HIS GLEANINGS ON PRAYER

Get your heart in a state that “it has no will of its own in a matter.”

Don’t leave yourself to feelings or impressions…so you won’t be filled with delusion.

Seek the “will of the Spirit of God…in connection with the Word of God”

          God will never lead you contrary to His Word.

Take into account “providential circumstances.”

These clearly indicate God’s will in connection with His Word & Spirit.

Then ask Him to “reveal His will to you.” 

          _{We can’t know His will unless He reveals it to us.  My words…}

After study of His Word & meditation/reflection on what He gives me.

If my mind is at peace, as best I know from what I’ve read & meditated from His Word to the best of my ability, I lay my petitions before God two or three times.   If my mind is still at peace, I proceed accordingly to the best of my knowledge & ability

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

1. Read your Bible & medicate upon it
2. Seek to maintain an upright heart & good conscience
3. If you desire to have your faith strengthened, you should not shrink from opportunities where your faith may be tried

Trials, obstacles, difficulties & sometimes defeats are the very “food of faith”

REMEMBER:   the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith…and…. the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.

• Let God work for you.  When the hour of trial comes, do not work a deliverance of your own.  The greater the difficulty to overcome, the more to be seen to the glory of God.  And much can be done by PRAYER & FAITH.

George Muller’s life was lived in a way to prove that God is real!”

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I listened on YouTube about the story of this wonderful man of God who came before the Lord with His cares and needs.  He never shared his needs with others…. He just brought them before his Lord Jesus.  Through his prayers, God responded and he was instrumental on building many orphanages for poor children on the street.  What I’ve written is just a brief “introduction” to his gleanings on prayer and his walk with the Lord.

It isn’t the amount of faith we have, but in the “object of our faith….the goodness and character of God.”

I wrote down all I could from his testimony and gleanings on what he learned about prayer and waiting upon God in his journey of faith and obedience.  It was so helpful that I typed them for myself so I could reflect and learn from his life.   I’m sharing them on my blog for your own reflection.

I long that my life is lived in such a way that proves God is real!

Isn’t that what we all should long for…that God should LOOK GOOD in our lives.  Let’s live to “make God look good!”

In moving ahead in our life we need to look to Jesus….who knows all the routes offered to us, as well as the pitfalls as well. He always knows the best route. When we remember the Israelites running from their pursuing Egyptian enemies, God led them the “long way around” to the Red Sea. They didn’t think God made the right choice…after all, it was the long way around.

However, when they reached the end of the road (literally), they realized it was the best and safest route. Why? Because they would “see God” in their dilemma, working on their behalf.

Isaiah 64:4. For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for him.”

And what a sight to behold of two walls of water standing erect on each side of them as they crossed through the dry land to safety on the other shore. Then, after their passage, they witnessed God handling their enemies, right before their eyes.

In our moving ahead, moment-by-moment and day-by-day, we need to “look forward.” However, there are times and seasons when it’s helpful to “look back” in the rear-view mirror of our situations, and see the “hand of the Lord” working on our behalf and for our best.

Below is something that ministered to my heart at a crucial time of my life (like about a year ago) and this morning I needed to have a “heart review” again. So I’ve copied this for you, in what you might be facing this week or this month. It’s a beautiful pause at life from Dr. Charles Swindoll (from Insight for Living Ministries). I trust it’ll cuddle and give courage to your heart.

Quote:

“15 THINGS I’VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS…………Chuck Swindoll”15 THINGS I’VE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS…………Chuck Swindoll

Age 70….there’s something wonderful about aging (growing, learning, disappointment, pleasures, etc)

Long learning curve….and the lessons don’t stop whether you’re 40 – 50 – 60 – and onward

I’m not intimidated or afraid of anyone.

Practical things I’ve learned over a good many years in ministry…..or qualities you’ve seen me model.

1. I’ve learned that I should tell people what I feel about them NOW
2. There are things I’m not even aware of in my life are being noticed and remembered

Something they heard me say, or do I wasn’t even aware of

• Being REAL is always better than trying to look or sound pious…..There’s nothing that touches people deeper like authenticity……just be what you are
• Huge difference between letting things FLOW and FORCING IT.   When the Lord is in it…there’s a flow, that’s beautiful; and when I’m driving it, there’s force and usually it is followed by a big regret.
• It’s unwise to talk someone into or out of a BIG DECISION.  That’s God’s job!
• Some people aren’t going to change no matter what….they’re just ornery to the bone.   They’re going to be that way when you come minister to them and they’ll be that way when you leave.   It’s not your fault and not your responsibility. 
• SAYING LESS is always better than saying TOO MUCH.  
• PERCEPTION OVERSHADOWS REALITY.    What people perceive is usually more powerful than what really is…and they’re often wrong.  Happens in fake news all the time.
• GRACE IS WORTH THE RISK….especially with family.  Don’t be too hard on your kids, your family

Too busy, too harsh, too demanding, and too rigid

1. Stop saying ALWAYS and NEVER when it comes to the future.  You may have to eat your words
2. TIME SPENT WITH MY FAMILY is always an EXCELLENT INVESTMENT…never wasted time
3. Days of MAINTENANCE are far more than days of MAGNIFICENCE

Difficult situations, responsibilities…maintaining day in and day out….a relationship with my mate

1. FORGIVENESS IS ESSENTIAL.   If you’re dragging a grudge…get rid of it and any resentment or hatred
2. GIVE CREDIT where CREDIT IS DUE.  Stop trying to get the credit.  You don’t worry that your name appears somewhere.  Be glad God gets the glory.  You’re not worried that your name doesn’t appear somewhere
3. You can’t beat HAVING FUN

Don’t save anything for a SPECIAL MOMENT

READING MORE and dusting less”

What do you think of when you hear the word “walking?”  I think about the incline in the road my husband and I walk on in the evening that brings on a huffing and puffing sound from my anatomy.  Now I know that’s negative, but it’s a reality with proceeding up that incline.   Yes, I need that incline to push my heart into better breathing rhythms.    And after I’ve completed that part of our walk, I’m not breathing any better, but there seems to be more oxygen in my steps down the hill.  I can even contribute to our conversation.   

Then my husband, who has much longer legs than I, seems to think that we can advance from a slow saunter with our feet, to a faster stride.   Our agreement each evening is walking…. not running or jogging, but a pleasant, even-paced movement of our feet.

It’s akin to travelling in the car with my hubby to a designated holiday spot.  Does your husband resemble mine on a motorized vehicle?   He has one goal:  get there in the quickest possible way, avoiding all refreshment stops and “pauses that do refresh.”   I often hear the phrase, “can you hold it another 20 minutes.”   I needn’t go into details.   I sometimes chuckle inside because if he’d ask for more directions, we would arrive earlier, don’t you think.   Is that a man thing in this country?

I’ve been thinking about this phrase “walking with God” and wondered what might be God’s perspective on a walk with Him.   And what would that look like in the shoe-leather of your life and mine?

Sometimes I don’t feel like the brightest button in town, so I thought it wise to check what the word “walking” actually means.   We could spend hours or more just on the word itself, but here’s what it means in its basic intention.

In the Hebrew it’s Halakha:  It means to walk in a particular way along life’s journey.  Generally speaking it implies going “along with, or moving.”   More specifically it’s a term for walking regularly in relationship or companionship with another; and, in that walk, go along with the other person’s set of ideas.

The Bible is full of stories of people encountering God’s movement in their lives.  Yes, He is “on the move” in your life and in mine.  But He wants each of us to travel with Him.   Isn’t that a precious truth?   He never wants us to travel alone…. or, even at a different speed than Him.   Don’t move ahead of Him, or lag behind, just walk with God.

In my study of this walking adventure, God brought my thoughts to Genesis.  Why not begin at the beginning where its first record of walking with God was communicated.

So we’re not alone on this road, I wanted to peek in on just two people:  Adam and Enoch.   There’s a common thread with these two individuals and each of us.  Each of them was “designed by God.”   Each was a masterpiece.  Their personalities, interests, appearance and walk of life were uniquely different, but each was framed by a loving Creator.  Both were designed to walk with God. 

Let’s peek in at the “first human companion” that God designed.

After God created the heavens and the earth, then He designed light (day light and night light), water, sky and land with grass, shrubs and fruit trees.   Then He made living creatures like cattle, creeping things and beasts of the earth which included everything we see in a zoo and more.  I love that He created koalas.

Here’s a good moment to indulge you in my “koala education program.”    Before moving to Australia I came to visit my sister-in-law over a year ago and we journeyed to the Corrumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

 The moment my eyes fell on the Koala area, I just burst into tears.  As we approached the area I stood in the “I want a photograph of this experience” line.    I blew my cover and showed my ignorance by enthusiastically announcing how much I loved the Koala bears.

I was met with a firm insistence of the young lad that they were classified as marsupials, not bears.   I thanked him and moved to the end of the line.   I wasn’t going to allow his educated comments to ruin my eagerness for the marsupial hug.

At first, I felt self-conscious about my tears, but when I thought about it, my tears expressed my joy in what God had created.  And that’s a good thing!   So, if you ever see me at a zoo and I’m bubbling forth, just know I’m personally appreciating God’s critters. 

Back to Genesis.  Verse 6:  the first sprinkler system, “a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.”

Verse 7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” 

Had you ever thought that God created Adam as an adult?  He was created to walk as an adult…. with God.   He never had to crawl or learn to walk.   That thought never entered my mind until I did this study.

Verse 8 “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.   Adam came alive and God placed him in a “perfect environment.”

Verse 15 describes the first job description.  “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”   Adam was given a master gardener assignment. 

God also brought all the animals to Adam to give him the pleasure of naming each kind of animal, whether it flew, crawled or walked.

Then verse 21.  “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.   If there are any anesthesiologists reading this, can’t you appreciate God’s touch on Adam.  He did what you do for a living.

Vs 22 “Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.” 

Vs 23 “And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woooooo mannnnn, because she was taken out of man.”

Verse 16 “And the Lord God commanded the man, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (in other words, have at it to everything before your eyes…my thoughts) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

The perfect garden setting came with good & clear instructions.  Don’t you just love how clear, plain and precise God’s instructions were to this young couple.

And we all know what happened after that.   Adam and Eve ate from the one and only tree God told them not to eat.

Does this remind you and me of anyone?   Kind of like us, eh!   Just say don’t do that….and voila, we perk up to find out what we might be missing.   They went against God’s careful instructions.

God loved them so much that He never wanted either of them to see or experience what evil was.   God knew if they ate from that tree they would eventually die physically, and immediately die spiritually.

Meaning, the closeness they experienced with walking with God before they indulged in the “bite” …… would end.  Their eyes which had only experienced good, now they saw the evil of their hearts and lives and began to experience things they were never designed to see or feel. 

 God knew about sin and its consequences before this couple ever experienced the backlash of that tasty morsel.

Genesis 3, verse 7, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”   They never needed covering before.

Their experience before they disobeyed God (which is the big SIN word) was glorious.  They had a perfect mind, body and spirit and lived in a PERFECT WORLD.  Whatever that fruit was, it killed them.   More importantly, it killed their “closeness with God.   Oh they were alive, but now not attuned to God in a loving relationship like they had once experienced.

Verse 8 spills the beans on the events that were about to take place. 

“And they heard the sound of the LORD GOD WALKING in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the PRESENCE of the LORD GOD among the trees of the garden.

This is the first mention of GOD’S PRESENCE WALKING in the garden.   God’s presence was made real and personal to Adam and Eve.   They enjoyed their “walks in the garden” before their devastating cuisine experience.

But when they sinned and ate from the tree they were instructed not to, everything in their physical and spiritual lives changed.

Verse 9 “then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “where are you?”    People may think that an unusual question God was tossing out there in this garden scenario.   

God wasn’t puzzled trying to locate the first couple, He was asking the question to help them see where they were……where they were in their “walking predicament.”

In reality their walk became disabled.  They could still proceed on their feet and walk physically, but there began a “strain” in their once close union with their Maker.

Adam responded in verse l10.  “So he (Adam) said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

His and her sin brought fears and apprehension about their Creator/Father.  They wanted to hide from God.  Are you kidding?  Where did they think they could hide from God?  They wanted to hide themselves, and all that they were, from the One who loved them.  

Let’s not be too harsh on them, don’t we many times want to hide from God.   Like the little girl hiding in plain sight of her Daddy with her hands over her eyes…. thinking if I can’t see you, you can’t see me.

After God finishes with explaining the consequences of their sin, He then does a beautiful thing in verse 21.   “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of “skin,” and clothed them.  

Here’s the first Fashion Designer, God Himself covering their exposed bodies….and it wasn’t a flimsy covering like the couple designed themselves.  It was with the skin of some animal. 

See there, before we skip to another word, the death of someone had to take place to cover them in the garden.  We’ll see that later in history with Jesus.  

Are you wondering now…. when…… are we getting to the point of “walking with God.” 

You see Adam and Eve were the first couple to walk WITH HIM.  They were in a right relationship with Him…nothing blocking their friendship and intimacy in conversation.  All was out and in the open with nothing to hide.

Genesis 3:22 brings us to a conversation within the Trinity…. “Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like ONE OF US, (trinity conversing) to know good and evil.  And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever,”

If that couple remained, no doubt they would have gone to the Tree of Life and lived forever in that sinful state.”  

Vs 23 “Therefore the Lord God sent him out of the Garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.   So He drove out the man (and woman) and placed a cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden.”

In a phrase…..they blew it.  Now they had to work for their food and deal with life in a new way.    Life would not be lived as usual.   Something they did willingly caused a separation of a wonderful walking relationship. 

He still loved them…. but there was a strain…a separation in intimacy.  They were still His creation …. but there was a problem, they weren’t in close relation.

God took care of problem in His way and time by coming to the earth Himself many years later….in the Person of Jesus Christ.   Jesus is GOD…. WITH SKIN ON.  

He died to take away the sins of the entire world and all the anger and judgement of God against sin and what it did to keep us from WALKING WITH GOD.   His death offered the entire human race complete forgiveness and an opportunity to WALK WITH GOD.

Personal application here……. He COVERED YOUR SINS and MY SINS…. all of them…. forever so we could “walk with Him.”

NOW…..LET’S GET WALKING ………………………………………………………….

Webster’s dictionary states that walking means:  moving!   Being in step, at a pace, a stroll, meandering or accompanying.

HEBREW:  Halak:  to walk in a particular way along life’s journey, in fellowship/relationship with God.   

Specifically it’s going along with and walking “regularly” in companionship with another and their set of ideas.

If your nylons aren’t off yet…. they will be before we finish our time on this walk.

The Bible is full of people walking with God…. but our travelling companion for a few moments will be Enoch.   If you have your Bible, his journey won’t be difficult to find.  It’s in Genesis 5…beginning with verse 18.

Spot checking Enoch’s life will be a “truckload of encouragement” to you and me.    

Let’s read God’s journal on Enoch; and let’s do so very slowly because we often miss so much of God’s truth when we read at a rapid pace.

The Bible wasn’t written so we could get through it quickly…. but God wants the Bible to “get through us!”

Gen 5:18 Jared (Enoch’s daddy) lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. 

: 21 Enoch lived 65 years, and begot Methuselah.

: 22 after he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years, and had sons and daughters.

: 23 so all the days of Enoch were 365 years.

: 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

We sometimes think that the people mentioned in the Bible were super-spiritual and beyond human.  But they weren’t.  They are described as “humans.”  May I add some letters to that description? 

They were HUMAN…. BEINGS.   They were “being” “human.”   That’s not always a pretty picture, but God writes and communicates with accuracy. 

God inspired the writers to write the whole truth and nothing but the truth, with their warts and hang-ups and all.  

Aren’t you glad you weren’t living then so He could possibly write about your life and mine?

Here is God’s summary of Enoch’s life….in writing.  Circle if you wish, some tiny words that summarized his life.

LIVED

    BEGOT (he had a family)

          WALKED WITH GOD

                      LIVED 365 YEARS

                                WALKED WITH GOD

Can you notice with me all that was written about Enoch’s life?  There was no mention of accomplishments, goals realized, dreams, sermons, books written, speeches given, no mention of his education, trophies won, gold medals accepted.  

He was born, lived, had some children (family life), walked with God a very long time and then God was so pleased with Enoch that He just took him home.   He never died really; he just left the earth.

While we’re in the Old Testament, I want to share some verses that God introduced me to one year prior to the biggest move of my married life…. moving across the Pacific Pond to Australia.

Some years ago I began adjusting my reading material and realized I needed to see an ophthalmologist.  While I was in the waiting room, I saw this picture on the wall that said it all. 

It was a picture of a little boy trying on his new glasses.  It said:

          Dear God:   I can see you much better with my new glasses!

Seeing life out of the lens of God’s Word will give us all a proper perspective.   Here’s some verses for you and me to take seriously, and memorize in the next few months, and allow them to be a “compass of encouragement” for you….as they continue to be for me. 

Here is some walking with God verses.

Proverbs 4:24 “Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.”

Watch your feet, where you take them and where God takes them.   Allow or let your ways or paths be established.   No manipulation or orchestration by you.   We humans can do that so well. 

A new discipline would be to allow and look for God’s orchestrating your steps, responsibilities, goals, relationships, interests, opportunities.   

Your “plans-in-concrete” may look good to you; but we need to allow Him room to interrupt our plans and goals to re-establish where He would want you to be, to do and live. 

A friend I knew shared how she had heard about a party and wasn’t invited.   She manipulated an invitation.   Afterward she realized it wasn’t a place she needed to be and regretted that she “had herself invited.”   If you and I aren’t welcomed at an event, let’s not get our diapers in a knot and rejoice that God will see to it we ARE where HE would have us.

Proverbs 5:21 “For the ways of man (you and me) are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his (our) paths.”

Belonging to God is wonderful because He’s committed to watching, lovingly, to all our plans, steps and where we go.   His eyes of love, correction, care, encouragement and redirection are always before Him.

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

You and I can make all the plans we like, and that’s not bad; but we should hold them lightly with margins and space for God to re-direct and move us in directions we never thought possible.  Plans for our “good and growth and His glory.”

And finally, to help reduce the stress that sometimes comes from the tug of war between our plans, and what we want and God’s plans are the words in Proverbs 20:24

Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way.”

If we belong to and are committed to Him—— going His way…. every day, in every way, even when we fall, fail and sometimes not on board with Him, He is committed to helping us walk with Him.

He assures us not to be in stress mode trying to understand all the details of our walk.   Trying to understand the details will just bring you and I stress and take our eyes off the Lord.

Remember the story in the Bible about Joseph and his being in prison, and he wasn’t in there for any wrong doing on his part.

QUOTE FROM:  The Upward Call (by David Jeremiah):

“But the butler forgot him, and Joseph’s hopes again faded.  Still, he waited on the Lord.  He had no choice; but no other choice could have been better for him.   Though forgotten by the butler, Joseph was not forgotten by the Lord. 

The folly of not waiting for God & walking with Him and His timing is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us.”  

Isaiah 64:4: “For since the world began, no eye has seen or ear heard of a God like You Who works on behalf of those who wait for Him.”

Here’s a promise for our heart’s journey:

Walking with God is moving at His pace, with His companionship, and with His purposes(His set of ideas/plans/purposes) in mind.

WALKING WITH GOD IS…………………

Putting one foot in front of another, one step at a time, one moment at a time, one day at a time each & every day in our daily oatmeal routine, allowing and working at God’s pace, His establishing your moment-by-moment steps……as your companion.

Walking where He leads, at His direction and orchestration, going hand-in-hand with Him, not pushing ahead of His timing, or purposes.

Walking with a disciplined habit, routine or activity that helps you practice His living presence with you.  Listening to His Word, Christian lyrics in music, being with encouraging Godly friends who enjoy talking about the Lord.

Reading the Bible is the compass that journeys us with Him and through its pages of truth and encouragement.

And when Jesus was here on earth, the disciples were walking around with Him.   John 1:38

“Andrew’s mind was filled with questions he longed to ask.”   Instead of entering into a theological dialogue with Andrew, however Jesus turned and began ‘to walk’.    Andrew’s questions would not be answered by discussion alone, but by walking with Him. 

Christianity is a Person to follow!  Andrew not only learned about God; he actually experienced Him as he walked with Him.”

He loves you and He loves me and sometimes He walks where we’d never choose, but His love and knowledge of you and me will take us the best route for His kingdom purposes and our growth in faith and ministry to others.    

The entire purpose of our life is to know and experience God in the everyday, oatmeal days and oatmeal realities of our lives; realizing God is alive and cares about every detail of our life. 

THAT IS OUR WALK WITH HIM.

The one incredible aspect I learned about this journey of studying how God walks is that our feet aren’t the main ingredient. 

We begin walking with our mind and heart…our will…. our choices.   He never pushes us to walk with Him, He just invites us to walk with Him and get moving in His direction. 

Perhaps you’ve never considered walking with your Creator or perhaps you’ve wandered off the path you once were on.  His arms are always open.

When a baby first begins to walk and stumbles and falls over and over again and again, a good and loving parent’s arms are always open and their words filled with encouragement.   Yes, you can do it.  Come to Daddy or Mommy.  

Maybe for the first time, you’ve realized that God’s voice to you is always ….

“Come unto Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.    Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”   

Our soul is the real you and the real me…. resting in the care of our Creator-Savior.  Matthew 11:28, 29

Can you hear Him say, to your heart?

” COME TO ME……COME TO DADDY”