Showing posts with label Gods guidance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gods guidance. Show all posts
Monday, May 21, 2012
Untapped Resource
I am almost ashamed to admit this, but here goes. It took me almost a year to find out that I had a navigational system in my smartphone. As one who literally will read the manual when I purchase new products, somehow I missed this amazing feature. How did this come about?
One weekend as a friend and I were about to take a trip to a city that neither one of us had been to, I called him to ask if he had a GPS in his car. I wanted to be prepared. He said "No, I just use my phone..." Knowing that he had the same phone model that I had and thinking that it was an added feature or upgrade I quipped, "Isn't that expensive?" With one of those sarcastic laughs, he said, "You already pay for it. It's in your package..."
As you can imagine, after I hung up the phone I spent the next few hours checking into the validity of my new insight. And lo and behold, I had the same program. I had access to something that I didn't even realize that I had. The more I thought about this, the more I realized the bigger picture.
There have been times in my life where I had access to something that was already paid for, was ready to be used, but my ignorance held back my forward progress. Has that ever happened to you?
If there have been times where you struggled with a decision, or wished you had someone to give you the right advice on a matter, or even needed a creative or innovative strategy to resolve some new situation you were encountering, and all the while never invited the Holy Spirit to get involved...then your answer to the initial question should be yes. You too had (and have) access to something that you didn’t realize was in your package. That is, the package of being a follower of Christ.
Jesus told His disciples that “When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) And what this literally means to us is that the Holy Spirit is a ready GPS function for our everyday lives on spiritual and practical matters. Having access to Him and all of His 'features' has already been paid for.
Once I realized what I have access to, I realized that there was never a reason anymore for me to get lost or be confused about where I am in life, what's going on around me, or even what my decision making should involve.
For some of us, this message about the Holy Spirit may be awkward to receive because many have made the Holy Spirit an experience in gymnastics and weirdness. But there is absolutely nothing weird about the Holy Spirit, nor is it a necessity to have to perform for His presence to become active and real in any situation. His power and presence are as real as the air we breathe.
I'm better today because a friend exposed me to something that was available to me and I didn't realize it. I hope today I've done to you what my friend did to me...open a door to a whole new world. Enjoy what's yours...Gods (and yours) personal travel assistance.
Scripture of the Day: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.“ - John 16:13
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Trust God’s Directives
Recently, I went on a 24 mile ATV (all-terrain vehicle) ride in a desert in Nevada. This was my very first time being on a 4-wheeler and I must admit I was a little anxious going into this adventure. I had no idea what to expect. As I sat waiting for my group to get started, my nerves started to get the best of me.
When the group before mine returned, they were covered in dirt from head to toe. It was at that moment that I asked myself, “What have I gotten myself into today?” The group leaders put us in groups based on our previous riding experience and then gave us a quick overview on how to handle the 4-wheeler. The one thing that stood out in my head was, “if you allow it, the - wheeler will take control of you and go where it wants to go – you have to put your strength into maintaining the path you desire. Let it know that you are in control.”
Finally, it was time to start the course which began on a wide open paved road to give us the opportunity to get accustomed to steering and braking and just handling the 4 wheeler as a whole. That part was fairly simple and I was feeling more confident about the ride.
Soon we turned off the paved road onto the true desert land; but it was still pretty smooth – just very dusty. However, our instructors had prepared us by outfitting us in helmets and goggles.
About the time when I found myself extremely comfortable, the smooth desert land became rocky and the wide open paths grew much slimmer. This demanded much more control. As we went further, the path became rockier and rockier; and much harder to maneuver. Due to the amount of dirt flying around, I could not see too far ahead – I just had to trust that the instructor was taking us on a safe path and as long as I kept my focus on him, I would be ok.
Along the course of the 24 miles, there were some unexpected twists, turns, rocks, gravel, dirt and hills. However, I just remembered what the instructor had told me in the beginning and reminded myself how I had overcome each previous obstacle. Therefore, I did not need to fear what might be ahead. Every time I came through an extremely rough patch on the ATV, I felt my confidence rise to the point that I was no longer nervous or afraid but excited to see what I had to conquer next. Once we returned to the wide open smooth dirt roads – it hit me … this 24 mile journey was an illustration of my life with Christ.
He has given me instructions, equipped me with what I need and sent me out to live my life. Some paths are smooth, some are rough; unexpected things happen that could completely throw me off course. Moreover, if I am not strong in my beliefs and convictions, my flesh could try to take control.
Often times, I do not know what my future holds, but I have to trust the instructor (God) and know that He will not lead me down a path that I cannot handle. Finally, yet importantly, when I face a new obstacle I just need to remind myself how God got me through the last one and with Him -- I cannot fail.
Scripture of the Day: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In All your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Monday, May 14, 2012
Advise Me!
Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon. We know that The Word tells us that Solomon was an extremely wise man (1 Kings 4:29). People came from all over the world just to see and hear the Wisdom of Solomon. Now when Solomon died, his son Rehoboam reigned in his stead. He had just begun his new position of King of Israel when all the people came to him with a request. Rehoboam turned first to the elders who served King Solomon. These elders stood before and walked with King Solomon.
Therefore, they had witnessed firsthand the wisdom of God flow through Rehoboam’s father, King Solomon. They had been eyewitnesses to the ways that wisdom could bring peace and prosperity to a King, a Kingdom and a Nation. But what did the son of Solomon do? He turned to the young men that he grew up with, his fellow classmates, if you will. Rehoboam decided to take the advice of those who had no experience in the arena that he was needing counsel from. And the young men gave him advice that was prideful and full of arrogance.
After hearing the guidance of both parties, Rehoboam decided to follow what his peers suggested. And that one decision divided his kingdom. It was truly costly to him and the entire nation. Every day we are ALL MAKING DECISIONS. Some we know the right answers to. And yet, some we have to discover the right answers for. First, look to The Word of God and see what God says about the issues and decisions of your life. Second, pray and ask God to give you wisdom to know the correct ways to go. Lastly, then seek Godly counsel. Talk to those who have walked with God and have been where you have been or are going, people who have sat in the counsel of God and have proven His Ways. Then match what they say with what The Word says. Correct advice will always go with what God says to do. I have found there are two ways to learn things, by experience or by someone teaching you. Teaching you is quicker and saves you from difficulty and problems. Don’t be like Rehoboam and seek out the WRONG PEOPLE for answers. Remember, God is Who gave all that Wisdom to Solomon. Just ask and seek Him and He will ADVISE YOU!
Scripture of the Day: “Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked. . . But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.” - 2 Chronicles 11:6,8
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