Crooked ways made straight

Even in darkness...

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life." "

John 8:12 NASB

Even the darkness will be light-filled for those of us that follow Jesus.  Yes, even in dark times, we will have the light to move forward in victory; even in the toughest of times, we will have a smooth road to travel upon.

Begin again!

"... she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah." 

Ruth 1:7

What do you do when all is lost, life is falling apart, you're at the end of your rope, and you feel like giving up?  Here's what:  Turn to God, get up off your feet, lift your chin, put your shoulders back, take a deep breath, and BEGIN AGAIN!!  

PS. Giving up is not an option!

Travel the road in which you are called

“... I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run! - on the road God called you travel...”

-Ephesians 4:1-3 MSG

Are you running on the right road?  Do you see the light ahead?  If not, turn back - ASAP - look up to God and ask him which way to go.  Once you do, He will turn on the street lights of Heaven on for you to see ahead, and the red lights of Hell will begin to diminish in your rearview mirror.

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Doing what's right and just

"Do what's right and just for a change.  Use honest scales - honest weights and honest measures..."Ezekiel 45:9-12 MSG

Choose the narrow path!  Do what is right, do what is just.  Doing anything less will only get you following a dead-end path that is harder to get out from when you first started.

https://www.gotquestions.org/img/OG/narrow-path.jpg

Clean out your closet!

"Prepare for God's arrival!...

Smooth out the ruts,

clear out the rocks.

Then God's bright glory will shine

and everyone will see it." 

Isaiah 40:3-5 MSG

Clean out your inner closet: your darkened heart and soul; the hurt and pain from yesterday, the bitterness you've been holding on to, the hate, anger, and resentment that brings you to tears, and the past mistakes you can't change.  It's a new day and it is time to move on.  So, embrace love, forgive those who have hurt you, forgive yourself, accept your mistakes - choose to see them as stepping stones to your future, leave resentment, hate and anger by the wayside, and let God come shining through.  

My friend, it is time to move on and live your life the way God intended.  He loves you so much!

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The right-living -- The right-loving

“The path of right-living people is level.

The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.”

Isaiah 26:7 MSG

The people who choose to worship, abide by, and want to glorify God, are the right-living people, the right-loving people – people like you and me. 

So, let’s praise God for the path ahead, he has it leveled and ready for us to walk on.

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Lost? Stuck? Afraid?

Lost? Stuck? Afraid? Need change in your life?  Yes?  Well, let’s repeat the prayers of David in Psalm 143-7-10:

Dear God;

Point out the road I must travel;

I’m all ears, all eyes before you.

Save me from my enemies, God-

you’re my only hope!

Teach me how to live to please you,

because you’re my God.

Lead me by your blessed Spirit

into clear and level pastureland.

Thank you God! Your will be done.  I love you.  In Jesus name I pray, hope, believe, receive and share – Amen and Amen again.

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YOU ARE BLESSED!

“You’re blessed when you stay on course,

walking steadily on the road revealed by God.

You’re blessed when you follow his directions,

doing your best to find him.”

Psalm 119:1-2

For those that truly love, worship, and do their best to find, follow, listen, and honor God:

YOU ARE BLESSED!

Live it!

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Repeating the past is no way to the future.

"... and don't go back the way you came." Then he left by a different road than the one on which he had walked to Bethel." 1 Kings 13:8-10, MSG

If you want your future to be different, and better, than your past, then maybe it is time to try something new - maybe it is time to walk in a direction you never thought of walking before; maybe it is time to try a new path in your life.

God's light directs our paths.

2 Samuel 22:29-31The Message (MSG)

^29-31 Suddenly, God, your light floods my path,
    God drives out the darkness.
I smash the bands of marauders,
    I vault the high fences.
What a God! His road
    stretches straight and smooth.
Every God-direction is road-tested.
    Everyone who runs toward him
Makes it.

 

God’s light shines through the darkness.

God’s road is easy to follow.

God’s directions will never lead one astray.

God is the only sure thing.

Run to God – this life of yours depends on it!

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

The handiwork of God

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Chris Jesus [born anew] that we may do the good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Ephesians 2:10 AMPC

You are the handiwork of God, you have been hand-picked by the Creator of the universe, and you have a predestined plan awaiting for you!  Therefore, let go of all your frustrations, anger, past mistakes, fears, and regret, and let God do what needs to be done to get you on the right path.  One way or another, He will get you there, so make it simple on yourself and LET HIM!

Clean out the clutter and make room for God

"...Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct)... Prepare the road for the Lord, make His highways straight (level, direct)... " Matthew 3:2, 3 AMP

Clean the clutter, (sin), out of your life!! Take an inventory of your life right now, as a matter of fact, make it a point to consistently take an inventory of your life.  Mark it on your calendar to do it at certain intervals, (monthly, every quarter, every six months, etc.), so that you are continually working on you dark spots, (sin). In a sense, do it in order to make sure that you don't push your own self out of your own life; that you don't push the lightness out and become filled with darkness. I know that some areas are harder than others, but I guarantee that once God sees you sincerely trying to change, He will jump in and help you!  When that happens, your once thought unconquerable sin, will be conquered and left behind in the dust.

Friends, our main goal in life is to be trying to please God by abiding by His Words, worshiping Him inside and out, and letting Him guide every areas of our lives.  We should be trying to become more like Him everyday; loving, kind, considerate, compassionate, helpful, prayerful, honorable, light-filled, faithful, and genuine.  God isn't wanting us to follow Him so He can feel more powerful (as He is all powerful anyway), He wants us to follow Him so we can make a difference in this dark world; become a light for those in darkness, and become a living legacy of blessing to our family and friends and the world around us in general. He wants us to live with an eternal sense of joy and peace, and share it with others.  So, do something to change a dark spot in your life today, and do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, and see if your life doesn't open up; strength fills you, doors of opportunity start opening, lives start changing, and blessings start pouring around, and upon, you.  

Yes, God wants to shower you with so much love, blessing, light, and abundance, so help Him by cleaning out the clutter in your life so He can get through.

Stop, look, listen, do!

“Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you find rest for your souls… “ Jeramiah 6:16

When indecision, uncertainty, confusion, disarray, wrath, or darkness overwhelm your soul, then there are a few important steps to follow:

First, stop your mind, your actions, and your thoughts so you can stand strong knowing that God will come through for you regarding decisions that need to be made, answers that need to heard, and problems that need to be faced.

Second, begin to look for His signals, His hints, His signs – He will show you as long as you’re looking with eyes of faith.

Next, listen for His voice with all faith and lots of patience; He will answer you – He always does.

Finally, do what He tells you to do; kick the dust off your heels and walk the direction He tells you to go.  God always knows what He’s doing, so second-guessing Him isn’t an option.

Friends, take a break from the commotion, step back and let God take the wheel; not only will He turn you in the right direction, He will fill up your gas tank for the journey.

God is so good!

 

Stay on the right road

[Cease from your made running after idols, from which get nothing but bitter injury.] Keep your feet from being unshod and your throat from thirst..." Jeremiah 2:25

Living in turmoil, hurt, inferiority, frustration, guilt, worry, and condemnation prove one thing:
You are not listening to God; you are not following His promptings.  No, instead you are running after your fleshly plans, attitudes, ideas, and idols.  So, S.T.O.P - now! Give it all - yes, ALL-  to God to take care of.  He'll give you the correct way, the proper attitude, the right thinking, and a preeminent peace to handle any situation that comes your way.  

Friends, don't let the devil take you out of God's plan for your life.  Fight to stay on His narrow road, every moment of every day, and the victory and joy that are yours in Christ will be well worth the weight in gold.