Rugged defeat or smooth victory.

"... yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand.  For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him..." 

2 Chronicles 16:7-9

Rely on yourself: Rugged defeat.

Rely on God: Smooth victory.

When life turns upside down...

Prepare the way

“…Prepare a way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.  Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.  The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth…”

-Luke 3:4-6

Get rid of the unnecessary clutter so God can work his salvation in you.  How?  Start by asking God what clutter in your life needs to be thrown out, mentally and physically, and then follow through by actually listening to him and doing what he tells you to do.

Blessed are the ones who fear God.

"All you who fear God, how blessed you are!

how happily you walk on his smooth straight road!

You worked hard and deserve all you got coming.

Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness!

Oh, how he blessed the one who fears God!

Psalm 128: 1-2, 4

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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

Is your path being blocked?

God’s angel said to him: “Why have you beaten your poor donkey these three times?  I have come here to block your way because you’re getting way ahead of yourself…” Numbers 22:32-33, The Message

When we try to go in a certain direction, but we keep getting stopped, then maybe we should find out if God is trying to tell us something.  One thing we must always try to remember: If God leads and we follow, our paths will be smooth, but if it our flesh leading, then our paths will be full of pot-holes and dead-ends. 

So, maybe now is a good time to think about the things we are trying to make work, but aren’t… maybe God’s trying to tell us something???

 

This God-given life.

“So then, brace up and reinvigorate and set right your slackened and weakend and drooping hands and strengthen your feebled and palsied and tottering knees, [Isa. 35:3]

And cut through and make firm and plain and smooth, straight paths for your feet [yes, make them safe and upright and happy paths go in the right directions], so that the lame and halting [limbs] may not be out of joint but rather may be cured.” Hebrews 12:12-13 AMPC

In other words, stand up and fight for this God-given life of yours ~ stand up and live like God has planned for you to do!!