Stay on God's path.

Days of distress

"It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the curse I am receiving today."

2 Samuel 6:12

It's no fun when you feel like you cannot do anything right and everyone notices as well as tells you about it.  However, if you can step outside of yourself and look at it as a way of learning and growing in Christ, then the mistakes you do and the cursing you receive may just turn out to be some of the best blessings and milestones you could ever have asked for.

If you will take the first step...

The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you save and save Israel out of Midian's hand.  Am I not sending you?"

"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest... and I am the least in my family."

The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianitesies together...

Peace! Do not be afraid.  You are not going to die."

Judges 6:14-16, 23

Like Gideon, you may be afraid, you may feel weak, you may feel like the challenge before you is impossible; yes, you may already feel defeated.  However, what you feel means nothing compared to who God is and what he can do for you.  Therefore, take that first bold step of faith, no matter how fearful you are, and from there God will carry you forward into victory.

How will you ever win this battle before you?

“... “Who Can stand up before the Anakites?”  But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire.  He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you.  And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you.”

Deuteronomy 9:2-3

How will you win the battle before you; the battle that looks absolutely impossible?  Well, for one, you won’t win the battle before you, only God can.  And, for two, it is impossible for you, but with God all things are possible.  Hence, since you have God as your Leader and Lord, the battle before you is already your victory - he has gone before you and conquered it.  Therefore, my dear friend,  take a big step up and take that victory all the while remembering to thank God for every ounce of it.

It’s been long enoughsaf

”You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north... I have begun to deliver Sihon and his country over to you.  Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”

Deuteronomy 2:3, 31

The mountain you keep circling has become your safety net and it is a false safety net.  It is time to turn, move foreword, and follow the real safety-net, Christ our God.  Yes, it is time to take the land he has before you.  Yes, it is time for you to shine.  

Friend, the time is now!  The time is right! The time is yours!  So fear not and know that God is with you every step of the way.

With God, no wall is too high

“For you will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.  For by you I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall.”

Psalm 18:28-29

When God is the focus of our every move and step, then no obstacle or darkness set before us will be able to keep us back from the blessings and victories awaiting us.

God is our strength, our endurance, our stronghold, our fortress.  Never let him out of focus... NEVER!!

God wants to keep you from sin

“... Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 

Exodus 20:20

When in the midst of life’s fiery trials, fears, decisions, and torments, remember: God is with you!  Therefore, prove to him that you are faithful by staying away from sin and doing what he is telling you to do.  

So step out of the loud noises of the world and hear God, otherwise, you will keep God drowned out and the blessings of life he is leading you to will be washed away by this crazy world in which we live.

Change is here

"...Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes."

Genesis 35:2

It's time!  If life is unfruitful for you and you've been doing nothing but running in the same circle only to become more unhappy and un-fruitful, then change is due.  Step out, grab Jesus, start fresh, and begin again.  It is never too late, you are never too old, and life is always too short not to.  Go for it!  God's got your new beginning waiting for you.

Thank you Jesus.

God is Walking with us every step of the way

God, I am afraid! But you have said, I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.”

(Adapted from Genesis 32:11-12)

Afraid to step out into the unknown?  Don’t be! For if it is a step that you feel God pulling you to make, then he will be there to walk with you every step of the way.

Worldly rationale

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 28:15

When our hearts belong to Christ, then no matter which directions and choices we choose to step out in, (as long as they are steps of faith), He will be with us!  Friends, God will not leave us - our steps of faith will be blessed beyond all worldly rationale.

Be strong - Do not fear

“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…”

Isaiah 35:3-4

Keep moving forward – listen to, and learn from God.

My friend, don’t stop, don’t look back, don’t give up… be strong.  God is with you every step forward of the way; he is with you forever and always.

Finding purpose means stepping out.

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB

Sometimes finding your purpose means stepping out of your comfort zone and helping to bring to light those that are doing wrong.  Staying quiet and letting wrong continue merely delays the blessings that require fearlessness, strength, and courage before you can ever obtain them.

Friend, do what’s right with God… someone needs to!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjopujqlL3ZAhXqTN8KHaHlCKkQjRx6BAgAEAY&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoPbna93AMlY&psig=AOvVaw2i9_1nvAR6ar--RpihXRx4&ust=1519512283325154

Precious in the sight of God

Precious in the sight of God

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”

-         Isaiah 43:4

The more the world comes against you, means the more God is getting ready to promote you!!  Therefore, consider the worlds whispers, insults, lies, and animosities towards you as stepping stones to the blessings that are about to be bestowed unto you.

Wake up - get out of the darkness

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Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,

Climb out of your coffins;

Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

-Ephesian 5:11-17 MSG

Jesus carries us through

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s spirit is right alongside us helping us along, motivating us to move forward. He knows us far better than we know ourselves and that’s why we can be assured that every detail of our lives of love for God is worked out into something amazing.” Adapted from Romans 8:26-28 MSG

When we get tired, Jesus picks us up and carries us forward.  And when we have the strength to walk on our own, He walks right alongside us every step of the way.

Every step of the way

“Go assured.  God’s looking out for you all the way.” 
Judges 18:6, The MSG

When you feel you are living your life as best you can, unto God, and you love God with all your heart, then, ‘Go assured’; move forward with what is in your heart – God is looking out for you every step of the way.

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Go! God will point you in the right direction.

"And He said to him, Leave your own country and your relatives and come into the land (region) that I will point out to you. [Gen. 12:1.] Acts 7:3 AMP

Sometimes we need to step out of our family-life-box in order to find out the good plan that God has for our lives.  

My friend, if He is telling you to step out of your norm, then now would be a good time to do so.

Try something new

"... Break up your ground left uncultivated for a season, so that you may not sow among thorns." Jeremiah 4:3

It is time to try something new; step out onto new ground. If your life seems to keep going in the same old circle and you can't seem to get  ahead, then maybe some new stomping ground is your ticket.

Yes, I know that trying a new road is always a scary move, but if you have any sort of inkling, or knowing, that it is something God is prompting you to do, then give it a go; if you honestly feel God has placed something in your heart, then I guarantee He won't let you fail.  Plus, if you step out in the wrong direction, I promise that He will step in and make sure you find your way.  

Your life doesn't have to keep hitting dead ends, there is new ground for you to stomp on!  So, pray about it, listen for His guidance, and then take that first big, bold step - He'll take hold of you from there!

The moment you cry out to God

“The moment I called out, you stepped in;

you made my life large with strength.”

Psalm 138:3

God heard you the moment you cried out; God hears you the moment you cry out to him!  Therefore, begin to look for him in the darkness, fear, and pain of your life and soon you will notice those troubles begin to fade and his light begins to shine brighter and brighter, leading you to the victory in which he has awaiting you.

God makes life complete

2 Samuel 22:21-25The Message (MSG)

^21-25 God made my life complete
    when I placed all the pieces before him.
When I cleaned up my act,
    he gave me a fresh start.
Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways;
    I haven’t taken God for granted.
Every day I review the ways he works,
    I try not to miss a trick.
I feel put back together,
    and I’m watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
    when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

Clean up your act, stop your sins, give control to God, and start living the life you should be living!