Bible League: Living His Word The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."— Psalm 32:8 NLT Consider the iPhone, a marvel of human ingenuity. When faced with the uncertainty of a new destination or when lost in unfamiliar surroundings, we can simply ask Siri for directions. The phone's software, with its intelligent algorithms, considers all aspects—traffic conditions, road conditions, and the time required to reach the destination. It then presents before us the safest and best route, ensuring our journey is smooth and secure. Moreover, it provides step-by-step directions, telling us when to turn left, when to turn right, and when to proceed straight. Imagine the intimacy of turning to the Lord and saying, "Lord, give me directions to your presence." This simple yet profound request reflects a heart that seeks communion with the Lord, a soul yearning for guidance amidst the daily challenges of life. And in response, the Lord assures us of His unwavering commitment to lead us toward His presence. Just as the navigation app considers various factors to chart the best route, God, in His infinite wisdom, takes into account every aspect of our lives—the joys, the sorrows, the victories, the failures, and the trials. He knows the roadblocks we may encounter, the detours we may need to take, and the destination He desires for us to reach. His guidance is not based on mere algorithms but on a deep understanding of who we are and what will ultimately fulfill us. Our routes may be different, but we can trust in His promise that He will lead us safely to our destination. In the chaos of life's intersections, where decisions loom like crossroads, God's guidance is our spiritual GPS. Just as a GPS recalculates when we take a wrong turn, God gently redirects us when we veer off course. His love is steadfast, and His commitment to guiding us remains unwavering. When we ask Siri on the iPhone for directions, we have in effect surrendered our will to use our own intellect and have chosen to trust the navigation app. Somehow this trust removes our anxiety, and we drive in peace. Likewise, when we surrender our plans and desires to the Lord, we acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives. We entrust our life's journey into His capable hands, knowing that He will advise us with wisdom beyond measure and watch over us with unfailing love. His guidance may not always align with our expectations or preferences, but we can trust that His ways are higher, His thoughts are deeper, and His plans are perfect. Just as the navigation app provides step-by-step directions, so too does God lead us along the pathway of life. His guidance may come through His Word, through prayer, through the counsel of wise mentors, or through the gentle nudges of His Spirit within us. As we walk in obedience to His leading, we experience His presence in profound ways, finding strength, peace, and fulfillment along the journey. We all aspire to be perpetually peaceful, joyful, and happy in our daily lives, but we live in a sinful world. What we desire is only found in God's presence. And the journey to God's presence is not always straightforward. It may involve uphill climbs, winding roads, and unforeseen challenges. Yet, in every twist and turn, His guidance remains sure. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7). By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Samuel 7, 8, 9 1 Samuel 7 -- Samuel Subdues the Philistines NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Samuel 8 -- Israelites Disregard Samuel's Warning and Demand a King NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Samuel 9 -- Saul Anointed by Samuel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 13:1-21 Luke 13 -- Call to Repent; Healing on the Sabbath; Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast; Enter by the Narrow Door NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. Insight The righteous weigh their answers; the wicked don't wait to speak because they don't care about the effects of their words. It is important to have something to say, but it is equally important to weigh it first. Challenge Do you carefully plan your words, or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.Did earth or heaven ever behold a sadder spectacle of woe! In soul and body, our Lord felt himself to be weak as water poured upon the ground. The placing of the cross in its socket had shaken him with great violence, had strained all the ligaments, pained every nerve, and more or less dislocated all his bones. Burdened with his own weight, the august sufferer felt the strain increasing every moment of those six long hours. His sense of faintness and general weakness were overpowering; while to his own consciousness he became nothing but a mass of misery and swooning sickness. When Daniel saw the great vision, he thus describes his sensations, "There remained no strength in me, for my vigor was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength:" how much more faint must have been our greater Prophet when he saw the dread vision of the wrath of God, and felt it in his own soul! To us, sensations such as our Lord endured would have been insupportable, and kind unconsciousness would have come to our rescue; but in his case, he was wounded, and felt the sword; he drained the cup and tasted every drop. "O King of Grief! (a title strange, yet true To thee of all kings only due) O King of Wounds! how shall I grieve for thee, Who in all grief preventest me!" As we kneel before our now ascended Saviour's throne, let us remember well the way by which he prepared it as a throne of grace for us; let us in spirit drink of his cup, that we may be strengthened for our hour of heaviness whenever it may come. In his natural body every member suffered, and so must it be in the spiritual; but as out of all his griefs and woes his body came forth uninjured to glory and power, even so shall his mystical body come through the furnace with not so much as the smell of fire upon it. Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.James 1:19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Matthew 12:37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. 1 Peter 2:21-23 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, • WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; • and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Revelation 14:5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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