Steadfast

27 08 2015

DSC_1054Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10 (Amplified)

I admire people who can run long distances.  They seem to have the right balance of focus, technique and endurance to finish their course.  A marathon runner offers important lessons for each of us trying to make it. Their success is often based on consistency in their pace, their determination and their ability to endure the journey.  My prayer today is that God would create a heart in each of us that is based on His righteousness, with the determination to persevere and the firm direction to keep moving toward His purpose for our lives.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT


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Hiking Season

26 08 2015

Sun RaysShow me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.        Psalm 25:4-5

This season is full of twists and turns, with some sharp bends in the road that I did not see what was around the corner. Our path is a journey that I have likened more to hiking in a mountain forest than a Sunday walk in the park. As believers we are challenged to seek God’s leading and to listen for the guiding of the Holy Spirit, who provides the gentle whispering winds of which way to go. The path is rugged, requiring strong muscles of faith in our legs, in our hearts and minds to continue to move forward. We have to remember to breathe in and out, creating more opportunities for our heart muscle to become stronger. We have to use all of our senses, listening for God in unfamiliar territory and careful to avoid the stench of discouragement. We have to reach out to others who can help us along the way and take every opportunity to encourage each other in the Lord. We may meet strangers along the path creating an open door for others to join the journey. Using our love with His light, they are more apt to walk the path with us. The enemy may desire to sift us like wheat but Jesus has prayed for us that our faith would endure and that we would not give in or give out. Our savior has prayed for us that our Faith would not fail. We are encouraged to stay on the path, even when it is hard, when it is dark and even when we are tired. We can be assured even in uncertainty of the next stretch on the journey, our God promises to be with us every step of the way and that victory is at the end of the road.

“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22:31-32


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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE

He is making a Way

25 08 2015

Rome Moving Forward

For who is God except the Lord?   Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.

 He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.

II Samuel 22:32-34 NLT

The path ahead may be uncertain but the Savior knows. He knows what is ahead and He is faithful to lead and guide our every step. He promised to be with us and I am thankful. He promised to provide peace and strength as we put our focus squarely on him. He is perfecting everything concerning me and my family. He is making a way for me.


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God is my Shepherd

24 08 2015

DSCF0547The Lord is my shepherd;   I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,  for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23 NLT

I need guided steps for my journey. I need the Holy Spirit to provide clear direction for the steps ahead. Sometimes I find myself in unfamiliar territory but with God’s leading I can find confidence and safety. I am thankful for the Shepherd’s leading in my life.


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Categories : GUIDANCE, Psalm 23

Did We

27 07 2015

DSC_1054When it is night and we look back on today,  Did we praise GOD spontaneously?

Did we make any enemies knowingly?

Did we ponder on how we could help someone in distress?

Did we help anyone perspire any less?

Did we take stock of our life, reducing material things to mere dust?

Did we add warmth and peace where there was coldness and fuss?

Did we cause someone to smile or laugh to joyous tears?

Did we prepare for our own death without any fears?

Did we inspire anyone to do good like we knew they should?

Did we paint a picture of Christ who for everyone he stood?

Did we shine the light of Christ to help someone see?

Again, did we praise GOD spontaneously?  

by W. Clark.

Please visit www.god4good.com for more inspirations from W. Clark.


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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE

Eyes Focused and Clear

23 07 2015

walking encouragedThat’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus

and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus,

I couldn’t stop thanking God for you

—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks.

But I do more than thank.

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory

—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,

your eyes focused and clear,

so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do,

grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers,

oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him

—endless energy, boundless strength!

Ephesians 1:16-19

We need to our eyes to be focused and clear on what we are called to do. I need my next steps and next words to be directed by the Father. I need His guidance. Thanking Him in advance for clarity and focus. Thanking Him in advance for His endless energy and boundless strength.


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Moving Forward

3 07 2015

DSC_1054Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

God will show us the way forward.  A guide is always useful when you need directions.  We have all kinds of gadgets, tools and mobile apps that can give us the travel directions from point A to point B.  We have GPS systems that interact with satellites that tell us exactly where we are on earth and how to get to where we need to go.  The technology is amazing and way beyond the atlas and paper maps that was our source for directions for centuries.

We will need a road map for what’s ahead. Life’s journey continues and we will need a reliable, trustworthy source to keep us on the right track.   “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  This familiar Psalm is a reminder and an assurance that the Word of God is the ultimate guidebook for our lives.  It gives us the “turn by turn” instructions for our steps’ moving forward. At times we may be perplexed about how to move ahead.  Seeking Him first in our situations, reading the Bible, sets the stage for knowing which way to go.  Our God is faithful to send the right guidance, the right provision at the right time to move onward in our journey. God will show us the way forward and we are thankful.


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Kind, Compassionate and Forgiving

19 06 2015

Strong treeAnd become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 AMP

The “one another” instructions in the Bible are powerful. They often refer to our relational world of how we are to connect to each other. We know examples – love one another, pray for one another, encourage one another. Our passage today is a reminder of our need to be kind, compassionate and forgiving of one another. At first glance, when we read these instructions we may be quick to give ourselves a pass recalling all of the past ‘”nice” things we have done. On learning more about this scripture and what God desires of us, I realize I have more work to do. Being kind is more than a smiling face. It reflects a giving spirit and a desire to be useful and helpful to one another. Demonstrating loving-hearted compassion shows our genuine concern about each other situations. Forgiving one another freely and quickly for big and small things as our Heavenly Father does for us. Kindness, compassion and forgiveness are outward expressions of who we are as God’s children. They reflect who He is and as His children we should carry His identity and His likeness in our care for one another. Carefully considering how we respond to one another and seeking to demonstrate His example puts our relationships on higher ground. More kindness, more compassion and more forgiveness in the world are reflections that will shine bright in a hurting world.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT


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Lead Me

16 06 2015

passage in peaceShow me what you want me to do.   You are my God.  Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground. Lord, let me live so that people will praise your name. Show me how good you are and save me from my trouble. Psalm 143:10-11 ERV

I want my steps to be guided by the Lord.

I seek His Holy Spirit to lead me.

My heart, mind and soul need His guidance into places of righteousness.

His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.

His ways are higher than my ways.

His leading takes me to places of peace and level ground that keeps me in good stead.

Lord, Lead me today.


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This Time and This Place

15 06 2015

IMG_1534This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. Psalm 118:24

Our experiences in life come one after another. Being fully present in the blessedness of now requires focus. This time and this moment will never come again. Today is an opportunity to use all of your senses – eyes, your ears, your sense of smell, your touch and your heart to absorb, what is happening around us right now. Not what has happened in the past or not even what tomorrow will bring but focus on the blessing of this moment – in this time and in this place. It is easier said than done with the hurried pace of our living. We can rush through the blessings of love and life or slow the pace of our minds down to realize that now is the perfect blessing before us. So many guided steps and unearned favor allow me to breathe in and out and to be conscious of His blessings. The Lord is good to each of us. His mercy, His love and His grace make this moment possible.

Even in the most difficult circumstance, we can be glad that we serve a God who is with us. Our Heavenly Father is so faithful, so caring and so loving to shield us and to undergird us even when we believe that our hearts will break during the circumstance of the day. The blessing of now may be disguised by difficulty but we are still here, we have faith in our Heavenly Father, we are still on the path and God is still leading. We can rejoice in that blessing alone.

My mind is clear that embracing now is my charge for today. This is the day. This is God’s day for me. I am glad to experience it fully with a grateful heart and attitude of praise for this time and this place.


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Categories : GRATITUDE, GUIDANCE

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