This morning as I wake up I remember as a child we had to keep the faucets dripping, put a light in the pump house, and various other things to keep the water pipes from bursting and the pump from freezing. Back then it was hard work to do simple things. Some of you may have to still do these things but for most of us we don’t anymore. There are other things that used to be laborious that we now have much easier. I’m glad for the most part that things are easier. Outhouses and rub boards are pretty much a thing of the past. Cisterns and well buckets have given way most everywhere to a simple twist of the faucet. I am thinking too of my own children being young. We had all the grands with us recently and for a moment I could get melancholy that the children I raised are all grown. We had a great time with them and still enjoy reminiscing about their childhoods.If I just reminisced about the past, pretty soon I’d be wishing I could go back. Unknown days are ahead. We’ve not lived them. We don’t know where we’re going with God but we are going into the future. He has a plan and He’s leading us. We are excited to know that God’s Word tells us that even in our old age God has something for us, so even though we might become quite aged there is still much to do for the Kingdom of God when we follow Him with our whole heart.The Egyptians left behind slavery. They were taken out of the land of Pharaoh with a strong and mighty arm of the Lord. Many signs and wonders were evident in their lives. They were heading out to points unknown but as long as God was leading it would be good. The wilderness looked fine to them compared to the slavery they had endured. Until they lived there.God speaks to my heart: Each and every day is a new day with Me. I know there are times when you’d like to go back – maybe to do something over and better, maybe just to enjoy those wonderful memories. But I am not leading you to the past. I am not leading you to relive the good times and I am not leading you to relive the bad times. I am leading you into the future. It may look like a wilderness to you. But you can rest assured that every step I take before you is a step you can take with confidence. Living in the past has no merit whatsoever. Today is the day to live your triumphant life in Me. My name is I AM – I AM here, I AM leading, I AM preparing you for the future, I AM leading you through and teaching you much about My character and nature, even when you don’t know where you are going. Oh beloved! Trust the Lord. Let Him lead you out of the past. Let Him use you fresh and new today. Let Him give you a hope for the future. Let Him turn what looks like a wilderness into sacred ground. He will provide everything you need in abundance, along with grace and peace and joy. He loves you and He’s for you and His plans are outrageously good for your heart, your mind and your soul as you live in the light of His Word and follow Him all the days of your life. Psalm 78:19 They spoke against God; they said, "Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?”
Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow
Jeremiah 31:17 “There is hope for your future,” declares the Lord…
Psalm 71:18 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Although Danny’s birthday isn't for a few days, we celebrated it yesterday because all our children were off work and the grand-kids had no school. We had a great time, with lots of laughter and good food. Danny got some cool presents: a tin 22 target, a calendar, a motorcycle touring magazine and two of his favorite foods: cheese and summer sausage.
I thought about those presents this morning as I got up and I heard God speaking.
We live a life of faith, those who have given their hearts to Christ. We are In Christ and that is the platform on which we stand. But there’s more we need to walk the walk of faith and live out the plan God has for us. And God has a plan for each and every one of us. You included.
We all need a target. Not something to shoot at in our case, but something to shoot for. A target is an objective, a mark, a purpose. In other words we've got to aim for God’s call in our lives. It will fall into place, but we can easily get sidetracked, go on rabbit hunts, get bogged down shooting at troubles, fears, the enemy, etc. With a target, something to shoot for, we will be sighted in on God’s plan.
We all need a calendar. We need to keep up with the days of our lives. The Word says “teach us to number our days”. Without a calendar, a schedule, we will be prone to wander around and haphazardly enjoy the summer fun, not realizing that winter is closing in. We won’t be able to keep a schedule – we need to let God help plan our days so they’re not wasted. We all are prone to do what we feel like doing, but God has a purpose and He wants us to write Him in our calendar in bright red marker – no penciling Him in.
We need to know where we want to go and how we want to get there. Without a tour guide, a road map, a travel plan we can’t even begin to get anywhere. Without seeing God’s will on how He wants us to travel, how He wants us to live, where He wants us to go we just exist. But planned travel, with the Lord as our guide, now that’s living!
We won’t get anywhere without sustenance. And “man does not live by bread alone”. Without the daily ingestion of God’s Word we will starve. And starving people can’t hit their target, travel God’s path or keep their schedules. They are too weak for the trip. Starving people stagger at the hard roads they may encounter or fall off the cliffs of decisions they must make. Starving people have their eyes clouded, their stomachs in a knot and their mind confused. It won’t matter how much or how little cash is in your pocket, if you don’t take in God’s Word as your daily food, as your FAVORITE food, the other gifts you receive won’t matter.
God has gifted you with everything you need to live for Him, be used of Him and to be blessed in your life. Every gift is found IN CHRIST. Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime? Or are you worrying about physical things like how, when, where and why? Are you penciling God in or are you red lettering Him in bold? He already knows the trials you are facing this very day. He’s not surprised by the things you didn't see ahead. His Preeminence will take you beyond the hurts, beyond the fears, beyond the confusion. God is over all – He is Supreme, Majestic, Eternal and All Powerful. Nothing you encounter can stop His plan for your life. With the right gifts, and you have them all available to you as a child of God, everything He has planned for your life is achievable.
Oh beloved, call on the Lord today and thank Him for His provision, His gifts and His calling. You are more than existing, you can live! God will plan your days, bless your life and help you target in on His calling when you live in the light of His Word. He loves you and He’s for you and on that you can rely as you travel the life of faith!
2 Corinthians 9:15 Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! (Amplified)
Job 23:12 I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food.
Psalm 33:11 But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.
Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I AM the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way that you should go. Amplified
