Provided Paths

There is a path where every step you take is with the Lord.

There is also a path where every step you take requires the 

Lord to reach out and rescue you.

If you are walking with the Lord, you will stumble, trip, or even fall.

But the Lord is right there. And you will be reaching for Him when you fall.

Don't worry, He is faithful to catch us and to pick us up!

If you are not walking with the Lord you wont be reaching out

for Him when you fall. Your hands will be out in front of you

in order to break your fall. This will undoubtably will leave

one frustrated, bruised, and questioning every step.

There is nothing like being picked up from a fall,

being brushed off by the Lord,

and set back up your feet by His loving hands!

There is however, nothing worse than falling, feeling totally alone

with no one there who cares enough to see if you are alright.

You don't have to feel alone!

Someone does care!

The Lord will rescue you no matter where you are,

no matter how dirty or bruised.

Trust in the Lord. Let Him into your heart and life!

Live your life to please Him, and Him alone!

Then life will have purpose, meaning, direction, protection,

and you will never again feel alone!

Walk with the Lord on the path He has set before you!

Don't walk away from Him!

The road will be rocky and treacherous, and you will need rescue!

But the road He has for you will shape you and mold you into His image.

It will teach you more about the Lord,

and it will leave wanting more of Him!

Respond, Trust, and Obey!

It will be the best decision you will ever make!

Good Posture

They say a good posture can be the difference between a healthy body and an unhealthy one.

Good posture before the Lord is just as important.

So lets see what a good posture before the Lord looks like. 

I will give a few "snipits" and then dig a bit deeper. Here we go!

Exodus 3:4-6 (esv)

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, " Moses, Moses!" And he said, " Here I am." Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Matthew 28:9-10 (esv)

And behold, Jesus met them and said, " Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Act 9:3-5 (esv) (Saul)

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, " Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, " Who are you, Lord?" And he said, " I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Revelation 1:17 (esv)

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

In Exodus we see Moses in the presence of God in a burning bush. Once Moses knew what he was seeing he hid his face in fear.

In Matthew we see Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary after He rose from the dead, as they came to visit the tomb where He was buried. Again they fell at his feet.

In Acts we see Saul confronted by Jesus after he ascended to heaven. Here Jesus appeared as a great light and spoke to Saul, and Saul fell to the ground and lost his sight.

Finally we see John on an island as he is given Revelation. He fell at His feet as though dead.

So whats the point? We have a picture, some verses, and they all point to the best type of posture before the Lord. On our knees, with our face covered, at His feet!

None can stand in His presence! Those who think they can are foolish!

Those who arrogantly approach will find themselves hiding in the mountains

praying it will fall on them!

A day is coming when ever knee will bow and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord!

For those who know the Lord, there is no safer place than at His mighty feet in a posture of humility.

When we see His perfection and we see our sinfulness, we will fall to our knees and praise God for His limitless love, His unending patience, and His perfect forgiveness. Apart from these things, there is no hope. 

Knowing Jesus, accepting Him as your Savior, and giving all to Him will put your heart in the right posture to praise Him and thank Him for His grace!

Use your knees for what they were meant for. Kneeling!

Troubled Times

Troubled Times

Matthew 24:5-14 (esv)

"See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ' I am the Christ, ' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains."

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name 's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

In these verses we see 2 thoughts.

The first deals with signs. Signs of the end of the age.

The second deals with tribulation or tests.

Many read the signs of the end and are filled with fear.

There are 3 main causes of this fear.

1. Lack of focus on the security we have in Christ Jesus.

2. Lack of knowledge of what the end times are.

3. Unwillingness to endure the tests that might come our way.

There are obvious solutions to these causes of fear.

1. Study of the end times. When we study the end times we find encouragement from God. He continuously tells us He is with us to the end. His perfect love casts out fear. All we need to do is rest in His saving grace and know that all things work for good for those who love Him. 

2. Salvation. For those who are saved, there is security in Christ. No matter what the world tosses at us, nothing can take us from His hand. There is no need to fear.

3. God gives strength in time of need and in times of trial. We are given everything needed to endure any trial, no matter how great. When the time comes for you to be tested, remember the Lord is on your side. Focus on Him, give Him glory, and thank Him for all that comes your way. If we are obedient, we will march into trouble like conquerors! The Lord is our strength!

Don't let Troubled Times cause fear.

Rest in the Lord. He has saved us!

Study His Word. Knowledge of His Word gives direction.

Pray. Our flesh is weak! But He is strong. He will carry you!

Be obedient. If you are truly His, trouble will come. 

Be ready for battle! He has given you all that you need to conquer!

Matthew 28:20b (esv)

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."