He Will Light Your Path

 

By Andrea Merrell

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 NKJV

Darkness fell like a shroud, obscuring the path before me. One move in the wrong direction could have meant disaster.

I clicked the flashlight on and pointed it at my feet, then a few inches ahead. One tentative step, then another.

The process was slow and tedious, so I shined the light on my destination, hoping to speed things up. Bad idea. As soon as I tried to see ahead, darkness once again covered the space right before me, and I almost lost my footing.

It’s the same in our walk with the Lord. The Bible tells us His Word serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The MSG says it this way: “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.”

When we learn to depend on God’s Word to lead and guide us, He will brighten the way before us. But He never shines the light too far ahead. Our part is to take His hand and trust Him as He leads us step-by-step to keep us from stumbling.

Don’t fumble around in the darkness. Fill your mind and heart with God’s Word. He will light your path and lead you safely to your destination.

 

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash

U-Turns Allowed

 

By Andrea Merrell

The goodness of God leads you to repentance.

Romans 2:4 NKJV

 

While riding with a friend, we passed a sign that said, No U-Turns Allowed. With a bitter laugh she said, “That’s how I feel in my relationship with God. I’ve messed up so many times I can’t turn around and go back.”

The good news for her—and for all of us—is that God does allow U-turns. It’s called repentance. A change of heart and mind but also a turning away. A 180 that points us back in the right direction with no shame, guilt, or condemnation.

It’s easy for us to get off the pathway God has set before us, but He has made provision for our sinful behavior. When we come to Him and confess our sins, He will faithfully forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). It is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

David faced this after he committed adultery and murder. He was miserable until he turned from his sin and asked God to cleanse his heart and restore him. Not only did God restore him, He called David a man after His own heart.

If you find yourself traveling down the wrong road, don’t keep going. In God’s kingdom, U-turns are always allowed.

Photo by Jim Wilson on Unsplash

Are You a River or a Pond?

By Andrea Merrell

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 

out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

John 7:38 NKJV

“We’re not here for ourselves,” the pastor said, “but to point others to Jesus.”

Then he talked about the “living waters” that are supposed to flow from us. “If you’re not a river, you become nothing more than a spiritual pond,” he said.

Wow, time for a reality check, I thought. Which category do I fit into?

A river flows freely and is teeming with life. It gives to those who need refreshment. A pond, on the other hand, with no inlet or outlet, can become stagnant and full of junk. Not good for much of anything. No life.

Jesus said of His followers, “Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says” (MSG). He was speaking in regard to the Spirit.

Our river—the Holy Spirit inside us—should flow freely and be teeming with life, giving to all who need refreshment. The very life of God that we carry inside should “spill out” on those around us.

Are you a river or a pond? Maybe it’s time for a reality check. 

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

Use Your Words Wisely

 

By Andrea Merrell

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

The woman was funny. Quick-witted. Charismatic. People were drawn to her—until her words turned toxic, which could happen with no warning.

Words are powerful. They carry the power of life and death. They can bless or tear down. Heal or wound. And God expects us to use them wisely. The Bible has much to say on the subject. Here are a few examples:

• We are to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. (James 1:19)
• We are to bridle our tongue. (James 1:26)
• We’re not to speak both blessing and cursing. (James 3:10)
• We should use our tongue to promote health. (Proverbs 12:18)
• We are to guard our mouth to preserve our life. (Proverbs 13:3)
• We should use soft answers instead of harsh words. (Proverbs 15:1)
• We should have joy by what comes out of our mouth. (Proverbs 15:23)
• Our words should be wise and kind. (Proverbs 31:26)
• Our words should be edifying and not corrupt. (Ephesians 4:29)

Our prayer should be: Holy Spirit, put a guard over my mind, my heart, and my mouth. Let my words be full of grace, edifying others and bringing glory to you. Let me always think before I speak and use my words wisely.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Brett Jordan.

 

 

 

 

             

God Repays with Interest

 

By Andrea Merrell

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food 

will also supply and increase your store of seed and will

 enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV

Finances were extremely tight, but the pull to give was strong. Not sure whether we would be able to pay all our bills and buy groceries, I gave in a simple act of obedience.

The Bible has much to say about money:

• Be generous. Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. (Ecclesiastes 11:1 MSG)
• Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 NKJV)
• If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you! (Proverbs 19:17 NLT)
• Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10 NKJV)

The world’s philosophy is to hold tightly to what we have, but God says to give. To be generous. To help others. And to do it all with a cheerful attitude.

Some say you can’t out-give God. I’ve certainly found that true in my life. By my simple act of obedience, He not only repaid what I gave, He returned it with more than I could have imagined or hoped for. He always gives back more than we sow.

One writer says it’s the level of our giving that determines the level of our receiving. When God says give, don’t be afraid. And don’t hold back, waiting until you have more to give. He will bless what you offer and repay you with heavenly interest.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and posterize.