Firm Ways

Decisions. Some are very easy and others are very difficult. My goal is to make wise decisions that are in line with God's will; but I often struggle with knowing which choice is His best. A few months ago I was very anxious about the search for a new home...do we really need another home; can we afford a bigger mortgage; which school district is good for our kids; which neighborhood works for our family; etc. I came across Proverbs 4:26, "Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm." When I read that, I felt like God was telling me we shouldn't leap blindly into a decision. We need to do our part in order to make level paths for our feet (like researching, budgeting, planning). But, just because a path is level doesn't mean it's firm. Until we are certain that the way is firm (God's answer is yes), we shouldn't move forward with the decision. That's where the previous verse (4:25) comes in, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." When I focus my eyes on Him instead of everything around me or on my own selfish desires, He will make sure that I take the right steps at the right times. My husband and I are in the "path leveling" stage right now. I don't know what the future holds but I really don't feel anxious about it anymore. There is so much peace in knowing that my Father goes before me and makes the right paths firm.

Anxiety and Fear

I was having difficulty sleeping last night so I got out my little book light (so I wouldn't wake my husband) and began to read my Bible. I ran across a couple of verses that really stuck out to me since I know some people that are going through some difficult times right now. The first is Psalm 4:4, "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." The commentary in my Bible pointed out that the first part of the verse literally means "tremble" in anger or fear. This is not the same context that Paul uses in Ephesians 4:26. The verse in Psalm is an encouragement not to give in to your anxiety. I know I am guilty at times of focusing on my problems and getting myself more worked up instead of searching my heart (seeking God) and being silent (listening for His voice). Psalm 4:8 says, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." It is awesome to know that when we turn to the Lord with our problems, we find peace instead of anxiety and fear. We are able to find rest because we trust Him to take care of us.

Oil in My Lamp

When a friend set up this blog site for me, I was pondering what I should name it. I began to flip through my Bible and ask God for His input. I found a verse in Psalm that I had underlined several years ago: "You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18:28. That verse made me think about the parable Jesus told of the Ten Bridesmaids in Matthew 25. In the parable, Jesus shares that ten virgins took their lamps to go out and meet the bridegroom. Five of the bridesmaids brought oil in jars along with their lamps but the other five only brought their lamps. They all fell asleep and when the bridegroom arrived, all of the bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamps. The five virgins who had oil with them were able to keep their lamps burning and went to the wedding banquet. The five who were not prepared with additional oil had to go buy some and when they arrived at the wedding banquet, it was too late. The door was shut and they were not allowed inside. I was thinking about how the most important thing in my life is my relationship with God the Father through his son, Jesus Christ. Although I know my eternal salvation is secure, I want others to receive the same gift. I want others to know how to be prepared with the oil for their lamps. The life we are given on this earth is very short and we don't know when it will end. One thing that is certain is that the decisions we make here and now will affect our eternity. There is only one way to spend eternity with God and that is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Because God is holy and our sin separates us from Him, He provided the only way for us to be able to come into his presence. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus, his only son, as a once and for all sacrifice for our sins. It is by accepting Jesus Christ into our lives as our Lord and Savior that we can be saved. We cannot attain salvation through being "good enough" or any other way. Jesus is the ONLY way. Accepting Jesus into your life does not mean that your life will all of the sudden become perfect...we live in a sinful world. It does mean, though, that you have the God of the universe watching over you and taking care of you as you follow Him. He knows you, He loves you and He will guide you down the best path for your life. Our purpose in life is to glorify Him and what an awesome privilege that is. Please don't wait to choose your eternity. When the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) returns, you must already be prepared!