GPS 1/27/2014

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Josh 1:8-9

One of the greatest pieces of technology to come along in a great while is the GPS (Global Positioning System)  By acquiring a device that connects with satellites orbiting the earth, anyone can determine where they are just about anywhere on the planet within about 3 feet.  More importantly, if a person needs to get from where they are to where they want to be but do not know the way, simply type in the destination and the GPS system will trace out a path to get them there by the shortest route possible, as long as the directions are followed.

Technology that precedes the GPS that we know today is the GPS (God's Positioning System) that has always existed.  It was the system that Abraham used when he left Macedonia to get to the land promised to his descendants.  It was the system that the Hebrews used to escape both Egypt and the slavery they endured there.  Unfortunately, they decided to stop using their GPS just as they approached the land promised to them.  This resulted in them becoming "lost" and wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Beloved, GPS is still available to us today.  It is known as the word of God.  We are encouraged to read it and study it every day.  In it we find truths such as, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105) and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding but acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight," (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Further, we are told that it is strong enough to be able to be relied upon and firm enough for us to draw strength from it.  The added benefits are that we will be successful in our godly endeavors and prosperous in our lives.

Joshua, one of the two Hebrews to advocate for staying the course according to their GPS 40 years earlier during their original trip to the promised land was ultimately given leadership of the people and commanded by God to always adhere to its directions upon their second approach. Joshua did just that. It turns out that he was strong, courageous, successful and prosperous in leading the people into their new land.  We likewise have a heavenly promised land.  Let us be sure to follow our GPS all the way there.

One,

Lee

Where is God? 10/1/2013

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Josh 1:8-9

It is no secret that we are all at differing levels of spiritual maturity and that over time, those levels change. Most are desirous of attaining a higher understanding of God and wish to know more about His will for our lives. We often reach for Him to help us along the way or simply to have a closer walk but find Him just beyond our grasp because He is not in humanoid form addressing us directly. We then sometimes wonder, "Where is God?"

God is all around us and speaks to us constantly. We suffer from a constant state of not being able to see the forest for the trees. Our lives are filled with the clutter of politics, entertainment, workplace intrigue and other day to day distractions and responsibilities. Moreover, we are force fed so many things through every pathway into our brains and bodies. In short, we cannot find Him because we are not putting enough effort into the search and we are allowing the volume of everything else to be too high.

Beloved, there are three things we can and must do to achieve a closer walk with the Lord. First, we must pray for it. God has told us to make our desires known to Him and that when we do, we would find a listening ear. Further, James 4:8 says, "Draw closer to God and He will draw closer to you." Second, study the Bible every day. It represents the best source of information available to know who God is and what He expects from and gives to us. It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). He literally speaks to us through His word. Finally, seek Him with your whole heart in everything you experience every day. With a foundation of prayer and Bible study, you will then begin to see the awesomeness of God materialize before your very eyes. When you look for Him earnestly, you will begin to see His word and His very person manifesting itself in conversations with others, circumstances and situations, and even in nature. For an example of this, read the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34.

When you do these things, you will see more and more that God is indeed all around you everyday in every way. When you realize this and begin to commune with Him on this basis, you will be on the fast track to spiritual maturity and you will be amazed at the things you will come to see and understand that have been right in front of you the whole time. What a lovely tree filled forest we live in.

Committed,

Lee