One of my all time favorite country artist is Patty Loveless. A few months ago I was excited to find one of her CD’s at a Yard Sale for .50 cents. I’ve been listening to it in my car ever since. I found myself drawn to one song in particular. I’d skip over track one and back up from track three to hear it’s words over and over. The Lord began to speak to me through it’s words and it is those thoughts that I’d like to share with you.

I think as Christians often times our “trouble” is that we don’t let the truth have it’s way in our lives. Galatians 5:8 says, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth“? The answer to that question will always bring you back to sin. 1John 1:6 tells us, “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth“. Practicing the truth involves setting our minds on the things that are above instead of the things that are here on earth. Galatians 5:16 gives us clear direction: …“walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh“.

Scripture tells us the SUM of the word is truth.    God’s Word is inerrant, it’s timeless and it’s complete.  There are warnings throughout that nothing is to be added to it nor taken from it.  We can’t pick and choose what feels right or principles to live by based on our current circumstances.  Scripture speaks with authority.  It speaks definitively.  It speaks decisively.  It calls for absolute conviction.  Time and time again God’s Word gives direction on how we are to walk.  In James 4 we are told to submit to God and resist the Devil.  In 1 John we are urged to have discernment between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error and that no lie is of the truth.  In 1 Peter we are commanded to turn from evil and do good.  Isaiah 55 informs us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts nor is His way our way.  Romans chapter 1 warns us not to exchange the truth about God for a lie.

Do you have trouble living by the truth of God’s Word at all times and in every situation?  I think it’s imperative as Christians to remind ourselves that believing something doesn’t make it true.  We have the responsibility to align all our thoughts against the “plumb line” of God’s Word.   The bible should be our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true.

The entire chapter of Psalm 119 is dedicated to God’s truth and it’s role in the believer’s life.  All 176 verses express the Psalmist’s love for God’s truth.  Psalm 119:89 “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven“.  This is another confirmation of the absolute authority and finality of the Word of God.  God’s Word is eternal and unfailing.  Opinions may change,  but the Word of the Lord is constant.  David’s words are my hearts cry and I pray it will be yours as well.  “Lord, lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation”. (Psalm 25:5)

Amy Jo

I AM SUPERMOM!! Everyday………… my house gets cleaned from top to bottom, I run all my errands (and never forget anything on my list), arrive at least 10 minutes early for all my appointments, play with my kids every time they ask, visit with friends, volunteer at school, workout at the gym, get the kids to and from all their practices and games, put a healthy and delicious meal on the table each night, support my husband, and spend at least an hour in quiet time with God, all while looking like I just came from a cover shoot. And this all happens… …….in my head before I get out of bed.

There are two things I do before I get out of bed each morning. First, I thank God for another day and offer it to Him. I ask Him to help me be a light for Him in a dark world and for Him to guide my decisions and actions for that day. Secondly, I begin to list out in my head all the things I need to accomplish, the places I need to be, and the people I need to talk to for the day. This can be a great way to start the day. So why are there so many nights I go to bed feeling like I have failed God, my family and myself?

A few mornings ago as I was in the middle of my conversation with God and was about to lay out MY plans for the day, God abruptly stopped me. I clearly heard the words of Jeremiah 29:11. In context, these words are not promising us that life is a bed of roses, but rather, even though we have hard days filled with commitments and struggles, if we follow God and the plans He has for us He will guide us to the future He has laid out for us.

When you give your day to God are you giving Him your plans, or are you giving Him your self? Are you letting Him guide you in where He wants you to go? He has shown me that giving my day to Him is more than just a quick prayer in the morning. It is a conscious effort all day long. I am working hard at giving each moment to God, trying to continually ask Him, “what’s next?’ as I go through my day.

I am sure there will still be days when I go to bed with a dirty bathroom, and dinner was from a drive-thru while we are rushing not to be late for a game. But I know that when God is my constant guide, I can look back as I lay down at night and see all the things we have accomplished together instead of all the things I failed to do on my own.

Blessings,

Mikki

Lily of the Valley

Text: Charles W. Fry
Music: William S. Hays; adapt Charles W. Fry

I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s ev’rything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll:
(Refrain)

He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal:
(Refrain)

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll:
(Refrain)

Refrain:
He’s the Lily of the Valley,
the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

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The devout soul rejoices in God as his great Inheritance. When He is always present to our mind, when we are constantly making use of Him, when we find ourselves naturally turning to Him through the hours of the day, then such quiet peace and rest settle down upon us that we cannot be moved by any anxiety of the present or future.

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Excerpt from”Our Daily Walk” devotional by FB Meyer