April 7 – Decisions Made Right

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”  Psalm 32:8 (NASB)

One of the blessings and benefits we have as believers in Jesus Christ is that God becomes personally involved with our lives.  We become a member of God's family by putting our trust in the promise Jesus has given to us.  We are each called to serve our wonderful Lord God.  He knows all things and He knows what is best for each one of His children. Today in our verse we are given another promise.  This promise comes from our heavenly Father who wants to be our guide through all the times and seasons; all the circumstances and challenges; whatever we encounter on our chosen path of service.  He wants to teach us how to make decisions which will please Him and bring joy and peace to us.  Every day, God watches us.  He is watching us today and He knows what is best for us in every situation.  What a loving and caring Father we have.  Let's open our hearts and minds for Him to lead us and know that He has His loving and wise eye upon us.   

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August 17 – Ignoring the Temporary

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”   1 John 2:17 (NIV)

We have a God who lives forever and He offers eternal life to us, His human creatures.  We're reminded of this promise in today's selected verse.  We are faced every day with decisions which we must make in our lives.  Often we ask ourselves what people will think if we make a certain decision and we become overly concerned with the opinion of others.  Instead of being anxious about what other people might think of us what we really need to ask ourselves is “What will God think?” Our verse tells us that to do the will of God, to live so as to please Him, guarantees us eternal life in His presence.  By contrast, trying to follow what other's think is a risky path.  The ideas and desires of others may be a part of a system which will not last and is not from God.  Evil forces work very hard to distract us with desires that are temporary and draw us away from what God wills for us.  God's will is permanent and doing His will has a promise of eternal life without any tears, sorrow, death or sickness.  Let's seek for what God's will is and what will please Him and let's forget what the crowds around us might think. 

Note: If you have found hope and encouragement in these daily blogs, please share them with your friends.  

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December 9 – Keeping Track

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

It is good to remember often how much our God is involved in our lives. Our verse today reminds us of this truth. We sometimes are tempted to think that we come and go all on our own. And we may think that we are on the go so much that no one else could really keep track of all our coming and goings. An then for God to keep track of all His children in this world, could this really be possible? Yes it is and that is what this verse says. It includes all God's children all around the world and my friend, it includes each of us. Our God is watching over each of our lives and each of our movements and relationships. What ever we are involved in and whatever our decisions and direction, God knows just were we are. That's a promise of God.

November 6

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

We must never think that we have to live the Christian life on our own. God has promised to be with us all the way. Isn’t that what this verse tells us? God is with us all the way. He doesn’t just help us in the important decisions, once in awhile. His instruction and His guidance is available day after day, hour after hour. He is watching our every step along the way. So how do we benefit from this promise? It is by being conscious of His constant presence and watch-care. Instead of thinking that we are living our lives by ourselves, let us be aware of His constant care and listen for His voice.

May 24

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;” Psalm 37:23 (NIV)

This verse tells us how we can live in a way to please the Lord. What it really says is that God wants to have the privilege of directing the steps that we take in our lives. If every step that we take, every decision that we make is directed by God, then our steps will be firm. And the way this comes about is for us to look to God for His guidance.  If we go ahead on our own, thinking that we can make our own decisions, we will be on shaky ground. So what makes our Lord happy is for us to look to Him constantly for His guidance. He will “delight” in us. 

May 17

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

We all know that we use lamps when things are dark around us. We need lights on our path when we are walking in the dark of night. At such times we cannot see what is ahead of us without the help of a light or a lamp. Well, that is how life is. We need help to see and to understand what is ahead of us. We need help in making decisions because we do not know the future. Our God does know the future and He has given us help in making our decision in life. That is why we need to spend time in reading our Bibles and that is why we listen to others teaching it. His word becomes a lamp or a light for whatever lies ahead.

April 4

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)

Sometimes we think we know what is best for us be we really don’t. We can be glad for a promise like this one when we remember that our God knows everything. He is the One who knows what is best for us. Our God tells us that He is teaching us what is best for us.  If His teaching is to benefit us we need to be always in the attitude of the learner. Are we learning every day what God is trying to teach us? When we have a choice to make, let’s look to Him to guide us in making our decision. Then we can be assured that it will be the very best decision.

February 10

“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” Psalm 31:3 (NIV)

We all have decisions to make every day. Most of them may not be of great importance, but they affect our living. David asked God to be his guide in life. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we become God’s children. We carry His name. We make decisions that affect the good name of our God. Therefore He is anxious to help us make the right decision so that His name is enhanced. That’s what David had in mind in expressing himself. So with us, when we look to God for His guidance it is not only because we want to benefit ourselves. It is for God’s benefit, too, and that is important. 

January 27

“Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?  He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.” Psalm 25:12 (NIV)

There are many things available to those who trust in the Lord. One is guidance in times of decision. God has plans for each of His followers and He is anxious to help us fit into His plans. So that’s why we can depend on Him to guide us in our decisions. Actually, the decisions which we make from day to day – even those which may seem minor to us – are all a part of the trend of our lives. They are just like steps along the way. Our God wants to show us every step that we are to take. The promise is for us, and we show our reverence for God by asking for his guidance. If we follow it, we will end up where He wants us – in the center of His will.