Tag Archives: Guidance

Don’t Make Me Tell You Twice – Lori Hatcher

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I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord. Hosea 2:19-20

“Don’t make me tell you twice!” my grandmother would say, frowning and shaking her finger for emphasis. We knew when Granny said those words, she meant them. They were her no-nonsense words, and we children knew we’d better listen up and follow with the appropriate action if we knew what was good for us.

I am glad God never says, “Don’t make me tell you twice.” He often repeats Himself in scripture, and He doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, unlike my grandmother, I think He actually LIKES to repeat Himself. Eleven times in the Bible He tells us to “fear not.” Four times in the gospels, Jesus encourages us to “have faith.” Over thirty times in the Psalms, God instructs us to “Praise the Lord.”

While I am not a fan of repetition, I LOVE the promise God repeats to His people Israel in Hosea: “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.”

Betroth is not a word we hear too often anymore. It has connections to a bygone era. To most it is an outdated concept. Its synonyms are to engage, to promise, to pledge.

I love how God repeats his promises to betroth Himself to Israel and, ultimately, to us. As He makes His pledge of commitment to us, the church, His bride, He never once mentions what we must bring to the bargaining table. God makes all the promises and provides the dowry. His love never wanes and His commitment will never end.

God’s qualities are those of a perfect husband: above reproach, fair, loving, kind, gentle, and forgiving. Best of all, I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord. He pledges to love us no matter what and is committed to bring us into relationship with Him.

Lori Hatcher is the wife of a youth minister, homeschooling mother of two lovely young adults, and a part-time dental hygienist. She is a regular contributor to South Carolina’s Reach Out Columbia magazine and author of the blog Be Not Weary, http://lori-benotweary.blogspot.com.
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Bumper Bowling – Susan Dollyhigh

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Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 NIV

Bumper Bowling is like a bumper life. I watched as my granddaughter, Katelyn, rolled the pink bowling ball around in the carousel until her five-year-old fingers found the holes to slide into. She picked up the six-pound ball and in a wobbly run made her way to the foul line where she came to an abrupt stop. Swinging her small upper body around to the right, she brought the ball up with both hands and heaved it down the bowling lane. Thump. Thump. Thump. The ball dribbled out of control before making contact with the lane where it swirled from the right gutter to the left gutter and once more to the right before reaching the pins and slowly knocking over all ten. With a celebratory jump, Katelyn smiled. “Yes, a strike.” Katelyn was Bumper Bowling, a game for children, which meant her ball was protected from falling into the gutters by pads positioned on each side of the bowling lane.

Marital problems, health issues, and financial concerns had left me feeling like a bowling ball dropped and thumped from one crisis to the next before swirling out of control, rolling into the gutter, and landing in a pit. Faced with so many difficult decisions, I didn’t know what to pray for, so I prayed as David did in Psalm 25, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” If I could get out of the pit and onto the Lord’s path, I would find the hope and peace promised in God’s Word. Remembering Katelyn’s Bumper Bowling, I asked the Lord to place bumpers so I couldn’t veer from His path. “Lord,” I prayed, “I want to go Bumper Bowling.”

Reading God’s Word, talking with Him in prayer, and seeking wise counsel are bumpers that can keep us from veering off His path and landing in the pit.

Father, I pray that you will instruct me in the way of wisdom and lead me along straight paths.

Susan Shelton Dollyhigh is a freelance writer and columnist who recently won the Women of Faith Shine the Light Contest and 3 awards at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. She resides in Texas. www.inspirationfrommayberry.com

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Seeking Direction From God – Kelli Kossel

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In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

If you’ve ever been lost, you know how quickly panic sets in. The more anxious you become, the less clearly you think. Reason and logic fly out the window. When lost, do you stop and ask for directions or try to find your own way?

When I’m depressed, worried, or hurting I sometimes forget to ask for God’s help. This is when the enemy steps in, wanting me to think I’m all alone. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is there. He does care. All I need to do is call on Him.

Once I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, He guided me to the Father. Life isn’t always smoother, but the trail was blazed by Jesus. He’s cleared away my sin so I can walk unencumbered past the roadblocks sin creates.

Life isn’t easy. There’s always twists and turns. But Jesus will walk with us every step of the way. Life is more rewarding and purposeful when we follow Christ. We experience immense joy and freedom once we have Godly direction. He’s guided me to places I would have never found on my own.

When I take a wrong turn, I stare straight ahead and think of Jesus. By turning my thoughts to Him, my sin is left behind. The more I focus on Jesus, the straighter my path becomes. Rather than succumbing to the temptations of the world, I focus on Jesus. Rather than allowing myself to become irritated, argue, or say things I’ll regret, I turn my thoughts to Jesus. Rather than giving in to fear and anxiety, I march boldly ahead to Jesus. Momentary temptations and stress fade away.

By following Jesus, you’ll be on the right path. What direction are you headed?

The Path

Our time in this world is as
Fleeting as a footprint in the sand.
Just how you spend your time,
Is in your hands.
You can choose to live your life in the light,
And brighten others paths in the night.
You can choose to live your life in the dark,
And not care whether you’ve played your part.
But know the path you choose today
Determines what direction
You’ll go on your last day.

Kelli is a licensed acupuncturist and, as part of her practice, counsels people about nutrition, stress management, and other lifestyle behaviors related to health promotion and prevention of disease. She has a passion for writing Christian philosophy, Christian living, devotions, poetry, and health related topics. Kelli is known for taking difficult biblical principles and teaching readers how to apply them to their everyday lives. She shares her heart in both her work and writing.
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Dumb Questions – Tina Givens

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Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Luke 1:18

Sometimes I ask dumb questions. I once asked a friend to help me find my glasses while they sat on my face. Another time I inquired about the half-time show at a baseball game. Who knew that half-time was only in football? Apparently, everyone in the world — except me.

I wish life had a rewind button. But neither exhaled breath nor spoken words can ever be retrieved.

Zacharias learned that lesson the hard way. A priest, he was performing his duties in the temple when the angel Gabriel visited him with a message. His wife Elizabeth, barren and old enough to remember when childlessness used to consume her, would miraculously become pregnant with a son.

“How will I know this for certain?” Zacharias inquired of the angel.

Those words would be his last for a while. His next words would be spoken as a grateful father. The all-seeing God spotted sinful unbelief attempting to hide in Zacharias’ heart and silenced him. God knew his question was not about certainty or confirmation at all. It was a faithless reaction to a clear promise from heaven.

Zacharias asked a dumb question. But not the one he asked out loud. Will God really do as He says? he whispered in his heart.

Haven’t we all secretly asked that question in one form or another? When we worry that our basic needs will go unmet, we ask it. When we doubt God has heard our prayers, we ask it. When we fear evil will triumph over righteousness, we ask it.

So what should we ask the next time we are tempted to doubt the promises of God? Genesis gives us a better question: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”

You know the answer, so ask your questions. There are no dumb questions with Christ.

Tina Givens has a passion for encouraging people through her writing and singing. In addition to writing devotional pieces, Tina writes articles and advertising copy as marketing manager for NRB Network, a Christian educational and informational television channel seen nationwide on DIRECTV. Tina lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she sings with the group Deliberate Praise and is a member of First Coast Christian Writers.
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No Hitter – Greg Watson

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Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

It was called the saddest sports story of 1964. Not one batter had made a hit off of the Houston Colts (anybody remember them?) pitcher, Ken Johnson. At the top of the ninth inning he had two outs against the Cincinnati Reds. Just a few more pitches and he could claim the coveted pitching prize of a “no-hitter.”

Then the unthinkable happened. An error sent a batter to second base. On the heels of this error another one sent the runner across home plate. This lone run proved to be the game winner for the Reds. Ken Johnson walked off the field after pitching the game of a lifetime, with a seemingly impossible no-hitter in one pocket and a loss in the other. All the hope of training, effort, and flawless execution was brought down by the mockery of error.

As sad as that story is, there is a similar but much sadder one in the Gospels. A certain young man of great wealth and prominence kept the commandments all his life, yet he knew something was lacking. Falling on his knees, he begged Jesus to tell him how he could gain eternal life. Jesus responded by telling him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. But the young man just couldn’t do it.

All his life this young man had flawlessly observed the rules. But in the end he couldn’t follow Christ’s greatest commandment of loving God so much he couldn’t help but love others. He walked away from Jesus having lost his perfect game due to a single error.

As a Christian I often struggle not to live out this same sad story. It’s easy for me to become wrapped up in the rules of playing my best Christian game possible. I make sure I do this Christian thing or not do that worldly thing. Yet even after pitching a flawless game, I often lose my no-hitters because I simply miss following Christ’s example.

By following the rules we can certainly pitch a perfect game, but until we follow Christ’s example of loving God so we can love others, it will be a game we’ll never win.

Greg Watson is an environmental engineer at a chemical plant in far western Kentucky. He likes to view himself in the role of secular minister based in the workplace. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and enjoys blogging when he gets the chance. His blog of essays and devotions can be found at www.RiverGroups.com and  www.quesoveritas.wordpress.com.

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Retinitis Pigmentosa of the Soul – Lisa Keck

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The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8b (NIV)

They thought the child had Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). The specialist administered a local anesthetic and placed contact lenses on the young boy’s eyes. Sensors attached to the lenses which would record how each eye reacted to light. The test would confirm what the eye doctor suspected.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). At present this disease has no known cure. Sight is gradually lost as the field of vision progressively narrows. I’ve been watching this little boy and the thing that’s hardest for people, especially  children, to understand is that he can see well outside but not indoors in artificial light.

I’ve found that sometimes my own spiritual field of vision narrows in the light. It’s easier to just obey the commandments that fit my character. Sin gets categorized — big and little. Murder is big. A “little white lie” is small. The reality is when I minimize or justify sin, I am developing Retinitis Pigmentosa of the soul. My vision is narrowing to the spiritual and the realm of God’s work in my life and others. It’s a slow gradual process. There are those who recognize my  condition. They may offer me spiritual help and growth, yet their heart  and advice are bound in darkness. It makes sense to me at the time because my eyes tend to focus easier in the dark. They may even strive to keep me in the dark so my vision doesn’t clear. Focus is hard to maintain when the cloud of sin fogs my view. My spiritual eyes become blurred and they’re no more able to see than those of my little friend with RP.

It is only through the Spirit’s true light my eyes can be opened to my needs. Only then can the condition be reversed. Eyes wide open.

The Great Physician can help rid our lives of the cause and restore our spiritual vision. He can even widen our vision to better than it ever was. He’s an old fashioned physician, still making house calls…but only if I call. When we let Him work in us we are able to respond accordingly to His commands.

Have you called on the Great Physician today? Let Him clear your vision from the lies of sin and show you new truth.

Lisa Keck is a wife and mother of 2 who lives in Orange, CA. She volunteers as a Braille proofreader and recently joined the wonderful world of blogging. Her blog, Ears In The Cornfield, can be found at brailleblazer.blogspot.com. There she shares insights of growing up with a blind mother, including random thoughts about braille. Read Lisa’s devotions

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Spiritual Milk is Good! – Christine Ramey

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Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like new born babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

Our body wants to be fed just like that of a newborn. You may have heard the milk commercial, “Milk does the body good!” Just like a baby needs milk to help them grow, so does the Christian.

When I became a Christian, my soul seemed to hunger for the word of God. I wanted to memorize and read His word. It helped me grow stronger in Him. I was in high school when I was saved and it was my Sunday school teachers who taught me the importance of memorizing scripture. And, there’s nothing better than friendly competition to aid in the venture.

We were given the opportunity to win a trip if we learned all of the scriptures our teachers gave us. I worked hard reading and rereading, quoting all the text over and over. To my surprise, I won the trip. The memories I have kept from this trip still remain warm in my heart.

It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized the value of that experience. Our church participated in visitation nights where we were to share the message of God’s love and show it through the scripture. That’s when the value of memorizing scriptures became real to me. It taught me to continually memorize and read God’s word daily.

I learned how the spiritual milk helped me to grow closer to God Himself. Yes, I learned the scriptures. I read the Bible daily and by doing this, it has fed  my soul and prepared me for the battles I face along the way.

When Christ tells us to put on His armor, it’s for a good cause. I challenge you to learn a passage a day. Post it on your mirror, in your car, on your refrigerator. Repeat it, study it, commit it to memory. Then suit up and when you’re faced with trials, know that God has sent a prepared warrior into battle. He will remind you of the words that will bring you through.

Father, help me continue to memorize the scriptures. Teach me to hide these scriptures in my heart. I love you, Father. Amen.

Christine M. Ramey is a Christian freelance writer, currently working on her first novel. She writes on her blog and shares stories and poetry as well as devotions on her site at www.mytraveledpaths.com. She is involved in a writers’ group and is also a member of www.FaithWriters.com. She enjoys going once a year to their conferences and spending time with writer friends there. She is currently enrolled at Florida State College of Jacksonville, Florida where she is working on her AA degree. Upon graduation she is planning on enrolling in an online program with Southern New Hampshire University in their Creative Writing BA program. She lives in Hilliard, Florida with her parents and pets. She can be contacted at traveledpaths@hotmail.com.
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Put Temptation Out of Reach – Sue Payne

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But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Gianna, a precious two-year-old little girl, comes to visit us ever so often, bringing with her a pure innocence and curiosity that can only be described as childlike faith. Upon her first visit, she discovered quickly that our home was not childproof. Having some of our most delicate items on lower shelves, we soon realized the necessity of moving them higher. Gianna does not miss much and learned quickly that certain things in our house should be “out of reach.”

After several visits, Gianna would instinctively go to the shelf, pick up the “forbidden” items, and gently move them to a higher shelf on her own. They were not really out of her reach at all, but because she knew and trusted those who showed her what was untouchable, she would not touch them again.

In his letters to Timothy, Paul encourages, cautions, and reminds his young associate of his Christian upbringing in an attempt to protect him from the dangers of temptation and deception. Paul stresses the importance of faith and truth, discernment, and purity. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were responsible for teaching him God’s Word when he was a small boy. These two faithful women had an incredible influence on his life.

When you think about it, there is precious, little time to influence a child for Christ. Competition from the world and its “untouchables” complicates and confuses little ones who naturally long for the direction and pure love of Jesus. A child’s spirit can easily be crushed under the weight of conditional love, impatience, exposure to temptation and evil, and the lack of instruction in how to deal with it all.

We, as Christians, all have the opportunity and the responsibility of influencing others for Christ. Our example can show them how to deal with a world that is not childproof, protecting them, and helping to keep temptation out of reach.

Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.
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What is This Mountain That You Want? – He Said

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Micah 4:2

Micah 4:2 | What is This Mountain That You Want?

Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Micah 4:2

Listen to What is This Mountain That You Want?

God rocks! Not in a musical sense, though I suspect any God who turns water into wine can boogie and line-dance, too. But “God rocks” litter my life: pebble-size problems that appear as boulders in my tiny eyes.

Every few months God calls me to the mountain. I love the beach and surf and the softness of the sand, but my encounters with God on the coast are filled with rest, warmth and reassurance. The God of the mountain is stern and strenuous.

So I came to His mountain, tripping over rocks until I fell to my knees. While a cool breeze wafted through the trees I laid back, resting my head on a flat rock in the meadow on Boggs Bunion. There I thought of Jacob and his dream and in the whisper of wind I heard: What is this mountain that you want?

“Is it your son or Me?” God asked Abraham from atop Mount Moriah. “Is it your people or Me?” God asked to Moses from atop Mount Sinai. “Is it your will or Mine?” God asked His Son, burdened with the weight of my sin.

“I’m here, Father. I won’t leave until you speak,” I said, sitting atop the rocks of Rattlesnake Mountain. So I waited. Rolling waves of green brushed against gray clouds; the freshness of fall chilled my bare legs. Still, God remained elusive and silent, so I listened harder.

“I called you to this mountain… I called you to this struggle,” God whispered to my heart. For a few moments I thought of the effort I’d expended to reach the summit and the work required to claim the dream He’d placed in my heart. Silently, and with less boldness, I asked, “Why, Lord. Why the struggle?”

“That you might see my glory.”

I long for the God of the coast, the carefree God of good times and leisure. But the God of creation and growth is a God of struggle and His glory is found atop His mountain.

What is this mountain that you want? Begin the climb.

Holy Hearts – He Said

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Holy Hearts

Holy Hearts

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly. 2 Chronicles 25:2 (NIV)

Listen to Holy Hearts – He Said

I have a hole in my heart; it leaks love. If this sounds poetic it’s not. The love that leaks fails to nourish the ones who need it most: my wife, boys and Mom. This internal hemorrhaging leaves my soul weak and waffling.

I hear a word from God and begin to follow, but stumble over the problems found along the rocky path and become ensnared by the deceitfulness of wealth. “Who knows the way of the Lord?” I cry, sitting alone in my valley of despair. “Maybe there isn’t a God. Perhaps what I thought was His voice was merely my own wistful musings.”

So I stop and look back toward the way I came, my heart riddled with holes of doubt. “Did God really say…? You were called to this vocation, this woman, this man, this college, this purchase?” Ancient words echoing throughout the dark forest of doubt.

“Love the Lord your God will all your heart…” comes the command.

“You cannot serve two masters…” Christ warns.

“Sell all you have and follow me,” calls the carpenter from the market square.
But we cannot follow Him with whole hearts so we sit in darkness with “holy” hearts, instead. We cry to God, pleading for a word of direction and discernment, but knowing God’s is not a formula. He guides each of those He calls in a special way. We must seek Him with our whole heart and when we do, we will find Him; this He has promised.

King Amaziah followed God’s voice for a while, but not forever. He worshiped the small gods of the people, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to the gods who couldn’t help, save or speak. And the anger of the Lord burned against him.

Who is your small god? Is it your job, savings, or the worldly assets you sell to keep food on the table? They will not save you. Who is your small god? Is it your spouse, family or friends? They cannot love you from the grave. Only God can patch the holes in your heart.

“No eye has seen, nor ear heard… what God has prepared for those who love Him,” so arise and walk in the way He has called. Cling to Him in the forest of doubts. When the chill of death blows across your neck, read, remember and repeat His promises. Let it be said of you: He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and he did it wholeheartedly.