Signposts

Signposts. Sometimes they are hard to see, aren't they?
God's word offers so many signals, signs, and guidance for life. Yet, sometimes in a hard place, I'm not quite sure of God's will on that particular situation.

I would like signs as clearly posted as the ones offering directions for this week's VBS kids at First Evan. Wouldn't you?
Maybe the answer was reflected in the entrance sign.
Enter here.

Entering into His Presence is the "signpost" for the best place to start---His Presence is base camp for the Christian who seeks to gain strength and power to move on up in his/her spiritual life.

Prayer "Directionali-TEA"

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV)

The "Prayer of Jabez"  is a great example of the horizontal direction of one's petitions. It also shows a prayer-answering God. This "Chronicler" clearly shows his belief in the efficacy of prayer as he documents the positive answer Jabez received.

Lately I have sensed the direction of my prayer as tending toward the horizontal. So many (outward) petitions for family and others. But God.....in this verse shows that He can certainly answer the petitions of a pray-ers heart.

Yet, prayers also need to be vertical---(upward) in praise and thanksgiving to the glory of God. Focusing on who God is.

Prayers also need to be continual---moving onward in both directions---always God-honoring.

Horizontal. Vertical. On-ward. God-ward.

When any, or all, of these prayers are an application of one's heart to God, one is praying in the right direction. 

May I direct my prayers daily (Psalm 5:3) in all those "right" directions. Heartfelt prayers all end up in God's hands.

Steeped in Excellence

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

Regardless of what cuppa life serves us, each of us should steep it in excellence. Whether circumstances of disturbing dispari-TEA, unfamiliari-TEA, unclear directionali-TEA, lack of sereni-TEA or frivoli-TEA and gaie-TEA are poured out, one must measure these "thought" events by today's verse. 

As Kay Arthur taught me years ago, if you can to know if a thought is excellent and praiseworthy.....just "Philippians 4:8 it!" If one's thoughts don't t measure up to the excellence put forth in that verse; true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good repute, don't dwell there. Don't "brew" unwholesome thoughts in your mind. Steep goodness----it might take time, but it's the key to allowing God to make any cuppa (circumstance) palatable. Similar to looking for beauty.

Hm-m....covering a cuppa when steeping tea can keep the flavor in and the "bugs" out--
just like in our thought life when we steep it by covering it in the excellence of God's Word.

Keep those good thoughts brewing. Steep all thoughts in excellence. Cover them with God's word.

Steeping releases flavor for us and favor to God from us. A worthy cuppa.

"Directionali-TEA"

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; (Psalm 37:23, ESV)

Have you ever struggled with finding direction for your life? Which way to go? Where to turn for help? Even when one knows the "direction to heaven," (John 3:16) she can still need direction for the daily grind. God's Word certainly offers needed direction.

So.....why is it so hard to "let go and let God?" Excessive over-planning can wear one out. So....why continue in that "insanity?"

I've decided to stop asking those questions in my mind and start reading:

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 30:21, And your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

The Lord delights in the one who chooses to follow Him, as Psalm 37:23 reminds us. I like the comfort offered by that verse but I also hang my "faith hat" on the verse that follows, especially when I make poor choices or go off on my own path.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (Psalm 37:24, NASB)

Regardless.....when one's life rests in the hands of the Lord, all directions lead to Him!

Directionali-TEA---to be sipped in that blessed assurance.

"finali-TEA" of current "directionali-TEA"

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

Mrs. Rand McNally, here.....is ready to hang up her maps. No longer can I be the "directionally" sound one in mapping out our routes. This past weekend in Austin, TX proved that. I was even somewhat directionally dis-oriented in our hotel, no less. 

Recently I taught on "being confident" (Psalm 27:3) & blogged on "relying on God," (Isaiah 40: 10) but I've begun to realize that a new season of life is now beginning. A "direction" change, coupled with understanding of  God's wisdom in this season needs to be employed.
Things aren't quite what they once were. I can still make plans and God will still direct them (Psalm 37:23)....but the plans might be fewer. I can also allow younger ones to lead the way. Following son's BIG Suburban on those confusing multi-level cloverleafs, access roads and exits allowed me to enjoy the ride and not be stressed. Possibilites of getting lost, seem not so overwhelming when I don't feel responsible.

Change, especially from aging, is sometimes hard to swallow, but God...can offer new directionality and it will be okay!
Final proof of finali-TEA of current directionali-TEA---I just spilled my morning cuppa all over my map.

Seeing the way.....

4/14/12 Have you ever had something right in front of you and yet you still don’t see it? Until a recent PBS interview with Memphian Fred Smith, CEO of FedEx, I never knew there was an arrow on “his” trucks. So iconic and yet I missed it!

In my spiritual life I wonder if my vision is also veiled to God’s directions that are right before me. Psalm 16:11 says that the Lord has made known to me the path of life and that’s truly the only one I need to follow. Jesus Calling (4/12 & 4/14) encouraged staying/walking (dancing for me) with the Lord at every fork in the road.

I know that the entrance to heaven is at the end of my life path. I just don’t want to miss any of the hints of heaven or any directions that the Lord has for me along the way. But…..I’m still afraid I’m missing some of the subtle turns or directions on my daily walk. I guess I’ll just have to keep my eyes wide open and keep trusting His leading as I search for clues.

I can see clearly now----at least on the FedEX truck. In fact, it seems to jump out at me. God is working on the rest.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it. (Isaiah 30:21)