Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland. (Psalm 143:10 MSG) Gonna ask a hard question today - who you living to please most today? Now, before you just haul off and answer, 'Why, Jesus, of course!', let's do a little heart examination. I have to do this from time to time because I have a tendency (and you may be like this, too) to get a little complacent in my 'following'. There are times I find myself living to please God, on fire for him, loving time in his Word and enjoying times of deep emotional connection with him. There are also times when I find myself easing back, settling in, getting a little too comfortable with my faith walk. I am glad we can count on him to call us to attention once again, bringing some form of a reminder that we need him, aren't paying as close attention as we should, and require a little adjustment in our focus. I remember a time back when I p...
Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me. (Psalm 119:133 MSG) Steady steps require more than good footwear, but it sure goes a long way! God tells us to have our 'feet shod' with the 'readiness that comes from the gospel of peace'. (Ephesians 6:15) We might not think much about the 'readiness' of our 'footwear' spiritually, but if we want to do more than 'wobble' through life, we need a sound footing! Spiritual readiness isn't instant - it requires a commitment to the things God says will help us gain such readiness, especially the study of his Word. In the times scripture was written, footwear was actually 'tied' to one's feet. These bindings actually held one's footwear securely under one's foot. Without the effects of the binding, the feet would be unprotected. We find the security of the gospel of peace providing a protective 'barrier' just as the footwear of those da...