Sunday, January 1, 2023

Where God Guides - God Provides

"I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing." - Psalm 37:25-26

Some years ago - the mid-90's - we were befriended by a couple who were retired missionaries. Ruth and Edwin Messerschmidt.  They mentored us as we began to step out for God passing along wonderful wisdom.  One phrase that they taught us, that we have embraced as truth, was "Where God guides, He provides." King David wrote that he had never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging from bread. Put another way, "God has you back!"

God never calls you to some thing or some place where He is not already at work. He asks us to join Him and not to do something on our own.  If we are about God's business then we "must" rely on Him and not ourselves. 

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

It is a mistake to think that you don't need God to do what He has purposed for you to do. He may gift you in many ways but what He calls us to do has spiritual significance an we are incapable of accomplishing anything in His name without Him. 

What God calls us to do is always beyond us. It always stretches us. It always brings us to what Experiencing God calls a crisis of belief which requires faith and action or obedience. And invariably saying yes will always require us to set something aside. To lay something down. To say "yes" to God and "no" to self.

When confronted with that truth by Jesus, "Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matthew 21:21-22

There are things that we can come to depend upon to bring us comfort and peace that are not of God. You must decide what you love more. Jesus asked Peter ...

"He [Jesus] said to him [Peter] the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep." - John 21:17

How many times does God have to ask you that question. If you do say "Yes", then He will say "Prove It! Feed My Sheep"

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

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