The Way You Should Go

The Way You Should Go TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “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) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Do you need direction in your life today? Maybe you are facing an important decision in your job, at home or in your relationships. Know this: God Himself will teach you what you should do. He promises to show you the path you should take. He’s watching over you and giving you advice every step of the way! Understand that God’s not just concerned with the goal or end result. It’s not just about getting you from point “A” to point “B.” He is with you every step of the way during the entire process. He wants to see your character develop and mature. He wants you to grow in faith and understanding. Most times, our growth in life happens when circumstances seem to be the most uncertain. Those uncertain times cause us to rely more on God. But no matter how uncertain things may seem, God still has His eye on you. He’s making sure you make the right choices. He’s working with you to shape your character and attitude. Remember, He’s promised to never leave you nor forsake you. You may not always see what’s up ahead, but know that He’s instructing you and teaching you in the way you should go! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for teaching and guiding me and giving me direction in my life. I receive Your counsel today. Help me to be more like You and to hear You clearly in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk God’s Rod and Staff Comfort, Not Condemn BY RICK WARREN — AUGUST 27, 2014 “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15 NIV) God is a God of compassion. Psalm 86:15 says, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (NIV). The Bible also says, “God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3b NCV). Some of you may have grown up with a father who was full of judgment and distanced himself from you. But that’s not who God is. God isn’t that father. God is the Father who is full of mercy. God is the Father who is full of comfort. That is the kind of relationship he offers to you. If you’re going to have hope, you’ve got to see who God really is. You’ve got to see that he doesn’t come into your life to make you feel judged but to let you know he really cares. What’s God really like? God is all about being a part of your everyday life. God is about being close to you. God is about having a relationship with you. The Bible says in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (NIV). Some of you who struggle with seeing God as condemning are going, “See right there! He is a condemning God. He’s got a rod and a staff, and he’s out to get me. There’s the proof.” Let me tell you what this is about. This verse is comforting, not condemning. God’s rod and staff are not out to get you or punish you. They comfort you. How? Picture a shepherd and his sheep. The shepherd uses a rod to discipline the sheep and a staff to direct the sheep. If a sheep is headed off of a cliff, the shepherd uses the rod and staff to make sure it doesn’t. Wouldn’t you agree that’s a good thing? When you’re heading off a cliff, God will bring discipline and direction into your life to keep you from falling off that cliff. It’s not condemning; it’s comforting, because somebody loves you enough to tell you when you’re headed the wrong direction. That is the kind of God who loves us. That is the kind of God who comforts us. That is the kind of God who gives us hope. Talk It Over Talk about a time in your life when God provided you comfort by giving you direction and guidance. How can you also extend compassion and comfort when you offer discipline and direction to your child or someone in your life? What makes you resistant to God’s comfort and mercy?