THIS IS THE WAY

If we are trusting the Lord in spite of trials and bitter circumstances, He will allow us to recognize His voice. It may be through His Word, or through those who are wise in His Word. It might be through that still small voice within or through the circumstances themselves. No matter where we are, we will be able to hear God's voice directing our steps.

Heavenly Father, give us the grace we need to trust and wait for Your direction. Help us to hear Your voice whenever and however you speak. In Jesus' Name

Read Isaiah 30:20,21

"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it." (NIV)

"And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." (KJV)

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UNLIFTING THE VEIL

If we keep our eyes on the Lord and focus on Him alone, He will show us plainly the meaning of His words and the true nature of Himself. Our understanding of the Bible will have clarity and provide revelation of His will. If our eyes are on the world or our circumstances, the veil will remain.

Heavenly Father, we pray that You will help us to stay focused on You so that we may see clearly and truly know You and Your will. In Jesus' name.

Read 2 Corinthians 3:16

"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (NIV)

"Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." (KJV)

    

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WRECKLESS VS WISE WORDS

If we speak to one another without thought or without being careful what we are saying, we are in danger of hurting, disheartening, and crushing others. Only the wise person is careful when speaking and God honors the words of the wise by bringing forth healing to those who hear.

Heavenly Father, please teach us to be wise when we speak so that we will build up with healing and not cause pain and destruction to others. In Jesus' name.

Read Proverbs 12:18

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (NIV)

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." (KJV)

     

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BE SEPARATE

The Lord has commanded us to be separate people. He did not

tell us to segregate ourselves into isolated communities and

stay there. He wants us separated by our beliefs and lifestyle.

We cannot live in this world and be insulated from its influence.

But if we refuse to a part of the world's beliefs and lifestyles, God will protect us as our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that You are faithful to us

as we keep ourselves unstained by the ways of the world. We ask

that you help us to stay a separate people that You would be

glorified. In Jesus' name.

Read 2 Corinthians 6:17

"Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." (NIV)

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (KJV)

     

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GODLY VS WORLDLY SORROW

There is a difference between Godly sorrow and worldly

sorrow. Godly sorrow occurs as a result of knowing one

has sinned against God and this sin must be dealt with

quickly, so that restoration can be made with God. Worldly

sorrow occurs as a result of being caught, being found out,

with no thought of what this sin has done to the relationship

with God. The first leads to repentance and life, the latter

leads to spiritual death.

Heavenly Father, we stand humbly before you and ask that You

will keep us spiritually sensitive to the sins we commit against

You. We ask for that Godly sorrow that leads to repentance so

that You can put all our sins under the blood of Jesus Christ. In

Jesus' name.

Read 2 Corinthians 7:10

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (NIV)

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (KJV)

     

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GUARANTEED PERSECUTION

If Jesus was persecuted for being about His father's business, why would

we think we would escape persecution for being like Christ? There is little

or no persecution of Christians in America. Are we not living as godly as we

should? These days it seems many Christians hide their testimony to keep

from offending others or to keep from being ridiculed. If we suffer for being

like Christ, we are blessed. And who knows but that someone's heart was

ready at that moment to receive the words we failed to speak.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you would give us boldness and courage

to live and speak your words of truth and do the deeds that show we

belong to you, no matter what the cost is to us. In Jesus' name.

Read 2 Itmothy 3:12

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will

be persecuted." (NIV)

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer

persecution." (KJV)

"A Christian is someone who shares the sufferings

of God in the world." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

     

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PERSEVERENCE

Trials and tribulations test and strengthen our faith. The measure of our faith determines how much patience we have, how much we can persevere. If we are able to persevere through all trials and tribulations, we will be mature and complete in Christ.

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that you give each of us

a measure of faith. We pray you will help of persevere through

the trials and tribulations we face in this world so that we may

be complete in Christ. In Jesus' name.

Read James 1:4

"Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature

and complete, not lacking anything." (NIV)

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect

and entire, wanting nothing." (KJV)

     

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