Guided By God

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Numbers 22:23 Getting Moved Off The Wrong Path

When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. Numbers 22:23

Traveling down the road no one likes to be put on a detour or told that they cannot continue their journey. Detours and stops can sometimes occur because there is danger ahead that will cause major problems if the path is continued.

Many will get angry about the detour and try to force their way through.

Balaam was on his way to curse or bless the Israelites at the request of Balak. On the way his donkey was stopped by an angel, and it turned off the path. Balaam then beat the donkey.

Everyone who has chosen to believe in and follow Jesus is on a path towards holiness and heaven. At times people will choose to take a different path, while still claiming to follow Jesus. They will begin to walk down a path of sin and death.

God, in His perfect love, will put a block on the path to get the person back onto the right path. It could be a donkey, as in the case of Balaam, or it could be something else such as sickness, injury, loss of position or job, or anything else to move the believer off the wrong path.

Instead of getting angry and trying to force the situation to stay on the wrong path, the believer should see God’s hand at work and move. God does not force one off of a path just to be mean, but in order to guide the believer on the right path of righteousness, holiness and what is best for him in light of eternity.

Anytime you begin to stray off the path God has for you He will attempt to put a block in the way. He wants you on the best path possible, not what looks good at the moment.

Do not allow yourself to stray off the path God has for you, whether it is to sin or just to do your own thing. Getting off of God’s path will only lead to frustration, death and destruction.

Seek God’s direction for your life and walk that path. It will lead to holiness, bringing His peace, comfort, and strength.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the path God has for you; that you will trust in God’s leading you; that God will help you to not stray from His path for you; and that you will do God’s will in every area of your life.

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Exodus 31:6 God Will Give You The Needed Skills

Moreover, I have appointed Ohoiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: Exodus 31:6

Different people have different skills and different levels of abilities in these skills. Some people appear to have natural abilities in some skills. They seem to be able to do something very well with no trouble at all. Others have to fight hard just to do some of the same things just enough to make it acceptable, but still far from great.

As Moses was given instructions on what to build for the tabernacle, God provided various men with skills to be able to make everything needed.

God will often ask a person to step out in faith and do some new type of work or ministry. Very often believers feel as if they are unqualified to do that new type of work or at least to do it well. Many will run from it, rather than trusting God and moving forward.

When God calls a person to do a work for Him, He will also equip the person for the work. Abilities beyond the normal will suddenly show up in the person for accomplishing the mission that has been given.

The work abilities required may be physical skills as those helping build the tabernacle and its accessories. Other times it may be other abilities, such as working with children, special needs people, speaking, teaching, or some other needed skill.

Regardless of what skill is needed, the important thing for the believer is to lean on God for understanding and to do the work He calls him to do. At the time needed, God will provide all that is needed when the servant is faithful.

There is a work that God has given you to do in the process of building His kingdom. In this, He has also ready to give you the strength and skills to be able to accomplish that mission with success.

Rather than look at your faults and lack of abilities, focus upon what God has given you the ability to do. With God at your side guiding you, you will be able to do more than you could or would ever be able to do on your own.

Ask yourself what skills has God given you to build His kingdom.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God to give you the abilities needed; that you will be willing to do the work God has for you; and that you will build God’s kingdom in His way.

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1 Samuel 16:10 Allowing God To Choose

Choices

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 1 Samuel 16:10 

All around the nation there are elections going on nearly all the time. People work on voting for others going into many different types of government positions or positions in a business, in an organization or even in a church.

Choosing who should be in each position is often done by looking at what they person can or cannot do and what he has done in the past. Sometimes people will also look at the character of the person to help make their choice as to who to vote for.

Rarely do people actually seek God’s answer as to who to choose and to go with His answer.

God had told Samuel that He had rejected Saul as the king and wanted to anoint another to become king. He sent Samuel to the home of Jesse to anoint one of his sons to become king. Jesse brings his first seven older sons to Samuel, leaving behind the youngest.

As each of the older ones passed by Samuel, Samuel thought each might be the one for various outside appearance reasons, yet God rejected each one. God had already made the choice of the youngest, David. Samuel would not choose any that was not chosen by God.

In the same way as Samuel has acted, every believer needs to seek God’s direction in choosing someone for a position or to make any decisions in their lives. Outside appearances of a person can be deceiving. Humans only see the outside, while God sees the entire heart of the person. He is looking for people who will serve Him with all of their heart.

Allowing God to make the choice, does not always look the wisest, yet it is the always the best choice. Those who serve God are the ones God wants to choose.

There will be times you will need to make a choice. It could be for voting for someone for a person or it could be some other choice. Either way, you must bring the choice before God and allow Him to make the decision. Allow God to guide you in what choice you make.

David later become one of the greatest kings Israel ever had. Your choice may be the one that impacts the world, because you allowed God to make the choice.

Today I pray that God will guide you in choices you need to make; that you will allow God to put His choice of people into positions; that you will seek God for every choice needed to be made; and that God will work through you to touch the world. 

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Psalm 142:1-2 Where To Bring Complaints

I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. Psalm 142:1-2

People like to complain about many different things. They complain about their work, their health, their spouses, their children, their co-workers, the weather, and the list goes on. Some people love to complain so much that it appears as if they are unhappy with everything in life.

Complaining constantly often will drive friends away. People do not like to hear about other people’s complaints. They only want to hear the good news.

Life does have its challenges and problems. It is not that one life is better or worse than another, but all have separate challenges.

David was going through an extremely difficult time. He had done nothing wrong and Saul was chasing him to kill him. He was being hunted like a criminal. At the time he wrote this psalm he was in a cave hiding from Saul. Instead of crying out to people about his problems, he brought them before God.

Think about his problem: he had been told by God that he would be the next king of Israel, and now the current king was seeking to kill him. Many people would be calling attorneys to fight for their right to be the king. They would complain to their friends about their vision and problem. Yet, he did none of this. David called out to God.

God is there to hear every complaint that you may have. He will listen with a patient ear. After hearing of your complaint, if you allow Him too, He will also give you His Holy Spirit to comfort you and guide you on the journey you are on.

Jesus had promised that you would have troubles in this life, but He also promised that He would be with you through them.

Instead of complaining to people in this world, who really cannot do anything for you, talk to God. Let Him know your feelings and thoughts. Then trust His Spirit in guiding you and giving you strength to continue forward in life.

In the end, David did become king. In the end, if you do not give up, you will win the battle in this life.

Who are you complaining to?

Who are you trusting in?

I pray today that you will bring all your cares to God; that you will not be known as a complainer; that you will speak words of hope and trust in God; and that God will strengthen and guide you in the troubles you are going through.