Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture:  “He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”- Psalm 147:17

Examination: This is a beautiful psalm describing the majesty and power of God. The writer praises the Lord for who He is and what He is capable of doing.

Application: There are many parts of the nation that are in the grips of a massive winter storm. Where I live, we are facing a huge ice storm, which could disrupt power, transportation, and the normalcy of life. According to the National Weather Service, it takes as little as ¼ inch of ice build-up on trees and power lines to cause damage!

It is so easy for fears to escalate within us as we worry about what might happen to us, our extended families, or beloved friends during these times. In an attempt to seek some sort of control, we rush to the markets to buy bread, milk, and toilet paper, which seems to provide a wee bit of peace to our souls, albeit temporary. The moment we scroll through social media or turn on the weather channel that fear returns! What can we do to dispel the anxiety that threatens to overcome us?

Fortunately, there are ways to lessen the concerns that we all experience in challenging times, and they are found in the Bible. Here are a few things to remember when we need help managing those worries.

1. Remember that it is God who controls all things, including the weather!
   1.  “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.” – Psalm 147:15
2. Remember that it is God who protects us.
   1. “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” – Psalm 91:10
3. Remember that God is faithful to His Word.
   1. “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” – Psalm 119:90
4. Remember that God can do anything.
   1. “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” – Jeremiah 32:17
5. Remember that God loves you.
   1. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” – Jeremiah 31:3

This weekend, be sure to remember that no matter what happens during this winter storm (or any other storm in your life), you can rest assured that our God is in control, loves you, and watches over you 24/7. When your fears become overwhelming, take time to pray and seek comfort through His Word. His Spirit will calm your heart and fill your soul with His peace.

There are many other verses in the Bible that provide peace and comfort. If you have some favorites, please share them in the comments. It may help someone else!

Memory Verse: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” – Psalm 56:3

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well (it is well), with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well (it is well), with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well with my soul.

(from “It is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford)

Scripture:  “For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” – Deuteronomy 20:4

Examination: In today’s culture, total destruction of the enemy in a war is often viewed as unacceptable. However, God knew that the intermixing of cultures would bring sins such as idolatry and immorality, and ultimately disaster to His people. In Deuteronomy 20, Moses gives clear warfare instruction to the Israelites, but reinforces that their strength and victories will come from the Lord.

Application: While it would seem that the world is against all believers, it is important to remember that our battle is not against the physical world; it is a spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6;12 states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These evil forces are led by Satan, who, as a formidable enemy, is relentless in his attack on Christians. We are warned in 1 Peter 5:8 about Satan. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

As soldiers of the cross, we must faithfully follow our leader, the Lord Jesus Christ. To rush into our battle without being properly equipped and without following our Commander is spiritual suicide. Because of this, God has given us what we need to be prepared for the fight. In Ephesians 6, we find the description of the outfitting of a Christian warrior.

• Defensive armor: These protect us physically, mentally, and spiritually.
  • The truth (v14)
    • “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” – John 17:17
  • The breastplate of righteousness (v 14)
    • “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…” – Isaiah 61:10
  • The gospel of peace (v 15)
    • “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • The shield of faith (v 16)
    • “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – 1 Peter 1:5
  • The helmet of salvation (v 17)
    • “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” – Psalm 37:39

• Offensive armor: The Word of God is the only weapon we can use to successfully defeat our enemy.
  • The sword of the Spirit (v 17)
    • “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” – Proverbs 30:5 
    • “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” – Psalm 119:11

• Battle plan:
  • Matthew 4 and Luke 4 record the battle Jesus fought with Satan in the wilderness. The Lord’s only weapon was the Word of God, and with that He was victorious. Satan had to flee! We must continually study the Scriptures so that our arsenal is full, and we are ready when the fiery darts from hell come.
    • Prayer
      • “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:18
      • “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
    • Bible study
      • “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” – Joshua 1:8
  • Combining the Word of God with prayer, we can go forward in faith, following in the footsteps of our Commander toward victory!

Gear up! It’s time to fight for our faith, so that one future day, we can say, as Paul did, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Memory Verse: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57

Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers rise,
And press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies;
Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints before with shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath, swept on o’er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death is still our shining shield.

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

(from “Faith is the Victory” by John Henry Yates)

Scripture: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4

Examination: Paul is speaking to the Christians in Rome about their identification with Christ. As such, they are empowered to reject sin and live for the Lord.

Application: The old nature of a person is carnal and does not seek to live a godly lifestyle. When we accept Christ as Saviour, we are “born again”, becoming “new” in Jesus. When Nicodemus approached Jesus, the Lord explained being “born again” to him. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:5-7).

As a “born again” Christian, we are in God’s redeemed family! In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” That means that as the saved children of God, a new creature in Christ, we should follow Jesus by living according to His Word. Matthew 4:4 records the Saviour’s words, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” We no longer live according to the world’s ways, but we “walk in newness of life” according to God’s ways.

If you are committed to letting God lead your life, you should be in the Scriptures daily. The Holy Spirit uses Bible verses to guide, encourage, convict, teach, comfort, and more as He leads you on the path God has purposed for your life! Start simple. Even one verse a day will not return void!

Memory Verse: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” – Romans 8:14

You may think it′s foolish what I'm going to say,
I′m not ashamed, no not ashamed,
One day I prayed Jesus, take my sin away,
And that's when I was born again!

Born again, there's really been a change in me,
Born again, just like Jesus said,
Born again, and all because of calvary,
I′m glad so glad that I′ve been born again!

One man came to Jesus, John and chapter 3,
Oh so afraid, oh so afraid,
Master you’re from God, I really do believe,
And Jesus said, “Be born again”.

(from “Born Again” by Andrew Culverwell)

Scripture: “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”- Psalm 143:10

Examination: David is going through a time of despair. He is overwhelmed by circumstances and crying out to the Lord to lead him and restore his joy.

Application: Sometimes I find myself struggling to control certain situations. It seems like whatever course I take, I find myself on a slippery slope to failure! Like David, I cry out, “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.” (v4). In those times, when I am hopelessly at my wits’ end, I find myself turning to God for guidance. Unfortunately, my actions are backward. I should have gone to God at the onset of trouble instead of as a last resort. This is a problem many of us face. We trust in ourselves first, and when that trust fails us, then we turn to the One who never fails.

Proverbs 3:5-6 are very familiar verses to many. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Letting God lead removes any doubt of being on the right path. Isaiah 30:21 confirms this, “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.” God never leads us astray!

The Bible gives us many other verses explaining the wisdom in allowing God to lead us through life. Here are a few of them:

• Psalm 119:133 – “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
  • Allowing God to lead helps protect us from sin.
• Deuteronomy 5:33 – “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”
  • Following God promises a long life that is satisfying.
• Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
  • Letting God lead us helps us serve Him better.
• Colossians 1:10 – “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
  • Walking in His ways allows us to serve Him with good results!
• John 8:12 – “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
  • Following Christ protects us from the evil and chaos in a sinful world.

“Walking worthy” takes a strong foundation to keep from being shaken off the path of righteousness. This year, make time to study His Word and strengthen the bedrock of your faith. Then, walk worthy with confidence and boldness as you follow in our Saviour’s footsteps serving Him each day.

Memory Verse: “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” – Psalm 143:8

It is glory just to walk with Him whose blood has ransomed me;
It is rapture for my soul each day.
It is joy divine to feel Him near where'er my path may be.
Bless the Lord, it's glory all the way!

It is glory just to walk with Him. It is glory just to walk with Him.
He will guide my steps aright,
Thro' the vale and o'er the height.
It is glory just to walk with Him.

(from “It is Glory Just to Walk with Him” by Avis B. Christiansen)

Scripture: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” – Colossians 1:10

Examination: Paul is commending the Christians in Colossae for their faithfulness, and he is also reminding them of what God has done for them through His Son, Jesus Christ, to discourage them from following old customs and traditions.

Application: When we follow the Lord, we must be sure that we are following Him according to His Word. It is easy to veer away from the path He desires for us, especially if we think we can manage our Christian walk ourselves. We have the security of knowing we are saved; we attend church regularly, and we live a fairly decent moral life. Is that enough to be able to say that we are letting God lead us? No, it is not.

There is an old saving that goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” While those who have accepted Christ as Saviour do not need to fear hell, they often unwittingly fall into the trap of “I’m a good person, therefore, I’m a good Christian.” One of the biggest lies that Satan has fed us is that being “good” or “moral” is enough. That is not what the Bible tells us.

“Good” is a very relative term. The definition of a “good” person varies depending on who is doing the describing. Here are a few examples of the world’s definition of a “good” person:

• One who doesn’t lie
• One who is kind to animals
• One who gives money to the poor
• One who is faithful to a spouse
• One who is dependable
• One who is a hard worker

This list can go on and on and on, but in God’s eyes, these definitions mean nothing. Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”, and Isaiah 64:6 reminds us, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” I may be a “good” person in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, I am anything but that.

A person becomes “good” to the Lord in only one way. Paul explains that in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” It is ONLY by trusting Christ as Saviour and having His righteousness imputed upon me that God sees any good in me. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains the reason God sent His beloved Son, Jesus. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” In regard to that righteousness, Romans 4:24 goes on to state, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;”

Once we have placed our faith in Christ for our salvation, we then are “good” and ready to be used by God. We are to “walk worthy” to what God has called us to do, and that is accomplished through His power, not our own. John 15:16 records Jesus’ words, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Jesus saved us for a purpose, and that purpose was to represent Him to the world so that others might know Him.

This year, determine to walk worthy to that which the Lord has called you to do! Pray without ceasing, meditate on His Word daily, and share Jesus with others!

Memory Verse: “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:11

Heartaches, broken pieces
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary
Your touch is what I long for
You have given life to me

I will serve Thee because I love Thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before You found me
You have given life to me

(from “I Will Serve Thee” by Bill & Gloria Gaither)

Scripture: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” – Galatians 6:14

Examination: Paul explains that he is not focused on receiving any worldly praise for anything he has done, but that his reward is the glorification of Jesus and the cross. Keeping the Jewish traditions and laws are not the things for which he would want to be held in high esteem, but rather he wanted to be known as a servant of God, who shared the gospel of Christ. 

Application: Paul’s desires are so far removed from what the world seeks. Our culture praises the ones who are beautiful in appearance, excel in sports, perform well in the arts, and even those who happen to have large followings on social media platforms. Those who faithfully serve God behind the pulpit, on the mission field, in Christian schools, in Sunday school classes, on their knees, etc., receive no praise from the world… nor should they seek it. Simply put, we serve God because we love Him.

Reflecting back on my life as a young girl, I see so many sacrifices my mother made for me. I had nothing with which to reward her except my love and gratitude. That was enough for her. When I had children, it was the same for me. Moms do so much for the children without expectation of anything in return. Both of these scenarios are rooted in love. That is how we need to be with God. We ought to serve Him because of the love we have for Him.

Jesus cautions us against serving God to receive earthly recognition and praise. In Matthew 6:1, He states, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.” We should serve with a humble heart, seeking no glory for ourselves from the world, but seeking praise for the Lord only. Revelation 22:12 assures us that in the future, Jesus Himself will reward us for our service to God. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” We can be sure that if Jesus said it, He will do it.

One day, we will stand before Jesus, and the Bible tells us that will be the day of our reward. 1 Peter 1:4 states that we have “… an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” I cannot imagine anything better than Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and eternity in His presence, but we are told in Scripture that we will be rewarded in heaven! In that moment, Matthew 5:12 will become a joyous reality. “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:”

Until then, as we follow the Lord, let us put our faith into action. Tell others how God sent His only Son to be crucified on a cross to pay for our sins and provide the gift of eternal life for anyone who puts their faith and trust in Jesus. Continue to seek His face, study His Word, and represent Him to a lost and dying world. One day, our faith will become sight, and our service to Him will be rewarded with two simple words spoken by our Saviour, “Well done.” Oh, what a moment!

Memory Verse: “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:24

If when you give the best of your service,
Telling the world that the Savior is come;
Be not dismayed when they do not believe you;
He understands, he'll say, "Well done."

If when this life of labor is ended,
And the reward of the race you have run;
Oh! the sweet rest that's prepared for the faithful
Will be their blest and last "Well done."

Oh, when I come to the end of my journey,
Weary of life and the battle is won,
Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption,
He'll understand and say, "Well done."

(from “He’ll Understand and Say Well Done” by Lucie Eddie Campbell)

Scripture: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15

Examination: Jesus is speaking to His disciples during His last Passover supper with them. In this chapter, He offers them assurance as to who He is, His expectations of His followers, and the promise that they will be comforted by God’s Spirit despite what the future holds.

Application: God leads us through His Word. When we seek to follow Him, questions often pop up where we wonder if we’re doing what He wants us to be doing. The answers are always found in the Scriptures, but sometimes it takes a focused search to find them. Most of us are familiar with the “10 Commandments”, which were given to Moses by God (Exodus 20), but they don’t always help us in specific situations… or so we think. The Jewish people had over 600 laws they needed to obey in order to please God!

In Matthew 28, Jesus seems to have simplified the commandments when he gave us the two greatest commandments upon which He stated hinged all the other commandments. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:28-30). Sounds simple, but it really isn’t. It’s not as easy to live love as Jesus did. Therefore, we have many other verses that spell out in greater detail how we can manifest the love of God in our lives.

Here are a few of those verses.

• Read the Bible daily for guidance.
  • “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” – Joshua 1:8
  • God’s Word teaches us what love looks like in the person of Jesus Christ. Along with the instructions the Scriptures provide, we have the perfect example in God’s Son in whom we can model our own lives.
• Attend church services to encourage and edify others.
  • “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
  • Serving God can be as simple as gathering together with other believers. Your presence, your smile, your warm hugs can be so encouraging to others who may be in need. Additionally, church attendance places you in an environment where you can learn more about God’s love for you and how you can, in turn, share it with others.
• Pray for the needs of others.
  • “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:18
• Put your faith into action.
  • “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:22
  • The Bible makes it clear that faith without works is not a living faith. God instructs us to help others, to support the ministry of His church, to pray for others… and so much more! We don’t have to do it all, but we do need to do something!
• Tell others about Jesus.
  • “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” – Matthew 28:19
  • Remember that Jesus is coming soon. If you knew He would be here today, would you be more fervent in telling others about the Saviour? Guess what? He really could come today!
• Be kind and forgiving toward others,
  • “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
  • Harboring grudges against others is destructive. It definitely hurts you more than anyone else. Forgiveness is liberating and restoration of one’s spirit is so worth it!

There are so many other verses in the Bible that lead us in following the Lord. This year, spend time in the Scriptures finding ways to bring yourself closer to God as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Memory Verse: “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” – Psalm 119:34

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word,
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(from “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis)

Scripture: “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.” – Isaiah 30:21

Examination: Isaiah is reminding the Jewish people that they have strayed from the Lord. He warns them that until they repent and return, they will continue to have struggles, but if they repent and call upon God, He will hear them and save them.

Application: Being lost is no fun. In fact, it is very frightening. I remember hiking once in a national park, and somehow my husband and I got off the main trail. He wasn’t worried at all, but it was late afternoon, and my mind conjured up all sorts of scenarios, the least of which had us spending the night alone in the woods! As I walked, I was so thankful for the occasional sign that was posted, pointing me toward the main trailhead. It’s good to have proven directions to follow toward one’s destination!

Another time, I was driving home, but somehow I found myself in unfamiliar territory! My phone’s signal was too weak to call, and I had no GPS at the time. I had no idea which way was home! Fear threatened to overcome me! I finally got a decent phone signal and called my son-in-law who guided me to the main road leading me home. Whew!

Just like following a trail or navigating through an unfamiliar place for the first time, it’s easy to get lost when we are trying to follow God. There are many distractions, some sinful, some not, but nevertheless, we get off track. It’s good to have a spiritual “GPS” or as some have said, a “God Positioning System”.  Here’s how to let God lead you without any detours!

• Engage your spiritual GPS
  • We must examine ourselves for unrepentant sin. Holding on to sin, rationalizing it as acceptable, or simply ignoring it, is not following the Lord. Sin is a barrier that we erect between ourselves and God when we harbor it in our hearts. 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • God desires to forgive us and reconnect with us, but the first step is up to us. We must seek His forgiveness, and then Psalm 103:12 becomes our reality, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
  • Now, we are on our way!
• Input the destination
  • We must know where we want to go. We all know the right answers to the question, “Do you want a closer walk with God?”, but in order for your GPS to work, you need to be sure of your planned destination. That requires some intense and honest self-examination.
  • It’s so easy to want to take a detour to see some other “attraction”, but is that the best route for your life? Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Do you really want a closer walk with Jesus? If so, set your GPS accordingly.
• Listen to SIRI, the “Spirit In Residence Inside”
  • Sometimes my car’s GPS takes me down roads that I never would have thought would come out where I hoped, but as long as I followed the audible directions, I ended up in the right spot. We have a spiritual leader dwelling within us. That is the Holy Spirit of God.
  • When we are tempted to sin, the Spirit of the Lord cautions our hearts with His Word. Jesus stated in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” When His Spirit opens my eyes to the sin, I can choose to follow His leading or head out on my own. And even when I do sin, He constantly reroutes me back to the way of truth according to God’s Word!

Finding the way to God is not difficult; He paved the way through His Son, Jesus Christ. However, staying on the godly path requires more effort and intent on our part. Satan, the world, and even ourselves constantly create detours that threaten to pull us away from the Lord. As 2026 unfolds, keep your GPS turned on and pay attention to your own SIRI as you let God lead you with His grace and mercy!

Memory Verse: “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3

I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back; no turning back.

If no one joins me, still I will follow; if no one joins me, still I will follow;
If no one joins me, still I will follow; no turning back; no turning back.

The cross before me, the world behind me; the cross before me, the world behind me;
The cross before me, the world behind me; no turning back, no turning back.

(from “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” by Simon Marak)

Scripture: “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.” – Deuteronomy 5:33

Observation: By the time this book is written by Moses, the people of Israel have already had a history of rebellion against God despite witnessing their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. In this book, Moses reminds the people of who God is, what He has done for them, and the precepts that God has for His children to follow to ensure a future of peace in the Promised Land.

Application: As we study the history of Israel, we realize that even those that have a relationship with God sometimes stray from Him. When we read the biblical account of the Israelites leaving Egypt, we wonder how they could have rebelled against God when they were the recipients of His miraculous deliverance from their enemy. Even after crossing the Red Sea on dry ground and seeing the pursuing Egyptian army drowned in its mighty waters, we ask how could the Israelites have turned from God and worshiped a golden calf? Yet, we often fall into the same situations.

Recently, I read a quote that said, “Pray without ceasing, because Satan is definitely preying without ceasing.” Following God requires a dogged determination because our enemy continually seeks to draw us away from the Lord. Satan, the Father of Lies, constantly preys upon God’s people, fervently working to pull us into any type of activity that will divert our attention from the ways of God’s righteousness. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Never underestimate Satan’s power or intent!

With such a formidable adversary, is there even hope that we can escape the lure of sin that this world offers? Yes! 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” But we have a responsibility to do our part as well. Here are three ways to stand strong for the Lord.

• Pray always – “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
  • Prayer is a direct line to God. Through prayer, we share our needs and desires, offer praise and thanksgiving. Because of Jesus, we can come boldly before the throne of God with whatever is on our hearts, and that includes asking for His help and deliverance from sin. Hebrews 4:16 reminds us, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
  • Start simple: Commit to a short prayer each morning before you get out of bed asking God to guide you through your day!
• Read the Scriptures – “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:111)
  • Jesus used the Scriptures when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. With the Word, He successfully defeated each attack… each temptation until Satan finally left Him. Today, each true believer is indwelt by the Spirit of the Lord who also uses the Scriptures to equip us in the fight against sin. If we have no ammunition (verses) in our arsenal, we are defenseless against the enemy.
  • Start simple: Focus on verses that are familiar, such as John 3:16 or Genesis 1:1 and recite them to yourself a couple of times each day. Then add a new one each week!
• Guard your heart – “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
  • Be careful of what you allow into your life. Just a little bit of sin can erupt into a huge deluge that is overpowering. The Bible warns us that “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9)
  • Start simple: Wean yourself from those activities that seem to replace quality time with God. For example, if you find yourself constantly scrolling on your phone or watching television, spend time with God BEFORE you sit down to check out social media or watch your favorite shows. Start simple with 10-15 minutes in prayer and reading the Bible, and set a timer to help you be accountable!

As you continually grow in your faith, reach out to your pastor, your Sunday school teacher, and other mature Christians for more ways to protect yourself against the temptations of sin. And then, as you let God lead you, be sure you “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11).

Prayer: O Father, thank You for giving me the way to resist temptation. I know I am weak, but You, O God, are strong, and Your Word tells me that You are my Protector and Defender. Help me, dear Lord, to grow my faith through prayer and Bible study, so that I can better live a life that is pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior! I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior! I come to Thee.

(from “I Need Thee Every Hour” by Robert Lowry & Annie Hawks)

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“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13

Scripture: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2

Observation: Paul explains the importance of living for Christ to the believers living in Rome. He details the need to live sacrificially for the Lord, not half-heartedly, but with all that is within us.

Application: Letting God lead us is not only to be done when it is convenient. Our Lord is not a part-time God. In fact, He is very jealous of our commitment to Him. The second commandment confirms this when God speaks of worshiping idols. “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God…” (Exodus 20:5). Replacing our time with God with anything else makes that replacement item an idol. It can be our work, a hobby, social media… anything that we give more of ourselves to than we give to the Lord.

Does that mean we can never watch television, attend a sports event, or scroll through Facebook? What about unexpected things that pop up in life? What about when we’re just exhausted from a long day at work? Am I worshiping idols if I turn on the television? Of course not! However, we need to carefully examine ourselves and our choice of activities, and ask if we are putting our relationship with God at risk. Are we feeding our faith or starving it?

Paul cautions us to not be as the world. This is a constant battle for all believers. Why? Because we have a very formidable enemy. Satan is the deceiver. He finds ways to make every distraction seem innocent. He feeds us lies that seem reasonable and foster the choices that leave God out. “You deserve some time to decompress. After all, it’s been a rough day.” “It’s only 60 minutes of a tv show.” “You can do your Bible reading later.” One of the biggest lies I struggle with is that last one. The problem for me is that “later” never comes! Yet I seem to always find time to watch a movie or scroll through Instagram! It is so easy to choose flesh over spirit!

Ephesians 5:16 states that we should be “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  This means we are to use our time wisely and focus on those things that will grow us spiritually, become closer to God, and reflect Jesus to others. We live in a wicked world that glorifies sin and all things ungodly. The popularity AND acceptability of sin in our culture makes it easy to allow it into our lives without much thought. However, today’s verse commands believers to be clearly set apart from the world, and that does take focused thought.

We must be sure that we do not find ourselves in agreement with the world’s perspective regarding sin. The battle we are in is for the souls of men, and we must stand strong for what is right in the sight of God! When people look at us, they need to see a godly difference in our lives. Without being a reflection of Christ, the unsaved will simply see their own actions reflected in us and thereby have no need to seek out a life with Jesus. Easy? No, but Philippians 4:13 promises, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Let us determine to follow so closely to Jesus this year that the world will see a profound difference in us, compelling people to want to know why we have such joy and peace when this chaotic world offers no hope. As it says in 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” Be ready to have that answer!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to reflect You in my life, not myself. I know that will only happen when I stay close to You and make You first in all things. Help me to make You the priority and start my day with You always. Fill me with the knowledge of Your will and empower me to represent You well to a lost and dying world. I know my flesh is weak, but Your Word says I can do ALL things through Your strength. And for this, I thank You and ask all of these things in Your precious name. Amen.

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender, make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit, truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

(from “I Surrender All” by Judson W. Van DeVenter)

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“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1