There are times I am lost in this overwhelming world, when I wander, when the right path and the future seems unknown. I don't know about you, but I need help finding my way back. I need guidance to lead me down a new and right path. I need to be shown how to build a stronger relationship with the Lord. I need a compass. And that compass is GOD'S WORD. Here are 5 Reasons why...... .1. A compass is a direction finding instrument. It points to the direction one should travel. God's word is the best instrument I have to direct me to what is right and true. This truth points me to Him and His Son. It leads me to Grace and salvation. It points away from sin and towards righteousness. Psalm 119:133 says, "Direct my footsteps according to your Word; let no sin rule over me."
2. Mariners need very accurate measurements. They don't rely on their own intuition, or memory. A compass gives them that accurate measurement to the correct course, especially when surrounded by nothing but water. God's Word is the most accurate measurement I have to guide me towards the life plan He has for me. When I am lost in a sea of hurt or trouble, and I see no land around me, it is His word that provides not only hope and encouragement, but gives me the truest of measurements to aid me in choosing the right course. When I am engulfed in darkness, it is His Word that leads me out into the light. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." 3. A compass enables a person to return to their starting point. At times, I have found myself starting to stray from an intimate relationship with the Lord. Life gets busy and I find myself giving less time to Him. At times, I focus on what I want to do or on worldly things. Whether I stray a little or a lot, it is God's Word that pulls me back, and builds up that relationship with Him again. It is his Word that opens my eyes, and spurs me on; starting that fire within me to seek Him more. It is His word that returns me to the place just before I strayed and then points me further along the journey. Psalm 119:130 says, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." 4. A compass needs to be laid down on a level surface. If used on a tilt, it will not point accurately. God's word needs to be used correctly. To accurately be pointed in the direction I need to go, I must not tilt it by not reading the context before and after a verse. It is in this context that the true direction and instructions are revealed. In it's entirety, the truth and the way is shown and leads me down the accurate path with hope. Romans 15:4 says, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." 5. A compass needs to be kept away from magnets. Magnets disrupt the needle and thus it cannot correctly align with the earth's magnetic field. When I allow the world or my own inner distractions to keep me from focusing on His Word, I loose the opportunity to hear what He is trying to say, and I may miss a turn I was supposed to take. When I focus with my heart and keep distractions at bay, like the needle of the compass, my heart will align with his Word and hear what He is saying. His words are the way. I will never be lead astray with an open heart; a heart that asks the spirit to reside in it. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, "The person without the spirit does not accept the things that come from the spirit of God, but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the spirit." This compass, the Word of God, is a gift for you and me. It was given to fully see and know the goodness he provides. Through the Word, the way to salvation and a righteous life is laid out before us. Trusting the compass provides me with peace and hope., knowing that I have this instrument to depend on as I navigate this life. I pray, that you too, make God's word your compass, In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God. --John 1:1 -- Elizabeth
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There are certain photos I have taken in which I remember exactly what I was thinking when I took it. This Photo is one of them. I was struck by the image of these individuals emerging out of the fog, where seconds before they could not be seen. The beauty of their emergence affected me immediately. It reminded me of how life is sometimes like the fog. The busyness and stress of life can creep up on us and before we know it, it has so densely surrounded us we can no longer see anything else. We keep moving forward in this fog, but the pressures of the world, of our troubles, become so thick. It then clouds out all the simple, beautiful moments that are happening around us. We begin drowning in a vapor of condensation either of our own making or by the hurt inflicted on us by others. Regardless of where the pain stems from, it creates a veil over our eyes. We are unable to see sun, the light. It becomes a barrier to the gifts and blessings of the here and now. And as it thickens, it stops us in our tracks. It can become so debilitating we can not move. We can not take a step forward, for we cannot see anything. But, there is HOPE! The fog can be lifted! Look for the light in the fog that is Christ. The things of this world will try to keep you veiled in it's dreariness, but the light is there. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we live by faith, not by sight." Persevere! Keep taking that step forward in faith even though you cannot see. The peace that is found in the Lord, is at the end of your fingertips.....reach for it! He is always there. When it feels like he's absent in that cloud of trial, remember Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you." You CAN emerge from the fog! You may be weary, scared, or broken, but as you cling to the hope that is in our God, light will emerge. The fog WILL dissipate. Sometimes slowly, sometimes right in front of your eyes. Nonetheless, it will lift and you will be strengthened.
This fog, I know it well. I am those shadows emerging on the beach. My scars remain, but the Lord has changed them from wounds to seeds. The further I walk on the beach with the Lord, the farther I leave the fog behind. Hold tight to the anchor of hope in Jesus. Emerge, my friend! One step, at a time, emerge! Romans 8:24-25 says, "For in this HOPE we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." May you hold tight to the hope that is in Jesus Christ. May you perservere in the fog. May you emerge from the cloud by putting one foot in front of the other even though you cannot see. May you follow the voice of the one who loves you above all others. May you reach for the hand that will lead you to the light. In all your troubles, may hope grow, the fog lift, and your wounds turn into seeds. -Elizabeth |
Meet ElizabethWife. Mother. Writer. Photographer. Child of God. Encouraging others in faith through a lens of grace and seeing beauty in the ashes. All images and content belong to me (Blue Jean Gypsy), unless otherwise noted. You may use an image ONLY if it is linked back to this blog! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
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April 2020
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