Avoid Forty Years in the Wilderness

Life, as society knows, includes running from here to there and pushing ourselves beyond our limits.  A friend calls to talk or visit a while, but your schedule cannot allow for that.  A new women's or men's group appears at your church, but prior engagements count you out.  A highly recommended book/movie just came out to purchase, but when would you have time to sit and read/watch it?  Your health begins to slip, your body remains exhausted and the food intake consists of "fast foods"; but, you easily ignore it all and push forward.  You have somewhere you need to be!

It seems we all continue to move each day.  Are the daily movements productive?  Are they healthy?  Are they in line with the plan and purpose for your life?  OR, are you just going through the motions of survival, the bare minimum?  What does your priority list look like?

"The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
   he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
   the purposes of his heart through all generations.

 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
   the people he chose for his inheritance." (Psalm 33:10-12)

"Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors."

"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." (Deuteronomy 8:1;3)

Our schedules determine our goals in life.  Every hour can be crammed with 'things' to complete each day.  Evaluate those 'things' and avoid stagnate living.  God holds a plan and purpose for your life.  As long as we continue to travel around the same mountain and ignore His prompting to step in faith, we lack spiritual maturity.  We miss out on all the blessings He waits to pour on our lives.  We need to move with a purpose.  The power behind each move must be from Him, not our own.  Then, His Kingdom will benefit and doors will open to enter the places His Promises declare. 

The Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness struggling with their own itinerary and lacking trust from time to time.  The more trust they put in Him, as they surrendered each day to Him; they moved forward to the land of milk and honey.  God provided just the perfect amount of food, clothing and water needed for the Israelites DAILY.  He encouraged, showed His powers and completed His promise. 

His plans stand firm for every generation.  He pays much attention to each detail.  If a friend calls in need, don't check your schedule.  Take time to follow His prompting and He will take care of all the details for your day.  When various groups form at church, inquire about them and see where God created one to fit perfectly in your schedule.  Grab on to any means God places in front of you to grow spiritually (books, movies, studies, etc.).  So much growth and understanding comes from the tools He provides.  Most importantly, pay attention to your health.  Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit Himself (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  Take care of yourself so to better serve Him. 

Obey His commands and follow the purpose He holds for you.  Avoid going through the motions, checking the time constantly and running around aimlessly.  Daily, give your whole being to Him.  He will care for you physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Feed yourselves daily with His direction and His Truths.  Avoid forty years in the wilderness.  Take a stand today!  Fulfill His purpose.

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for another day filled with exciting events.  I never know what or who will appear in my path, but I place all trust in You to guide my every step.  Take the schedule and Your Will be done, not mine.  Bring nourishment to my body, mind and soul.  Thank You for creating me with a purpose and bringing the Holy Spirit to point me in the right direction.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig