a light for my path

"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet

and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)

We live in a fallen world with many dangerous pitfalls, slippery slopes, and dark foes seeking to destroy our close fellowship with our Lord, but in Psalm 119, we are given a beautiful promise and an eternal truth...that God's Word is a gleaming lamp to our feet that will guide us through the darkness of this fallen world and it is a shinning light to brighten the pathway we take.

Scripture is our secure guidebook to return us into a right relationship with the Lord when we abandon road of righteousness or stray from the path of peace.

The Word of God is an inextinguishable lamp to guide us along the right path, and it is a radiant light that banishes the shadows of uncertainty, by illuminating the next step in this fallen world. 

Opening-up of the pages of scripture will brighten the path we take, re-energize our hope in Christ, and provide understanding for those who humbly walk before the Lord.

Remember where true light comes from, and I encourage you all to dive into the Word of God. 

 

"be still, and know that I am God"

One of the most thoughtful gifts that I have ever received was a bracelet that had Psalm 46:10 on it which says: "Be still and know that I am God." It was such a meaningful gift to me at the time because life seemed a bit chaotic. It was the middle of basketball season, I had difficult classes that semester, and things with some of the guys just weren't clicking. It was a time where I certainly wasn't "still." 

I was reminded of that verse this morning because it was also the verse of the day today, so I couldn't help but share the story about the gift I received. Weeks after I received that gift from my friend, I started writing this blog. I never thought I would have anything like this...and I certainly didn't think a small little bracelet would lead to such a great change in my life but it did. Each time I looked at my wrist and saw that verse I was reminded to be still. It was the subtle daily reminders that it's okay to be not involved in the chaos. It's okay to sit back, to take time to get into the word and seriously commit to a relationship with Christ. 

"Be still and know that I am God."

That verse is more important than ever today. We live crazy lives. We live in a crazy world, one that is ever changing by the minute. Things only seem to be getting crazier, with the enhances in technology, social media, and news outlets everywhere, someone else's crazy experience on the other side of the world can become a part of our lives almost instantly. No matter how hard we try to shut it off, things just seem to keep speeding up, to the point where it becomes harder and harder to "be still" every day.

My hope and prayer for you is that you can find some time to "be still" daily. Whether it's for 20 minutes before you get ready for the day, a brief walk over your lunch hour, or some time in the evening to wind down. We must be dedicated in finding the time we need to understand that God is God! We must "be still" in oder to realize that. 

I hope this was encouraging this morning for at least one person. I know that God really made himself more known to me by a simple loving act from a great friend. Think about somebody that you can encourage today, and you might have an impact greater than you could ever imagine. 

remember him

A thought that has always been on my mind is that I don't want my life to fly by, and when I am older, I start to realize how good God has always been to me. I want to be aware of how good God is being to be always..especially right now.

There are plenty of people that I know where it's clear that they have lived great life so far, but again, just haven't been aware of all God has been doing. The busyness of life, and the hustle and bustle it brings often causes time to fly by faster than what we can keep up with. 

"Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, "Life is not pleasant anymore." Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs-the guards of your house-start to tremble; and before your shoulder-the strong men-stop. Remember him before your teeth-your few remaining servants-stop grinding; and before your eyes-the women looking through windows-see dimly." (Ecclesiastes 12:1-3)

How true is that scripture? I am 24, which is young, but I am not as young as I once was. My grandparents are not as young as they once were, my parents are not as young as they once were either. I do believe we all continue to grow into the best version of ourselves daily, but we have to remember God while our lives are still pleasant. There will come a time when our lives won't be pleasant anymore, and I don't want to all of a sudden realize how good God was to me my entire life at that point. 

This all seems easier said than done right? How do we remember God and not forget about the good he is always doing?

Above all else, it's intentionality and discipline. Life only seems to get crazier and faster the older we get. I honestly feel like sometimes when I take time to sit back and evaluate my life, a month will fly by in the blink of an eye. If I never tried to be intentional in my walk with Christ it's something that would be continued to be placed on the back burner. Even when I am intentional, I still place my walk on the back burner sometimes. 

My hope and my prayer to you is that you don't let the excitement of life cause you to forget your Creator. We must honor God before our life's aren't pleasant anymore and we don't know when that time is coming for anybody. Life is simply too good to not honor God and realize that God is good always and is always at work. 

have fun, enjoy life

When I was a sophomore in high school, I remember having to write an essay for Mr. Throne's class. I don't remember what type it was, but I do remember that I wrote about the righteous vs. the wicked. I was at a point in my life where I was confused because it seemed like everyone around me who were sinning, gossiping, and not living a Godly life were the ones who had the most friends and the most popularity. Then on the other hand, I remember I was just trying to be a good kid, obey God, and live righteously. For some reason, the popularity, the fitting in, and having all the friends didn't come with that. 

I was so confused...things weren't adding up. Fast forward 8 years from when I wrote the essay and what I wrote about it seems to still be completely true.

"In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless. So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people's burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night. I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim. (Ecclesiastes 8:14-17)

Good people being treated as though they are wicked and wicked people often being treated as though they are good it's inevitable. It's always going to be that way, and that isn't a bad thing, it's just how it is. King David simply recommends us to have fun, and enjoy our lives. 

King David even searched for wisdom during his quest and he discovered that in observations of people's burdens on earth, that this is a ceaseless activity both day and night...He realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wiset people can discover everything, no matter what they claim. 

We won't ever be able to understand everything during our time on earth, so let's enjoy the life God has blessed us with. Seeking to understand everything is a ceasing activity, and we can't give God all the glory when we aren't enjoying our lives. 

Enjoy your lot

One the of the most important questions to ask yourself daily is whether or not you enjoy what you do. If you do, great! If you don't find something that you enjoy, or really fight hard to enjoy your present circumstance. 

What do I mean by that?

God has blessed us with work to do..he has given us all a lot. In our short time here on earth, we must enjoy the work that we do or we will never be happy. 

"And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave the world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for northing-like working for the wind. Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud-frustrated, discouraged and angry." (Ecclesiastes 5:16-17)

It's a crazy thought...to leave this world no better off than how we came into it. We didn't bring anything with us, and we can't take anything with us. We work so hard for all things things in life, and we might as well enjoy what we do and what we have because we can't take it with us.

"Even so, I have noticed that one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during their short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past." (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

It's an incredible gift from God to have the opportunity to work and have a good life. Regardless of your financial status, what country you might be in, the type of work you do, we all have been given work from God. 

When we enjoy the work we do and the lots that God has given us, we get so busy enjoying life that we should never take any time to think about the past, or unhappy times. 

If you are someone reading this and thinking that you don't like your job at all, and maybe it's not for you, that is completely fine. God has an amazing plan for all of us. We are called to be obedient to God, love others, and trust in him. If your lot isn't what you thought it would be, God's got an even better one waiting for you. 

The Advantages of Companionship

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." 

Have you ever tried to do something completely alone? Or have you ever thought you could do something alone? It's a lonely road when you try to do something completely on your own. 

Companionship is everything. God created us in such an amazing way where we thrive in relationships with others. 

I look back at my life throughout the years and everything that I have ever faced or went through I needed someone by my side. I think about being homeschooled until middle school, I would've been so lonely if my brother wasn't also homeschooled at the same time I was. I think about all of the sports teams I have ever been a part of. Whether times were tough or we were winning all of our games, my guys were always there. I think about my business, and all the people that I am surrounded with everyday who have the same mission. If it wasn't for the people around me, I would've given up a long time ago. I think about my wife, my very best friend, and her forever and always being here for me. Without Rach, I don't know what my life would like. 

All those examples I just gave, I have needed those people in my life. Without them I would be miserable, lost, and lonely. 

I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing. 

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing along can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

(Ecclesiastes 5:7-12)

Whoever reads this post today, I would encourage you to reach out to the people who came to mind when you read this. Whether it's family, friends, co-workers, or your spouses. Let these people know how thankful you are that God has placed them in your life. Thank them for their companionship. 

a time for everything

If you asked me what the one thing I wish there was more of, I would tell you that I wish there was more time. But really there is a time for everything..

"For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest. 

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance. 

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching. 

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace. 

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in our human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. So I conclude that there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as well can." (Ecclesiastes 2:1-12)

Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books in the entire Bible because it always puts everything in perspective. The last month of my life, I have not believed that there is a time for everything. I made time for things that I only thought I had time for. What I have been giving all of myself too, it's been hard to enjoy. 

God is pleased when we are happy and enjoy our lives! I have completely forgotten that this past month and other times throughout my life. This is the first post I have written in over a month. I have been writing my blog for about 5 years now and that is the longest stretch I have ever gone without writing. 

I fell into the trap of believing that I didn't have enough time. Although I was exhausting so much of myself into other things, you would think I would've been fulfilled giving everything that I have, but I wasn't and I haven't been. 

King David's son, who wrote Ecclesiastes, had everything you could ever want because he was trying to find fulfillment in his life. He not only had everything but he worked extremely hard for everything that he had and he still wasn't fulfilled. He concluded with saying: "There is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as well can."

Ed Mylett, who hosts one of my favorite podcasts, talked about an interview he had with an elderly lady who was slowly dying in a nursing home. Ed asked her what was one thing she could tell her younger self if she went back in time and she would've told herself that she wishes she would've let herself be happy and enjoy life more. 

I am going to leave with that. Be happy and enjoy your life my friends! We have the time to do that and it also pleases God. So no matter how busy your day is or how stressed you are about something, I encourage you enjoy yourself and be thankful.