Simple words to live by this week...

He Will Guide You Into All Truth

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 

Hello Readers, sorry for the month long gap in blog posts. Our topic for today is the Holy Spirit. Why? Well, it is just as Catholic.com states, "The third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is sometimes referred to as "the forgotten" member of the Godhead. He is, no doubt, the least spoken of among the three persons of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." 



I have felt this holy presence stronger in my life the last days, leading me to pray, and sing and rejoice in the lord. I just want to share that joy with you. The presence of the Holy Spirit has been a really strong presence in my life since 2010, it's presence became really real after not only praying, but praying to know God in new ways, and also listening. There is a DVD call 'Be Still' if you have never had this faith experience of feeling wrapped up in God's goodness. Of knowing God, but not having that baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is one of those things that no one can really just tell you about, when you know, you will know. First I suggest that you seek that closeness to God through prayer, and wait for Him to answer it. I suggest this song to you that speaks of The Spirit. It is Hillsong, Oceans. Here is a quote:


"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,Let me walk upon the waters wherever you may call me.Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,and my faith will be made stronger, In the presence of my saviour!"

Then you can read to learn more about the Holy Spirit...                                         
ACTS 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. 

I just want to say that the Holy Spirit is the best thing that has ever come into my life. God's loving presence. I hope you seek God so that He can make His presence real in your life too!

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Modern Day Idols

Agree or Disagree?

We have new widgets and gadgets and instant communication and entertainment on demand, but man is faced with the (same) basic core to live for himself or live for God. 

People from our era can surely get into trouble...people in the time of Moses -their idols were clearly idols, ours are just disguised as hobbies, pastimes, and careers.

(From movie 'Right to Believe')

Addicted to ME!

Happiness, comfort, love, satisfaction... these are all things that everyone has longed for at one point in their lives or another. If someone asked if these words were negative or positive, the most likely answer would be positive, but there are times when pursuing these feelings can be wrong.

Sometimes the pursuit of happiness can quickly become twisted into the confusion of pursuing selfish desires. Really, true joy is only found in seeking God in all that we do, or pursue.

16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

A Catholic priest taught me the JOY acronym, years ago now, and it is something that I always try to keep at the forefront of my memory. We need balance in our life, one of the ways to do this is to keep our priorities straight. A Christian may say that the most important things to do in life is to follow the course that Jesus set out for us in living a life full of love and compassion that is pleasing to God. We need to love others, and we need to love ourselves, for confidence, strength, and integrity. For this reason the JOY acronym seems to feed us the proper balance, by setting our priorities in a particular order.

JESUS
OTHERS
YOURSELF

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 New International Version (NIV)

It is like what Jeremy Bentham was onto when he created a discourse on the foundation of morals and legislation, he spoke about looking for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Apart from his theory those who love the lord may agree that surely the only way to do this is to live the way that God intended us to live. God wants the greatest good for the greatest number of people. He wants our lives to be enriched with the best balance.

...What if you had someone who knew the history of the world, who saw everything, knew everything, and designed everyone and everything?   –Well, luckily we do! We don't have to depend on ourselves.

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgement starts quarrels.

Proverbs 18 New International Version (NIV)

Addicted to the Bustle

Modern Times

Sometimes, in modern times we get so caught with what we are doing that we even forget why we are doing it. We get caught up with an endless stream of tasks that lack meaning. We may start with good intentions, we may even start to do something out of service to God, but then forget to include Him in the details. We become part of a well oiled machine, always doing something, and always in a rush to go absolutely no where. Some blame the haste and the bustle on status quo or being part of a big city, when really the ablity to choose is ours!

I listened to a great sermon yesterday by Pastor Dave Lombardo about bringing focus to our lives instead of cluttering our lives with things that lack meaning. He spoke about bringing our focus to God, so that He is the first thing that we think about in the morning when we wake up, and the motivation for everything we do. He made reference to this passage in Luke 10:38-42, see it below...

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Marthaopened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha got caught up in service, but she forgot that there were other important things, and how important they are. In fact, what she was doing was not the "better" choice. When we get caught up, we can be tired, stressed out, and drained. Maybe it is time for us to stop and ask, how may we live life to the fullest capacity.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full. 

Technology & Cellular Phone Addiction

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 

-1 Corinthians 10:23

New International Version (NIV)

In 2012, I got an iPhone 5, and I must say, it was a $700 investment that allowed me to do so many unnecessary and necessary things with the swipe of a finger. Some of the necessary things I do are communicating with my 'boss', paying bills, and making important phone calls. Some unnessary things I do are playing games, watching telenovelas, and browsing through screens pointlessly and direction-less-ly  for something to do. I have had several conversations about the addictive quality of advanced devices like these.  In the past, I was critical of my sister for watching TV on her phone, when I didn't have one. The television and computer screen are so much bigger, to me it just did not make sense why she would watch TV or movies on her phone. Now I understand. I take my phone to the kitchen, to bed, it is on the counter when I shower, and it is one of the first things that I touch when I wake up in the morning. 

There is one big problem here a lot of the moments that could be spent with God can be sucked away, by dependence on these types of devices. I lost my addictive device twice, once on the way from the hospital after a trip to the hospital at four o'clock in the morning (I was distracted), and later when I was moving in with a relative and carrying too many bags (I was also distracted), both times I shed tears. I lost a $700 item. Both times that I lost it I prayed. God is good. He worked in the hearts of honest people, and they returned my lost item. 

Then next question, is how can I honour him with it. I have set a daily reminder to read a devotional first thing in the morning to start my day in God's word. Sometimes I do, but I confess that more often than not I sleep in. Devices and the internet can be used for good but sometimes they can become a problem. 

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.-1 Corinthians 10:31New International Version (NIV)

I would like to share three passages from article in Psychology Today; a popular website and magazine analysing issues by experts, doctors, and scholars. Note: That technology can actually affect the chemical balance in our brain. 

(We get a)“dopamine hit” caused by the constant reinforcement we get from messages, videos and social media."

"Dr. Kimberly Young a psychologist who directs the Center for Internet Addiction says that while a problematic relationship with technology or the internet can resemble that of alcohol dependence or abuse, it isn’t as black and white. “Even with drinking, it isn’t clear how much is too much. What we focus on instead is the effects and symptoms caused by a person’s relationship to the internet.” Dr. Young recommends evaluating the impact that your dependence on your phone and other devices has on your ability to be present in other areas of your life. She recommends asking yourself if you are able to control your use of technology and not allow it to control you. It is helpful to consider how your phone impacts your personal relationships, your time with your family, your efficiency at work and even your stress load. There is no easy solution for eliminating technology from our lives, or even for reducing our use. Dr. Young suggests focusing instead on developing healthy ways to incorporate technology into your life."  

We say to ourselves, “I’m just going to check my email” or look at “that one text” and then we find that we’ve spent three hours perusing Facebook.Dr. Ned Hallowell, a psychiatrist who is an expert on technology addiction, calls (this) “Screen Sucking”. 

From reading the whole article, I find that there are problematic signs that you have a problem, but four main ones are that you have:

• Lack of peace or restful periods without technology
• Inseparability with devices 
• Lack of dependability on one's own word when trying to separate oneself from a device
• Lack of self-control with devices 

There are help sections in the article, if you want to read more click here:

http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201312/are-you-addicted-your-phone-change-technology-addiction

Let our end result be what is written in Colossians...

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-Colossians 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

Is alcohol addiction possible in your life?

Alcohol is almost everywhere. Almost every major street has a bar, a restaurant with a liquor license or a liquor store. Is it a sin to take sip? Well, the simple answer is no, but the abuse of wine and strong  drink was strongly advised against.

But certain quotes say there is some benefit to wine. "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." (1 Timothy 5:23 NIV)

Okay so this substance is somewhat okay, but dangerous at the same time.

What does the bible say about it? I looked for one of the most transparent quotes and I found it in Proverbs. 

Proverbs 23:29-35 ESV says:

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.

It talks about the draw, the 'sparkle' the rich red colour. I can be enticing but painful. We will revisit this in a later post.

A New Day

I am taking a break from the series on addiction, one because I'm sick, and two because a lot of addiction happens because we want to escape from our own reality instead of changing it. Perhaps, living by this quote each day, or putting it in a place where it can be recited each day may help us take the first step towards changing the reality that we want to escape. A friend shared this with me today. I hope that it can be used for a brighter tomorrow.

"This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it."
-Unknown Author... Shared by Javier

Do You Suffer with a Love Addiction?

By: Leah J.

A 'Love Addiction' is a real phenomena. I after researching it, I too consider myself a recovering 'Love Addict'. The term gained a lot of attention in 2010 when a doctor on a show called 'Celebrity Rehab' popularized the term, by diagnosing a case on TV. 

Beyond television, it is published by Psychology Today, in an article by Ann Smith, Licensed professional counsellor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Master of Science.

Here is a summary of symptoms of a 'Love Addiction' as identified by Therapist Ann Smith:

1. Expectation of finding lifelong happiness from the love of a romantic partner
2. Absence of pronounced periods of being single since reaching 18 years of age
3. Struggle to take necessary time to heal after a failed relationship, before running out to find a new 'friend' or 'rebound'
4. Has stayed in a bad relationship or repeatedly returned to an ex partner to avoid loneliness
5. Expectation that a partner will deliver the feeling of being loved or being lovable
6. Coaxes oneself to love someone who does not seem like the right person to be 'in love with' because the result of being loved back is strongly desired
7. Cares to try to make over or change a partner early in a relationship instead of walking away
8. When in a relationship there is prevalent uncertainty that the current partner is the 'Right One' or there are fantasies of former partners that may have brought more happiness
9. Has used the words 'soul mate' in reference to how love should be
10. Preoccupation with notions of love expressed in music, movies, and fiction

Therapist Ann Smith ends the article published by Psychology Today by saying, "I won't ask you to score or rate yourself. You know who you are! If you suspect you are a love addict - don't feel too badly about it. I was a member of the love addicts club for a good portion of my life as well. I too was in love with love." There is a help section in the article as well. Read More 

There is a website called AllAboutLove.org a subsidiary of AllAboutGod.org identifies different symptoms of a 'Love Addiction' and discusses it from a biblical standpoint. 

• Is unable to trust in relationships
• Has an inner rage over lack of nurturing in childhood
• Battles with depression
• Tolerates high-risk behaviour
• May have other addictive or compulsive behaviours
• Questions values and life all the time
• May have a frantic personality
• Denies problems confuses wants as needs
• Replaces ended relationships immediately

AllAboutLove.org continues: 

Corinthians 13:4-8. Here, the Bible elegantly defines love in this way: ”Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” Read More

 In the 21^st century Hollywood and all of it's movies, shows, fantasies, and dreams have made it's mark on both adults and children alike as many children are growing up, or have grown up in front of some screen or another. The countless hours spent in front of the screen has helped to shape a certain sense of understanding of love, lust, and infatuation. Do we know love by its rightful name? Do we understand love the way God intended us to understand it? If you think you know love, ask yourself this, "Do you know God?" 

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-9 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter)

7 

Addiction 1

Here's a new topic... Can you guess what it is based on the picture?
The topic is addiction, and the odd thing is that is it is something that most people are guilty of.
This is something that I would love to spend some more time examining beyond this post. I would love for people to share their stories about personal addictions or addiction in the family.

I was at a coffee shop with a friend today, and I was talking about this blog topic and his first question was, "What is your addiction?" No hesitations, no doubt. Most people have past times that they are not particularly proud of, and would love to find a way to break free of them, but they find that it is easier said than done.

These addictive pastimes take away from the time that we spend in communion with God. These pastimes can suck up our lives, and our time, infect everything we love and care for, and we can make ourselves slaves to believing that these things are fulfilling our needs.

Read this verse from part Galatians 5:

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

It may sound silly to some, but to others there is the realization that these things can be idols that become the centre of our lives, the thing that we feel that we require for our existence, our master... or even held so highly that it may take the place of God in our lives and become a false god, something that we are serving.

Part of Psalm 40 says:

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]

Let's take a minute and meditate on these verses and we will continue on this topic. Please share any stories you wish to share. 

TEN WAYS TO LOVE

TEN WAYS TO LOVE 

 1.     Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs18)

2.     Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)

3.     Give without sparing. (Proverbs21:26)

4.     Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)

5.     Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)

6.     Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15) 

7.     Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians2:14)

8.     Trust without wavering. (Corinthians13:7)

9.     Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)

10.        Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

Unknown Author - Posted by: Rose H.

STARTING FRESH

It is finally spring in Canada, and it has been a long cold winter. Easter is coming, and everyone is ready for the year to really start. This time of year we see images of eggs hatching into baby chicks, buds on trees that turn into flowers  -things growing and flourishing. It is about new beginnings or beginning again. 

Christians remember Christ's resurrection at this time of year, it reminds us that all things are possible through God. Jesus died to pay for our sins, and rose again. If Jesus Christ the son of God could give the life that he was given here on earth to his father -who are we to say no. Who are we to say 'THIS IS MY LIFE', and it is worth too much to give it back to our father who created us. 

It is a lot easier said than done, this is true. We are not perfect -none of us are. As the popular verse in Romans 3:23 says, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." and Isaiah 53:6 starts out saying, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way...". This is a simple enough concept to understand, but in sin there is shame, and in shame there is distance. Human nature has demonstrated this process since Adam and Eve. When Adam and Eve realized that they have done something wrong they do something to save themselves from facing it, "And they heard the voice of God walking in the garden in the cool of day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8)

For people who believe in God, but who also sin, there is this immeasurable burden and guilt. There is also this fear that there will be no mercy; an anxiety. There always seems to be this process of sin> guilt>anxiety and fear that we won't be forgiven. God knows our sinful nature better than any being. If we trust in His capacity of love, and recognize that it is greater than our own, then we can begin to understand that He is far more likely to forgive us than we imagine. Living with fear and anxiety can set us back from following Jesus, and serving God. If we continue hiding our faces because of sin, we are hiding from peace, love, and service. 

David served as an example of a servant who overcame the anxiety that sin brought into his life, by trusting in God and continuing in service to God. David went through this process and with humble transparency he shares it with us in Psalms. In Psalms 38:18 David exposes this burden of guilt "For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin." Later, in Psalm 51:4 he admits guilt again, but he is full of repentance, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge." Later, we seeing David longing for God's forgiveness, "Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity." (Psalm 51:9 NIV) David recognizes God's mercy, and we can too, "You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. (Psalm 86:5-7 NIV)

We spend our whole lives being told to focus on what we want to be when we grow up. As children most people in Canada spend the majority of their days at school learning mathematics and chemistry, and things that can potentially make money. However, these subjects have nothing to do with knowing where we came from, and what God intended for us to do. Similarly, as adults many people spend the same proportion of time dedicated to making money, not thinking of where we came from, and what God intended our lives for.

When do we stop and decide to think about the gifts that we've been given? Short of counting our breaths in the wakeful hours of each day, should we not dedicate at least part of our life to saying thank you for all of the smiles that we had the opportunity to place on our faces, the moments of pride, success, laughter and love? We can do this by beginning again in service to God and serving him. Even if we stumble and fall we can take David's example and continue trusting in our God who is "...forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call (to Him)." Spring is here, and there is no time like the present to begin again!

It seems like we put everything in boxes -food, jewellery, tools, and even memory keepsakes. However, with boxes, some things just don't fit. God is a being that is not to be placed in a box. Although the text of the Bible may be black and white, remember that God is the one who created every colour of the rainbow, with way more than fifty shades of every colour. Why wouldn't He exceed our expectations, when He gave us the ability to even process expectations.

The Bible was written long ago, but God's words and God's love is eternal. Some may feel that the Bible restricts us, but I have learned that the Bible protects us. We have a father who has seen the history of all time, and who knows human nature better than we do. The mention of a love so great -God's love, is a reoccurring theme of the Bible. When Paul speaks of God's spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:6 he reminds us, "God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us."

When we take time to know God, His qualities of justice, wisdom, power, mercy, and love become well known to us. God exposed his qualities on Mount Sinai when He described himself as a God who is slow to anger, full of unfailing love and faithfulness and a God of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness, but also one who does not excuse the guilty (Exodus 34:6-7, NLT). 

Ours, is a complex God. How could we not feel like Paul felt when he wrote:"Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways"? (Romans 11:33, NLT) Our God is not dull and colourless, He is not simple and limited to our theoretical structures, He is complex and colourful and full of wisdom that surpasses our wisdom. To learn about His qualities we have to seek Him to gain that knowledge like Moses and Paul did. We cannot fit God into a box.

Leah J.

A Thirst That Can Be Satisfied vs. One That Cannot Be

"In my last year on Wall Street my bonus was $3.6 million — and I was angry because it wasn’t big enough." -Sam Polk, NY Times, Sunday Review, Jan. 18 2014

That quote is from this year, it reminds me of what I found in this month's daily devotional, the devotional clarified what was written in Exodus in 13th century BC. The passage in Exodus ch. 16:16-20 is referring to 'manna' (bread). This is where God commanded the Hebrew people to gather as much manna as they need to stay alive in the Sinai desert after they were freed from slavery in Egypt -some gathered much manna -some little. Then Moses said to them, 'no one is to keep any of it until morning,' but they kept part of it until morning, and it was full of maggots and began to smell.

I have stop and ask this question, 'Why do we hang on to things that we have no business hanging onto?' 

For the Israelites -it was manna, for Sam Polk -it was Money, and for others -it is so many things. We witness people, or even ourselves hanging onto time, friends, feelings, material things, and populating our life with things that don't necessarily fit it to God's bigger picture, instead of hanging onto His word, His work, and looking forward to His kingdom. Why is it so easy for us to get lulled into a false sense of security -thinking that these things will bring us happiness? It is important to remind ourselves that, it is written:

"To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."-Ecclesiastes 2:26

It seems that we hang onto things, because we have trouble keeping our 'eye on the prize'. We probably can remind ourselves of Matthew Ch. 6:19-21 everyday, and it won't be too much. 

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The the best advice we can get to change our routine of clinging to all the wrong things, is from the Bible itself. In Ephesians 5:15-17 it says:

15 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

So I leave you with this question, 'What are you hanging onto, and what are you not hanging onto?"

By: Leah J. 

God Directed Footsteps

God Directed Footsteps

It is the tendency of Christians to turn to God for guidance in the same way that a child eagerly seeks guidance from his/her father. There is more than one way to seek guidance from God. There are the options of seeking guidance from the Bible, or through prayer, speaking to a spiritually mature pastor or role model -or several other options. Turning to the Bible is a popular option, in fact the Bible was written to give us direction. 

      2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting  and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for very good work." 

Another popular option is prayer. Many Christians are taught how to pray as children, but some do not learn to 'be still' and meditate on the word to receive clear guidance through the Holy Spirit. This passage describes the Holy Spirit.

     John 16:13...when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

What if a person is doing it right? What if that person does pray, and reads the Bible, and he/she still has questions -for which that person has no answers? What if a person is about to make a very specific life changing decision, or has a very specific question and feels that the answer not written in the scriptures? Who, what, or where does a person turn to in search of these answers?

These questions are the ones that trouble me sometimes, but after searching for answers for this blog -I've found peace with them. I often have questions, at this point in my life, which I feel are not written in black and white in the Bible. The main ones are: Who do I choose as a partner? Which career course should I choose, and would it be one favourable to God? Finally, I worry about being a good person, and living a life that is favourable to God.

Lately, the more that I looked into the Biblically inspired materials to conduct research, the more I realized that these are normal questions for young individuals (...Well, I still consider myself young). I arrived on three Bible verses that really pacified my constant, nagging, concerns. I would like to illustrate them using an analogy. 

The first concern was a dual one, 'How do I choose a path that is favourable in God's eyes, which career should I choose?' I once read that 'the Bible is life's little instruction book', but it serves so many people that it is hard to make a specific decision based on its directions sometimes. For more than a week I have been meditating on the void that I feel when I seek distinct and specific directions from the Bible. I find that the scriptures can be very general. I find myself conceptualizing the Bible as God's way to give us directions when we're lost. When I'm really lost, and I stop to ask someone for directions, that someone may say, "Go south for two blocks, and then turn right." Those are very general directions, some part of those directions have to be sorted out while walking the path. The instructions do not guide every footstep that you take until you reach your destination. The road may be dark and scary, but you don't know that until you start walking. There may be a road block, or construction. There may be open manholes, or potholes that make the road rough, or other countless obstacles. Whichever way, you may find yourself wondering if you should reconsider the course you planned on taking. Such is true in life too. We don't know what we will encounter on a path until we have embarked on the journey. The Bible does tell us this, "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps." (Proverbs 14:15, NIV) This tells us that God wants us to give thought to the steps that we take. He did not create us as simple creatures, but as complex ones. Regardless of the road, or the obstacles, or the instructions that we are given, He wants us to think about our steps. 

Through prayer, we don't have to think about our steps alone. We can call on the Lord like the Psalmist did in Psalm 119: 133, NIV and ask the Lord, "Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

As for my other concern about choosing a partner, life has taught me that the only true love, is that which embodies all the qualities of love that are exemplified in our creator. I can only hope to find a partner who reflects 'that kind of love', I truly believe that knowing God makes it that much easier to understand ‘that kind of love’. So, I hope the partner that I find knows God’s type of love. 

Finally, in meditation on finding direction, I had to remind myself what should drive me as a Christian. It is my duty, "(To) Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of mankind." (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV) Whichever, career course I choose, I have to remember what my ultimate duty is -in all that I do.

By: Leah J.