He Guides Me

I read the following verse from Psalms many times this past week. The rhyming in the New Living Translation caught my attention and drew me back again and again.

The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
Psalm 25:8-9, NLT

The Lord guides those who have lost their way and directs them back to Him instructing them in the truth of His Word. This happened to me.

A few months after receiving Christ as my Savior, I was disturbed by guidelines in my church that I didn’t understand. I thought they were too strict, and they expected too much. Over time I realized my mentors were looking out for me. The Lord nudged me forward, helped me to understand His Word, and steered me toward Him.

God is so good—gracious, generous, kind, and loving—and He shares His goodness with us.

A few days ago, I posted the verse below on my Facebook page, and after doing so I noticed some similarities to Psalm 25:8-9.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8, NKJV

The Lord requires us to do justly or do what is right toward others. To treat people with love, honesty, fairness, and to keep our word. He also desires for us to remain faithful to Him.

My study Bible shared three commands found in Micah 6:8, and I’ve quoted them here:*

1. “Remain just/right in all you do.”
2. “Cherish compassionate kindness/faithfulness.”
3. “Commit yourself to live in submission to your God.”

My study Bible also included this: “Respond to what God has done for you by walking in godliness. Live justly; do what is right to those around you with mercy, kindness, and faithfulness. Walk humbly with your God, acknowledging your complete dependence on Him. Make getting to know Him better a priority every day.”

I hope you will join me in recognizing a need for full dependence upon the Lord and make getting to know Him better each day a primary focus in your life. I desperately need Him to guide me through these difficult times. I pray He will lead you as well.

*Hayford, Jack W. New Spirit Filled Life Bible: NKJV Kingdom Equipping through the Power of the Word. Thomas Nelson, 2002.

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Photo by Yux Xiang - Unsplash

Grace-Filled Conversation

Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (NIV).

My words have gotten me into trouble more than once. Have yours? Do your words ever come out in a way that they are misunderstood by others? Do you sometimes need to reevaluate not only what you said but how you said it?

Grace-filled words are pleasant, kind, and helpful. Proverbs 12:25 says kind words cheer people up. We may never know the heavy burdens others carry. Sharing a simple hello and a smile can bring joy to someone’s heart when they feel down.

Grace-filled words also bring healing and overflow with compassion and gentleness. Proverbs 15:1 says a gentle answer turns away anger. Sometimes people are ready for a fight—to argue with any willing subject. Our gentle response will either soften them toward us or send them off to find someone else to pick a fight with.

Gracious words are spoken to bring encouragement to the hearer. Our encouragement brings reassurance and hope to others. Their troubled souls find comfort and peace.

Our words have the power to impact people’s lives for Christ. The opposite is also true. Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV).

I desire my words to be full of grace and build others up. To bless and not tear down. To offer hope and encouragement. I long to be a woman who shares pleasing and useful words—full of mercy—to bring healing and restoration to those in need. To point people to the Lord, to convey His love, and to grow friendships. I want to be a gracious woman whose words honor the Lord.

Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (NLT).