Righteous desire

What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted....... 

- Proverbs 10:24 -

Thoughts on This Verse... The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They fear not being in control. They fear death's overtaking them. The righteous desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. They recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior. In times like these, isn't it comforting to know that the things that the wicked fear are really things that they can be sure of receiving!
 
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Crooked?

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out....... 

- Proverbs 10:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''Tell the truth the first time and then you won't have to remember what you said.'' That's a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the House (U.S.A. House of Representatives) Sam Rayburn. That's basically what God's wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God:''Well done, good and faithful servant!'' 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Predestination

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will....... Thoughts on This Verse... God wants us as his holy children. That was his plan for us even before the world began. God paid the huge price, the sacrifice of his Son Jesus, for our adoption into his family. God's motive in doing this? His desire and delight in loving us. 

- Ephesians 1:4-5  -
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Peace I say

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace....... 

- Numbers 6:24-26 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How would you like to place the mighty name of the LORD on people you love? God promised that this priestly blessing in today's Scripture enabled his name (his power and authority) to be placed on his people. What an incredible gift that we have the power to give to others with just our faithful words! Blessings are found all throughout Scripture. Why not begin looking today for ways to pronounce God's blessing on others? You can start with this one, and then add a bunch of others as you find them in Scripture.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Joy comes in the morning:D

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning....... 

- Psalm 30:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is the God of all comfort (see 2 Cor. 1). Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. It will last only a short while and then it gives way to rejoicing. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of sin, please don't give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God's grace. It's more than worth the wait!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Crooked paths

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.......

- Proverbs 10:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''Tell the truth the first time and then you won't have to remember what you said.'' That's a quote attributed to the famous Speaker of the House (U.S.A. House of Representatives) Sam Rayburn. That's basically what God's wisdom is trying to teach us in this passage. Be a person of integrity. Then, when someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God:''Well done, good and faithful servant!''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Folly not!

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly....... 

- Proverbs 14:29 -

 Thoughts on This Verse... Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run.
 
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Death Sting

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?...... 

- 1 Corinthians 15:55 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Death has the power to end life. Death has the power to separate. Death has the power to discourage and defeat us. But, we know the truth: Jesus lives! Because he lives, we know we will live with him. We believe that his victory over death is our victory. So like Jesus, we mock death and its power to destroy us. Jesus has destroyed death and brought immortality to life ... in us through the Gospel.

 
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

An apple a day keeps the doctor away:)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law....... 

- Galatians 5:22-23 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When the Spirit is alive in our hearts, the character of God comes to life in us as the Spirit works to conform us ever more closely to the image and the character of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

 
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

No way!

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!...... 

- Romans 6:15 -

 Thoughts on This Verse... This matching verse to Romans 6:1-2, is the great reminder that sin is no longer our master and no longer our choice. We choose to live for God with every fiber of our being and loathe the life of sin that once held us in bondage to death and defeat.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Baa..

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture....... 

-  Psalm 100:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God made us. He made us in our mother's womb; he made us with his loving care with a purpose for life and a promise to be with us every step of the way. God cares for us, much better than even the very best shepherd cares for his sheep. So let's live as those who know our Leader, Creator, and King! Let's display his character, share his grace, extend his mercy, and offer his forgiveness. Let's show that we are his!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Stir it up in our hearts Lord!

''Who has stirred up this king from the east, who meets victory at every step? Who, indeed, but the LORD? He gives him victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot. He puts entire armies to the sword. He scatters them in the wind with his bow. He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground. Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD -- with the first of them and with the last -- I am he.''...... 

- Isaiah 41:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. This is great comfort for us. We don't have to choose another deity in the course of our lives. We don't have to worry about our Father's leaving us as prey for other gods. We don't have to worry about his Word becoming obsolete or outdated. He will be with us always. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

No one

In reply Jesus declared, ''I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.''...... 

- John 3:3 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''Fast away the old year passes ...'' But we can be new and fresh and clean (cf. 2 Cor. 4:17). Kingdom people are those who have been born fresh and new through the power of the Spirit and the grace of God (cf. John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 1:11). So as we live life, with its good things and bad, achievements and failures, successes and disappointments, let's approach each day as Kingdom people. God's mercies are new every morning and our lives can be made new every day by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Yes, we have been born again. But each sunrise offers us the opportunity to be made new, to live in a fresh new way, as God's grace rekindles our hopes and the Holy Spirit makes us new as we trust in Jesus our Lord.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Speak up!

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute....... 

- Proverbs 31:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the lives of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Where does my help come from?

I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth....... 

- Psalm 121:1-2 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Since God could speak into existence the universe, and since God knows our names and the number of the hairs on our head ... surely we know that we can go to him for our help. Let's lift up our eyes and our hearts to El Shaddai, Lord God of the Mountains, and know the Almighty sees our needs, hears our requests, and cares about our hearts.
 
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Hope for the Future

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men....... 

- 1 Corinthians 15:19 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Wow, what a powerful and sobering thought. Our faith in Jesus' resurrection and our faith in being joined to him is so crucial that all else pales in comparison. Our hope in Christ is not just for here and now, but it is also a hope that transcends life and bursts the shackles of death. If it doesn't offer us this hope, then it is no hope at all; it is not really good news. We are deluded and to be pitied. But then, I do believe that Jesus promises us a heavenly home! This, my friend, changes everything! 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Abba, Father!

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry,''Abba, Father.'' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children....... 

- Romans 8:15-16 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Ab-ba. Listen to a baby and you will hear these basic early sounds. Incredibly, Jesus showed us, and the Spirit enables us, to speak to God with these syllables of familiarity, trust, vulnerability, dependency, and intimacy. The Spirit is our guarantee that we don't have to be afraid of God, but that we can approach him as our loving and tender Father who always listens to our hearts and seeks to bless our lives. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Intercession

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will....... 

- Romans 8:26-27 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Most of us will face very difficult circumstances in our lives. When we do, we will likely feel that our prayers just bounce off the ceiling. Our words will seem empty and useless. We can't seem to verbalize what is on our hearts. We feel like our words are ineffective and insufficient. So what do we do? We trust this promise. We go to God in prayer! Even when we don't have words to say, we offer our hearts to him, trusting that the Holy Spirit takes those thoughts, emotions, and inarticulate frustrations to God. The Spirit makes our hearts known to God, interceding for us according to God's will. Even when we don't have words, the Spirit makes our needs known. What a tremendous reassuring grace! 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Lose to find, Find to lose

And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it....... 

- Matthew 10:38-39 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus wants us to seriously look into our hearts and surrender those things that hold us back from fully following and serving him. We know what they are. He comes to us with his now nail-scarred hands and reminds us that he gave up everything to redeem us. He now wants us to surrender to the Cross the things that hold us back. Let's do it today!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Do not worry!

''For I know the plans I have for you,'' declares the LORD,''plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.''...... 

- Jeremiah 29:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jeremiah was telling God's people that 70 years after the devastation, God would deliver and restore them. Despite the fact that they had repeatedly abandoned God, he would not abandon them or his promises to them. He would be faithful. In fact, God was planning and preparing a bright future for them. This promise also reminds us that no matter how deep our own personal gloom may seem, God does have plans for us. He will keep his promises to us. He will deliver and bless us. We can have a vibrant hope and a bright future because of his faithfulness and our trust in his Son, Jesus, who delivers us from every foe. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Work Done!

''I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.''...... 

- John 17:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... One of the most amazing things that Jesus ever said, he said to his Father in heaven:''I have completed the work you gave me to do ...'' In fact, when he breathed his last, he said,''It is finished.'' Let's live with the glory of God our highest priority! This is our purpose as God's children (cf. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). The more we live by Kingdom priority (Matt. 6:33), the more we can rest assured that we can finish our lives with a line similar to Jesus'! 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Complete love

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us....... 

- 1 John 4:12 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What an incredible thought! God can be seen in my home. The Father of the universe lives in my church. The Almighty God's love is recognizable in my life. How so? When I love those around me, when they love me back, when we choose to be loving instead of petty, unforgiving, critical, and harsh, God's presence, power, and perfection are revealed in us!
  
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Dwelling

For this reason I kneel before the Father .... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith....... 

- Ephesians 3:16-17 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What's the greatest thing we can do to bless those we love in Christ Jesus? What is the most helpful thing we can do when a brother or sister in Christ or even a whole congregation of God's people, is facing a major challenge from the Evil One? What is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children or our parents as they seek to live for Jesus today? The apostle Paul just showed us. We can ask God to strengthen his people with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Then we can let them know that we have prayed this for them, and that we will continue to pray it until their storm is past.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**