Promise for Today Favorite - Living Proof

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Proverbs 20:7 NLT

You may not have children of your own, but most of us have seen babies who are learning to walk, so regardless, you'll have a point of reference. When my children were babies, I could teach them how to pull themselves up to stand. I could even offer them a hand. I could support them under their arms while they bounced and jumped and strengthened their leg muscles. I would hold both hands so they could stay up and not fall, but they had to make their legs and feet move. I would encourage them - even entice them with a toy or treat - but until they decided they wanted to and made up their mind to do it, they did not take one step on their own.

You can't make a baby walk unless he or she is ready to walk - whether it's an actual baby or someone trying to follow Jesus. By the same token, in order for the child to be able to walk on its own, you have to let go. They will totter, and stumble, and trip, and they will fall. And after a few falls, they may even decide just to sit or crawl for a while and try that walking thing a little later. They will get bruised, scraped up - they might even bleed and have scars as a result - but eventually, they will learn to walk because they choose to do so.

And the longer they do it, the better they get at it. You're living proof...so make sure you walk with integrity.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to be good stewards of who and what You have given us. Continue to give us revelation wisdom so we can teach others about You and how to walk in Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

By Request - Holding Hands

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. 

Psalm 18:35-36 NKJV

I cried out, “I am slipping!” But Your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. 

Psalm 94:18-19 NLT

When my youngest granddaughter was just a toddler, on most afternoons after work, I would take her for a walk. The good news was, at that stage of her life, we walked at the same speed, so I had no problem keeping up with her. Sometimes, I pushed her in a stroller, but most days, we walked. She was a toddler who waddled while trying to keep her balance - but one who would much rather walk on her own than hold hands with anyone.

However, she used to do the sweetest thing when we were walking... If she saw a bump in the walk or was stepping from grass to the pavement - without looking - she would hold up her hand, knowing mine would be there to grasp hers and help her over the rough spots and to keep her from falling. I loved the trust that was in that simple gesture. I loved that she already knew she could trust my love for her. Without looking, she knew I was right there with her.

God our Father reminded me that He does exactly the same thing for us. Yes, there are times He carries us. However, in our daily walk with Him, sometimes we choose to walk on our own - that is until we get into trouble. At times the path is rough. Do we instinctively reach for His hand? Do we trust His love for us? Do we know without looking that He will be right there with us?

The Truth of the matter is this. If we would hold His hand when the way is smooth, then when the trials come, they would be little more than a step over with no fear of falling.

Prayer:

Father,
Forgive us for those times we think we can walk on our own. Help us to be like a child in this, too, that we would recognize the need to hold to Your unchanging hand; that we would somehow grasp and understand the depth of Your love for us every day, and especially in the tough spots. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Starting Position - Reprinting one of my favorites

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.
Psalm 50:14-15 NLT

I've talked many times before about giving thanks in the midst of life's trials. You may remember the story about Does your eyebrow hurt, Mom? Then can we give thanks that your eyebrow doesn't hurt? Well, we often do the same thing when we're struggling with repeated mistakes in our lives. We listen to the lies of satan...

I must not be saved. I always do that. I can't be a Christian and still struggle with that. I'll never get victory over it. I might as well give up... Any of that sound familiar?

How did we learn to walk when we were children? Did we just decide one day that it was time to walk and then up we got and walked our little selves all over the place? No, it was Get up. Fall. Get up, step, fall. Step, step, fall. Get up, fall. Get up, fall. Fall. Fall. Cry. Resolve. Get up... Even if you've never had children, more than likely, you have watched a little one's first steps or attempts at walking.

As children, the first thing we learned was to pull ourselves up on something sturdy to see if our legs would hold us. Then we fought to get balance...and we struggled to keep our balance. Sometimes, we no sooner got that first foot up off the floor, then we found ourselves back on the floor in the starting position. The good news is we eventually learned how to walk, right? You may not remember the process, but your life is the proof.

It's the same principle with our Christian walk. Get up. Fall. Get up, step, fall. Step, step, fall. Get up, fall. Get up, fall. Fall. Fall. Cry. Resolve. Get up... Proverbs 24:16a NLT reads, The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

So often, we find ourselves focusing on our mistakes rather than giving thanks for what God has made new in us. I would like to point out that the starting position is not UP. The starting point is while you're on your knees or face down on the floor... Don't beat yourself up over it. Jesus was already beat up for it. Use His Cross as the one sturdy thing that you can utilize to pull yourself up. Okay, everyone! Starting positions...

Prayer:

Father,
          Your goodness and mercy and grace overwhelm us. Your Word is a continual lamp for our feet and light for the path You have chosen for us. Help us to walk in it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

 

* Living Proof

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

Proverbs 20:7 NLT

If ever you've tried to help someone who's just learning to walk with the Lord - or perhaps is struggling to walk - and nothing you do or say seems to be making any difference, I want to share an illustration with you that I believe God showed me. 

You may not have children of your own, but most of us have seen babies who are learning to walk, so regardless, you'll have a point of reference. When my children were babies, I could teach them how to pull themselves up to stand. I could even offer them a hand. I could support them under their arms while they bounced and jumped and strengthened their leg muscles. I would hold both hands so they could stay up and not fall, but they had to make their legs and feet move. I would encourage them - even entice them with a toy or treat - but until they decided they wanted to and made up their mind to do it, they did not take one step on their own.

You can't make a baby walk unless he or she is ready to walk - whether it's an actual baby or someone trying to follow Jesus. By the same token, in order for the child to be able to walk on its own, you have to let go. They will totter, and stumble, and trip, and they will fall. And after a few falls, they may even decide just to sit or crawl for a while and try that walking thing a little later. They will get bruised, scraped up - they might even bleed and have scars as a result - but eventually, they will learn to walk because they choose to do so.

And the longer they do it, the better they get at it. You're living proof...so make sure you walk with integrity.

Prayer:

Father,

        Help us to be good stewards of who and what You have given us. Continue to give us revelation wisdom so we can teach others about You and how to walk in Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen