Author: astherainandsnow

“For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place,
    and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.
And the mountains will melt under him,
    and the valleys will split open,
like wax before the fire,
    like waters poured down a steep place.” Micah 1:3-4

“O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1

“Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down!
    Touch the mountains so that they smoke!” Psalm 144:5

The highest heavens cannot contain the incomprehensible God. He inhabits eternity and condescends to the heavens to manifest His splendor, riding the skies to our aid. In Christ, He condescended to earth as Son of man to redeem us, and righteously rules today from invisible heights we cannot comprehend. God Himself calls us to behold Him there! (Deuteronomy 33:26-27a; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 68:32-33; Isaiah 57:15; John 3:13; 6:38)

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber… nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121

The Lord treads the high places keeping watch over His own. Kings and kingdoms rise and fall, and His eye is on each one to perform His bidding. While we live in the lowlands, occupied by incessant conversation and comparison and consternation, we often fail to seek His higher thought, His long view for our circumstances, lofty desire. We get lost in the mundane and urgent when the high and holy hover for our grasping. What would change if we strode the ridges with the Almighty? (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21)

What areas of my life would I like to uplift? In what difficult situation do I need an eternal perspective? What gnarly conversations can I elevate? What expenditure of time and energy could become more significant, what use of resources more meaningful and lasting? Is it language, imagination, attitude toward colleagues or relatives that the Lord is saying needs an upward adjustment, a cleansing Spirit breeze, an infusion of the divine? What heavenly hope needs renewing?

“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”  ~Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1922)

Lord, keep me alongside to tread the heights with You, above the madding world, seeing and seizing life with Your eternal perspective.

“For freedom Christ has set us free…

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love…

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself…’ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 5:1a,5-6,13-14; 6:10

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin… So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you.” Romans 6:6-7,11-14

Christ sets free from, and free to. He’s done away with the chains of a petulant imbroglio of sin in order that we might serve Him as new and gracious Master, and others in His name. We have been set free to love and serve with abandon, dead to sin and very fully alive in Christ and His power.

Trouble is, without understanding the scope of Christ’s forgiveness, we accept freedom from shackles in the flesh but immediately hop up, rub our wrists, and gear toward serving and indulging self: my time, my thrills, my wants. But the way of the new creation is selfless, more significant, and joyous. It is less narrow, now broad with possibility and opportunity. When we reckon ourselves truly free from sin’s slavery, Jesus opens wide the doors to lavish loving and boundless generosity, and sheds widely abroad His light in our hearts. (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

We’ve been cut loose from the penalty and power of sin and lavished in Christ with every spiritual blessing: heavenly purpose, eternal security, boundless grace, all wisdom and insight, unlimited inheritance, lasting hope. Why do we hoard such precious gifts? Or do we squander them? What are we doing in and with the freedom entrusted to us? Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10:8b; Ephesians 1:2-8)

A glad heart will want to sing, a forgiven heart will want to love, a grateful heart will want to give. How often do we take time to be reminded of all the Lord has done for us, and then to turn to Him in thanksgiving? Would we seek those He wants us to serve, and go and do it eagerly and with cheer?

“Thus wholly mastered and possessed by God,
Forth from my life, spontaneous and free,
Shall flow a stream of tenderness and grace,
Loving, because God loved, eternally.” ~Emily May Grimes (1868-1927)

Lord, may I freely and extravagantly serve as You have served to saved me, to the praise of Your generosity and grace.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
    O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
    from all his iniquities.” Psalm 130:1-8

What does a watchman, sentry high, 
Fix eyes upon there in the sky? 
Pale blush of pink, 
First hint of light, 
In deepest heaven as day draws nigh?

To what does he listen with ears attuned? 
The quiet before dawn? Early chatter and swoon 
Of birds now awakened? 
Winged grace and glory 
Each praising the morn in personal croon?

He hears the march of coming day, 
He spies the armies of clouds at bay, 
He welcomes the warmth, the clear, the storm, 
Ready for every onslaught borne, 
In duty, drudgery, and fray.

If I be a watchman for what must I look? 
The menacing clouds, the pestering rook? 
Do I gaze at this or that 
And let distraction pull off track 
Or will I stay with the Book?

Watching and waiting in dread or fear? 
Stressed by enemies far and near? 
Nervous at now and 
worried at then, 
Or trusting the cause of my Savior dear?

Am I weighted with regret?
Has my sorrow no outlet? 
Remember the cross,
Nothing is lost, 
Jesus has fully paid my debt.

Would I an attentive watchman be 
Within the world of fright and flee 
At peace in heart and in my mind, 
Alert and keen, and grace-filled, kind, 
As I wait in hope for Thee.

And let my watching set each day 
In holy rhythm, without dismay, 
Of joyful song, anticipation, 
Good and lofty expectation, 
In all I do and say.

For all my days may it be true, 
I perch up high and set my view, 
Through every storm and drought and burn, 
With every task and lesson learned, 
More than a watchman I watch for You.

Amen.

“I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do… Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-17,19-25

“The Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
    he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
    and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
    and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
    understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil,
    from men of perverted speech,
who forsake the paths of uprightness
    to walk in the ways of darkness..,
men whose paths are crooked,
    and who are devious in their ways…

So you will walk in the way of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.”

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise.” Proverbs 2:6-13,15,20; 13:20

To walk in the Spirit is a daily discipline begun in the mind and heart. Wayward desires and emotions bump us to limp and stumble and throw us off God’s course. Consulting the Lord and storing up His sound wisdom prepares us to recognize His paths and get alongside His Spirit. When we begin the day matching stride and pace with His, we walk the paths of righteousness, and every step with Him is one not astray.

What deters us from aligning our life tempo with the Lord’s? What passions, interruptions, or worldly distractions throw off healthy spiritual rhythms, and what will we do about them? What practical ways will we minimize or eliminate desires that compete with uprightness, and choose to exchange feelings of flesh for the fruit of the Spirit?

As for pace, am I running on empty, bereft of physical energy and spiritual vitality? What am I doing to refuel and partake of daily manna in order to hone divine discernment and strength? Am I lagging behind with slow obedience, hesitant to proceed in God’s commanded way? Am I racing ahead of the Lord, driven by selfish ambition or the compulsion to go, regardless of how the Lord might measure or direct my steps? What can I change to get in holy stride?

Lord, keep me steady, in step with Your Spirit on Your straight way, drawing others to come alongside and clearly focused on Your glory.

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
    in the sight of God and man.

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

“My son, keep my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you;..
bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3-7; 7:1,3

“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen… You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row;  and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond;  and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;  and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper… set in gold filigree.  There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes… So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord.” Exodus 28:15,17-21,29

If the heart is the wellspring of life, then keeping the heart is vital to spiritual health and fruitfulness. Guarding it means imprinting it with God’s identity and protecting all it contains. There are certain things to write indelibly there as forever fuel for life. Israel’s priests wore the names of every tribe engraved over their hearts, bearing them before the Lord for remembrance of mercy effected by sacrifice. For the Christian under grace, God’s inscribed our hearts with His living word, both our salvation and lifeline for holy living. (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 4:4; John 6:63; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18)

How often do I refer to and draw on God’s impression on my heart? Does the fact that He counts me as righteous compel right thinking and behaving? How readily do I apply the promises of His word for courage to stand up, wisdom to speak, discernment and compassion to meet others’ needs? (2 Corinthians 5:21)

What foreign messages and mantras have I allowed to be imprinted on my heart that confuse or distort truth, sully honest perception or deplete genuine selfless care for those around me? Have I slipped into an identity as superior judge over those whose belief systems are counter to mine, and fail to look for commonalities under God’s redemption? What daily evidence am I exhibiting that His name and Word are daily borne in my choices, countenance, and counsel?

“Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)

Lord, imprint Yourself on my heart so indelibly that all I think, say, and do is under Your impression, with Your grace, by Your power, and for Your glory.

“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.” Exodus 27:20-21

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing,  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15

Many would resist an overnight responsibility, but what a privileged appointment for Aaron and his sons to tend the always-burning lamps. Pure beaten oil for regular ongoing flame would bring light to darkness at the tent of meeting, the place where man met with God. It was a visual reminder that the Lord was with them day and night, forever present among His people.

God’s people today are called to The light of the gospel is a reminder that the Lord is ever nigh, that no darkness can overcome Him, that He dispels it with hope and eventual victory.

The discipline of routine lamp-burning and close proximity to the altar is a worthy statute. We are all responsible to be filled with the holy oil of the Spirit so we can set spiritual flame burning, bringing light that is penetrating, mesmerizing, attractive, and necessary into the world’s brooding night. As God’s royal priesthood, called out of darkness to marvelous, holy light, we’re to contribute to round-the-clock witness, proclaiming His excellencies whatever our place or position. From morning devotion to daily duties, interactions to transactions, griefs to challenges to insights, we hold out light for a needy, watching people. (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 2:9)

Are we such faithful tenders? Daily we navigate cultural waters dark with confusion, spiritual void, violence, and dissension. Many have no moorings, and are adrift in meaningless mantras, lost and lonely. Societies, organizations, workplaces, and governments are desperately in need of goodness and unwavering, righteous standards. Rather than abdicate spiritual responsibility only to leaders, or surrender helplessly to sloth or apathy, we must tend the lamps!

When are we taking our fill of the Spirit’s oil of truth and perspective through worship, Bible study, and concentrated prayer? How willing are we to head into the night of unbelief with the Lord’s light? With whom will we converse about how God’s light saves, guides, and helps? Who needs the balm of comfort and peace the Spirit offers? Where has the Lord placed us to shine specific light?

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.” ~Old Irish, translated by Mary Byrne (1905)

Lord, keep me faithful and steadfast, filled with You day and night to shine, spreading Your love, truth, and light to a needy world.

“If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.  So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself… For I tell you that Christ became a servant.”

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.  For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” Romans 14:15-21; 15:1-3a,8a; 16:17-19

Whom we serve determines motivation, preferences, and actions, which over time determine longer-term outcomes. When we serve self, we are blind to Christ’s example and can’t be bothered by the weaknesses of others, often to the deterioration of relationships and the harm of nascent faith. Our willingness (and desire) to eat, drink, and do everything in order to serve Christ and His ends indicates a heart captivated by His sacrifice for us. (Matthew 20:28)

We cannot serve ourselves and the Lord and His people. Selfishly giving in to the lusts of eye and flesh is destructive to body and souls; greed and gluttony do not upbuild our neighbor. Why is it so important to get our way? What honor does it give Christ, what benefit to others, for us to boast our rights? Is it really more important for us to assert our freedoms in Christ than to love others and promote peace in Him? (Matthew 6:24; James 4:2-4; 1 John 2:16)

Where have we grown myopic in daily orientation and living, and calloused to the needs and fragile faith of those around us? Do we indulge and operate with an air of spiritual superiority, unable to recognize where we might cause another to stumble? What swagger or self-pleasing need we confess in order to be free to love, bear with, and upbuild our brothers? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

My good Master, keep me serving You first, and others in Your name. May I follow Your example of laying down preferences, rights, and life for the sake of Your people and magnification of Your glory. (Philippians 2:2-8)

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.  When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine…’ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim.  And he said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So they took it.  When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from… ‘You have kept the good wine until now.’ This… Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

“Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well… A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink…’ The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?’ (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)  Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?..’  Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” John 2:1-3,6-9a,10b-11; 4:6-7,9-11,13-14

When Jesus issued an everyday directive, He always had the supernatural in mind. Fully human, He could not help but act also as fully God, entwining the ordinary with holy purpose. Filling a practical and temporary need became at His command a display of His glory and a pathway to belief.

He always does the extraordinary with our ordinary, making significant and lasting what we see as mundane and temporal. He injects Himself into the very places of dearth, panic, loneliness, and thirst in our lives to make Himself and His power known. He elicits our involvement as He works the divine so we can know Him better and participate in His kingdom activity of transformation.

Are we in a spiritual rut in the mundane of routine? What responsibilities, duties, and even minuscule actions will we ask the Lord to make extraordinary and so reveal Himself through our best effort and excellence in their completion? What immediate or temporary pleasure will we trust Him to make rich, satisfying, and beautiful? Where do we need fresh filling in order to emanate His glory?

How intentionally do we draw from His well the inspiration, wisdom, love, patience, or joy needed for this day, then bless others from full jars? To whom are we offering soul-satiating living water?

Father, fill me with verve and joy in giving my best and all to You. Transform my ordinary human efforts into glorious and eternal offerings for your kingdom and praise.

“They are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.  Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away…”

“The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.  If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 8:15-18,38-39; 11:33-36

In the beginning God created light, punctuating the chaos and dissipating the darkness with its ineffably sublime glory. And from the beginning, light benefits and compels those drawn to its brightness and warmth. Jesus the Light of the world brought order into man’s darkness, then assigned His disciples the life task of shining His light of uncanny love, wisdom, and power in the world to spread His kingdom. (Genesis 1:1-4; Luke 9:1-2; 10:1-3; John 8:12)

Before determining to spread light, it’s important to be ignited. Charging into a day in our own strength and wisdom, we will soon fizzle, depleted and exhausted. But drawing near to the Lord, taking in His personality and truth and way of thinking through His word and focused praise and prayer, will stoke into flame His Spirit. Holy desire will burn long and bright in light that is far-reaching and fruitful. (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18b; James 1:5; 4:8a)

When are we deliberately listening to and connecting with Jesus to ignite His light within? Once lit, how carefully are we staying filled? Whom in our workplaces, communities, and neighborhoods are we attracting to Christ’s light by declaring what God has done? Whom are we inviting to come near by winsome interest, compassion, attention, days and service of purpose and significance? How clearly do I convey biblical truth and present His gospel? (Luke 10:38-41; Ephesians 5:18-20)

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.” ~Old Irish, translated by Mary Byrne (1905)

Oh Father, please keep my lamp burning bright to reflect Your greatness and glory to all I see. (Luke 12:35)

“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
‘Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown…’

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on…

“My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life…
Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.” Proverbs 4:1-9,13-15,20-23,25-27

Turning from the world’s pull to walk in God’s paths isn’t the norm. Thinking and responding biblically doesn’t come naturally to the flesh. Righteousness doesn’t just happen. The only way to make all these a practice and rhythm of life is deliberate implementation of some do nots by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In present culture, a myriad of ideas, sensory input, and entertaining activities allure both mind and emotion. They present stumbling blocks and distractions that trip us along and detour us off God’s path. It’s vital we not forget or forsake God’s admonitions when facing and filtering through everyday choices. We must not turn away from God’s word nor let go of its tether to our decision making, for they are our only deterrent from taking the first step to enter the path of the wicked. We must beware inclining toward evil, and rather incline our ears to truth. (Proverbs 4:12,19,24)

Is there an area of our thought-life, work, or personal habits where impulses or passions have swerved us to the right or the left and taken our eyes off the Lord? Does how we spend our time and resources prove we esteem wisdom and insight, or the world’s cheap promises? What areas or activities, conversations or companions, should I be avoiding in order to stay attentive to the Lord and to guard my heart as life’s wellspring?

Lord, fix my gaze aright and give me courage not to do anything that detracts from pure devotion to You or diminishes the reflection of your glory.