Deep Thoughts and Little Happenings

Deuteronomy 1:22 "Then all of you approached me and said, 'Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up and the cities which we shall enter.'" Deuteronomy 1:32-33 But for all this, you did not trust the L ORD your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go. I've read these verses hundreds of times and yet this was the first time I saw the connection between them.  I've always known they sent twelve spies into the land, ten brought back fear and two encouraged them to follow God's call to take possession of the land.  But... Two things jumped out at me this time. Vs 22 - let us send men before us that they may bring back to us word of the way which we should go Vs 33 - the L ORD your God who goes before you on your way to show you the way in ...

"The Spirit explicitly says that some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons...abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." I cannot believe I have never SEEN this before today.  Maybe I needed to have a peace in my heart about my relationship with the L ORD and an assurance in my faith walk with Him before I could.  I was not trying to find it so I could prove a point.  The L ORD  gave it to me as a reminder that I do not want to be tempted to fix my hope on anything I DO.  Instead, I must "fix my hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially believers." Father, thank You for being my hope.  Thank You for being the One who...

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be seasoned with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.  Colossians 4:5-6 (NASB) Wow!  If I want to know how to respond to  each person, all I have to do is  let my speech  always be seasoned with grace.  This is very specific...I  will know how to respond to each person  if I  let  my speech always be seasoned with grace.  My speech originates in my thoughts, so... If I want my speech to be seasoned with grace, I must think gracious thoughts.  That's my choice! LORD, I want to know how to respond to each person.  Teach me to think as You think.  Examine me and give me a humble heart that is willing to learn to think like You think and follow Your ways.  Amen. Philippians 4:8