Are your steps His steps?

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times… “The Lord told me ________________.” Oh really? I don’t know if that was what Elimelech and Naomi were thinking when they went to Moab (Ruth 1), but it would appear so. So spiritual, so pious, so wrong. Way too often in the pride of our flesh, the pain of our trial, or the push of our will this phrase gets used to allow us to do whatever we want to do — and then blame it on God. Not a good choice, but, admit it… we’ve done it. That’s exactly what Naomi did (check out that story, it’s a great one.) In the end, she knew it too: “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” She knew it was her own fault, “I went away,” and she also knew she couldn’t blame it on the Lord anymore because in His graciousness and love, even though she had done it her own way, He was bringing her back. Empty, yes. But, the Lord was bringing her back. You know, it doesn’t have to end that way. We can walk in the Spirit and really know what the Lord is saying so that we don’t have to make it up as we go. Well, that and we don’t have to blame our mess on God. You want to follow the Lord? Confirm that your steps are His steps with the: Holy Spirit as He bears witness to your spirit and breathes confirmation and peace into your soul. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3) Body of Christ as brothers and sisters speak confirmation into your life. Are the saints exclaiming to you in the same way that Elizabeth did to Mary? In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women…” (Luke 1:42) Word of God as you read it, as you hear it and as you live it you’ll find the Lord’s confirmation for your steps as your mind is transformed. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) “This is my conclusion… step by step I came to this result after researching in every direction…” (Ecclesiastes 7:27 TLB) Brothers and sisters of Countryside, may the Lord bless you as you draw constantly on the Lord’s wisdom for your walk. — Pastor Terry