The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Psalm 23:4(NIV) "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23 is one of the most well known passages in the bible, but what exactly is the valley of the shadow of death? Over the years, when I read or heard this passage, I would automatically visualize the valley of the shadow of death as a dark valley with God walking by my side. Recently, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the valley of the shadow of death is anywhere sin is present. Full grown sin only leads to death (James 1:15). Since we have all sinned, we have all placed ourselves in the realm of destruction or death. Shadow is defined as a dark image cast on a surface by a body intercepting light. The remanants of sin are all around us, because we were born into it. But when we are in those places, God is with us. We can trust and have faith in his rod and staff, which are what have led us thus far.

Count it all joy!

Please read the entire first chapter of James.

Count all of your trials as good things. God is looking to perfect you, and teach you the art of perserverance. Learn what the word says. Do what the word says. Have faith in God. If something happens to you, you may ask God why. But make sure you hold firm to the faith that you have in God. Believe and don't doubt! Be strong under temptation- sin only leads to death. You are chosen! Be humble, where ever you are in life. Money and riches mean nothing! Here today and gone tomorrow (or even later today). Speak positively to each other. Hold your tongue. This is pleasing to the Lord. Take care of orphans and widows. Love each other- and watch your mouth! Set yourself apart and do not become polluted by the ways of this world. Do not be double minded. Choose a path and stick with it.
This post is as much for myself as it is for anybody. God is dealing with me. Please pray my strength. I look forward to my crown of glory. I know it wont be long, now.

Restoration has finally come

Sometimes we try to make things happen that are not meant to be in our hands. It would be foolish for a janitor to try to make the decisions of a CEO. It would be a bad situation if a waitress at a restaurant all of a sudden decided to whip up a five course meal, in place of the chef. We all have our own talents, our own responsibility, and our own role. Stepping outside of that and assuming responsibilities never meant for us can sometimes lead to disaster. It is always best to let God guide your footsteps. Isaiah 55:6-9 (NIV) reads, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God for he will freely pardon. 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God thinks and plans in a way that we could never understand. It is best to let him stay in control. Playing the position of obedience is not always easy, but that is the position that God intended for us to have. I challenge you to leave your biggest concerns in the hands of God. I challenge you to stop planning, stop compromising, and stop worrying about how it will turn out. Trust that God's thoughts and ways are higher than yours, and know that he is in control. He will restore you.