Afternoon Ti: Fortress of Solitude

I love to be alone. There's something about getting away from other people that helps me to focus. I am a natural thinker, and I like to go through my own process in making decisions or working through a problem. I'm not one to share a lot of what's going on with me. I just keep things to myself and only open up if I feel I really need to.

One of the biggest advantages to this method is that the only other major voice in my ear is the voice of the Lord. He's the only One who knows it all, so when I turn to Him, He's always ready with an answer. He hits right at the root of the issue, and then it's up to me to listen to His voice or choose otherwise. Where another person may bring in confusion or a suggestion that may or may not work. God's way is the best way 100% of the time.

There is a time and place for friendly advice, other people's wisdom, and collaboration with others. Yet, you can't pay too much attention to other people and what they think. When it comes down to it, you need to know what you think and what God thinks. Then you have to determine if those two beliefs are in line with each other. If not, yours is definitely the one that needs to be changed.

Today, take some time to get by yourself. Quiet the noise of those around you and focus in on the One voice that really matters. Allow the Lord to speak to you in your solitude and gain strength from His wisdom.

Verse of the Day: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Wednesday's Word: Meditating on the Word

Only be thou strong and very courageous,

that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law,

which Moses my servant commanded thee:

turn not from it to the right hand or to the left,

that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth;

but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

 that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:

 for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee?

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:7-9



It's easy to sin. Lies roll off the tongue.. greed and envy are never hard to embrace... anger and hatred seem like second nature...

Following after God takes strength and courage. Ignoring our fleshly desires takes discipline and strong will (in addition to the power of the Holy Spirit). When following the Lord, we have to take cares to not turn "to the right hand or to the left". That means we can't take shortcuts. There is no "just this one time" or "little white lies" or "God knows my heart" with the Lord. Only when we follow His will to the letter will we live a prosperous life.

To get results we have to meditate on His words. That means we have to read, study, research, memorize, think about, and talk about the Word of God. We have to know His Word inside and out to insure that we are living in a way that pleases Him.

There's a whole 'nother nugget in there about being strong and courageous in there, but I'll touch on that tomorrow. Today, however, spend some time to meditate on the Word of God.