My personal guide

But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them - sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute. Isaiah 42:15,16

This has certainly been my experience of God, a personal guide. There have been many times in recent years in my life when I have been in an 'unknown country'. Circumstances I never dreamed I would be in, and they weren't what you would call positive circumstances! They were circumstances in which no person around me could give me a full understanding of what was happening, or likely to happen in the future. God was the only place I could go to.

In those times, I felt like God was literally taking my hand, leading me to the right people at the right time, giving me the right words to speak and write. There were some very very difficult moments. Sometimes I felt like I was only a step away, but I didn't fall in the ditch, because of God's guidance and grace.

For my part I had to totally surrender to God. I had to acknowledge that I had no answers, no plan, no solution to resolve these situations. I was completely reliant on Him. It was a time of me moving to a new level of trusting God, to knowing more and more in my heart that He does work all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.

Question for today, do you believe that God can be your personal guide through life, helping you through the good and the bad times? And if so, are you going to let Him be your guide?

Let this be made known to all the earth

And in that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name and by means of His name [in solemn entreaty]; declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted! Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done excellent things [gloriously]; let this be made known to all the earth. Isaiah 12:4-5

A question for all Christians is how are we letting 'this be made known to all the earth'? 

In today's world the internet certainly provides a way for us to communicate widely about the deeds God is doing here and now! At least to the peoples who have access to the internet and are searching for more about God. 

We all have a sphere of influence. However big or small your sphere of influence, next time you post a facebook entry, comment on a blog, or use some other type of social media, why not be bold and declare what God has done for you. And then trust that God will use that declaration to encourage and help someone else.

For my part I am learning to take every opportunity that God gives me to declare what He is doing in my life. With every new opportunity to communicate, my boldness grows. From various feedback I receive I know God is using the testimony of His faithfulness and goodness in my life to encourage and inspire other people. What an honour and a privilege to be used in that way. Thank you Jesus that you truly do work all things together for good!

A challenge, in this next week, why not use some aspect of social media to declare what God has done and pray that it will encourage whoever reads it.