Thoughts for Life: The Path Home

How few there be that understand the path in which we trod
The path that God has made for us while living on this sod
The path that's straight and narrow often painful to our feet
But when we navigate it by God's grace there's no defeat

For in this path are trials with temptations on each side
Temptations that can steal the soul of those who don't abide
Through faith with every confidence in Him Who walked before
To bring us safe in passage to the threshold of His door

But often things we carry in the baggage we acquire
Weigh down our souls with burdens that keep us from going higher
And those who choose to keep those things they cherish from their past
Find those things draw them from the path to lose their soul at last

And some are so discouraged by the way they've lived before
They focus more on what they've done than how God loves them more
Than every sin that they have sinned has caused Him so much pain
And by His grace through Christ His Son has cleansed them of that stain

And if they choose their failings and their sins of long ago
To be their daily focus than His love they'll fail to know
As that which keeps us in His path until we reach the end
And once again they too will fall back to this world of sin

But then there are the chosen few who lose their burdened past
When all on Jesus Christ alone they choose at last to cast
Their burdens and their sorrows for the life they lived before
And keep their souls desire on the things He offers more

Those things that mean salvation to the ones who trust in Him
Who focus on His precious love and what He gave for them
And what He is preparing at the end for those who pray
Who choose to keep abiding in that rough and narrow Way

Because they have the vision of the light that's at the end
The light that is God's kingdom for the ones who will depend
On Him through every moment while still on this path we trod
That leads us through the darkness to the very throne of God

And when at last we reach the place where He calls us to dwell
Escaping all the things of earth that lead the soul to hell
We'll know that all the trials we faced were worth the price we paid
For heaven is the home for those who choose in Christ to stay

Proverbs 2:1-10

The Path Home
Lee Forbes

Our prayer today-

Father, thank You for Your promise to guide our feet on our walk with You throughout our lives.
May we be conscious of our need for Your help, and may we ask for divine inspiration in each challenge we face, to honor You.
It is our desire to end up at heaven's door, having accomplished all Your plans for us. Give us awareness as to how to overcome the temptations that are planned for our failure.
May we focus on Christ's ability and willingness to rid of us of the memories of our painful past, and to look to Him to help us with daily trials, to honor You, Father, and to arrive at heaven's door some day.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Today's Bible verse-

"And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which
is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed"
Heb. 12:13 (KJV).

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. (v. 8) Draw nigh to God, and
he will draw night to you. Cleanse your hands ye sinners;
and purify your hearts ye double-minded"
James 4:7-8 (KJV).

"[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth
and falls into error and another [person] brings him back
[to God], (v 20) Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever
turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one's]
soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [procure
the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert]"
James 5:19-20 (Amp).

Today's quotes-

~ Andrew Murray: "Let nothing less than these - the desire, the decision to live only for the glory of the Father, even as Christ did; the acceptance of Him with His life and strength working it in us; the joyful assurance that we can live to the glory of God, because Christ lives in us - let this be the spirit of our daily life." [Taken from Herald of His Coming Newspaper, Vol. 76 No. 9 (909), p. 1, Sept. 2017, "The Chief End of Prayer". Used by permission.]

~ Andrew Murray: "To the man who withdraws himself from all that is of world and man, and prepares to wait upon God alone, the Father will reveal Himself. As he forsakes and gives up and shuts out the world and the life of the world, and surrenders himself to be led of Christ into the secret of God's presence, the light of the Father's love will rise upon him." [Taken from Herald of His Coming Newspaper, Vol. 76 No. 9 (909), p. 3, Sept. 2017, "Alone With God." Used by permission.]

Today's question-

What is the language of your heart?

As Christians, we are now called sons and daughters of the Most High God. Our calling is to live as peaceably as possible with others, especially those of like faith. It's not "all about you," but as the Father directs, we are to pursue peace and walk in holiness of heart, making every attempt to reach out to others to encourage good relationships. (Heb. 12:14).
The real blessing is in our being peacemakers; to build bridges to restore relationships that have been broken. We are to Humble ourselves first. The Holy Spirit, being our Helper, will help us reach out to do what we can. He will then need some time to work in their hearts, to let go of resentments and poor attitudes. (Heb. 12:15).

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!

Upcoming posts-

#17 God's Power in the Ministry of Duncan Campbell

12th Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#18 At Times God's Convicting Power Fell

14th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Our Challenge: A Sanctified Life

16th- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout

#19 You Need Repeated Empowering

19th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel