Key Truths and Applications for a Christ-Like Walk
A 15-Week Study for Growing Closer to the Lord
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Day 2 - Read Proverbs 3:6
Trusting in the Lord and not ourselves can be difficult when we don’t seek the Lord. When we don’t stay close to the Lord it’s easy to begin to think we have things under control and we lean on our own understanding. Today we will discuss one more instruction and then see the result that occurs if we do these things.
This first part of verse 6 says, “…in all your ways acknowledge Him." So, in the previous verse we saw that we are to trust in the Lord with ALL of our heart and in verse 6 we see we are to acknowledge Him in ALL our ways. The Lord wants us to be committed in ALL areas. This is not a “needy” thing on His part. This is not a “selfish” reason on the Lord’s part. It is so He can work through you. If He doesn’t have your whole heart, then the world does. If He doesn’t have every part of your life: your marriage, your finances, your attitude, your kids, your work, then the world has some part of it. My former pastor, whom I am so grateful for, always taught that partial obedience is not obedience. Can we acknowledge the Lord only in some areas of our life but not in others and still be living in obedience to Him? Can we say I gave 10% at church on Sunday, buy a 12 pack and get drunk but think we are living in obedience? “Well I gave 10%...so it doesn’t matter how I spent the rest of my money.” Does one obedient act excuse the other non-obedient act? Is partial obedience even obedience at all?
The second part of the verse gives us the result. So far in this week’s lessons we’ve seen three instructions. The result for those instructions is, “…and He will make your paths straight.” Yesterday’s lesson and today’s lesson are one continuous thought. When you look at your text there aren’t any periods, ending the thought, in verse 5 or 6 until you get to the end of 6. So, each of these three instructions and result go together. For the sake of discussion we have broken it down into two parts (yesterday and today).
If we trust in Him, do not look to our own understanding and acknowledge Him in everything, “He will make our paths straight.” This is not only a result for what will happen, but is a definitive statement. The word, “will,” is definitive. It is for sure. You can count on it. It’s not a word that is indecisive. He will do it. Another thing to notice about the word, “will,” is it is futuristic. He will do it, but only after the previous remarks are met. So, He will make our paths straight, only once we trust in Him, lean on Him and acknowledge Him. God is not asking us to be perfect before He comes to us. Be sure you are clear on this. He is not saying to be without issues or faults when we live for Him. The three requirements of trust Him, lean on Him and acknowledge Him are all that of attitude and mindset. They are not physical things you have to do. Sure, there may be outwardly, physical gestures or actions that happen because of these elements, but the elements themselves are a decision we make in our head, our mind and our heart. If you have the right motive in your heart, the right mindset and willingness to be used by God, then He will use you. He does not call those that are perfect, just willing. He will then transform you into something new. What does “make our paths straight” mean? He will guide us and keep us on the right road. When we are close to the Lord it is much more difficult to stray from Him. When we slack in our relationship with Him, stop reading the Bible, stop going to church, start watching that TV show again that you stopped because you know it wasn’t edifying the Lord or taking a drink when you hadn’t in months or years, these all lead to wondering off. The metaphor is a road. When we walk with the Lord we stay on the right road. When we put distance between Him and us we begin to take wrong turns or we get lost. But, the Lord says He will make our paths straight, He will keep us on the road. So, how/when will He do this? When we trust Him, Lean on Him and acknowledge Him.
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About the Book
This book was written so that readers can learn key truths in order to grow in the Lord. Life can be busy, chaotic, and overwhelming. Key Truths and Applications for a Christ-Like Walk will help readers regain focus on Jesus to have a deeper relationship with the Lord. It discusses promises in the Bible, seeks the deconstruction of verses to see what God really meant for us to learn, and teaches key points and practical applications so the words aren’t just read, but internalized. The book’s goal is to spur change through the truths found in God’s word.
About the Author
Jennifer has been a believer, a person who believes solely in the Lordship and saving grace of Jesus Christ for salvation, since the age of twelve. She has been married to her husband, Allen, for fourteen years and they have three young children. By profession she has been a teacher for eleven years. God has blessed her with a wide range of experience in different school settings which has afforded her extensive knowledge and experience in many areas. Some of which include: how different school systems operate, how students learn, and in what environments, surroundings and conditions will most ensure a person’s success. In 2010 she completed her Master’s Degree in Education having studied Curriculum and Instruction. She is eager to share the Lord and teach about him and his redemptive love that is for all mankind through writing. She is humbled that God would lead her, guide her, and equip her in whatever type of teaching she does; whether it be with her children, in a classroom or writing Bible studies/curriculum. Her interests include: the ocean, thunderstorms, road trips, hikes, exploring new places, the ukulele, good food, family and friends.