Perhaps

"From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. 'For in Him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are His offspring""- Acts 17:26-28 (NIV).

God has done all these things so that you would seek Him and...perhaps...reach out for Him. Have you experienced children shrugging off attempts to guide them or assist them when they were struggling? Our culture applauds independence; some adults even allowing children to struggle: "It will make them stronger." But, oh how your heart swells when little arms reach out to you for help. You are there and can be "found" when they do; just as when you,perhaps, make that choice of reaching out to God, you will find Him. Perhaps one day all will seek and find the power of reaching out to God.

Beside the Water

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night"- Psalms 1:1-2 (NIV).

The Bible promises those who read Holy Scripture and resist sin will be similar to a tree planted beside life-giving water; the tree will yield fruit; the leaves will never wither; effort will bring prosperity (v.3). Jesus said whomever believes in Him, rivers of life-giving water will flow from within them..."as the Scripture has said" (John 7:38). Jesus is the source of the life-giving water that forever satisfies thirst...welling up to eternal life (John 4:13-14). John's revelation included the crystal bright river of life flowing from His throne in Heaven (Revelation 22:1). Your life is forever changed by the Holy Word; settling you beside the life-giving water, your roots drawing the life-giving water up and overflowing to others.

All Things

"For the Lord your God is the one Who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory"- Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV).

God goes with us onto battlefields, into raging waters, through valleys, and within the storms. He strengthens us, helps us, and upholds us as we go (Isaiah 41:10). There can be no room for delay, for second-guessing; Go! God's power is made perfect in your weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). He is faithful and will not give you more than you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:3). The Lord knows those who take refuge in Him (Nahum 1:7). But beware when you think you have overcome by your own strength, or by trusting in others, that your heart does not turn away from God (Jeremiah 17:5). Be strong in your faith! You can do all things through God who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). 

Forever

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die"- Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a (NIV).

Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Holy plans are in place for your future and your hope (Jeremiah 29:11). If you live, you live to the Lord; if you die, you die to the Lord. You belong to God, either way (Romans 14:8). "O death, where is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55). God is not man; He doesn't lie; if He says He will do something...it will be done (Numbers 23:19). Be encouraged with these words; you will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:18). 

Straight Paths

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight"- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).

Children have trusting hearts and Jesus said that unless we become like children, trust like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-3). He didn't say behave like a child, on the contrary, we are to give up the things of childhood (1 Corinthians 13:11). We are to mature spiritually, being made in Christ's perfect image. Today's verse is on having pure trust: accepting the Word as solid ground, being fearless when God asks you walk on water, tossing anxiety like a set of handcuffs into the deepest sea, and seeking Jesus as a vast treasure....and you've got the Map (Jeremiah 29:13). The paths He will make straight, once you unconditionally trust in Him, is the path into His arms. It is He who leads you down the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3).