My one word this year was “guide”.

It’s been interesting to see where the word showed up in the course of my days and the lessons it has brought. All I had hoped was to be led in truth, God’s truth, this entire year.

“Always stay open to the guidance and instruction of God’s Word. God will speak to you through Scripture as He leads you through your trial. Keep trusting Him and He will accomplish what is best for you and what glorifies Him.”

(from Prayer, Praise & Promises by Warren W. Wiersbe, page 363)

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The voice of our Lord will calm all our fears, keep us on the right path, and direct our paths.

Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21, NASB)

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God’s  guidance may be contrary to popular opinion, may not be our thoughts, or not the advice given by others. It may not seem logical or easy. But it will always be right, best, and wise. It will be life-giving.

“Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God’s commands and grow rich. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!” (Proverbs 13:13-14, MSG)

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Then there was the day my word showed up in a different way in this quote:

“Our will must die. Our desire to rush through hard seasons must die. Our belief that we’re in charge here must die. Our demands. Our misguided plans. Our selfish ambitions. All of it must die.”

(from Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee, page 43)

The daily challenges we face are permitted by our God, who loves us too deeply to leave us on our misguided path. The daily challenges guide us back to rely on Him alone.

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“See, I am in all things. See, I do all things. See, I never remove my hands from my works, nor ever shall without end. See, I guide all things to the end that I ordain them for, before time began, with the same power and wisdom and love with which I made them: how should anything be amiss?”

(from 40 Day Journey with Julian of Norwich, Lisa E. Dahill, Editor, page 96)

“Mark this – God is our God forever and ever, guiding us to the end.” (Psalm 48:14)

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“Each morning David meditated on the Word of God and God guided him.”
(Psalm 143:8, NASB)

God will provide guidance through His Word which is truth. It is not an opinion, it is truth for all time and for all people.

“And I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.”
(from “I Believe” by Rich Mullins)

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One day this fall, when baking my first loaf of bread, the words of a song came back to mind:

“All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread.”
(from “All the Way My Savior Leads Me by Rich Mullins)

He will sustain us with the living bread, His Word, each day as come to His table.

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Reading in the book of Acts brought the reminder of how the early believers prayed and fasted over decisions. They did not rely on their own understanding, intelligence, preferences, or wisdom.

It made me wonder what would happen if we did just that – fasted and waited for guidance. If we didn’t rush our decisions?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB)

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Dear Guide,

You’ve been a good and faithful word this year, but then You already knew that. You have always been a faithful and true Word. You brought many lessons but one lesson I knew all along, I need You, I need God’s Word every single day to guide my life.

With deep appreciation,
Me

Today I am linking up with One Word 2023 .