Proverbs 4:25-27

"Look straight ahead,
  and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
  stay on the safe path.
Don't get sidetracked;
  keep your feet from following evil."

 

Want to know how to be productive? Here's the answer. Set your goal, and fix your eyes on what lies right before you. (Not two months or five years ahead. Things will change by then anyway.) Mark out a straight path, make sure it's "safe"—tried and true. "Don't get sidetracked"—a real challenge in this day of endless distractions. "Keep your feet from following evil"—know where the path you're walking leads to. So here you have it—the recipe for a productive day, week, year, and life.

Proverbs 4:20-22

"My child, pay attention to what I say.
  Listen carefully to my words.
Don't lose sight of them.
  Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them,
  and healing to their whole body."

 

God's words are both powerful and practical. Keep them in your sight—read them every day. "Let them penetrate deep into your heart"—meditate on their meaning. The promise is, if you let the Word shape your life, you will indeed experience life and, sometimes, even physical health. Healing comes from a spiritual source—God's truth.

Psalm 10:17-18

"LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless.
  Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.
You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
  so mere people can no longer terrify them."

 

 

David identifies with God's heart for the poor and oppressed. He affirms that God sees, cares, and will act in justice. Do you also see, care, and act for justice for anyone? Who around you might be, deep down, crying to God for hope and help? Ask God to open your eyes to anyone in need today, and show how you might offer help and hope

Matthew 9:6-8

"'So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'

 "And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority."

 

 

Jesus mentioned forgiveness both because it was the paralytic's root issue, and also to prove that he had the authority to forgive sins, showing he is God. Only God can get at the root causes of our issues. Only God can forgive and heal at that deep level. Whatever kind of healing you need, realize that God is the ultimate source of healing. Medicine, psychology, and even religion can only address symptoms. Only God himself can get at the source of your problems and heal. Trust in God

Genesis 26:26-31

"One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander. 'Why have you come here?' Isaac asked. 'You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.'

"They replied, 'We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let's make a covenant. Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the LORD has blessed you!'

"So Isaac prepared a covenant feast to celebrate the treaty, and they ate and drank together. Early the next morning, they each took a solemn oath not to interfere with each other. Then Isaac sent them home again, and they left him in peace."

 

 

God's promise to Abraham was that through his descendants (through Isaac, not Ishmael), all the families on the earth would be blessed. Abimelech and his people were the first recipients of this promised blessing, as they experienced peace with Isaac. God always fulfills his promises and works his good plan for blessing. This is true not only concerning the ultimate blessing of heaven, but also real blessings on earth. Count on a faithful God to faithfully fulfill his promises … in your real, everyday life.