Encouragement for Today 03-17-05

March 17, 2005

Encouragement for Today

“Route 66”

By Susanne Scheppmann, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key verse:

Psalm 119:32, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (NIV)

Devotion:

I rebelled against God. My fist shook in anger as I turned to walk away in my own selfish pride.

But God, in His merciful love, wooed me back. I’ll will never forget that moment.

The jazz music of Knott’s Berry Farm echoed across the hot pavement. The smell of fried chicken and sweet funnel cakes taunted my stomach. After a long play-filled day, my family and I browsed through the shops. My head peeked through a door and detected the musty smell of books. A bookstore!

I ambled in to peruse the shelves. Immediately, I realized it was a Christian bookstore. I hadn’t been in one of those in years. I almost headed out, but I hesitated.

“Can I help you?” asked a sweet voice?

To my own surprise, I answered, “Uh, yes. Could you show me that Bible, please?”

She handed me a rose-colored leather Bible. I felt my heart melt inside of me. Suddenly, it seemed like I had come home after a long, tiring journey. After I purchased it, I raced for the car. The rest of my family still shopped, but I sat in a little blue Volkswagen Jetta, reconnecting to the Father. A prodigal returned to her Father’s waiting arms.

I remember hearing His quiet voice in my spirit.

“Let’s start over. Use my Word to learn true freedom.”

Over the next couple of years, I studied the sixty-six books found in the Bible. I learned how to make wise decisions. Forgiveness flowed to those who had hurt me. I parented my two boys with more patience. My husband gained a more loving and devoted wife. I discovered true freedom in following God’s direction for my life.

Those sixty-six books became “a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” As I soaked my heart in the Word of God, my path in life became clearer. God’s Word developed into a daily roadmap of direction, which I call my Route 66.

Now every morning I reach for my Route 66. I can’t imagine a day without it.

My prayer for today:

Father God, wake me each morning with a desire for your Word. Open my eyes to see the truth of Your Word in my daily life. Help me to apply Your timeless concepts and principles to the decisions I need to make.

Application steps:

Pray the words of Psalm 119:18 and then read all of Psalm 119. Underline all the verses that touch your heart. Memorize Psalm 119:105 and ask God to light your path with His Word each day.

Reflection points:

How often do I read the Bible?

Do I look for areas in my life where I can apply the truth of scripture?

When I need direction, do I seek answers from God’s Word?

Power verses:

Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (NIV)

Psalm 119:89, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (NIV)

Psalm 119:96, “To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.” (NIV)

Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (NIV)

Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (NIV)