A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Friday,
July 30,
2021
Guardrail along stream in Smoky Mountain
National Park
"Guardrails
For The Heart"
“Above all
else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”
(Proverbs 4:23). “My people are destroyed from lack of
knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). "So be on your guard!" (1
Corinthians 16:13). "Be on your guard; stand firm in the
faith; be courageous; be strong" (1 Timothy 6:20).
"By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good
deposit entrusted to you" (2 Timothy 1:14). “For this
reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;
for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He
is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that
day” (2 Timothy 1:12). "Therefore, dear friends, since you
have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not
be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from
your secure position” (2 Peter 3:17).
Several
times during our road trip last week we were on mountain
highways, especially in Arkansas and Tennessee, some with
harrowing drop-offs and switchbacks. Sometimes there were
guardrails, other times just a long drop down if you
ventured off the road. A guardrail is a railing that lessens
the danger since it acts as a barrier along the edge of a
highway at dangerous points, especially drop-offs. (Note:
the photo to the left was not taken during our
trip!)Today let us
consider how guardrails pertain to our spiritual life.
Although highway guardrails can function to prevent
travelers from going down if they veer off the road, they
are best seen as a constant warning and guide. Tragically
the vast majority of people are ignoring these God-ordained
guardrails that He so wisely and graciously provides. "Above
all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of
life" (Proverbs 4:23).
Today let us consider several guardrails that God has provided:
Bible commentator John Gill issues this challenge,
Today let us consider several guardrails that God has provided:
1) The
Guardrail of Scriptural commands and prohibitions.
God's Word is like a guardrail. It contains both commands,
"You shall..." and prohibitions, "You shall not...". Our
second text today states, "My people are destroyed
from lack of knowledge." This is speaking about the
knowledge of God and His Word. So many disregard this
knowledge and we see our society racing headlong to most
certain judgment which seems to be getting closer by the
day. Regardless of what happens, the faithful Christian
and church must continue to "devote themselves to the
apostles' teaching" (Acts 2:42) and "contend
earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed
down to the saints" (Jude 3). John
Bunyan, who wrote Pilgrim's
Progress said, "What God says is
best is best, though all the men in the world are
against it."
2) The Guardrail of the Holy Spirit's guidance. The Holy Spirit can function in our lives as a spiritual guardrail. Paul was intending to continue his mission work in Asia Minor when he had his Macedonian vision. The Holy Spirit essentially stopped him and led him in another direction by closing a door: "When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to" (Acts 16:7). As we walk with the Lord, in sensitivity to His Spirit, we need to respect the guardrails of God's direction, oversight and protection.
3) The Guardrail of Godly counsel. Solomon wrote, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity" (Proverbs 3:1,2). We need to heed the counsel of the wise and esteem the elderly who have gone on before us and those yet with us. It seems more and more young people have little regard for their elders. Wisdom has been defined as "knowledge rightly applied."
4) The Guardrail of Patterns. This point is most difficult to develop since many have a negative attitude toward tradition and even the Scriptures speak out against tradition in some circumstances. Certainly, tradition for tradition's sake needs to be evaluated carefully. But it seems to me that an attitude prevails in the church among more than a few that "new" is always seen as better, more hip, and more appealing to a current generation and the old is bad. But good patterns and practices developed over years by those who have lived before us can too quickly be shrugged aside in favor of the new, without considering what significance is lost in the process or the consequences of abandoning them. We addressed this topic many years ago in a message titled "The Tyranny of the New".
2) The Guardrail of the Holy Spirit's guidance. The Holy Spirit can function in our lives as a spiritual guardrail. Paul was intending to continue his mission work in Asia Minor when he had his Macedonian vision. The Holy Spirit essentially stopped him and led him in another direction by closing a door: "When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to" (Acts 16:7). As we walk with the Lord, in sensitivity to His Spirit, we need to respect the guardrails of God's direction, oversight and protection.
3) The Guardrail of Godly counsel. Solomon wrote, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity" (Proverbs 3:1,2). We need to heed the counsel of the wise and esteem the elderly who have gone on before us and those yet with us. It seems more and more young people have little regard for their elders. Wisdom has been defined as "knowledge rightly applied."
4) The Guardrail of Patterns. This point is most difficult to develop since many have a negative attitude toward tradition and even the Scriptures speak out against tradition in some circumstances. Certainly, tradition for tradition's sake needs to be evaluated carefully. But it seems to me that an attitude prevails in the church among more than a few that "new" is always seen as better, more hip, and more appealing to a current generation and the old is bad. But good patterns and practices developed over years by those who have lived before us can too quickly be shrugged aside in favor of the new, without considering what significance is lost in the process or the consequences of abandoning them. We addressed this topic many years ago in a message titled "The Tyranny of the New".
Bible commentator John Gill issues this challenge,
"Turn not to
the right hand nor to the left, either into the road of
immorality and profaneness, or into that of error,
superstition, and false worship; but attend to the way of
holiness and truth, directed to in the Word of God. Don't
be cast down with adversity, nor be lifted up with
prosperity; but keep on in an even way, attending to that
which is just and right; leaving all events with God, as
knowing you are in the way of your duty, and in which He
would have you walk."
Today let us thank God for spiritual guardrails. When we see spiritual guardrails keeping us on the right road during our earthly journey we need to carefully and Scripturally assess the situation, recognize the danger that is close at hand, and prayerfully stay on course.
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
it is because of Your wise and loving
character that You teach us about the wiles of
our adversary, the devil, and his cunning
ways. We are not caught unaware but recognize
his strategy as we regularly read Your Word
and store it up in our hearts. Your precepts
are right and because of that we hate every
wrong path. Direct our footsteps according to
Your Word so that we stay in pace with You,
observing the yellow lights of caution,
stopping at the red lights of danger, and
staying within the confines of Your
guardrails. As we do so we will not allow sin
to dominate our lives or lead us astray. We
pray for Your guidance which leads to blessing
in Jesus' name. Amen.
Daily
prayer: Father,
it is because of Your wise and loving
character that You teach us about the wiles of
our adversary, the devil, and his cunning
ways. We are not caught unaware but recognize
his strategy as we regularly read Your Word
and store it up in our hearts. Your precepts
are right and because of that we hate every
wrong path. Direct our footsteps according to
Your Word so that we stay in pace with You,
observing the yellow lights of caution,
stopping at the red lights of danger, and
staying within the confines of Your
guardrails. As we do so we will not allow sin
to dominate our lives or lead us astray. We
pray for Your guidance which leads to blessing
in Jesus' name. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Guard Your Heart" Video Steve Green
This giant watering can is
near Staunton, VA
"Guard Your Heart" Video Steve Green
Today we
will share several scenes from our travel
back home through Virginia
In
southern Virginia we drove for awhile on
the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge
Parkway is a National Parkway and
All-American Road, noted for its scenic
beauty. The parkway, which is America's
longest linear park, runs for 469 miles
through twenty-nine Virginia and North
Carolina counties, mostly along the Blue
Ridge, a major mountain chain that is
part of the Appalachian Mountains.
(Wikipedia)
We
enjoy the scenery riding along the
parkway but it takes a lot longer than
the essentially parallel Rt I-81. We
were anxious to get home so we only
rode on it for awhile.
Cyrus
McCormick farm, near Lexington, VA.
Cyrus Hall McCormick improved and
patented the mechanical reaper, which
eventually led to the creation of the
combine harvester.
Cyrus
McCormick farm
Finally
today:
This
morning we stopped by two of our favorite
locally grown produce sources.
Fresh
from the field corn from the Corn Wagon in New
Danville!
Fresh
peaches from the Cherry Hill Orchards
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& Brooksyne
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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