Endurance for the Journey, Featured

A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares food with the poor.
PROVERBS 22:9 (NIV)

This verse has application today to far more than giving away groceries. (Proverbs 22:9) Sometimes the “food” a generous man shares is his time; at other times it’s a listening ear; but most of the time, it’s himself, a caring friend.

When we become men and women like this, we may be astonished at how quickly (and in what abundance) the “food” comes back to us when we find ourselves starving. We discover that generosity of spirit is paid back in full. Generosity is not only a two-way street; it often becomes a two-way, multiple-lane highway.

We need to give more than lip service to the idea of sharing burdens with one another. We truly do need one another, especially when we are suffering. One way we affirm the value of our friends is to take turns bearing each other’s burdens.

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galations 6:2 NLT)

The generous will prosper;
Those who refresh others
will themselves be refreshed.
PROVERBS 11:25 (NLT)

On the journey with you,
Dave Dravecky

Endurance for the Journey, Featured

A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
PROVERBS 20:24 (NIV)

No one likes to be confused, but it should bring us some comfort to know that a certain amount of confusion is “built in” to life on this planet. (Proverbs 20:24)

When “bad things” happen to us, we normally try to understand why they happened and what they mean. But very often we ask these questions (at least at first) apart from God’s Word and counsel. In other words, we try to understand our own way – and that always brings confusion.

So does this mean that if we acknowledge that our “steps are directed by the Lord,” our confusion will vanish in a blaze of sudden understanding? No, it doesn’t. But it does mean that when we acknowledge God as the director of our steps – even when we can’t see one step in front of us – even then we can rest secure, for He never grows confused or uncertain. We can trust His leading. Always.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
PROVERBS 3:5-6 (THE MESSAGE)

On the journey with you,
Jan & Dave Dravecky