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Your Good Paths

Ivey Rorie On April 5, 2021 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Psalm 143: 10 The Passion Translation

I just want to obey all you ask of me. So teach me, Lord, for you are my God. Your gracious Spirit is all I need, so lead me on good paths that are pleasing to you, my one and only God!

Sometimes life makes you weary and not only can it be difficult to figure out which way to turn, the deliberation itself can be exhausting. That is what I hear from David in this passage. He reduced the expanse of his life, troubles and decisions to a single idea, “Just lead me in your paths.”

We have many goals and aspirations but what we need is the peace of knowing we are on the paths He has chosen for us. When God gives you a dream or a vision, you are filled with the energy and enthusiasm to accomplish it. I believe knowing you are in God’s plan for you is the most freeing of feelings. He is willing to guide us daily as well as on life’s journey and that is a comfort too.

I think this prayer is one of the most mentally and emotionally satisfying requests we can make. Life can be very complicated. It is simplified, though, when we are able to follow Him. If our desire is to obey Him, then we find we release a great deal of the angst that non-believers carry daily.

Have some time with Father and pray this prayer to Him. Let all the stress and anxiety flow upline to Him and just be free. Breathe deeply, letting Him release toxins from your body and reoxygenate your cells. I’m telling you, when you throw all that you concern yourself with onto His broad shoulders, you may feel like you have taken your first full breath in months, maybe even years. There is so much life in putting ourselves in His hands and seeking His ways. Receive rest for your soul today.

Fullness of Joy

Ivey Rorie On October 9, 2020 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Psalm 16: 11

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy.

This passage reminds me of a verse recently used for the Word of the Day. That verse is Psalm 119: 105 and it reads, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” I believe it also goes along with the Word of the Day from Tuesday which encourages seeking God’s wisdom.

It is very easy to believe that fullness of joy exists in the Lord’s presence. How could there be anything else? When we work backwards through this verse, you understand that fullness of joy exists in following Jesus onto the correct path. He is the light which lights our way. He is the way, in fact, and the light of his presence is constantly leading us to fruitful paths. As we seek the light, he leads us onto that path of life where there is always fullness and peace. It leads us into that Jewish concept of peace, Shalom, wherein all things in life work. There is nothing missing nor broken but, in all things, there is perfect wholeness.

The key here is in seeking the Lord’s face, seeking his presence. As we do that one thing, he leads us to that perfect place of provision and peace. Seek the Lord’s face continually. Seek his knowledge and wisdom and may the blessing of his presence follow you daily.

Precarious Steps

Ivey Rorie On April 28, 2017 / Word of the Day / 1 Comment

Psalm 37: 23 – 24

The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

After yesterday’s Word on God giving us hind’s feet for the high places this passage seemed appropriate. I watched a video today of a guy riding down a treacherous path on his bike. It was awe inspiring. There were sections where I thought to myself, “That would be hard to hike much less traverse on a bike.” Of course it didn’t help that the bike rider was at the top of a mountain and that the trail was perched precariously on the outside edge. I could glimpse a river every now and again and it was thousands of feet below the trail. Whew!

How nice is it that when we feel like we are on a path like that or that we must navigate some hazardous ground that we not only have hind’s feet but we also have our heavenly Father right beside us holding our hands. Can you see Him beside you in your mind’s eye? Can you see Him holding your hand?

I am thinking about the first time we rode a bike. Many of us had someone running along beside us helping us to stay upright. If I picture myself on my bike I can turn to the side and see the Father holding me up. You know, sometimes I need that. How about you? What are you doing now (besides reading this)? Are you at work? Are you about to go to your workout? Whatever is next on your schedule, Father God would love to do it with you. If you will let Him establish your steps, guide your way, I am sure that all will be better and easier.

Just think about riding your bike down that very challenging trail, it is the Portal trail in Moab, Utah, by the way. Wouldn’t you want Father establishing your steps, perhaps steering too? This is a perfect metaphor for life. If you can see yourself on a challenging hike or picking your way down the Portal Trail and imagine our Father coaching you with every step and holding on to you, then you have the picture of what your life can be, should be. He will help you to not put a foot wrong. He will catch you if you fall. You will not be hurled headlong and brother that is good news in life and on the Portal Trail.

Look up the trail. Watch the video. It is on the Ivey Ministries Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/IveyMinistries/). You will likely conclude that it is challenging, but then, so is life.

On Track

Ivey Rorie On October 21, 2015 / Word of the Day / Leave a comment

Psalm 32: 8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

I am always attracted to the many scriptures that tell us that God will lead us and teach us. It seems to me that as long as we have his counsel, that he is guiding our steps and instructing us, that there is really no need left in our lives. He can always lead us into what we need and also give us wisdom and knowledge for each situation. With God leading us, we can never go too far astray. Perhaps we do not always listen as well as we might but he is right there to help us get back on the right path. His eye is on us, looking over us and watching out for us. We are certainly blessed. Incline your ear towards him so that you will better hear the instruction of the Lord.

Diverging Strategies

Ivey Rorie On October 2, 2015 / Word of the Day / 2 Comments

Isaiah 55: 8

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

This might go without saying but it is probably good that it was stated so that we can consider it. Of all the doctrines and all the interpretative opinions we hear, surely there is little disagreement over this passage. However, I wonder how much we actually pay attention to the deep revelations within.

I searched my database to see how many times I have written on this passage and was astounded to find the answer to be none. I have referred to it in other Words of the Day but it has never been the subject of its own devotional. Let’s correct that today. My part is to write what the Father is telling me, yours is to meditate on these words but specifically this scriptural passage and determine how the application of its wisdom can (and should) impact your life.

I have been thinking about today’s verse in relation to Jeremiah 29: 11 which says, “I know the plans that I have for you.” When I put them together I get – Diverging Strategies. Our plans are not His plans because His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55: 9). When you intellectually connect these dots, it changes everything. And I find that it points out a major flaw in our prayer life and our relationship with Him.

One of the major purposes of Ivey Ministries is to teach believers how to operate in the realm of God, the Kingdom of God. Today’s verse and devotion is a key cog in that curriculum and part of the Ivey Ministries Foundation Series. It is too big for one devotional but I will try to develop it over time.

One of the loudest conclusions of this study is that we need to allow our Father to be the author of the strategies for our success and fulfillment. He knows what will fulfill us and He is leading us on that path. His plans are for our well-being, not for calamity (Jeremiah 29: 11). Since He knows the way, we would be well served to follow His leading instead of stumbling around in our ignorance. Most of us, however, have learned to ask God to bless our plans. Few ever really take the time to discern God’s plans. This is a major failing in our individual lives as well as in the body of Christ.

The shift we all need to make is to spend our time and prayers inquiring of God rather than petitioning Him to do what we want. If we will do this we will find ourselves in the promised land instead of the quagmire that so many of us are forced to deal with on a daily basis. Take the time, please, to ask Father what He wants, what His desire and plan is for you. His path and plan leads to a land flowing with milk and honey where he even gets water from rocks on your journey there. His blessing is in His plan, His plan for goodness. Your blessing and abundantly blessed life is right here in today’s devotional. Please don’t miss it.

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