A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:53 When a person is scolded for voicing indignation over wickedness, that is compromise. When a person is reprimanded for taking a biblical position against law breakers, that is corruption. It is far better to be a blessing because the ungodly has an ungodly estate. Psalm 1

Good Morning

Can determination be a good thing, well it would depend on what you are determined to do. Once on some submarine I was on, I was working in my office at night, the office was located in a small compartment called, “Machinery One” There are various small machines that assist in the operation of the sub like filtering machines for the air, oxygen generators, the trim pump and other items. Also in this compartment was a drill press, it was located just outside my office door. I heard the drill press start up, then shortly I heard the person express pain; then I heard the expression again, this time with a string of cursing. I got up, but before I could get out the door I heard another expression of pain and more cursing. When I opened the door, there stood a Senior Chief Petty Officer trying to drill a hole in a quarter that he wanted to make a ring out of. I had to physically force him to stop, he was on his way for the fourth hole in his hand. The drill press was full of blood, the paper towel wrapped around his hand was red and he was so mad that he was almost uncontrollable. His explanation; “I'm getting married when we get back to port and I was attempting to make us wedding bands!” This is the kind of person you would want to go into battle with. They seem to get the battle scares, long before the battle begins.

Acts 16

Acts 16:6-7 There is never a time when we should skim over a passage of scripture and say that it is not important enough to look at closely. The next five verses are some of the most important verses in the book to examine. How aware are we today of the filling control of the Holy Spirit. Do we really ever consider that it is the Holy Spirit who prevents us from doing or going to some specific place?. I do not see the writer Luke, vacillating over this thought, and we too should be just as positive about the Spirit of God in our daily life.

Acts 16:8 Being obedient to the lead of the Holy Spirit will keep you moving in the direction that God is determined for you to go. If you have ever experienced this leading you know that it is a joyful experience that the world cannot duplicate. God has a plan for all of us and when we are busy walking in the power of that plan, it is like living in heaven of earth.

Acts 16:9-10 We really should not consider it odd that the apostle experienced the vision of a man from Macedonia. Have you ever had a moment when someone you personally do not know, but you know the persons name and their name falls on your mind. Then have you not heard the Holy Spirit say to you, pray for them, they need prayer. Or, have you not heard the Holy Spirit from time to time seek to send you someplace? Following up on His leading is so full of joy that it cannot be humanly expressed and today it seems like so many of us miss out because we are to busy doing human things, like drilling holes in our hand.

Now if you do not have your bible with you, the following is a link you can go to and find the verses of scripture I have referenced herein. Bible Gateway at: www.biblegateway.com/