DO YOU NEED A PERSONAL GPS FOR GUIDANCE?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
(Galatians 2:20)

MEDITATION:
We have seen the development of ‘computer-controlled driving’
of automobiles in recent years. We may not ‘fully trust’ them,
but when working properly, you simply enter your destination
and let the computer handle the routing and heavy traffic snarls.

But, life itself is a lot more complicated than an auto, isn’t it?
There are so many variables to living that we cannot have our
plans, actions, emotions, etc. programmed for us. However, we
do have access to the greatest assistance we could ever imagine
for helping us to live our lives in the best way possible.

For us to enjoy this assistance, we need to admit that living life ‘our way’
is not giving us the results we want or need. Most of us have experienced
times of happiness and bliss, which are often followed by disappointments
and emotional distress. When we evaluate our own efforts of living in this
world, we know we can embrace any help to meet the challenges we face.

In addition, we can look at our lives differently when we feel we have
a purpose and an ultimate goal for our existence. We may create some
short term (or even long term) goals for ourselves, but after achieving
those goals, we might wonder, “What now?”.

How would it change our lives and attitudes if someone could give us a
lifetime goal that creates a feeling of worthiness and leads to an eternal
happiness? When we realize our own efforts can leave us frustrated and
feeling unfulfilled, we are more willing to ‘die to our own efforts’ and
accept assistance.

God created us for a purpose, and He knows what we need to fulfill
what He wants us to do.
    For you created my inmost being; you
    knit me together in my mother’s womb.
    (Psalm 139:13)

    For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do
    good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
    (Ephesians 2:10)

When we receive salvation from the Lord, He makes the Holy Spirit
available for us as our advocate to guide us in all we do. However,
we have the responsibility to ask for Him to become a part of our
life and embrace His presence. Look at these words from Jesus:
    “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good
      gifts to your children, how much more will your Father
      in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
      (Like 11:13)

When we surrender ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
we can then ‘die to our old self’ and ‘become a new person’ with
new attitudes, goals, and a purpose for living. For us to ‘die to self’,
we need to ask His Spirit to be active in our lives, and then allow
Him to control our words, thoughts, and actions.
    So from now on we regard no one from a worldly
    point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in
    this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone
    is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old
    has gone, the new is here!
    (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)

Take a moment and think about the magnitude of God’s Holy
Spirit living in us. Who is better qualified to give us a goal,
a purpose and daily direction for our life? With God’s Spirit
as our guide, we will discover how much better life can be for
us. It can create faith and confidence in us that His decisions
are best and we can trust Him in all things.

God has given each of us a unique mind which can accomplish many
things, but we need His guidance if we expect to live righteously in
the way God wants us to live. When He is in control, we will be able
to cope with the difficulties of life much easier.

When God (through His Spirit) is in control, we will have a greater
ability to resist the temptations that are thrown at us almost daily.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of our lives, we will
find a new level of confidence in all we do.

ACTION:
We should ask ourselves:
    “Am I still living my life as I choose,
      or have I given control to God’s Spirit?”
    “Have I allowed the Holy Spirit to live within me and
      give me the guidance and direction I need in all things?”

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, the day I received You with a childlike
faith, my whole life was changed! I feel more comfortable
and confident when I live a life following Your decisions
instead of mine. I pray that You will help me reveal my
faith to others daily, so they might be drawn to You too.
Thank You for all the advice and guidance You give me
every day. Without You I can be weak and vulnerable,
but with You I can be strong and confident!”

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