Galatians 2:1 ” Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalrm.”

Saul, or Paul as he was later known had gone to Jerusalem to met the disciples just after his conversion…but only Peter and James would see him.

We catch the vision God has for us, and we know we’re called…at that moment, all we want is instant gratification and recognition. But God has different plans. Equipping and preparation are necessary before any journey, and while we may think we’re ready…the Lord may not. So don’t strain and complain about the preparing…for it also is part of the calling.

Joel 1:4 ” What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.”

Problems, sorrow, and illness are compounded one on top of another. We feel consumed by all our pain and suffering. Looking around, all we can see is barrenness, and our stark life stripped of everything good. But the Lord’s promise for us during this very trying time can be found farther in Joel when God states,”I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” He will reimburse you for every tear you have shed, and every moment of sorrow you have experienced.

Isaiah 51:6 ” Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But My salvation will last forever, My righteousness will never fail.”

All things as we know it will end someday, but the Almighty Lord is without beginning or end. His deliverance of us from the guilt and punishment of sin will always stand firm…His Word is eternal and everlasting…the Lord will always remain.

Luke 24:45 ” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.”

The Disciples had been listening to Jesus teach for three years, but much of it had gone in one ear and out the other. So now in an instant, Jesus had taken all those puzzles pieces, arranged them properly, and created in their minds a perfect picture of just who He really was and why He had come. In a flash, they could comprehend the correlation between the Holy Scriptures and the life, death, and resurrection of their Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Judges 18:6 ” Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.”

Fear of the unknown is the most debilitating emotion we own. But if the Lord is in the journey, you have no reason to be anxious. He will never send you where He has not gone ahead to prepare the path. He will never say, “Go!” haphazardly, or without thought, for His ways are perfect. So, go in peace. Your journey has the Lord’s approval.

Acts 1:14 ” They all joined together constantly in prayer.”

Corporate prayer…a shared raising of voices together as a group. This joined assembly of Believers not only strengthens those participating individually, but shows us as a group just how powerful we can be when joined together in prayer. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 18:20, ” For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” There is mighty power from on high when we gather together to pray.

Luke 18:1 ” Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

Jesus was a cheerleader, rallying His team…encouraging them to never lose heart when praying. We humans pray for a moment, and then become discouraged when God doesn’t answer immediately. The Lord wants us to be steadfast in our prayers…not giving in to defeat, and never giving up hope.

I Thessalonians 5:17 ” Pray without ceasing…”

Our bodies have involuntary actions…things that happen spontaneously, without us thinking about them…breathing and the beating of our hearts are two main actions. Prayer – an ongoing, continuous, active conversation with our Heavenly Father should be in the same manner. Talking with God should be as natural as breathing, as unforced as a heartbeat. Conversation with the Lord should be just that – talking with your very best friend about everything and anything that’s on your heart.

John 5:17 ” Jesus said to them, ‘ My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’ “

We sometimes feel that the Lord has all but forgotten us and our problems. We ask,” Where are you God? Don’t you even care about me anymore?” But God the Father is relentlessly working on our behalf…all the time…in every situation and area of our lives.

Psalms 85:13 ” Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”

Your righteousness goes before you…your honesty, integrity and fairness towards others goes ahead to establish and place you in the exact location the Lord wants you in next. You may think your journey for this season of your life is a mystery, with many unanswered questions…but the Lord has your path already made firm and sure. It’s time to step out.