May 12, 1999, Wednesday

When you are planning and preparing to leave on a journey

or trip, is it difficult to leave on time? Is safe passage

to the destination important to the traveler? What do you

believe the characteristics are of a good traveling partner?

Paul was a traveling missionary that believed God should

be his guide for direction in his travels and journeys

and committed all of his plans and efforts to prayer so

that he would not be hindered. Jesus was his Lord Guide-

"Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord

direct our way to you" (1Thes 3:11). Paul considered

that the journey was important, for if he could not go

his goals would not be met. God actually provided an

answer to this particular prayer perhaps later than he

wanted, but the the deferred answer came on God' time.

Paul confidently wrote to Timothy of the Lord that could

guard him from committing anything that would make him

an unworthy Apostle and Preacher. He confidently knew

that God protected him on his ultimate journey to heaven-

"The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will

bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the

glory forever and ever. Amen" (2Tim 4:18). Preservation

and protection from evil was considered by Paul to

be a greater deliverance than to be saved from death. He

also considered the heavenly kingdom much greater than

Nero's kingdom during his time.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians to warn them of the many

dangers of joining a "life in the world" with a "life

in the Spirit". Every Believer and Disciple should be

a wise builder of his faith by God's grace. God's plan

is to profit the one for his effort to gain God's plan-

"If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he

will receive a reward" (1Cor 3:14). Paul wanted to be a

wise master builder on his foundation of faith. He used

his journey and traveling times to partner with those

that wanted to increase their love and knowledge of God!

Let us remember who is the God that is our Shepherd. God's

Name is Jehová Rohi. He is the God that is our Guide. He

Provides direction and a way for us. He is our Guard. He

Protects us from harm and keeps us safe under the shelter

of His wings. Jehová Rohi teaches us that godliness is great

Gain. He Profits us by withholding no good thing to those

that walk in His righteous paths. Lift your hands to Him and

Praise Him today for the fact that He is the God that leads

and shepherds us according to the integrity of His heart!