Paths of Life

There are over 300 miles of trails in Rocky Mountain Park. The hiker can choose easy, moderate or difficult trails. They are well marked with signs, but it is possible to get lost, so it is wise to stay with the group, especially if you come to an unmarked fork. When hiking over boulders there are piles of stones called cairns or painted target signs on the rocks that show the way. At night a flashlight is necessary to find the path.

There are many pathways to choose from on our journey through life. Because God loves us, he wants to guide us on the path that leads to eternal life, but we can choose to be independent of God and go our own way.

The way is broad that leads to destructionAnd many are those who enter it  The way is narrow that lead to life and few are those that find it.
Proverbs 4:14-17,19 Path of evildoers ->cause others to stumble, wickedness violence, darkness and stumbling Proverbs 4:13,18. Way of the righteous -> fulfilled life, like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
2 Peter 2:1-3 There will be false teachers among you -> destructive teaching, denying Jesus, immorality, greed, clever lies to get
money
Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever

 

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, he leads peaceful streams, right paths, protection, comfort  -> blessings together with Jesus forever

Jeremiah 6:16 Look for the godly way and walk in it -> rest for your souls

 Staying On The Narrow Path

Thomas said, “How can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a (flashlight) for my path. Psalm 119:105

 When You’ve Gone Astray

Admit that you have wandered onto the broad path, confess your sin, receive forgiveness and ask for God’s help to stay on the narrow path.

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees. Psalm 25:8-10

 A Prayer For Guidance

Show me the path where I should walk, 0 Lord; point out the right path for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5

PATHS OF LIFE © Sue Found 1995

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

As you read the following Bible verses look for reasons to stay on God’s path:

Psalm 16:11.  You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Proverbs 3:5-6.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understandings; seek his will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

Psalm 119:105.  Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 25:8-10. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his commands and obey he decrees.

Psalm 25:4-5. Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right path for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.

Isaiah 30:20,21  When you go through hard times the Lord will be there to guide you.  If you wander off the path to the right or the left you will hear His voice behind you saying, “Here is the path.  Follow it.”

Jeremiah 6:16  The Lord said to His people, “Stand at the crossroads and look.  Ask for the best path and walk in it, and you will live in peace.”

Reasons to stay on park trails:
Available maps to avoid getting lost
Able to determine distance and elevation gain
Directional signs, tree tags, painted marks on rocks, cairns, branches or logs blocking false trails
protect one from getting lost
Convenience of board walks over wetlands, bridges, switchbacks or steps in steep areas, fallen
trees cut or removed
Other hikers are usually available to help in an emergency

Reasons to avoid park trails:
Adventure, find shortcuts, avoid other hikers, prefer solitude, explore new areas

Challenges of bushwacking:
Steep slopes, cliffs, drop-offs, muddy swamps, streams to cross, deep snow
Easy to lose your way in the woods
If injured or in need of rescue your location is unknown
More likely to encounter dangerous wild animals in remote areas

Why some reject God’s path:
Desire to be independent of God and His direction
Following God’s path means missing out on immoral pleasures
Disbelief in the existence of God

What does the Bible tell us about are the results of avoiding God’s path:

Jeremiah 23:12  The paths of the godless will be slippery and dark…they will stumble and fall…the time of their punishment is coming.

Proverbs 4:14-17,19  The path of evildoers causes others to stumble, involves wickedness, violence, darkness, and stumbling.

All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going on our own path (instead of God’s path).  But the Lord made the punishment that we deserve fall on Him. Isaiah 53:6

Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right path for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5

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