The expression of our countenance reveals our innermost heart.  In the Old Testament, when Cain was angered, we read that his countenance fell.  God teaches us the principle, that in every event and circumstance of our lives, our countenance witnesses against us. (Isaiah 3:9). While we may often try to pretend to be something ( or someone) other than who we are, the inner man will be seen by the external expressions of worry, fear, anger, bitterness or discouragement.  By the same token, an absence of peace, joy, contentment or hope reveals the same root problem of sin in the heart.

The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 43:5 that hope in God is foundational and essential for a healthy countenance.  When we truly have hope in God, we will praise Him and demonstrate the joy of the Lord.  To have less than joy leaves us in a place for spiritual refreshment.  Matthew 5:16 gives us the "marching orders" to let our light shine so that others observe the Christlikeness of biblical behavior and thereby be brought to a place of giving glory to God.  The very first reflection that the world sees is in our face.  The set of our jaw, the eye contact we offer, the softness of our facial features or the presence of a pleasant smile  contribute to a reflection of godliness.  If those things are absent, then the opposite characteristics are often present, and our confidence has failed to reflect the image of Christ.

All of our motives and innermost thoughts and feelings ought to be screened through the glorious countenance of God's purity and holiness.  As that becomes a continuing way of life, we will have a merry heart, and as a result, will demonstrate a cheerful countenance.  God has made the way of life known to us, and our confidence is in His promise to make us full of joy with His countenance.

(c) 1993, 2007 NACollins Limited copy permission for 1 personal copy
taken from TOPICAL BIBLE STUDY MEDITATIONS , 2007 edition

Psalm 119:33 gives us an incredible assignment, that of ordering our steps according to God's Word.

While that verse undoubtedly gives us a foundational principle to be utilized every day of our lives, it becomes of paramount importance during those times when we face difficulties, trials, and challenges of various sorts.  The most critical issue at a time like that is to be able to rely on the priority planning that has been done beforehand.  There will be, of necessity a time or times in which that plan will need to be tweaked, considering the pacing changes that may or may not be needed.

The academic truth of these statements is rarely questioned by those who are exposed to them.  However, there is always that seemingly unanswerable question of HOW to do so. Today, I wanted to think though some possible ways that could be of help and encouragement.

When we look at our leading passage, it is obvious that we will not be able to order our lives by His Word, unless we know His Word.  So, the first step of action for believers must must the highest priority, that of actually scheduling a time alone each AM with the Lord.  In that time of fellowship, we should embrace the 2 way divine communication plan of Scripture reading (where God talks to us), then responsive prayer (where we talk to God).  This singular response of practical yieldedness to the heart, mind, will and purpose of God establishes a firm foundation upon which to construct a life of order, according to God's Word. Of a certainty, our thoughts will be more likened to His, and as we change and grow, our actions and words will do so, as well.

As we begin to apply what we know in a balanced time frame of currently available time, in consideration of current life situations, we will see the patten of orderliness that imitates that of our Creator, Who in 1 Corinthians 14:40, reminds us that He, Himself, does everything decently and in order.

Where do we start?  Look at your sphere of influence, that is, the people in your life that affect you and those whom you affect.  Start at the closest relationship and start thinking through your spouse, children, church,  areas of job or ministry responsibility, your extended influence on others, and your own personal time of rest and revitalization.  

Considering there are 112 spendable hours in each and every week, start thinking of percentages of that week that you believe would balance it all out. Then, of course, percentages translate into minutes/hours, and you would be able to establish a starting schedule so that your stewardship of time uld be such that honors God

Thereafter, stewardship of gifts and talents, money, and health all come into play.  It is important to know that ordering our steps is actually a continuing process of arranging and re-arranging the various aspects of our days in ways that agree with the principles of God as we see them in Hs Word.

May God bless you as you seek to order your steps according to His Word.

(c) 1993, 2012 N.A. Collins - Limited copy permission for one personal copy

Revelation 4:11 reads "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." What an awesome thought - that in the eternal mind of the all- wise, perfect, sovereign God of Heaven, we were created for HIS pleasure!

Does that not add new meaning to our everyday complaints and unfulfilled expectations?  Does it not cause us to stop and ponder whether or not our lives are accomplishing the very reason for our creation?

We know, of course, that the purpose first met with rebellion in the garden of Eden, when our first parents chose to please themselves rather than the One Who had created them for fellowship with and purpose in Himself.  God, in His mercy, love and grace provided the way of reconciliation in the Person of His
Son, sending Him to shed innocent blood for the guilty.  Having been redeemed by grace through faith, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 reminds us that we now are to walk and to please God, increasingly more and more.  Actually, 2 Peter 1:9 reminds us that if we do not have the qualities of life that please God, we have forgotten that we were purged from our sins, and our spiritual lives will be barren and unfruitful.

Thus, our one goal in our lives, is to do that for which we were both created and redeemed - to please God.  How can we define just how that can be measured biblically?  In looking back at Jeremiah 29:11, we see that God's thoughts of us are of peace, not evil, to being us to an expected end.  What is the expected end?  Romans 8:28-29 teach us that the ultimate good end of all that God is working out in our lives is that of conformity to His Son.  Therefore, to the same degree that we are more and more like Jesus Christ, to that precise degree we are more and more pleasing God.

How can we measure Christ-likeness?  I like to take a close look at my ABC's, that is my Attitudes, my Behavior, and my Communications to see if they are what was modeled by the Lord Jesus.  In my attitudes, am I thinking like He thought?  In my behavior, am I walking as He did?  In my communications, am I talking in ways that imitate Him?

What a joy and blessing to know that we are enabled by the power of His Spirit to live victorious lives that demonstrate Christ-likeness to our world, if only we will walk in the Spirit and follow the admonition of Christ in Matthew 22:37-39, in that we love God in the sacrificial submission of obedience and love others in the sacrificial service of ministry.

(c) 1993, 2012 N.A.Collins Limited copy permission for one personal copy

Have you ever said (or thought) that the current burden or trial is more than you can bear?  That kind of response in the face of heavy trials is often heard, and is a clear picture of human nature.

The believer, however, needs no longer be dependent on his old adamic human nature.  He now has the new nature of God residing within.  When looking at God's mind on the matter in 1 Corinthians 10:13, we hear Him say, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  In that passage 4 truths are abundantly clear, from God's perspective.

1) Every burden or trial has historically occurred before
2) God has declared Himself to be absolutely faithful
3) God promises to provide the way to bear the burden
4) Victory is available in receiving that provision

Since 1 Timothy 4:7 teaches us to "exercise ourselves unto godliness," we  can actively bear each and every difficulty by knowing and using the Word of God.  After all, God reminds us in 2 Peter 1:3 that it has all that pertains to life and godliness.  So when there is the human inclination to look at those things that have touched our life, declared by the sovereign hand of God to bring us into conformity to Christlikeness, we must actively bear that burden biblically.

As we commence our exercise routine into godliness, what a joy to SPA - that signifies a workout room, does it not?  How does one SPA?  By immediately and progressively remembering a SCRIPTURE that is God's divine solution for the current human response,  pray a PRAYER of commitment to the heart of God, and take the ACTION needed to demonstrate agreement with His will.

Thus, if the human inclination in a given situation is to fear, remember that "what time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3).  Then, in prayer, agree with God that this is the perfect time to refocus from the human problem to the divine solution, and place full confidence in His perfect ways.  Take immediate steps of obedience and responsibility in that situation by doing those things that God has given.  It may be writing a note of encouragement, finishing the household job at hand, or even continuing the project at hand.

God teaches us that the Holy Spirit within us is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4), so there is no question that when we draw nigh to Him in responsive obedience to His Word, that He will draw nigh to us (James 4:8)

What can you do today to make preparation?  Jot down those common human inclinations that you are aware of repeatedly in your life, along with the pertinent Scripture for each.  A starter list might look something like this:
Fear-psalm 56:3; Worry- Matthew 6:33; feelings of not being appreciated-Colossians 3:24; feelings of inferiority- 1 Corinthians 12:18.

How to bear our burdens biblically? 1) Remember the 4 promises of God  in 1 Corinthians 10:13,  2)  exercise ourselves to godliness by employing the Word of God by the practical tool of SPA,  3) demonstrate victory in Christ, thus glorifying God.

(c) 1993, 2012 N.A.Collins - Limited copy permission for one personal copy