Listen

The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the Lord’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.

Psalm 1:1-3

Think

Our friends will give us advice to do things that make us feel somewhat uncomfortable. A lot of the time, it is good to get out of our comfort zone. We find that we could do more than we thought – like getting a role in the school play or landing that trick on the skateboard. Other times, our friends or people we think are our friends can advise us to do things that are not so good.

In the Bible, God and God’s people gave many laws and rules for right and wrong. But they may not always seem to directly address all of the moments and decisions that we face in our lives. This is why God gave us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is hard to describe and speaks to each person differently. But more often than not, if you feel that something people want you to do is not good for you, then that is the Holy Spirit. When people advise you to do anything and you feel uncomfortable, ask yourself if you are worried about trying something new or if the Holy Spirit is giving you advice.

Patrick Kangrga

Question to Ponder:

When have you felt the Holy Spirit speak to you or guide you?

Pray

God, thank you for the laws and the rules you gave to people.

Thank you for the Holy Spirit that advises me.

Let me consistently ask and listen to the Holy Spirit so that I will know what is best and right for me.

Amen.

Go

Just knowing you’re mindful of me

Just knowing you call me your child

It’s flooding my soul with unspeakable hope

Thank you, Lord, that it’s me on your mind

Matthew West in “Me On Your Mind” (2022)