The Royal Highway
Photo by Holden Baxter on Unsplash
CONTENTS
Dedicated to weary travellers and those who may have stumbled and lost their way.
We pray that this book will not add to or take away from God’s Word but trust that it will encourage us all to keep our eyes on Him and our destination.
From the moment of our conception we commenced on life’s journey and hopefully this will take us to the Celestial (Heavenly) City BUT there is much to distract and divert us en route.
We all need encouragement because we can lose sight of our goal and become lost, disorientated or just wander away. Let’s support and warn each other of the dangers. Maybe we can walk together for a while? Perhaps we can help and share precious experiences?
Our journey will lead us to the Cross, Resurrection and finally to The City of God. Which way will you go? Your own way or God’s way?
Dear family, friends, brothers, sisters, fellow travellers and workers let us go forward on this long journey together.
FOREWORD
Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it! (Matt. 11:29)
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hear and obey the sound of the trumpet! But they said, We will not listen or obey.
Jeremiah 6: 16 –17 Amplified
My deepest desire is that I may stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is, then walk in it and find rest for my soul. Don’t let me ever say, “I will not walk in it.” Let me hear and obey the sound of the trumpet. This is my heartfelt prayer for you too as you read this book.
Shirley Street
The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious
(kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
Numbers 6: 24 – 26 Amplified
Words from Helen our eldest grand daughter when aged 11
“If man walks in God’s way
God will bless him every day.
and
God will light my lantern in every way
He will light my lantern every day
for He is strong
His power is amazing.”
Thank you Helen for these profound words.
THE CROSS- WITHOUT BARRIER
The invite is for all to come to God. He loves us so much and nothing can stop us from coming into His Presence. This was made possible thro’ Jesus paying the price, making Himself a sacrifice for us. He died on the Cross and took our sins upon Himself that we might live.
THOUGHT;
The crossroads means choice.
The Cross means life.
Choose life!
MY PRAYER:
LORD, I come to you.
CHANGE OF PLAN- CHANGE OF DIRECTION
As we read and think about Jesus we can’t help but find ourselves beginning to change. His joy, His sorrow, His sacrifice, His love, His caring are there for us to discover, experience and dwell upon. He is the only one who can permanently change us
THOUGHT;
Small changes lead to bigger changes - God inspired changes.
MY PRAYER:
Start in me LORD.
GUIDANCE
Wise travellers carry a map for guidance when on a journey.
When I am at a loss to know which way to turn and Heaven’s door seems tightly shut, then I try to remember the last thing the LORD spoke to me and ask myself,
Did I take notice?
Have I applied it?
I will not get any further until I apply and use that which has already been given to me.
The Bible gives direction for life’s journey. Dare we ignore God’s Word?
MY PRAYER:
LORD, I want to listen, absorb and
apply Your Word in my life.
TRUTH AND ERROR
Study The Truth to recognise the error.
On life’s journey check your map constantly. Wrong turnings are easily taken.
WARNING:
Don’t study the error to find The Truth.
THOUGHT;
Roads can look similar BUT may not be THE WAY.
The path we tread is straight and narrow and we must not turn to left right. Constant vigilance is necessary if we seek
The WAY
The TRUTH
The LIFE
We’re travellers on a journey. This life is not our home.
MY PRAYER:
LORD, please direct my steps.
FOOTSTEPS
As I look back I can see so clearly the paths I have taken in my life and the decisions made. At times I have made wrong choices, wrong decisions and yet through it all God has never left me. When I have been prepared to confess my sins and change, He has forgiven me and my tears have turned to joy.
MY PRAYER:
LORD, life is one step at a time. I don’t want to run before I can walk so guide my footsteps and search my heart!
When impossible situations and problems have occurred, God has brought me through. There have been times when I felt so fearful, inadequate and alone, yet His mighty arms have carried, guided and protected me.
LOOKING BACK
REMEMBER:
Don’t forget what God has done in our lives.
THOUGHT:
Looking back can give hope, courage and encouragement to go on.
In their flight from Egypt the Children of Israel faced the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them! We have all experienced ‘Red Sea situations.’ It is good to recall how circumstances and attitudes changed when God moved in our lives We always need to remind ourselves that He is God.
REMEMBERING
Red Sea ahead
THOUGHT:
LORD, You went before the Children of Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. As danger approached You moved to the rear to protect and shield. You can do the same for us!
War games in progress
MY PRAYER:
LORD, Your will, Your way.
GOD MAKES A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY
If we constantly rely on hearing and seeing with our physical ears and eyes, life and circumstances will seem impossible. When we hear with spiritual ears and see with spiritual eyes we can begin to know God’s heart, His thoughts and ways.
MY PRAYER:
LORD, Your thoughts not mine
HE’S A TALKING GOD
God wants to talk and share. Have we time to listen? Do we always want to present our list of requests, problems and moans? He is not Father Christmas, He is Father God!
THOUGHT:
The Giver, not the Gift!
THE UNHOLY TRINITY
Me, myself and I – I want, I need, I must have seem to be a part of my life. Yet as I look through the Gospels and read of Your Son, Jesus the Christ, I clearly see that He prayed, “ Not My will but Thine.”
REFLECTION:
The Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
MY PRAYER:
More of You LORD, less of me.
PRAYER TIME – TALK TIME
For years I found it very hard to pray. I knew I should and realised it was my spiritual lifeline but I failed miserably. Jesus arose early and pulled away to speak to His Heavenly Father; I could not! One day in sheer desperation I said to the LORD, “This is hopeless, I can’t seem to speak to You. my words are empty. I don’t enjoy praying, it’s a real struggle.” Then I felt the LORD say to me, “Speak to Me as you would talk to someone you love.” When I thought about these words I knew this was the answer and prayer time became sweet and special, very special.
DECLARATION:
LORD, I love You so much. I couldn’t live this life without You.
PRAYER TIME – QUIET TIME
Moments of quietness are very hard to find especially in this world full of noise and busyness.
DECISION:
Find peace resting by still waters.
PRAYER TIME – AN ATTITUDE
At home, work, travelling, studying, shopping, in fact, anywhere or anytime our thoughts can quickly turn to the LORD.
Nothing can stop or hinder these precious moments. Only self can make such times a rare occurrence!
THOUGHT:
Talking to and thinking about Him is prayer. He is accessible day and night
PRAYER TIME – COMING INTO HIS PRESENCE
If we were called to appear before Royalty we would make sure we were prompt and respectful in speech and manner. How much more so when we come into the Presence of the Living God? In fact, it would be awesome and yet sometimes we fail to come, fall asleep or just don’t get up from our beds!
WARNING!
Check your approach
Let us determine to follow His way Listening to all that He has to say. Keeping close in spirit and mind For His grace we will always find.
THOUGHT:
What Grace He shows!
SIGNALS SENT OUT
Semaphore is a means of communication using flags. Our speech and actions are like signals which we send out to our family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues. Who reigns in our life, Christ or self? The answer can be clearly seen in our daily walk. Confusion reigns when we give mixed signals!
QUESTION:
Christ or self?
God’s Kingdom
or the world?
BEWARE OF THE LITTLE FOXES
Little foxes destroy fruit in the vineyards and we must be alert and take care that in our own lives nothing destroys the precious fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
MY PRAYER:
Lord, let my life be fruitful and make me aware of those things which destroy the fruit.
THE STANDARD
When an army fought on the battlefield the Regimental Colours were flown so that in hand-to-hand combat the soldiers could look up and see where the flag was flying.
Likewise in our lives, the Lord is our Banner and we should look to Him especially in life’s battle conditions.
JESUS IS OUR STANDARD
LOOK UP - IT’S A STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH.
DIRECTION:
The Standard can always be seen, LOOK UP
Balance in God’s Kingdom is essential. The Word and the Spirit go together. They complement one another. We don’t want to be unbalanced do we?
EQUATION
Word – Spirit = Unbalance
Spirit – Word = Unbalance
Word + Spirit = Balance
WARNINGS
How many times do we wish we had kept quiet? How many times have we reacted too hastily or allowed our anger to run riot? When we feel these devastating emotions rising up inside us let’s put the brakes on, slow down, chill out, pull away and seek the Lord
MY PRAYER:
Let me be slow to speak, take offence or get angry
WARNING:
Emotions are like forest fires
and once started they can be
hard to extinguish. The
devastation can be
widespread !
REFRESHMENT AND RESTORATION
Restoration is essential for busy lives. We must be determined to follow His Way, otherwise how shall we find the strength and empowerment to continue on life’s journey? Our first responsibility is to our Lord and Saviour.
The Secret Place is a place of Grace.
Help and hope, strength to cope
Why not “ Come? ”
DIRECTION:
Take time out!
Take in God!
WOUNDED?
When accidents and emergencies occur we must seek the right person who will provide the help we need. Why do we struggle using all our energy and resources when problems and difficulties arise?
Anger
Bad Habits
Despair
Grief
Loneliness
Neglect
Anguish
Depression
Fear
Hurt
Meanness
Rejection
THOUGHT:
A plaster does not always help!
Allow God to bind the wounds.
WEARY?
Jesus recognised that we would become tired and weary and tells us in the Scriptures to “Come to Him.”
Can we afford not to?
THOUGHT:
Weary travellers on life’s journey wisely seek rest!
THE MASTER BUILDER?
Rocky foundations and buildings whitewashed to cover serious cracks and faults can be dangerous to both occupants and passers-by. Likewise, if we live our lives on a rocky foundation and whitewash over the problems and faults we are heading for serious trouble
DANGER
UNSAFE
STRUCTURE
Problems and faults are dealt with at The Cross.
HELP!
THOUGHT:
Jesus is our Foundation.
STRAYS
We can all lose our way and take the wrong path!
Look out lost Sheep about !
MY PRAYER:
Thank you Lord for the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 and seeks out the one!
THE ROYAL HIGHWAY
No lion or wild beast walks this path. Our vision and destination is The Celestial or HeavenlyCity and nothing should distract us as we walk on The Highway. DON’T STRAY OFF. We are travellers passing thro’ this life – it is not our home.
THOUGHT:
The journey seems to take a lifetime but it will be over in the twinkling of an eye!
THE EAGLE IN FLIGHT
The eagle soars high in the sky looking down at the earth. Like the eagle we can soar, seeing with spiritual sight and a different perspective all those problems that would tend to weigh us down.
THOUGHT:
God’s Way or our way?
DECISION:
Choose God’s Way!
TOGETHERNESS
A forest of fir trees stand tall, growing together both summer and winter, reaching to the sky. Some gardeners plant conifers in pots or tubs to make displays. They stand regally on their own BUT when the frost comes the trees are in serious danger of their roots becoming frozen and the lower temperatures threaten their survival!
As fir trees are meant to grow together supporting and protecting, so we are meant to stand together in Christ Jesus supporting and protecting each other!
THOUGHT:
INSTANT?
We live in an instant world and expect everything to happen immediately. We have developed a press button mentality, microwave dinners, instant mash potatoes, instant success and much more! This state of mind can hinder the traveller on life’s spiritual journey.
GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT.
Forty years elapsed before Moses went to Pharaoh! The Old Testament foretold the coming of The Messiah. Centuries passed before His birth
THOUGHT:
REPAIRS AND RENOVATION
A road which is uneven, full of potholes and covered with debris needs to be cleared and repaired. Likewise, in our lives those things which can hinder our relationship with God need attention.
THOUGHT:
Clear a pathway for our God.
Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal those things which hinder our path.
Step 1
Step 2
Take them to the Cross.
Step 3
Walk with Jesus.
THE FAST LANE
No time for our Heavenly Father.
No time for our family.
No time for our friends.
No time to rest.
No time to think.
No time to put right.
No time, no time.
It’s gone!
We can live in the fast lane permanently but this can be dangerous if we don’t pull over.
THOUGHT:
It is important to look after the body and mind BUT what about God in our lives?
PRIORITIES
When problems and difficulties arise and we are in a mental state of panic why don’t we talk to God first? Put Him in the picture even though He already knows and cling to Him.
WHICH WAY WILL YOU CHOOSE?
There were times when the Children of Israel ran to other Nations for help instead of turning to God.
THOUGHT:
REMEMBER:
Learn from the mistakes of others!
ON THE GRASS VERGE?
Members of a football or rugby team train for the big match and also, if wise, watch their lifestyles. Those not chosen to play sit on the sidelines but they still have to train, keep fit and be ready to play. They never know when they maybe called upon to limber up and get out onto the pitch. It could happen in the last five minutes of the game!
Be prepared! Life is a continuous state of waiting, preparing and action. The waiting and preparing will determine the action!
THOUGHT:
Whatever situation we face, we do not receive the grace or strength until we need it. Thinking and worrying about what might happen or how we will react only causes extreme stress and anxiety.
LIONS AND FIERY FURNACES
REMEMBER:
Grace and strength are always given in our hour of need
ROADS TO NOWHERE
How many times have we travelled down pathways that have come to a dead end? After spending time, money and energy, ideas and big plans can falter. When we hit that brick wall it’s time to backtrack, reflect and seek Him.
Have we sought the Lord’s will or just asked Him to bless our ideas, plans and decisions?
THOUGHT:
WARNING:
There is a difference!
When serving at tables a waitress or waiter must constantly look to the head of the table (the host), who will give discreet signals – when to bring in the next course or to clear the table. These signals can be easily missed if eyes are not constantly fixed on the host!
EYES FIXED – READY TO SERVE
PRAYER:
That I may have a listening ear,
seeing eye,
sensitive heart,
and a teachable spirit.
REFLECTION:
Jesus is our Host !
THE TRAVELLER’S GUIDE TO A SAFE JOURNEY
Have your Bible always near for constant use and direction, remembering all that you have read.
Make sure on life’s journey you are fully equipped. Don’t get ‘worn out’ or suffer ‘burn out’. Daily times of searching one’s soul, looking to Jesus, looking to the Cross, putting one’s life right is essential.
The Bible and spiritual gifts are given to help you on the journey.
Speak of your life, what has happened and how God leads you onward.
Remember who is in charge of your life and will help. God is always there, only a prayer away.
Be sensitive to others who have fallen by the wayside. Be prepared to help and encourage where necessary.
Restoration is important. Make sure you know where the Secret Place is!
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband;
Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God. (Ezek. 37:27)
Revelations 21: 2, 3 Amplified
If you are not, why not say the following prayer?
Dear Jesus, I have felt so lost, confused and without direction. I have made wrong turnings and lots of mistakes. I ask You to come into my life and forgive my sins. You died for me that I can have eternal life and be free. Please walk with me guiding my footsteps and be my Light on life’s journey. Lead me on the right path. Thank You Lord, Saviour and Friend.
And so let us all walk together, encouraging and picking each other up so that we may reach our final destination - The City of God
Bless You.
THE FINAL DESTINATION
Why do I doubt?
Why do I fear?
Deep in my heart
I know You are near.
Close to me
By my side
In my heart You reside.
Master of all
Compassionate friend
I have no fear
When I come to the end.
When this body wears out
My spirit will rise
And I will gain the ultimate prize.
My journey will come to an end
And You’ll be waiting,
Your angels You’ll send
To bring me to that Holy Place
To be with You in a state of grace.