Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 NIV
The grass was wet the other day and Danni left paw prints on the sidewalk during her morning walk. It was easy to see where she had been and where she was heading.
When we were in Denali Park in Alaska, the husky sled dogs were available for viewing. If you missed the transportation scheduled or wished to walk, the ground was painted with paw prints leading you in the right direction.
I sat with someone at an awards ceremony who had paw prints tattooed on her right arm in remembrance of the dogs she had loved and lost. The tattoo artist described his artwork as going up her arm straight to her heart. Our local art store had an event where you could purchase paint and a canvas to take home. You were responsible for getting your pup’s paw prints on the canvas and then return it to the store and an artist would turn it in to a beautiful painting of flowers.
God does the same with us. He takes our footprints and leads us step by step. He turns our life into a beautiful painting. Stroke by stroke our lives unfold into God’s masterpiece. Just as we were responsible for putting the paint on the dog’s paws and placing the paws on the canvas, we also play a part in walking with Jesus and determining the outcome of the painting.
The bible tells us to guard our hearts and our minds. It encourages us to have faith and not to doubt. We are to ask for wisdom and believe we will receive.
Proverbs 17:22 states, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Remember the joy of the Lord is your strength. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Our minds must be guarded, too. I Corinthians 2:16 states, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” In Philippians 4:8, Paul instructs believers, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” We are to cast down imaginations, and anything that exalts itself against God and bring every thought into captivity and obedience to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).
We should not let Satan anywhere close to our hearts and minds. Ephesians 4:27 instructs us, “and do not give the devil a foothold.” Paul tells us in Galatians 5:16, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” We must be doers of the word and not hearers only.
If you are like me, painting doesn’t come naturally. The beauty of what I see does not always get displayed on the canvas correctly no matter how many Paint Nights I attend. It encourages me to know that I am painting a masterpiece with God as the artist as I leave footprints on the canvas of my life. As I walk with him and obey his commands, brilliant colors are added to the picture. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Life with God is an exciting adventure.
Just Another Dog Devotion 