Follow the Crumbs
by Marilyn Ehle
**Does life seem dark and dangerous to you right now and you don’t know where to turn? We would love to help you. http://thelife.com/interactive/ask.html
“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us…” (Romans 15:4).
“…we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1).
Many cultures have within their lore stories similar to Hänsel and Gretel, a tale of Germanic origin and adapted by the Brothers Grimm: people happy and cared for, subsequent misfortune, loss, apparent escape, even greater danger and final deliverance. When the children are lost in the woods we read these words: “…as (Hänsel) walked through the trees, he left a trail of crumbs behind him to mark the way.”
How often do we feel like these lost children, wandering through a life that seems dark with dangerous shadows, not only unsure of our destination, but uncertain which fork of the road to take. Perhaps it is job uncertainty, or career choices or relationship questions. Sometimes it is even doubt about God’s love or leading. What are some crumbs on the path to mark our way?
Life Lesson: Biblical perspective on the end times
Experience It: Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit
Author John Baillie writes, “I thank Thee that this Christian way whereon I walk is no untried or uncharted road, but a road beaten hard by the footsteps of saints, apostles, prophets, and martyrs. I thank Thee for the finger-posts and danger signals with which it is marked at every turning and which may be known to me through study of the Bible and of all history, and of all the great literature of the world.”
God often directs us through the quiet voice of his Spirit speaking to the inner places of our own spirits, but He has also given us more visible crumbs along the way. It is of vital importance that we pay close attention to those crumbs.
~Bread crumbs don’t seem like much, Lord, but sometimes those crumbs are all we have to follow. Thank you that through your Holy Spirit the crumbs can be magnified and thus visible to our seeking eyes.
Questions: How did people now in that “great cloud of witnesses” discern God’s leading? What good (and poor) choices did they make? What can I learn from them?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/marilyn-ehle/
Tags: Career, dangerous, God, Holy Spirit, lost, relationship
20 Responses to “Follow the Crumbs”
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Paul was making it plain to the Hebrews (Jewish Christians) that many had gone before them and entered into their “perfect rest” by receiving the faith that was available to them in their time, as recorded in Chapter 11. In Chapter 12 he continues by saying that they are watching us to see if we make it having suffered much less trials and persecutions. We have not yet resisted unto blood.
VERY GOOD DEVOTIONAL TODAY
I really haven’t thought a lot about the Witnesses but am intrigued to read more and explore this. How great it is to have something interesting to explore. Thank you Marilyn for the devotional today.
Thank you Romel, for your encouragement. Yes, we do all have different gifts and I am sure that yours are as valuable to the body of Christ as ours are, so I would encourage to find out what they are if you don’t already know.
Hello Romel H, Marilyn and other kind ladies.
Which part of my comment did you want referenced? I was just replying in general about who I thought were the witnesses. I think they are the believers who have gone on before us and are already in heaven. Although I read the Bible a lot, I am not good at memorizing scripture verses but I really admire my brothers and sisters in Christ who can do that.
Thank you Marilyn for your kind comments.
Margaret gave such a good visual of the witnesses cheering for us in the stands of heaven. I like that one. But as so many of you wrote, so eloquently, Jesus was the ultimate witness.
Have a good evening.
Hi Romel H! Thank you for such kind words and encouragement — it is a joy to share with other women of faith who love the Lord and have a passion for His Word and Truth! You are so wise in reminding us that the Bible is our authority, and anything contrary to Scripture is not truth. We live in a time when New Age spirituality has been Satan’s counterfeit, and Truth has been challenged by ‘feel-good’ dogma. Even Christians are sometimes drawn to the comfort-driven messages, speaking only of God’s grace, and not of His holiness and judgement. We so need to remember Who He is, and who we are! The Christian music group, Point of Grace, once had a song that was so convicting! It’s title was, God Forbid. I encourage everyone to Google it, and listen to it. It is beautiful and powerful in it’s message. God bless!
May I quote you ladies? I think it’s nice to intersect with other Christians and explore the truth written in the Bible for we can only rely on what the Bible say.
Joy:
“Sometimes I am reminded that we have these ‘witnesses’ watching us and the choices we make or don’t make.
Does anyone have these kinds of thoughts? Would be grateful to hear about how you feel.”
Me too Joy. I don’t know if they are praying for us, but I think they are great witnesses of the choices we make, not sure as I’m responding on hazy remembrance over ‘cloud of witnesses’. Are they on earth or in heaven?
Lisa:
” believe they can be onlookers or people praying for us. There is a really neat song that touches my heart mightily that sings “Somebody’s praying me through….” This instantly brings to mind when I hear it a dear friend who is most definitely in my “great cloud.”
Do you have references on this Lisa? I thought its only JESUS CHRIST who are praying, mediating for us in heaven as our priest and the HS of intercession help us to complete our intercession for others during our prayer when we do not know anymore what to pray. Lisa, I am always eager to learn that’s why I ask for references, not for the purpose to challenge or anything. I hope will not misunderstand me.
Maria:
“I PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR LIFES THE PEACE JESUS GIVES US.”
Me too Maria. awesome! JESUS was chastised for our peace.
Jerseygirl:
The teacher is a UCLA professor. As we were going through Revelation, he reminded us of the fact that the majority of the Church is in heaven. Those of us living only make up a very small percent of the church. I do wonder what role the saints in heaven do take. Of course, being Catholic, we have the rich tradition of the saints and martyrs. I always believe in direct prayer to God and Jesus. However, it is comforting to know that we have friends in heaven who are walking with Jesus right now and have his ear.”
First time I heard it Jerseygirl. Interesting. That, I did not read in the Bible. Is it that thought in the Bible? Any references in the Bible? I just want to learn girl.
Doris:
“To Joy: I believe this great cloud of witnesses are those who came through great trials and suffering, and made it to the Promised Land. I believe they are cheering us along. “YOu can make it!!
“Don’t give up! God is with you! He’ll never leave you or forsake you!”
Somehow in my spirit, that is what I understood of the cloud of great witnesses.
Amen Karin and Yvonne. Lori powers, I love that song of Steve Green. Oh, may GOD find us faithful so that the heritage we will live behind would be worthy to remember and to follow.
Chris T, yes only by faith and by the grace of GOD we will make it. I thank GOD that we have GOD’s word to guide us in all paths and challenges, battles and trials as we journey home. We cannot thank JESUS enough for bringing us back to the FATHER so that we will be among those who will inherit the kingdom HE has prepared for HIS children.
Marilyn:
“Hi jerserygirl! Just wanted to say that ALL true believers have that ‘rich tradition of martyrs and saints’ as their spiritual heritage! The apostle Paul spoke of there being one true Church, “one body and one Spirit . . . one Lord, one faith” (Eph 4:4-5.) Having been saved, we’ve been adopted into the ‘body,’ and we share equally in this eternal inheritance! :)”
Patricia:
“Vs 2 then gives us Jesus as the goal or finish line that we are running towards, but it also suggests to me that He too is to be one of our inspiring examples.
If it was the joy of doing the will of His Father and the end in sight that enabled Jesus to endure the cross there may be a lesson there for some of us as well.”
Margaret:
“Hebrews chapter 12 :1 Since we have such a hug crowd of men of faith watchng us from the grandstand, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back and espeically those sints that wrap themselves so tightly aroudn our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the parituclar race that God has set before us!”
Thanks so much Marilyn, Patricia and Marilyn for such great words of truth. I appreciate so much your gift and ability to lay down great words of truth. I surely covet such gift. I would like to know how to do it but ofcourse we must use whatever gift we have received from GOD to help all to grow and advance in the kingdom of GOD.
GOD bless you all sisters. You are such great cloud of many witnesses here on earth, shining stars in this universe as we hold out the words of truth to the lost and depraved generation, Amen.
GOD bless!
Amen to that, Margaret! :)
Hebrews chapter 12 :1 Since we have such a hug crowd of men of faith watchng us from the grandstand, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back and espeically those sints that wrap themselves so tightly aroudn our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the parituclar race that God has set before us! and I like this part in vs. 2 Keep your eyes on Jesus our leader and instructor. I like to think is loved one who have gone on before us! My parents are cheering me along with Jesus beside me because they see the whole picture!
Just to add my thoughts to the very good ones above. I see the cloud of witnesses, not so much as just spectators, but as inspiring examples for us to follow.
Vs 2 then gives us Jesus as the goal or finish line that we are running towards, but it also suggests to me that He too is to be one of our inspiring examples.
If it was the joy of doing the will of His Father and the end in sight that enabled Jesus to endure the cross there may be a lesson there for some of us as well.
Hi jerserygirl! Just wanted to say that ALL true believers have that ‘rich tradition of martyrs and saints’ as their spiritual heritage! The apostle Paul spoke of there being one true Church, “one body and one Spirit . . . one Lord, one faith” (Eph 4:4-5.) Having been saved, we’ve been adopted into the ‘body,’ and we share equally in this eternal inheritance! :)
YES OUR FAITH IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS QUEST AND I MYSELF FIND THAT IN THAT FAITH I KNOW THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE ME ARE IN HEAVEN KNOWING MY PAIN AND TRYING THEIR BEST TO DO WHAT THEY CAN FOR ME.
CHRIS T.
Good morning ladies, or in Tennessee afternoon. I can only imagine the footsteps that have gone before us. I love the words to a song that says, Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful, may the power of our devotion light their way, may the footsteps that we leave lead them to believe, may the lives we’ve lived inspire them to obey, OH may all who come behind us find us faithful (Steve Green). What are we leaving behind for those that will come after us, our children, grandchildren, friends, people who have watched us walk the path of endurance and often hardship. May we be found faithful God, today and always. Blessings to all.
The great cloud of witnesses is talked about in Hebrew 11, and explains how all these people in the bible lived by faith. If they can live by faith, we can live by faith too.
I was taken fromthe study today with the “well beaten path”. I’m so glad that I have good markers to follow instead of a few bits of bread that can be swiped up by the birds! I have a fantastic road map in the Bible, in those who have trod the path before me; leaving many written works, and in those who are on the path with me; “come on, it’s this way!”
To Joy: I believe this great cloud of witnesses are those who came through great trials and suffering, and made it to the Promised Land. I believe they are cheering us along. “YOu can make it!!
“Don’t give up! God is with you! He’ll never leave you or forsake you!
Good morning ladies.
Those are good questions. I just completed a seven year study of the Bible through Logos Ministries that our church sponsored for all the denominations. It was very well attended by faiths. The teacher is a UCLA professor. As we were going through Revelation, he reminded us of the fact that the majority of the Church is in heaven. Those of us living only make up a very small percent of the church. I do wonder what role the saints in heaven do take. Of course, being Catholic, we have the rich tradition of the saints and martyrs. I always believe in direct prayer to God and Jesus. However, it is comforting to know that we have friends in heaven who are walking with Jesus right now and have his ear.
HELLO LADIES,
I’M SO HAPPY TO KNOW I HAVE YOU. IT HELPS ME SO MUCH THRU THE DAY AS I TAKE BREAKS AND READ EVERYONES RESPOND. HAVING YOU GIRLS IN MY LIFE MAKES MY JOURNEY LESS STRESSFUL.. GOD USES YOU AS A WAY FOR ME TO SCAPE WHEN I NEED TO.
THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESS….HUH…. THIS IS A LOVELY THOUGHT FOR MY DAY.
I PRAY FOR PEACE IN OUR LIFES THE PEACE JESUS GIVES US. MAY YOU HAVE A BEUTIFUL AND JOYFUL DAY. I’LL CHECK IN AND OUT THRU THE DAY. LETS KEEP OUR MIND IN HEAVEN…. THE PERFECT PLACE TO BE…..AMEN
I have to admit I have thoughts also of the “great cloud of witnesses.” I more or less wonder if these are the people of faith surrounding us at any given time.
What to do when those “great cloud of witnesses” fall with us – or when they scatter – or circumstances remove them from our lives. This can be good or bad, but there is still loss of great measure.
I believe they can be onlookers or people praying for us. There is a really neat song that touches my heart mightily that sings “Somebody’s praying me through….” This instantly brings to mind when I hear it a dear friend who is most definitely in my “great cloud.”
I hope that as we grown and mature in Christ, that God puts this cloud in our life, and that it brings people closer to us that should be there.
Lord, thank You for the faithful in our lives. Help us to minister to them as they minister to us! Amen
I have always wondered about that ‘great cloud of witnesses’ and how they help us in our daily choices in life. Are they praying for us? or Are they onlookers only?
Sometimes I am reminded that we have these ‘witnesses’ watching us and the choices we make or don’t make.
Does anyone have these kinds of thoughts? Would be grateful to hear about how you feel.