The Architect of Our Lives, Jesus Christ

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; 

And lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

And he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"I like to think of God as the architect of my life. 

Psalms 37:23 tells us that our steps are ordered by the Lord. 

To me, that means that God has laid out 

the sidewalk in my life of where He wants me to go. 

Just like in life, I sometimes look at the path 

He’s laid out and wonder, 

“Why am I going all the way over here 

when my destination is over there?” 

I’m tempted to get off the path 

and to cut through the grass. 

I’ve learned that God, 

the architect of our lives, 

has a purpose behind everything He does. 

We are to trust Him, 

and the path He lays out, 

even when it doesn’t make sense.

When the Israelites left Egypt, Exodus 13:17-18 says, 

“God did not take them by the road that goes up the coast to Philistia, 

although it was the shortest way… 

Instead, he led them in a roundabout way 

through the desert toward the Red Sea” (GNT). 

God knew they weren’t ready to fight the Philistines 

so He took them the long way. 

God knows what you’re ready for 

and what you’re not ready for. 

The path He’s taking you on 

may be the long way around, 

but trust where He’s leading you, 

even if you don’t understand why. 

God has a plan for you and your life. 

Trust in His plan and 

follow the steps He orders for you 

no matter what."

"Stay on the Sidewalk"

Devotions by Chris

	Praise to the Lord, who o’er all   things so wondrously reigneth, Who, as on wings of an eagle,   uplifteth, sustaineth.     Hast thou not seen How thy desires all have been Granted in what He ordaineth?
	Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully,   wondrously, made thee! Health hath vouchsafed and, when   heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.     What need or grief Ever hath failed of relief? Wings of His mercy did shade thee.
	Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper   thy work and defend thee, Who from the heavens the streams of   His mercy doth send thee.     Ponder anew What the Almighty can do, Who with His love doth befriend thee.
	Excerpts from Hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" by Douglas Earl Bush

Trust in the Lord and Lean Not

By Bonnie H. Cordon

Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency

"We must each ask: 

How do I keep centered and lean not unto my own understanding? 

How do I recognize and follow the Savior’s voice when the voices of the world are so compelling? 

How do I cultivate trust in the Savior?

May I suggest three ways to increase our knowledge of and trust in the Savior. 

You will find that these principles are not new, 

but they are foundational.

First, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him as we 

“feast upon the words of Christ; 

for behold, the words of Christ 

will tell you all things what ye should do.”

2 Nephi 32:3.

Book of Mormon

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

 "Second, we can come to know the Lord and trust Him through prayer. What a blessing to be able to pray to our God! “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart.”

Moroni 7:48

Book of Mormon

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

"Third, we can come to know the Lord 

and trust Him as we serve others."

Mosiah 2:17

Book of Mormon

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

"If we trust in our Heavenly Father and in our Savior and 

lean not to our own understanding, 

They will direct our paths 

and will extend the arm of mercy toward us. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:1

"I've learned that God, 

the architect of our lives, 

has a purpose behind everything He does. 

We are to trust Him, and the path He lays out, 

even when it doesn't make sense."

-Chris Hendrix