Many of you know I have been leading a Bible Study at a local halfway house for some time.  As a result, I have become acquainted with many of the principles of AA and NA.  One of the statements I hear often from clients is, "I'm just trying to do the next, right thing."  The next right thing.  Imagine if every person who bears the name of Jesus ALWAYS did the next right thing!  That phrase has become part of my daily thought processes.  At times, when I'm not sure what to do next, or when I have an important decision to make, I ask myself, "What would God say is the next right thing?" 

To put a scriptural basis to the principle is simple.  Hundreds of verses talk about what amounts to doing the next right thing.  For me, the simplest of all is:  In all things do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the prophets.  Matthew 7:12  Whatever decisions we may face today, whatever temptations may come before us, if we simply stop and ask:  what would I want to have done to me in this situation, or what is the next right thing---and ask those questions as a prayer to God--we'll find that we know or receive the answer.  Then as we call on the Holy Spirit to empower us to DO the next right thing, our lives will reflect Jesus more and more.   Jesus told us as we live that way, people will see our good works and give the glory to our Father in heaven.

Living the life Jesus calls us to live is simple, but not easy.  Doing the next right thing is a great principle, a biblical principle, really.  Actually DOING the next right thing, is God's call in each of our lives.  As we DO the next right thing, others will experience the reality of God, and eventually may be led to call on Him for power to live their lives as well!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your word to lead and guide our lives!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may do to others, what we would have done to us in every area of life today.  This we ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.