Date:
Saturday,
July 11, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 4-6
Message Title: Choosing The Straight Path
Hello My Friend,
There are two paths in life, one is wide and broad, it's doing whatever and anything they can do to prosper, even if it means they have to forsake their morals to do so. People who choose this path see absolutely nothing wrong and seek no ones approval in what they are doing with their lives. Then there is the straight and narrow path, this one is following Jesus, and looking straight to Him to prosper, even if that means they forsake the comforts of the world to do so. People who choose this path seek God's approval in what they are doing with their lives. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” - Matthew 7:13,14,24,25.
The world has so much to offer, but it really is a dog eat dog world, full of immorality, greed, and corruption in an attempt to have a part of it. You know, if evolutionist believe that everything came to be as it is through natural selection, this could not be closer to the truth for a person trying to survive in the world. Christians might have to live in the world, but we are not to be of the world, in fact, the world knows we are not one of them. We are cautioned about walking in the path of the wicked. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” - Proverbs 4:14-18,23-27.
The truth is there are just as many opportunities to prosper walking the straight path, people just don't want to do it God's way. Can I tell you that the world does not care about you, it will turn on you the second it can't get any more out of you. It might take a little bit longer to get what we want walking the straight path, and doing it God's way, but at least we will not lose our integrity doing so. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
The world is like a seductive woman, or even man, it has lots of things to tempt the flesh, no matter what it is that it lusts for, and is very good at what it does. However, once we fall into the temptation that's when her or his true colors are revealed, and they are not pretty. Solomon had over eight hundred wives, so, he knows something about the seductive woman, which is why he warns of the destruction caused by getting involved with them. “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” - Proverbs 5:1-5,20-22.
We have no one to blame for the consequences we face for falling into the temptations of the world. Yes, the world will answer to God for tempting His people with the things they lust for, but we have to answer to God also. Ignorance does not save us from being chastened, but we can seek His help to endure the chastening we rightfully deserve for not trusting Him in the first place. The majority of the time the reason faithful Christians fall is because they take their eyes off God, once you look to the right or left it's hard to go forward. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - James 1:12-15.
Faithful Christians may fall into the temptations of the world, and sadly some will turn on God completely and suffer until the day they die. Those who are of the world never see the hand of God in anything, especially Him trying to get them to repent. “A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” - Proverbs 6:12-19.
While God's mercy does endure, it only goes so far until He has had enough, one way or another He will show Himself whether it's in His mercies or His judgment. “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” - Romans 9:14-18.
Today's Prayer: God, You give us a choice on which path to follow, and while some of us may take a detour once in a while, Your hand is always there to guide us back in the right direction. Thank You for giving us the free will to choose, and for making it obvious from the time I can remember that I was never a part of th world. Oh, I tried it on for a while, but it knew I belonged to You, and therefore I am glad it rejects me. Lord, lead us and guide us, put Your hedge of protection around us and shield us from the world. Keep our eyes looking straight toward Your Son, and not be tempted to look to the right or left. If we take a wrong turn, help us quickly get back on the path, for it truly is the only one that leads to prosperity here in earth and in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Chapters: Proverbs 4-6
Message Title: Choosing The Straight Path
Hello My Friend,
There are two paths in life, one is wide and broad, it's doing whatever and anything they can do to prosper, even if it means they have to forsake their morals to do so. People who choose this path see absolutely nothing wrong and seek no ones approval in what they are doing with their lives. Then there is the straight and narrow path, this one is following Jesus, and looking straight to Him to prosper, even if that means they forsake the comforts of the world to do so. People who choose this path seek God's approval in what they are doing with their lives. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” - Matthew 7:13,14,24,25.
The world has so much to offer, but it really is a dog eat dog world, full of immorality, greed, and corruption in an attempt to have a part of it. You know, if evolutionist believe that everything came to be as it is through natural selection, this could not be closer to the truth for a person trying to survive in the world. Christians might have to live in the world, but we are not to be of the world, in fact, the world knows we are not one of them. We are cautioned about walking in the path of the wicked. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” - Proverbs 4:14-18,23-27.
The truth is there are just as many opportunities to prosper walking the straight path, people just don't want to do it God's way. Can I tell you that the world does not care about you, it will turn on you the second it can't get any more out of you. It might take a little bit longer to get what we want walking the straight path, and doing it God's way, but at least we will not lose our integrity doing so. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
The world is like a seductive woman, or even man, it has lots of things to tempt the flesh, no matter what it is that it lusts for, and is very good at what it does. However, once we fall into the temptation that's when her or his true colors are revealed, and they are not pretty. Solomon had over eight hundred wives, so, he knows something about the seductive woman, which is why he warns of the destruction caused by getting involved with them. “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” - Proverbs 5:1-5,20-22.
We have no one to blame for the consequences we face for falling into the temptations of the world. Yes, the world will answer to God for tempting His people with the things they lust for, but we have to answer to God also. Ignorance does not save us from being chastened, but we can seek His help to endure the chastening we rightfully deserve for not trusting Him in the first place. The majority of the time the reason faithful Christians fall is because they take their eyes off God, once you look to the right or left it's hard to go forward. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - James 1:12-15.
Faithful Christians may fall into the temptations of the world, and sadly some will turn on God completely and suffer until the day they die. Those who are of the world never see the hand of God in anything, especially Him trying to get them to repent. “A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” - Proverbs 6:12-19.
While God's mercy does endure, it only goes so far until He has had enough, one way or another He will show Himself whether it's in His mercies or His judgment. “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” - Romans 9:14-18.
Today's Prayer: God, You give us a choice on which path to follow, and while some of us may take a detour once in a while, Your hand is always there to guide us back in the right direction. Thank You for giving us the free will to choose, and for making it obvious from the time I can remember that I was never a part of th world. Oh, I tried it on for a while, but it knew I belonged to You, and therefore I am glad it rejects me. Lord, lead us and guide us, put Your hedge of protection around us and shield us from the world. Keep our eyes looking straight toward Your Son, and not be tempted to look to the right or left. If we take a wrong turn, help us quickly get back on the path, for it truly is the only one that leads to prosperity here in earth and in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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