Month: August 2023

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬. One of the most tragic results of man’s fall, of sin coming into this world is, that it created a prideful attitude in us where we assume we know what is right for our own lives. We assume we know the way we should go. And how the enemy of our souls has used this ungodly world to present to us, so many ‘ways’ that seem to be right. We look around at things that appeal to our flesh, or our own mind, and that ‘way’ seems to be the right ‘way’ to bring us what we desire. But well should we remember these words of the wise man! The ‘way’ that seems right to us, only leads to spiritual death! And it’s because there is only one way that leads to life. That is God’s way. May God help us to realize, His way is always best! His way is the only right way. It is humbling to confess, but we don’t know how, in our own wisdom, to choose the right way. So let us humble ourselves and allow our loving Father to choose our way. As the songwriter says, “Who am I that I should choose my way? The Lord shall choose for me!” And what a blessing, that He always chooses the right way.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬. The Apostle John wrote these words as an old man. He had become a spiritual father to many believers. It was his greatest joy to know that these souls were walking in truth, which means, to walk in an abiding relationship with Jesus, Who is THE TRUTH. Today, we have the opportunity to bring joy to our Heavenly Father as we walk in truth. But one of the great tragedies of our day is, that truth is being twisted and perverted to suit each individual. A common saying today is, “You have your truth, and I have mine”. But the reality is, truth is not subject to our interpretation. Truth is what God says! Jesus was the living incarnation of truth. Everything He was, did and said was truth! So if we would know the truth we must find out what God says and what Jesus did. We must reject the ideas of sinful men who try to tell others their ‘version’ of the truth. And if we would walk in truth, then we must have the One Who is the truth dwelling in our hearts and we must yield our lives completely to His control. Today, let us determine to bring joy to our Father’s heart by walking in the truth.

“…The goodness of God endureth continually.” Psalm‬ ‭52‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬. We often hear the phrase, “God is good, all the time”. But the reality is most people only associate God’s goodness with things that they perceive as being good for them in some visible way. For instance, we thank God for His goodness in giving us health and providing our material needs. And we see God’s goodness in the nice things of life like a loving family and good friends. We see His goodness in the beautiful things of nature. But do we have the faith to believe that God’s goodness endures at all times and in all situations? Can we see that God is good when we are sick and suffering just as He is when we are healthy? Will we believe that God is good even when friends forsake us and family turns their back on us? Will our faith be strong enough to believe God is good even in the storms of life? True faith understands that God’s goodness has nothing to do with our personal circumstances. God’s goodness endures because that is Who He is! He is a good God! May we have the faith to rest upon this truth even when we cannot understand.

“because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬. These are some of the most sobering words Jesus ever spoke. Certainly these are words that most of the modern church world do not proclaim nor believe. Today, in our religious culture, we are led to believe that almost everyone is going to make Heaven. They try to represent God as One Who accepts everything and tolerates almost any kind of sin. And therefore, He is going to let everyone enter His eternal home. But those ideas are completely contrary to the Word of God. All throughout the Bible we see only a remnant who is true to God. Jesus says here and in other places that it is only a few who will stay on this strait and narrow way. Later in this chapter (verse 21) He says, “not everyone who says “Lord, Lord”, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father”. This means that the way that leads to eternal life is not for those religious people who claim to believe. Rather, this narrow way is reserved only for those who do the will of God. That is the result of true belief. We should each ask ourselves if we are truly on this narrow way that leads to life. What a tragedy it will be for the religious multitudes who miss Heaven because they have believed the lies of modern religion. The only ones who will make it are those who walk this strait and narrow way.

“And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” John‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬. We believe that these words were true of Jesus because He was God’s Son. He was sent by His Father and then His Father was always with Him. But do we also believe that our Heavenly Father has sent us and will be with us, even as He was with Jesus? Part of God’s call upon every one of His children is to “Go and be My witnesses”. We are sent to a fallen world to tell them and show them Who Jesus is and what He has done. We are sent to be children of light in the midst of the darkness. We are sent to love those who are not easy to love. But the only way we can accomplish these things we are sent to do, is as we are confident that our Father is with us! No matter what we are facing, no matter how dark the day, we can be sure ‘that our Heavenly Father has not left us alone’. And with that assurance, we can do those things that please Him. Let us believe, that the same Heavenly Father Who was with Jesus, is also our Father and will be with us. And He will always help us to do those things that please Him.

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬. If we truly understood how much Jesus cares for us and desires for us to bring our cares, burdens, and worries to Him, then we would never hesitate to come to His throne of grace. If we knew what an All Sufficient Burden Bearer He is, we would gladly cast all our anxieties on Him. Too many times we underestimate what He has done for us when the Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:4 “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…” and in Psalms 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you…”. We know this includes the burden of our sins and how wonderful that is! But do we realize this also includes ALL of our burdens and cares? It means that Jesus is our Burden Bearer for every burden we carry! It means He does not want us to carry our burdens alone. Let us rejoice in these beautiful words of the song ‘All your Anxiety’, that remind us of what Jesus wants us to do: “Is there a heart o’er bound by sorrow? Is there a life weighed down by care? Come to the cross, each burden bearing; All your anxiety—leave it there. All your anxiety, all your care, Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there, Never a burden He cannot bear, Never a friend like Jesus!”

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers…” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬. What a blessed and comforting truth this is. How wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father always has His eyes upon His righteous children and listens for our cries. There is never a time in our lives when He doesn’t see where we are and what we are going through. But we should not think of this merely in a general sense where God sees and knows all that is going on because He is omniscient. Rather, we should know that He watches us intently like a shepherd watches over his sheep. Even more, He observes us as a mother watches over her little children who she loves and her ear is always turned towards them whenever they cry out in need. May we understand, He watches us because He loves and cares for us! He listens for our cries because He is committed to our well being. He sees all that is before us and what the enemy is trying to do against us and sends the help we need. Too often we listen to the lies of the enemy, who causes us to think that God is watching only to find fault with us. By God’s grace, let us believe and rejoice in this truth. May our souls find comfort in the watchful eyes of our Heavenly Father. The song says, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”.

“But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us…” Luke‬ ‭24:29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬. On this occasion, as Jesus walked with the two men on the Emmaus road, they had been conversing with Him unaware of Who He was. As they reached their destination, Jesus desired to enter in with them, but He still waited for an invitation. He would not force His way in. He waited for them to receive Him. And it was then, as verse 31 says, “their eyes were opened and they knew Him”! How many times in our lives as we walk through difficult times, does Jesus come alongside us, and wait for us to receive Him? He patiently waits for us to invite Him in to this difficult place we are in. And it is only as we welcome Him in, that our spiritual eyes are opened to see Who He is! Then we finally realize that He is the Answer we have needed! And we are amazed because He has been here with us all along! By God’s grace, may we be more perceptive to the abiding presence of our Lord.

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me…” Isaiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬. In this passage, God was pointing out the blindness and hypocrisy of the people of Israel. They valued too much the sacrifices, the rituals, and the whole legalistic system, but they didn’t involve their heart in what they did. Their spirit wandered and did not allow their heart to engage with the true purpose for their lives. Sadly, something similar happens today. We attend church, we have an apparently Christian life, but deep down, our hearts continue to wander. We wake up in the morning, give free reign to our own thoughts, let problems weigh us down and sadden us. And finally, when we discover that we cannot do it alone, it is then we decide to think of God and seek his help. It is urgent to change this. It is urgent to line up our agenda with God’s, because He already has His well-defined plan. Although it is true that He wants us to participate in it, in no way will He force us to participate, much less allow His plan to fail. His perfect will is going to be fulfilled even if satan and his entire army opposes it. And their end is the same as that which awaits everyone who joins them. By God’s grace, let’s open our understanding. Let’s commit our hearts while there’s still time. A contrite and humble heart, God will not despise.

“But made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And He led them on safely, so that they feared not…” Psalms‬ ‭78:52-53‬ ‭KJV‬‬. These words are describing Israel’s exodus out of Egyptian captivity as well as the days following. It was amazing how God did so many miraculous things to deliver them. But then, once they were delivered, their real journey begins. They still needed a guiding hand. Then they had to learn to follow the Lord. Because only in following Him could they be safe and secure. All of their experiences serve as spiritual examples to us. Too many today have the mistaken idea that once we are saved and delivered from our old life of sin, that is it. But the reality is, that is only the beginning! We must learn to follow Christ. We must humble ourselves and learn to be led. Only as He leads us moment by moment can we make it safely through the wilderness of this world. But as we follow Christ, we find that He provides our needs and sets us free from fear! Let us be those humble and obedient children the songwriter spoke of when he wrote, “God leads His dear children along”.