Tags
1 John 1:9-10, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Firecrackers of Regret!, Forgiveness, Galatians 5:16 &25, Galatians 6:7-9, Isaiah 55:6, James 4:7-10, Joel 2:25, Luke 14:11, No Regrets?, Proverbs 14:34, Regret, Revelation 12:11
Firecrackers Of Regret??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #18
It’s firecracker time in America, and while I don’t spend much, if any, time or money shooting fireworks, I do enjoy the light show; yet the money that is spent on fireworks always seemed to me like lighting a match to a hundred dollar bill. We all make choices, and some choose to indulge in the fun and celebration with fireworks. But I want to talk about the ‘firecrackers’ of regret that we will often endure for more than the few minutes that the firecracker or other fireworks may last—it’s a puff of smoke and it’s gone—yet our life choices can leave us with a continual barrage of regret more like a gatling gun going off in our heart and mind!
How many regrets will you have because you (like me) failed to make godly, biblical choices in life; and the regrets of tomorrow can seldom be erased, nor the fire put out for long. Believe me, you may sit one day asking God to ease the pain of the choices you are making today, wishing that you had chosen more wisely. You may find yourself praying for God’s intervention in the painful consequences of your choices—the ones you make in haste, or in anger, or in total rebellion to God and HIS Word, or just that fleshly indulgence that you wouldn’t let go of. You’ll be praying for “crop failure” as my father (thank God for a praying, loving father) did for me many years ago. What do I mean? Well, I mean—you get to plant your crop, but God sets the harvest!
“Be not deceived;
God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh
shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit
shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9
How interesting as I write this, God reminded me through the music I’m listening to, that no matter how bad we mess up—if we will look to Jesus, we can find forgiveness at the cross, for “Jesus Paid It All” (written by Elvina M. Hall in 1865)! Yet, obedience will always prevail over regrets, when we are willing to follow HIS Spirit each step of the way (See Psalm 37:23, in fact you can read the whole Psalm for real insight into God’s plan)!
“This I say then,
Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary
the one to the other:
so that ye cannot do the things
that ye would…
…. 24 And they that are Christ’s
have crucified the flesh
with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-17 & 24-25
What are you sowing today? The choice is yours but remember there is a test. And for us adults—remember there are little eyes and ears watching and listening, and they WILL copy our actions much more often than just our words. Again—we “reap what we sow”! Yet as we think of all that God has done for us, for our nation, for our world—may we fall before HIM, asking Him to “forgive… and to cleanse” us from our “SIN”. And I’d like to simply share some scripture for us to ponder today (and each day)! I pray God’s Spirit will direct each of us to hear and obey!
“If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10
“Righteousness exalteth a nation:
but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
“For whosoever exalteth himself
shall be abased;
and he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11
“Seek ye the LORD
while he may be found,
call ye upon him
while he is near:” Isaiah 55:6
Please don’t watch your life go up in smoke like the fireworks that will light the skies of America this weekend; remember it’s your choice but choose wisely—there is a test—and a consequence! Will yours be joy and delight as you see the blessings of God abound, or regrets beyond measure? You can try to justify your actions, but God knows your heart and mine, and HIS accounts are sure and certain! Yet, praise God, HE heals hearts, HE forgives sin when we repent and receive HIS cleansing. Look up today—Jesus is waiting for you!
“Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;
and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
….10 Humble yourselves
in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up.” James 4:7-10
I praise God that He has granted me the forgiveness, healing, and restoration that only the blood of Jesus can provide. He has truly given the opportunity to “restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”! Thank you, Jesus!
“And they overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb,
and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives
unto the death.” Revelation 12:11
“And I will restore to you
the years that the locust hath eaten,
the cankerworm,
and the caterpiller,
and the palmerworm,
my great army
which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25
I pray God’s blessing on you and yours! And—Father God, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and precious Holy Spirit—Please bless America!
Amen and Amen!!!