Tag Archives: Choose Wisely–there is a test!

Are You Recognizing Truth??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #330

19 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, All About Jesus!, Come to Jesus, God Knows, God Knows His Own, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus is able, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Too Late To Call?, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trusting Jesus, Truth, Truth is True, What does worldliness look like?

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Are You Recognizing Truth???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #330

Contrary to popular belief and opinion—truth must be true or it’s not “truth”; and the ultimate standard of truth is the God-man, Jesus Christ The Lord and His Word.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth, and

the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

We must know Jesus personally to come to “the Father”!  Without Jesus we can never truly know truth!  Truth isn’t just an idea or an ideal; truth is The person of Jesus Christ come in the flesh to “be” truth and lead men unto truth, grace and the salvation that HE bought and paid for at Calvary with HIS own blood.  If that’s not your truth, you may want to examine what you believe to be true!  As my mother used to say, “You can fool all of the people some of the time; you can fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool God—ever!”  He knows those who are His own—those sheep that Jesus has blood bought, redeemed and is transforming into HIS image.  Paul’s message to his son-in-the-ministry, Timothy, verifies this ‘truth’!

“But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:

of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred,

saying that the resurrection

is past already;

and overthrow the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,

having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his.

And, Let every one

that nameth the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”  2 Timohty 2:16-19

Are you departing from iniquity or reveling in it?  It seems to be the pastime of many who claim the name of Jesus!  If we aren’t walking in His truth, where do you think that puts us?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, remember there is a test!

You can turn away!  You can reject the truth!  You can feign faith!  You can fool those around you, but God knows the truth for HE is truth!  Paul also talks about the deceit of the last days, and my friends, I think this passage is so important to consider, as there are those around us ‘preaching’ a different message.  What message are you following?  Have you compared it to scripture?

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:

only he who now letteth will let,

until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume

with the spirit of his mouth,

and shall destroy

with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming

is after the working of Satan

with all power

and signs

and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness

of unrighteousness in them that perish;

because they received not

the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause

God shall send them

strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned

who believed not the truth,

but had pleasure

in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12

If you reject Jesus now, you may not have another opportunity to come to Him.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow, and for those who continue to believe the lies of Satan, there is a judgment day coming!  What are you believing?  Have you truly been born again?  Does your life give testimony to Jesus’ truth—or are you going your own way?  Verse 10 above makes it very clear; you can miss your opportunity to be saved!  Don’t sin away your day of grace, or the voice of The Holy Spirit calling you to repentance!  Please come to Jesus today if you haven’t!  God gave us warning all the way back in Genesis!  Please heed the call, if you hear His voice today.

“While it is said,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation.”  Hebrews 3:15

And as it has been said, we can go “back to Genesis” to know God’s truth!  There may not be another opportunity if you miss it today.

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

 for that he also is flesh…”. Genesis 6:3a

And as the author of Hebrews goes on to say…

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,

To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts,

as in the provocation,

in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me,

proved me,

and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved

with that generation, and said,

They do alway err in their heart;

and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath,

They shall not enter into my rest.)”.   Hebrews 4:7-11

And in closing this truth from Jesus—The Truth!!  What will you do with it?  Don’t miss The Master—The Redeemer—but be saved by the blood of Jesus, which “cleanseth us from all sin”!

“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me

draw him:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:43-44

If you have heard the voice of conviction, please don’t turn away; come unto The One who loves you more than you can even imagine.  Receive The Truth—The Redeemer—The Savior of all who will come to Him—the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin to all who will come to Him in repentance of sin and faith in His finished work of salvation.

Amen and Amen!!!

What Do I Value??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #321

10 Monday Feb 2025

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Holey, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Victorious Living, Walking With Jesus, Walking Worthy, What are you doing with your TIME?, Worldliness, Worship Him!

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What Do I Value???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #321

Value is temporal, fleeting and transient; so what are we to value?  While it sometimes seems trite and tenuous, value is what makes us what we are.  For what I value, I will pursue.  What I pursue, I will conform to!  What I conform to will determine my life style, my activities and my eternal destiny.  Joshua said it best as he was at the end of his life, having led Israel into the “Promised Land”, he called them to “choose you this day”!  And while there are very few Joshua’s in our day, God is calling us to choose; will I heed to His voice, His Word and His Son, our only way to Salvation?  It’s your choice!  Will you choose Jesus and receive eternal life—real life, or will you yield to the world’s lies and follow them to hell?

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua had made his choice long before this, he remained strong in his devotion to Jehovah God and His promises; so he called all Israel to follow God—but he made it clear that it was their choice, and you have the same choice today.  You can choose Jesus or reject Him, it is your choice, but remember you have the God-given right to choose, but when you choose the consequences of your choice will follow—and you can’t pick you own consequences!

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

Do you value the Word of God?  Have you heeded the call of Jesus upon your life, or disregarded His love, and sacrifice for you. Are going headlong down the wrong road.  His sacrifice for sin is available to you, if you’ll see your sin and turn to The Cross!

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

It’s not religion, or regulations, or even doing good things, You must be “born…of God”, even as Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter three, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”!  Until we come to God in humble repentance of our own sin, and accept the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for all who will come to HIM, we will not have real life.  Jesus made it perfectly clear that HE is God, and He came to die for my sin and yours, so HE is the only way to God—to eternal life—to a home in heaven.  Contrary to popular belief, not everyone goes to heaven!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

So, my friends, who are you following?  What path have you valued to the exclusion of Jesus, His Word and His way?  The world says we can have it all, just add Jesus to your list and you’ll be ok.  Even churches are failing to preach repentance and a life of holiness and conformity to Jesus!  How sad it makes me, yet I must proclaim the truth that God has called me to, whether you love it—hate it–accept it—or reject it!  It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test.  And even now we are called to pay a price for following the biblical Jesus!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new…

… 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”    Portions of 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

What do you value?  Paul gives us an amazing picture of what ought to be our values, our pursuits, and devotion.  Does your life line up to Jesus’ standard?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”                Romans 12:1-3

If you claim the name of Jesus, are you walking His way or your own way?  Do those around you see Jesus or the same worldliness that they see all around them?  Do you shine for Jesus or just the glitter and bling of the world?  There is a difference.  But we must understand, that when we choose to follow godliness, holiness (not a denomination, but a way of life that conforms to God’s Word) and truth, the world won’t like it, and we will pay a price for living God’s way!  Are you willing?

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers

shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving,

and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things

which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:12-17

“Follow peace with all men,

and holiness,

without which no man shall see the Lord:”  Hebrews 12:14

And in closing, Peter calls us to remember our Lord, the price that He paid for our salvation, and what HE calls us to “be” not just “do”.  Being must precede doing, we must be holy (in Jesus!) before we can (do) behave holily!

“For this is thankworthy,

if a man for conscience toward God endure grief,

suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it, if,

when ye be buffeted for your faults,

 ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

 that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins

in his own body

on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:19-25

Will you choose Jesus?  Will you join me in pursuing holiness before our Lord?  And just FYI, I know a lot of people claim verse 24 as a promise of all healing, but if you check its context, it is a reference to our healing from the death sentence of sin.  Read Isaiah 53, particularly verse 5 which is what Peter is quoting; you will find that it is a reference to the price that Jesus would pay for our salvation, not our perpetual healing.  It’s a reference to His blood which cleanses us from all sin!  Will you walk with Him today?  Will you forsake the things of the world that are continually calling us away from Jesus (when the world uses Jesus’ name to condone that which God condemns—check it out in His Word don’t trust to your own wisdom.)

“Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you seemeth to be wise

in this world,

let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world

is foolishness with God.”  1 Corinthians 3:18-19a

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayers Of Help For Parents??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #276

23 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by in Children, Parenting is a lifetime calling!, Parenting matters, Paying attention

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Prayers Of Help For Parents???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #276

When we see all the chaos around us, especially the chaos amongst our young, is there any hope?  Well, my friends, our hope—our only hope—is in Jesus and His Word.  That’s not just a cliché, but the truest of all truth; yet we must realize that it is not an easy solution but one that costs our all in all, and our bowing before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  And that seems to be a foreign idea to most, even many that claim to belong to Jesus!  But may I say, unless we’ve been to Calvary and been washed in the “blood of Jesus” which is the only thing that “cleanseth from all sin”, and Sin is the issue, our hope will wane!  Not a popular topic, but truth none the less.  God has extended His grace, mercy and love to us and sent Jesus to save us from sin!

“For all

have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time

his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him

which believeth in Jesus.”             Romans 3:23-26

What does all this mean?  It really isn’t difficult, God offers the sacrifice of His Son as the redemption (an act of atoning for guilt…an act or state of being rescued…) from our sin, to all who will believe; the same message that Jesus gave Nicodemus, the religious leader who needed more than religion!  Jesus told him that he must be “born again” by faith in what Jesus came to do—to die for our sin debt. And the Apostle John describes it in John 1.

“He was in the world,

and the world was made by him,

and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:10-13

Paul gives us an amazing picture of what Jesus does for those who come to Him.  What does all this have to do with parenting?  Good question.  Friends, without Jesus we cannot exercise wisdom, grace and love of a biblical sort to lead our children to the cross.  And without Jesus and His cross of sacrifice our children will be headed straight for hell—not popular but true!  Are we who know Jesus exercising biblical principles in the training, discipline and instruction in righteousness with our children and grandchildren.  Or are we allowing and even promoting the things of the world which are leading them in the wrong direction.  Jesus said there’s a broad way that “leadeth to destruction” or we can choose to lead others to the “straight gate” which leads “to life”!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself

more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man

the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1-3

There are a couple of things that I’d like to share in closing, things that aren’t always associated with parenting, and the last that is the ultimate biblical instruction for parenting.  Just remember God is the perfect parent, and we don’t always listen to or heed His directions.  Parenting is dependent on you and God, yet even our best efforts are sometimes received and heeded, sometimes not.  God has given your children free will as He has you!  When in doubt take it to the cross.

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

“But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory

by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father

be glory

for ever and ever. Amen.”  Philippians 4:19-20

And a passage that I believe is the ultimate plumbline on parenting says that you live before your children is way more influential than what you say.  Be sure you are “being” a doer of The Word, and not a “hearer” only (and as a parent a “speaker” only!)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God

with all thine heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day,

shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently

unto thy children,

and shalt talk of them

when thou sittest in thine house,

and when thou walkest by the way,

and when thou liest down,

and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them

for a sign upon thine hand,  (what you do)

and they shall be as frontlets

between thine eyes.             (what you see)

9 And thou shalt write them

upon the posts of thy house, (how you live at home)

and on thy gates…

…20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come,

saying, What mean

the testimonies,

and the statutes,

and the judgments,

which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,

We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt;

and the LORD brought us out of Egypt

with a mighty hand:

22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes:

23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.

24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes,

to fear the LORD our God,

for our good always,

that he might preserve us alive,

as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness,

if we observe to do all these commandments

before the LORD our God,

as he hath commanded us.”   Portions of Deuteronomy 6:4-25

Just remember that this passage starts out telling us that we, as parents must love God first!  It finishes with God’s command to have a testimony to share when our children ask—implying that when we live it in front of them, and hold them to biblical principles, the day will come when they will ask “why”; and when that day comes, we are to be able to share with them not just what God once did in our lives, but what HE is doing right now!!!  May you be blessed in your ministry of influencing others.

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

Amen & Amen!!!

Today Is Important??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #251

18 Sunday Aug 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Jesus Is The Only Way!, The Word, TODAY, Today And Tomorrow, Today is the day of Salvation, Today IS Today!, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?

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Today Is Important???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #251

“Now therefore

fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity and in truth:

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods which your fathers served

that were on the other side of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

We all fall into the habit of thinking and saying, “I can do that tomorrow! Right?” Well, maybe we can and maybe we can’t; as Joshua told the people of Israel, we are to “choose you this day” what we will do, whom we will follow, whom we will serve—God or ourselves (and remember whatever you put before God is your choice!)!  We can only live in the todays; for only God knows what tomorrow holds—and you can trust Him!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow;

for thou knowest not

what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

We must remember that the choices we make today, will affect tomorrow, and sometimes many tomorrows; that is why it is important to choose wisely today. I want to share a few things that may help us make wise choices.  The Psalmist shares great principles of living godly, it’s one of my favorites.

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so:

but are like the chaff

which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly

shall not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners

in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:

but the way of the ungodly

shall perish.”  Psalm 1:1-6

Consider the contrast that the Psalmist makes between the one who chooses to delight in God and His ways, and the ungodly who go their own way—and don’t forget that God keeps accurate accounts, and there is a consequence to every choice.  You and I are free to choose our actions but not the consequences.  And remember we will always reap what we sow, later than we sowed it, and more than we sowed!

Notice the principle here, the blessed man, chooses to cling to godly things and avoid the harmful things that will draw us away from God; yet when we choose the things of God, we will be able to stand like a tree “planted by the rivers of water”; fruitful, unwithered, and successful in following God’s path.

The ungodly “are not so”!  Remember that!  Make wise choices.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together

with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness

with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light

with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14

Be wise in your choice of companions and activities.

“Be not deceived:

evil communications   (or companions)

corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

The go-to reminder of scripture is from Paul’s letter to the Galatian believers.

“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.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

Remember that tomorrow will bring and reveal the consequences of what we choose today.  Choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!

Inside Out Or Outside In??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

14 Sunday Jul 2024

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Inside out or Outside In?, It's All About The Cross, JESUS, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Living Stones, Living TODAY!, Salvation, Seeing Truth, SIN, Sin IS the issue, The Blood Cleanseth us from all Sin, The Blood Of Jesus, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?, The Call of God!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Word, This is the Way, Tomorrow, Too Late To Call?, Transformed life, Words Matter, Worldliness, You can't get yesterday back!

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Inside Out Or Outside In???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #239

I heard a message today that pricked my heart, for we seldom hear a message which reminds us that, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not what’s on the “outside” that counts; and scripture is replete with teachings that God’s work is always from the inside out (not to say that we are to neglect the outside!)!

“Thus saith the LORD;

Cursed be the man

that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm,

and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert,

and shall not see when good cometh;

but shall inhabit the parched places

in the wilderness,

in a salt land

and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out her roots by the river,

and shall not see when heat cometh,

but her leaf shall be green;

and shall not be careful in the year of drought,

neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”                  Jeremiah 17:5-10

We must recognize that we choose to hear the voice of God and respond to Him in repentance and trust in His saving power through the blood of Jesus; or we choose to refuse His call to our hearts and trust in ourselves, the arm of man, or just depart from God, His Son and His Word.  It’s a matter of the heart and what we choose to believe, follow and live out—but we can never live good enough to change our heart, apart from Jesus’ sacrifice.

One of the greatest reminders of this is found in Proverbs 3.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct

thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

The problem is that we have exalted ourselves to think that we are “god”!  But there is only One God and One Way to Him, The Lord Jesus Christ.  You get to choose but the consequence comes without your control.  God gives us the privilege to choose, but the consequences are in His hands.

“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

Are you listening to God?  Are you sowing to the flesh or seeking Jesus’ provision for being born again and having new life in Jesus.

“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:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”   Matthew 7:13-14

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Isaiah shares this same message from the Lord to the people of Judah—a word that is also apropos to us today.

“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,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed

to do a marvellous work among this people,

even a marvellous work and a wonder:

for the wisdom of their wise men

shall perish,

and the understanding of their prudent men

shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them

that seek deep to hide their counsel

from the LORD,

and their works

are in the dark,

and they say,

Who seeth us?

and who knoweth us?”  Isaiah 29:13-15

People who claim the name of Jesus, yet go their own way, not the way of Jesus or His Word are who this passage is referring to.  Whom are you following? Believing? Trusting in?  Ordering your steps after?  Jesus paints one of the most profound pictures of the choices that face us, reminding us that “saying so, doesn’t make it so”.  Are we just talking about Jesus, or have we been transformed by His blood?  Are we being led by His precious Holy Spirit.  (See Romans 8:9, it tells us that if we don’t have The Holy Spirit, we don’t belong to Jesus!)  The Word said it, not just me.  Is your house built on the “Rock of Ages” or the “sand”?   Note that the storms will come no matter who you are—and the foundation does matter—in fact it’s a life and death choice.

“Even so every good tree

bringeth forth good fruit;

but a corrupt tree

bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree

cannot bring forth evil fruit,

neither can a corrupt tree

bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree

that bringeth not forth good fruit

is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 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:

25 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.

26 And every one

that heareth these sayings of mine,

and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man,

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended,

and the floods came,

and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house;

and it fell:

and great was the fall of it.”                  Matthew 7:17-27

Have you been changed from the inside out—by being born again?  Are you trying to put on a show by impressing others with the outside, but have not received God’s work of salvation to transform a lost sinner into a saint of God?

“The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man,

thou dwellest in the midst

of a rebellious house,

which have eyes to see,

and see not;

they have ears to hear,

and hear not:

for they are a rebellious house.”  Ezekiel 12:1-2

Rebellion is costly and can cost your soul, or your walk with The King.  It cost King Saul his kingdom—all because he did it his way, rather than God’s.  (Read all of 1 Samuel 14 & 15). There is a point of no return, which forgiveness can’t always restore.

“And Samuel said,

Hath the LORD as great delight

in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey

is better than sacrifice,

and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion

is as the sin of witchcraft,

and stubbornness

is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

he hath also rejected thee from being king.

24 And Saul said unto Samuel,

I have sinned:

for I have transgressed the commandment

of the LORD,

and thy words:

because I feared the people,

and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee,

pardon my sin,

and turn again with me,

that I may worship the LORD.

26 And Samuel said unto Saul,

I will not return with thee:

for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,

and the LORD hath rejected thee

from being king over Israel.”  1 Samuel 15:22-26

May God open our eyes and show us the true condition of our heart, so that we may receive the true work of redemption and recreation, and live it before a lost and dying world!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Amen & Amen!!!