PONDER YOUR PATH

This song touched me deeply growing up, “How About Your Heart . . . is it right with God, that’s the thing that counts today.  Is it black with sin, is it pure within? Won’t you ask Christ in today . . . People often see you, just as you are outside; Jesus really knows you, for He sees inside . . .”



There is temptation to join up, be part of the crowd: the loud, boisterous, opinionated . . . at times drunken, violent, immoral players.  Are you a Believer in Jesus? Ponder your path…walk away!  Say to your loving Heavenly Father, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me . . . take not your Holy Spirit from me . . . restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Psalm 51:10.



If we don’t get it right inside, we might end up for a lifetime with a darkened heart.  



Sure, strong opinions if they are based on the truth of the Bible are good . . . but where is your heart!

Even the wicked King of Nineveh got it. 

When the reticent prophet Jonah finally obeyed the LORD and walked through Nineveh for three days, he shouted out loud “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown;” the King responded from his heart; “For word came to the King of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything: let them not feed, nor drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not?  And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” Jonah 3:6-10

Now is your time.   Walk away from the violence, immorality, drugs and drunkenness . . . Let your prayer be, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” The LORD from Heaven will help you, assure you, be with you.

HISTORY IN THE BIBLE IS SAD

Pay attention: the history of God’s people in the Bible is sad.  Read the Bible.  Pay attention to the stories, parables, Psalms, Prophets, Holy Men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The words written to us from God through these Holy men become more profound, meaningful, deep, the more you read…not less.  There is not a superfluous word written to us.  (It is important to pray when you begin, “Lord, speak to me through your Word.” Forget the stupid political pressure of today. Forget the scoffers.   Think about God, who gave us what we need to know in Scripture so that we are equipped to live well, to lead a successful life.

The only question left is, Will I?  If I choose to please Almighty God, Creator of the ends of the earth and I accept His gift of eternal life, forgiveness of my sins, I enter his fold. He is then my Shepherd, and He says, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.  And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” The Almighty, All Knowing, Everywhere Present God is to be reverenced, worshipped and loved back. Do you hear his voice?

The history in the Bible is a very long warning of what comes to every person who chooses to rebel against Almighty God.  And the promises of assurance: eternal life and the Presence of God are there for the taking.

So again, the question comes up:  Will I? Will I plead, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in me.  Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation.”  He will because the amazing, generous, forgiving God always will.

2 Pe.1:21; John 10:27; Psalm 51:10

DON’T BECOME “THE HIDDEN HOUSE”

For years I rode my bike through a neighborhood with a dirt road.  It is a route getting from one busy two-lane road having a side dirt road, to another one with a sidewalk.

Near one end, as I cut through the neighborhood, on the corner was a lot with dense trees and bushes, and overgrown landscaping.  There was a house in there, it seemed.  A short cement driveway led to a two-car garage that was always closed.  There were a couple of lounge chairs and trash containers in the front.   Somehow, it was a charming scene. All around were beautiful homes in a well-established area.

One time riding past, I noticed a small homemade “For Sale by Owner” sign…it waited there for months.  Then, last week as I rode by loud noises were coming from that direction.  As I neared, the sign was gone.  A crew of about six men and a woman were working intensely, trucks and shredders were being used.

Yesterday, as I rode by again, I gasped out loud.  The crew was still there, but the house showed! Behind all the overgrown trees and weeds was a stunningly beautiful two, or three-story house.  I'm not sure now, the sight was so amazing!

I began thinking, riding on, “That beautiful house might be you. You are amazing.”  The overgrown, untended yard is not your destiny.  Fears, insecurity, doubt about your gifts need to be cleared. Competitiveness, comparing yourself with anyone is harmful. Make your move:  get around a crew of capable, honest and caring “Tenders” who believe in you and are ready to assist you in clearing away the brush.  I’m preaching to myself.  Get into the company of people who believe in Jesus and live by the Bible.  Here is permission: “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you.  He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Fear not, nor be dismayed.”

Jesus said, “Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?”  Mar_4:21