Jeremiah 17: 7 – 8 (Amplified Classic) [Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. (8) For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
1st Corinthians 13: 7 – 8a (Amplified Classic) Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (8a) Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]…
Colossians 2: 7 (Amplified Classic) Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.
Love is the fuel source for our Faith.
Galatians 5: 6b (Amplified Classic)…but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
Our prayers are not effective if our Love walk is out of order.
Ephesians 3: 17 – 19 (Amplified Classic) May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, (18) That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; (19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
It is vital that we know the Ways of the Lord. We must become Spiritually Minded. To be Spiritually minded we must know God’s Ways. We must make His Ways our ways.
If we do not know God’s Ways, the enemy the Devil will be able to easily deceive us. We will be carnally minded. If we are carnally or fleshly, worldly minded our ways are not God’s Ways.
As we study God’s Living Word, and walk in Love, God’s Ways are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. All of God’s Ways are revealed in Jesus Christ. All of God’s Ways are Love because God Is Love. If God Is Love, then we are Love. If His Ways are all Love, then our ways are also Love.
The Ways of the Lord Are; Therefore, our ways are: Love – Absolute Truth – Mercy – Grace – Loving kindness – Goodness – Faithfulness – Integrity – Long suffering – Full of Joy – Eternal without ceasing – Holy – Steadfast – Righteous – Bring life – Always right
An established heart is fixed, steadfast, unwavering, trusting in the Lord always and in all circumstances no matter what those circumstances are. The established heart does not weaver in times of trouble or distress. A person with an established heart does not worry, fret, or fear. They do not focus on the problem but on the answer.
A person who has an established heart is a person who walks the Love Walk no matter what the circumstances are. The person with an established heart has set their love upon the Father. This person will be walking in the fruit of the Spirit.
The Person with an established heart is Spiritually minded, and God’s Word ruled. God and His Living Word is first place in this person’s life. They are not ruled by their senses, emotions, or feelings. God and His Living Word are first place in this person’s life. The person with an established heart or who is Spiritually minded will be God and others centered, not self-centered.
Proverbs 4: 23 (Amplified Classic) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
Colossians 3: 1 – 3 (Amplified Classic)IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
Galatians 5: 25 (Amplified Classic) If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
Psalm 25: 1(Amplified Classic) UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You…
I want to change my life, but where do I start? I have tried so many times and have always failed. Have you ever said or thought that? Maybe you are there right now. Maybe you are at the place where you are just about to give up or have already given up. Some live their lives in depression, fear, and worry thinking that there is no hope for them. Some may have even considered suicide. Still others have already followed through thinking that it would be an escape. If this is you, do not give up and if you have given up start again. There is hope and an answer. Anyone who really wants to change, can change their lives right where they are.
If you are seeking to change your life to God’s way of life, then this message is for you. If you are tired of being sick and tired. If you have been hurt and bruised by life even if you did it to yourself. If you are seeking comfort due to the tragedies and troubles of life. If you are struggling with depression, fear, worry, bondage, hurt, sickness, or any other problems in life there is hope and there is an answer.
There is a starting place and God will teach you the pathway. God will not make you choose the pathway. He will offer it to you. You have to choose the pathway and walk in it, but you will not be walking it alone. He will strengthen and guide you.
To adjust your eye, a lens, a TV, or similar item to produce a clearer image. To fix or settle on one thing; to concentrate. To focus one’s attention on a specific subject or question.
One of the main tactics that the enemy uses is to try and keep our focus on the wrong thing. He works hard at drawing our focus away from God and His Living Word. Throughout Scripture we see people who had their Life focus on God and His Word, or they did not.
No matter what was going on in David’s life, good or bad, David placed his life focus on God and His Word. He corrected himself, his emotions, and the way he responded to the circumstances of life based on God and His Word. The one thing that was most important to David, His life focus, was his relationship with God. The same should be true of every Christian
Psalm 25: 1 – 2 (Amplified Classic) UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2a) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You.
Psalm 27: 1 (Amplified Classic) THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation–whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?
Right in the middle of the storms of life David asked one thing of the Lord.
Psalm 27: 4 (Amplified Classic) One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.
David was a man with a life focus. A life of real worship.
We need to change our focus in life to see our lives through the eyes of Love and God’s Living Word. Place your focus in life on God and His Living Word and watch the circumstances in your life change.
When we do that, we will be filtering everything through the Love factor which will bring confidence, faith, rest and peace. It will also put us in a position to hear from the Holy Spirit as he guides and teaches us. He already knows the answer.
Matthew 6: 33 – 34(Amplified Classic) But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (34) So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Matthew 7: 16 – 20(Amplified Bible) You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? (17) Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. (18) A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. (20) Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.
James 3: 14 – 18 (Amplified Bible) But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. (15) This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). (16) For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. (17) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). (18) And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
Are you in need of a refreshing? Are you weary in your body, mind, and spirit? Are you being beat up by the circumstances of life? Do you need a change? Do you know that God Himself has already prepared the place of rest, refreshing, and revival for us? He has already given us the keys to enter that place. It is God’s desire for us to be in a continuous state of refreshing before and even during the storms of life that come our way.
Act 3:19 (Amplified Classic Bible) – So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;
Jeremiah 6:16 (Amplified Classic Bible) – Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it!
Ephesians 6:10 (Amplified Classic Bible) – In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
John 14:26 – 27 (Amplified Classic Bible) – But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. (27) Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
God is the one who qualifies us to walk with Him. On our own we could never qualify ourselves. He has already paid the price and completed the work. When we got Born Again He put in us by The Holy Spirit everything we needed to qualify for a personal relationship with God The Father Himself. No matter what comes our way in this life He has made a way for us. He will teach us how to stand in the midst of the storms of life.
Matthew 6:33 – 34(Amplified Bible Classic)But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (34) So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Psalm 27: 1 – 4 (Amplified Bible Classic) THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation–whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? (2) When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. (3) Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident. (4) One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.
Colossians 3:1 – 4 (Amplified Bible Classic) IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
Philippians 3:7; 10-11(Amplified Bible Classic) But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ’s sake. (10) [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving, and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power out-flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (11) That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
Are you in need of a refreshing? Do you really want to come up higher? Do you desire to have a deeper more intimate relationship with the Lord? Do you desire to stay refreshed in your spirit? Do know that God Himself also deeply desires this for you?
God has already prepared a special place just for you where you can be refreshed and where you can have that deeper intimate relationship with Him.
A secret place.
Psalm 91:1 – 2 (Amplified Classic) HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (2) I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
Psalm 91: 14 – 16 (Amplified Classic) Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. (15) He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.
Hebrews 11: 6 (Amplified Classic) But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Faith is not something we do occasionally when we need something. Faith is a lifestyle, a way of life. It is habitual for the Believer to walk in Faith throughout all their lives. If a Believer or Born-Again person, is not walking in Love and in Faith in God and His Word that person is abnormal.
When we believe (Adhere to, Trust in, and Rely on) God and His Word as absolute truth our Faith unlocks the inheritance that Jesus paid for and God Himself gave to us.
Love is the Power Source – Faith in God and His Word is the Key. Love and Faith in God and His Word work together to enter His place of Rest
You cannot function is doubt and Faith at the same time. (It is impossible to please God without Faith). Doubt is what Satan used in the Garden of Eden. He is still using doubt today.
When you function in doubt, worry, and fear you enter into unrest and cannot enter the place of God’s Rest in His Word.
Faith in God and His Word causes us to enter into the place of God’s Rest and Peace. Faith in God and His Word becomes our anchor.
Are you walking in doubt, worry, and fear? Faith in God and His Word will cast out doubt, worry, and fear.
Faith is a condition of the heart. It is rooted in the absolute truth of God’s Word which cannot lie and cannot be changed.
Faith is not a movement. Faith is the lifestyle of the born-again Christian. Faith is the only way to please God.
Hebrews 11: 6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Are you looking at the circumstances of your life through the eyes of faith in the absolute truth of God’s Living Word or through the eyes of fear, worry, and doubt?
No matter what we are going through in this life, good or bad, it is a heart condition. The heart is the center of our life. All the issues of life flow from the heart.
Proverbs 4: 23 (Amplified Classic)Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
God’s Living Word can change the condition of our heart if we position ourselves for the Word to work. We must abide in Him and His Word must abide in us.
John 15: 7 (Amplified Classic)If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Psalm 119: 130 (Amplified Classic)The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
God’s Living Word Is Alive therefore the Word will bring forth life.
Hebrews 4: 12 (Amplified Classic) For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
Everything, no matter what it is, is a condition of the heart. The heart must be guarded above all that we guard.
Proverbs 4: 23 (Amplified Classic) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
Matthew 6: 21(Amplified Classic)For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 12: 33 – 37 (Amplified Classic) Either make the tree sound (healthy and good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten (diseased and bad), and its fruit rotten (diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its fruit. (34) You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. (35) The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. (36) But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. (37) For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
Proverbs 13: 2 – 3 (Amplified Classic)A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. (3) He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Where is your confidence? That is a question that we all must answer every moment of our lives.
When the problems of life come our way where do we place our confidence? Do we really have confidence in God and His Word?
If we really had the confidence and trust in God and His Word that we say we have, we would respond differently to the problems and circumstances of life.
Confidence must be developed. We must develop confidence in God and His Word before the problem or issue. Our confidence in God and His Word must be full time, never ending, continuous, and be our habitual lifestyle.
We need to practice our trust and confidence in God and His Word every day in every circumstance and situation of life. Not just when problems are present. It is the only way we can be ready when the real problems and storms of life come our way.
Are we sure that where, what, and who we are placing our confidence in is trustworthy, secure, solid, and faithful? God and His Word are always trustworthy, solid, and faithful.
What in your life do you focus on the most? What is Your Life Focus? One of the main tools the enemy uses against us is to try and change our focus from being Spiritually minded to carnally minded.
No matter what the problems in life are they are temporary. Your eternity is not temporary. It is eternal without end. You decide where your focus should be. When you place your focus in life on God and His Word, watch the circumstances in your life change.
No matter what the problem is the Holy Spirit knows the answer. He will guide us if we position ourselves to hear Him and obey.
We need to change our focus in life to see our lives through the eyes of God’s Word. When we do that, we will be filtering everything through the Love factor which will bring confidence, faith, rest and peace. It will also put us in a position to hear from the Holy Spirit as he guides and teaches us. He already knows the answer.
What we focus on the most becomes who we are. We claim to be Christians so we should live by God’s Word.
Colossians 3: 1 – 2 (Amplified Bible Classic)IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3: 17 (Amplified Bible Classic) And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.
In order to become Spiritually minded and have a renewed mind we must be Born Again. Once Born Again if we are to grow and develop our Spiritual man, we must become Spiritually minded. If we do not develop our Spiritual man, becoming Spiritually minded, we will still be carnally minded and walk in the flesh as the rest of the world even though we are Born Again.
Romans 12: 2 (NKJV)And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 8:5 – 6 (NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
We, not God, determine whether we are Spiritually minded or Carnally minded.
Deuteronomy 30: 19 (Amplified Bible Classic)I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life
Our Loving Heavenly Father has already set life before us but He will not make us choose life. He paid the entire price for all mankind but He will not make us choose life. It is totally up to the individual as to what he will choose, spiritually minded and life or carnally minded and death.
A new beginning. To begin means that it has a definite place or time of starting, a place of origin, something that did not exist before. A new beginning means to completely do away with the old and make a new one completely different not related to the old one. To begin again or renew means to restart, to revise or revive the one already in place.
To begin something means that there is action taking place. There is movement. If you remain where you are and never move you cannot begin. You cannot stay the same and begin.
Beginning suggests a path, a purpose, a process or task. Every path, process, or task has a point of origin or place where the journey started. This would be the beginning.
God Himself Is The Beginning and He Is the end.
We are all on the path of life as long as we are alive in this Earth. There are many choices to make along this path of life. Many of those choices have a major impact on our path of life, good or bad. Those choices have an eternal effect on our lives and the lives of others. There are many roads and choices in this life but only one true path.
John 14: 6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
What we do today will determine not only our future, the future of our children, but also the future of those yet to be.
The right to choose has been given to Man by God and we are being held accountable for the choices that we make in this life.
Deuteronomy 30: 19 – 20 (Amplified Bible Classic) I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live (20) And may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
When God said “I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life” He was giving us the choice between being Spiritually minded and carnally minded.
We cannot be both at the same time. We will be one or the other. God then said choose life or choose being Spiritually minded.
Romans 8: 5 – 6 (NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
In order to change anything our choice is involved.
It is time to make a new beginning. It is time to let your past be your past at last. What you do with today will determine your future. Your life today will be the fossil of your life tomorrow.
1st John 5:14 – 15 (Amplified Bible) And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. (15) And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
Matthew 21: 22 (Amplified Bible) And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.
Ephesians 3: 14 – 21 (Amplified Bible) For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (15) For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. (16) May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. (17) May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, (18) That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; (19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (20) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] (21) To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
Righteousness and right standing with God is an exciting subject.
Most of us mistakenly think that in order to be righteous I myself have to make myself righteous. The truth is I cannot do enough in my own strength to make myself righteous before God. Righteousness or right standing with God is a free gift from God. God is the only one that can make us right with Him. Righteousness cannot be earned; it is a free gift from God. There is no amount of works that I can do that will ever make me right with God.
Either we are right or we are wrong. There is no middle row. There is no neutral. Either we are saved (Born Again) or we are not. Either we are in darkness or we are in the light. Either you are walking with God or you are not walking with God. There is no middle ground.
Righteousness is simply being right. God said Today I present to you, Life and Death, Choose Life. If you are going to be right you have to do it God’s way. You have to choose Life.
The only one that can determine whether I am right or wrong is me. You say then, ok then I am right. No, you have to choose and act on what God says is right. God determines what is right and wrong but I am the only one that can choose to be right or wrong. God’s ways are the only ways to be right. Our set stands of being right has already been set by God Himself.
It is harder to live wrong than it is to live right. The only real peace in life comes from being right. God has made a way but He will not make us walk in it.
Psalm 34: 12 – 15 (Amplified Bible)What man is he who desires life and longs for many days, that he may see good? (13) Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. (14) Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it! (15) The eyes of the Lord are toward the [uncompromisingly] righteous and His ears are open to their cry.
There is a big difference between walking right with God or right with the flesh and the world. The fruit and the effect are going to come from one or the other.
Psalm 33: 18 – 22 (Amplified Bible)Behold, the Lord’s eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, (19)To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. (20)Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. (21) For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name. (22)Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.
We need to be making a daily and moment by moment heart check in our lives. What is the motive behind what I do? Do we walk with God here but not here?
Romans 8: 5 – 6 (NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6)For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Restoration Ministries 