Through the Bible - Malachi 1-2, Revelation 21
Good morning,
As we come to the end of a year and look to the beginning of a new one, there is a lot of uncertainty as to what the New Year will bring. There is a lot of consideration already being given to new resolutions (sometimes the same old ones like losing weight). There are new fads, new diets, new ways being offered to bring change to our lives. Most of these resolutions will be with good intentions.
Arthur Pink writes, "It as been said with considerable truth, that the way to Hell is paved with good intentions. There will be many in the Lake of Fire who lived with good intentions, honest resolutions and exalted ideals; who were just in their dealings and charitable in all their ways; men who prided themselves in their integrity--but who sought to justify themselves before God by their own righteousness; men who were moral and kind--but who never saw themselves as guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners, needing a Savior. Such is the way which "seems right." Such is the way that commends itself to the carnal mind and recommends itself to multitudes of deluded ones today. The Devil's Delusion is that we can be saved by our own works, and justified by our own deeds!"
We may have good intentions but will it be our way or God's way?
Today's verse goes back to Jeremiah 6 and a call to the "old paths" and to "walk in them".
Jer 6:16 Thus says the Lord:
"Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But they said, 'We will not listen.' NKJV
or from The Message
Jer 6:16-18 God's Message yet again:
"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road,
The tried and true road. Then take it.
Discover the right route for your souls.
But they said, 'Nothing doing.
We aren't going that way.'
I even provided watchmen for them
to warn them, to set off the alarm.
But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.
It doesn't concern us.'
You have to opportunity to decide which path you'll take in the year to come. You'll decide what your priorities will be and live them out. Those early decisions will influence how you live the rest of the year. Why not start off on the right foot and commit to the tried and true road of following God, spending time daily in His Word and prayer? See where He will lead you.
In 2009, a year that promises continued economic turmoil, choose the good way and walk in it. Only there will you find peace.
Read the passage below, and today's Old Testament reading in Malachi. What similarities do you see between those "ancient times" and today?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Jer 6:10-21
Is Anybody Listening?
"I've got something to say. Is anybody listening?I've a warning to post. Will anyone notice?It's hopeless! Their ears are stuffed with wax — deaf as a post, blind as a bat.It's hopeless! They've tuned out God.They don't want to hear from me. But I'm bursting with the wrath of God.I can't hold it in much longer.
"So dump it on the children in the streets.Let it loose on the gangs of youth.For no one's exempt: Husbands and wives will be taken,the old and those ready to die; Their homes will be given away — all they own, even their loved ones — When I give the signal against all who live in this country."God's Decree.
"Everyone's after the dishonest dollar,little people and big people alike.Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. My people are broken — shattered! — and they put on band-aids, Saying, 'It's not so bad. You'll be just fine.'But things are not 'just fine'! Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage?No, they have no shame.They don't even know how to blush.There's no hope for them. They've hit bottom and there's no getting up.As far as I'm concerned,they're finished."God has spoken.
Death Is on the Prowl
God's Message yet again:
"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.Ask for directions to the old road,The tried and true road. Then take it.Discover the right route for your souls.But they said, 'Nothing doing.We aren't going that way.' I even provided watchmen for themto warn them, to set off the alarm.But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.It doesn't concern us.' And so I'm calling in the nations as witnesses:'Watch, witnesses, what happens to them!' And, 'Pay attention, earth!Don't miss these bulletins.'I'm visiting catastrophe on this people, the end resultof the games they've been playing with me.They've ignored everything I've said,had nothing but contempt for my teaching. What would I want with incense brought in from Sheba,rare spices from exotic places?Your burnt sacrifices in worship give me no pleasure.Your religious rituals mean nothing to me."
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