"The Way That Seems Right"

Wisdom from Proverbs:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is

the way of death.” 16:25 When a man's ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 16:7 

 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 16:9

Not a day goes by that you and I don’t make decisions that turn the direction of our lives. We base some of our choices on what we know for sure; others are judgment calls. Proverbs 16:25 has a built-in alarm system that warns us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” When you base your decisions on what seems right to you, flags should fly up all around when you read this verse. Its caution is so specific and so current that we need to take every word seriously.

Notice, “There is a way . . .” not there was a way. This warning is not leftover from when you were in high school. Nor is it talking about your future. This flag is for your life today, wherever you are. If you’re 25 or 45 or 65, there is a way that seems like the way to go and you’re looking right at it.

“There’s a way that seems right to a man . . . ” Are you pondering a decision, maybe even taken several steps in a certain direction, that just feels like the right decision because it’s smooth and sunny and fun and fast? Make no mistake about it, most likely it is the wrong way.

Remember when Jonah ran from God? He went down to Joppa and found a boat waiting in the harbor that took him in the opposite direction from where God told him to go. It must be right; the boat was just waiting there for me. Listen, Satan can put a lot of wrong ways right in front of the person who is willing to consider it. You’ve got to go find the right way. The wrong way will usually come after you.

The problem is that all of this only “seems right to a man…” because our minds are darkened by sin, our hearts are impatient for pleasure, and our wills are weighed down with the old nature and the inclination to sin. Don’t trust what seems right to you—that’s leaning on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Trust God with everything you’ve got, ask Him for wisdom, and He will make the path of your life plain and straight. He’ll make it so you don’t have to waste a lot of time going down roads that just seem right but paths that you know are right in God’s eyes.
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

"PEACE BE WITH YOU............"

"You will....be led forth in peace" Isaiah 55:12


One of the first things you lose when you step out of God's will, is your peace. So if you don't have peace about it, don't proceed! God's promise is, "You will… be led forth in peace." Many times peace is all God will give you to let you know whether you're on the right track or not, so don't violate the peace rule. Jesus said, "… My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth…" (John 14:27).

The world offers a feeling of peace that operates only when everything's going well. But when the opinions you're getting seem to be confusing and contradictory, when it feels like nothing is going right for you and yet you're able to remain calm, you are experiencing "… the peace of God, which transcends all understanding… " (Philippians 4:7).

You say, "How do I get this transcendent peace?" Peter answers: "… Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you… Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters… are going through the same kind of suffering you are… after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation…" (1 Peter 5:6-10). So, be at peace, don't rush ahead of God, be confident knowing that God cares about what happens to you (1 Peter 5:7).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9
 
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

Attributes of God

Lord, You have been our dwelling place[a] in all generations. 

 2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,  Even

from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Psalm 90: 1-2 (NKJV)

As believers, we desire to know the One we worship. Human comprehension is limited, yet understanding all we can is very beneficial—it deepens our relationship with the Father and helps us to share our faith with others. With that in mind, let’s explore four attributes of almighty God.



1. He is a “person” (Ex. 20:1-6). We were created with the amazing ability to feel, reason, and make decisions. And God has the capacity for emotion as well—Genesis 1:26 says we were made in His image. And the Scriptures frequently make mention of His feelings, like anger and love.

2. The Lord is spirit (John 4:22-24). Because of this, He has no limitations; He isn’t confined to a body or place, so we can worship in His presence at church while others are experiencing Him elsewhere. What’s more, His Spirit indwells each believer, so we can enjoy His presence and guidance anytime, as long as we don’t allow sin to interfere (Ps. 66:18).

3. God is eternal (Is. 40:28). He always was, is now, and forever will be. Nothing existed before Him or will outlast Him.

4. Our Father is unchangeable (Mal. 3:6). His nature and attributes always remain constant. Yes, God experiences variety in emotions, but not in the essence of His character.

What a blessing that our holy Lord would reveal His character to us through the Bible. And how amazing that He makes it possible for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Praise Him for His attributes, and continue seeking to know Him better through His Word.
 
Be Blessed!!
 
Dawn

Attributes of God

June 24, 2010




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Attributes of God

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Psalm 90:1-2


As believers, we desire to know the One we worship. Human comprehension is limited, yet understanding all we can is very beneficial—it deepens our relationship with the Father and helps us to share our faith with others. With that in mind, let’s explore four attributes of almighty God.

He is a “person” (Ex. 20:1-6). We were created with the amazing ability to feel, reason, and make decisions. And God has the capacity for emotion as well—Genesis 1:26 says we were made in His image. And the Scriptures frequently make mention of His feelings, like anger and love.

The Lord is spirit (John 4:22-24). Because of this, He has no limitations; He isn’t confined to a body or place, so we can worship in His presence at church while others are experiencing Him elsewhere. What’s more, His Spirit indwells each believer, so we can enjoy His presence and guidance anytime, as long as we don’t allow sin to interfere (Ps. 66:18).

God is eternal (Is. 40:28). He always was, is now, and forever will be. Nothing existed before Him or will outlast Him.

Our Father is unchangeable (Mal. 3:6). His nature and attributes always remain constant. Yes, God experiences variety in emotions, but not in the essence of His character.

What a blessing that our holy Lord would reveal His character to us through the Bible. And how amazing that He makes it possible for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Praise Him for His attributes, and continue seeking to know Him better through His Word.



Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

God's Prescription for Revival

"If My people who are called by My name will humble

 themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked

ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive

their sin and heal their land." 

 2 Chronicles 7:14

The answer to America's problems is a spiritual one. We need to pray for our country like never before. And we need to reach out to a lost world with the gospel like never before. We need more people hearing about who Jesus is and what He promises. We need to get back to the true God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who sent His Son Jesus Christ to be born in the manger, to die on the cross, and to rise from the dead three days later.

If we turn to back to that God, then He promises He will bless us. But we have not been turning back to Him—we have been turning away from Him. Yet here is the promise of God in Scripture to any nation, including ours: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

But notice to whom God directs His remarks. God didn't say, "If Congress will turn from their wicked ways," or "If Hollywood would turn from their wicked ways. . . ." Rather, God points His finger at His house. He points His finger at you. And He points it at me. He says, "If My people who are called by My name . . . " (emphasis added). There are people in the church today who are living wickedly. And God says, "If you will humble yourself and pray, and seek My face, and turn from your wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive your sin and heal your land."

 
 
Be Blessed!
 
Dawn

The Devil’s Toolkit ( Pt 2)

"Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, 'Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen...'" (Acts 13:16)


Yesterday, we took a look into the toolkit of our adversary the devil, considering two of many devices he uses against us in his quest to turn man away from God. First, we discussed Satan's use of our own DESIRES. Second, we contemplated a common tool the devil uses against people of all ages but particularly youth: EVIL COMPANY. Today, let us consider two more of the devil's effective tools against man.

VANITY

Another tool in the devil's toolkit is vanity. Vanity is excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments. In other words, vanity is a vile form of self-centeredness. It can be divided into two broad categories: vanity of position and vanity of possession. Vanity of position is fed by conceit and arrogance while vanity of possession is fueled by greed, covetousness, and carnal desires. The devil knows how to use both. In Genesis 3, the devil appealed to Eve's vanity of position by telling Eve how she would be "like God" if she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When Eve "saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes" her vanity of possession was being piqued. The devil likewise tried to use vanity against Jesus when he tempted Christ in the wilderness. Vanity led Judas to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14,15). Vanity led Ananias and Sapphira to lie and die in Acts 5. Vanity caused (and still causes) some to "stray from the faith" (I Tim. 6:10). Vanity led many of the Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests, and elders to reject Christ (cf. Rom. 1:21). Vanity caused Diotrephes to want "to have the preeminence among" the saints in one location (III John 1:9). Rightly did the preacher write numerous times in the book of Ecclesiastes that "all is vanity"!



IGNORANCE

Ignorance is yet another device wielded by Satan in his work against man. Satan simply does not want people to know God's word! If the truth sets us free--and it does (John 8:32)--then ignorance most certainly imprisons us. People will be "destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). Why else would the devil work so hard to snatch the word away from a person's heart? In Luke's account of the parable of the sower, Jesus explained, "The seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11). Jesus went on to tell that "the birds of the air" who devoured the seed that "fell by the wayside" (Luke 8:5) represented "the devil [who] comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved" (Luke 8:12).

Friends, it is in the devil's best interest that he steals away the seed of God's word before it can take root in the hearts of those who hear. The faster our adversary can do this, the easier his work will be. Therefore, let us make every effort to guard against our adversary and protect the word of God that we have heard; let us strive to be like the psalmist who wrote "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). When one is ignorant of the word of God, they will not have a leg to stand on when confronted with error and false teachings. Truly, they will not even be able to tell the difference! Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame" (I Cor. 15:34). Friends, what shame ignorance is!

Dear brothersd sisetrs, it is important that we realize the tools employed by the devil as he seeks to lure us away from the path of righteousness. If we are ignorant of his devices, he will take advantage of us (II Cor. 2:11). So far we have examined how Satan uses our DESIRES, EVIL COMPANY, VANITY, and IGNORANCE against us.

Tomorrow, we will examine a fifth and final tool I'd like us to consider. In the meantime, I encourage you to examine your life. Are you making the devil's task easier, or are you resisting him with all your might?
 
Be Blessed!!
 
Dawn

The Devil's Toolkit (Pt.1)

The Devil’s Toolkit (Part 1)

by Patrick English

"Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, 'Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen...'" (Acts 13:16)

In his ancient treatise on The Art of War, Sun Tzu emphasized the importance of soldiers knowing their enemy. As a soldier of Christ waging a spiritual warfare (II Cor. 10:3,4; Eph. 6:12), the Christian would be wise to know his greatest enemy, the devil. To that end, listen to the apostle Paul as he makes a very interesting statement in II Corinthians 2:11 - "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." In Paul's remark, we learn that there are devices--techniques, if you will--that the devil uses in his wicked work against righteousness and those who would pursue righteousness. In the moments that follow today and in our time together during the next two days, let us consider five devices from the devil's toolkit that he uses against those who would learn of God and do His will.


DESIRES

First and foremost, the devil uses our own desires. It is important that we realize this, for different people have different desires. One person may have no desire to steal, become drunk, or commit fornication, but he may have a desire to tell lies. Another person may have no desire to lie, steal, or become drunk, but he may be inclined toward fornication. James describes how sin starts with each of us: "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:14,15). Remember the three B's: Beckon, Bait, and Bend. Satan has no power over us when we are walking in the light, so he beckons us away from the light, playing off our desires. As a person responds to the beckoning of their desires, the bait is laid in the form of temptation. At this point, the tempted individual is in a dangerous position, but still has control. He or she can still use the "the way of escape" provided (I Cor. 10:13). It is only when the individual's will bends, and succumbs to the temptation, that sin is committed and the devil scores a victory. Friends, be mindful of your desires!

EVIL COMPANY

Evil company is another tool used by the devil. Perhaps you've heard the expression, "the right tool for the job." Our adversary knows the importance of using the right tool for the job, and young people should pay attention because evil company is one of the devil's best devices against them. The devil knows how powerful a tool the pressure of one's peers is. All would do well to remember Paul's warning to the church at Corinth: "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits'" (I Cor. 15:33). What is evil company? Evil company is simply company that commits or encourages evil, sinful behavior. Do not equate evil company with the company of strangers. It is easy to think of evil company as only thugs, drug dealers, and gang members, but such is not the case. Evil company can take the form of friends, family, and, yes, even "religious" people! Those who have the most sway over us are the people we know, and I cannot recall a single time where I heard of someone adopting one of the wretched vices of our age from a total stranger. Evil company in the form of the children of Israel pressured Aaron to make a golden calf in Exodus 32. Evil company in the form of Job's wife suggested that he "curse God, and die" in Job 2:9. Other examples abound in the sacred text. Let us be mindful of the company we keep!

Friends, it is important that we realize the ways in which the devil seeks to lure us away from the path of righteousness. Meditate upon these two things today, and tomorrow we will consider two more devices in the devil's toolkit.
 
BE BLESSED!
 
DAWN