The Biblical Path of Life

Category: Picture with verse and blog

  • A Christian’s Duty

    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
    Ecclesiastes 12:13

    Can you name any of God’s commandments? Without knowing what God’s commandments are, people would never understand they have sinned. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). One must first recognize that they are sinners. That comes by knowing what God’s Law says, for God’s Law reveals sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The penalty for breaking God’s Law is death. What do you do with that information? One should understand that Jesus came to die on the cross to take away that sin. He then offered eternal life for anyone who would receive it.

    However, it takes faith to accept that gift of God’s grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). That guarantees that anyone who asks in faith can receive. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). That person is then called a Christian. What happens for those who trust in Jesus? “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Understand that when Jesus died on the cross, we were set free from sin; Christians no longer live under the Law. “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Romans 7:7). God’s Law is still important. That Law was given to keep man in constant awareness of how far he had fallen short of God’s glory and the terrible price that had to be paid to bring man back into right standing with his Creator (Jesus’ death on the cross). God’s Commandments also remind us that God is perfect and righteous, and we are a people with the propensity to sin.

    Christians are to live as if they belong to God. We should “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23). Christians can now claim new lives, so we must then live new lives. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christians are now able to live new lives of obedience to God and His commands.

    God then does something special for those who belong to Him.

    God has now written His Law on the Christian’s heart and mind. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16). His Spirit lives inside each Christian, constantly reminding him or her of God’s will. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). We are then able to please God in the following of His Law that is written in our hearts. This is because we have been encouraged to do the following: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). We must hide God’s Word in our hearts so we will not sin against God but live for Him.

    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Understand that fearing God does not mean being afraid of Him. Fear means “morally to revere; a dread of His wrath; and a reverence of His majesty.”  It is knowing what God expects of Christians and then doing it.

    Do you read God’s Word daily, hiding it in your heart so you can live a life pleasing to Him?

  • A Willing Mind

    “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
    2 Corinthians 8:12

    Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet during the time of the final five kings of Judah. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God called Jeremiah to be His prophet before God even formed him in the womb. God had already sanctified him. Sanctified means “to pronounce clean; consecrated (set apart) to God.”  The word ordained means “putting forth a voice.” God had set Jeremiah apart to serve Him by speaking God’s Words to the nations (including us today).

    However, like most people, Jeremiah’s initial response when God called him was that he was inadequate (see Jeremiah 1:6). If you think about it, most people feel quite inadequate when God calls upon them to do something for Him. But keep in mind that God also knew you before you were formed in the womb, and if God didn’t know you could do it, He wouldn’t have asked. 

    God responded to Jeremiah much as He would probably respond to anyone who thought they could not do what God called them to do. See what God said to Jeremiah: “7. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth” (Jeremiah 1:7-9). God not only encouraged Jeremiah that he could do what God asked, but God put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth.

    God told Jeremiah His plans. He was going to allow the enemy from the north to enter into Jerusalem because of the people’s continual wickedness and idolatry (see Jeremiah 1:15-16). Then God continued with amazing words of encouragement. “17. Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:17-19). Did you see what God was going to do for Jeremiah? When Jeremiah spoke to the people, God would make him like a “defenced city”, “an iron pillar”, and “brasen walls” against the whole land. Jeremiah was not to be troubled by the people’s response to God’s Words – for God would strengthen Jeremiah to complete the task at hand. More importantly, the people would not prevail against (triumph or overcome) Jeremiah – because God was with him!

    There were many good things happening in the land of Judah when God called Jeremiah. However, the days were not always good. Jeremiah spoke for over forty years. The final four kings of Judah were terrible times! God called Jeremiah during those final years of Judah’s existence. During those years, God’s people were conquered, carried from the land of promise into captivity, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Temple burned. However, God never left Jeremiah.

    As we just remembered, God knew Jeremiah before he was even born. He called, prepared, sent Jeremiah as a prophet for God and promised to be with him. Keep in mind, God will never give us anything to do that He will not help us complete. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Corinthians 8:12). God will be with us. We only have to trust Him (just like Jeremiah). God encouraged Jeremiah just as he had encouraged many before him by giving encouraging words when He called them to do something for Him. Think back to Moses. Moses did not think he could do what God asked, yet read God’s response in Exodus 4:10-12. Remember the encouraging words given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6). And to Joshua when he was to lead God’s people. “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Even today, we are encouraged to trust God. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). As we found out, that was what God expected of Jeremiah.

    Do you have a willing mind, recognizing God will help you do what He asks?

  • Heartily, as to the Lord

    “23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
    Colossians 3:23-24

    If you have ever read the book of Jeremiah, you understand that the messages God gave Jeremiah to share were extremely difficult for him to deliver. However, Jeremiah was always faithful – even when he was beaten, imprisoned, and his fellowman rejected him. He willingly obeyed God’s command to deliver His message calling Judah to repent and return to God. Jeremiah had little, if any, hope of the possibility of God’s people truly repenting and returning to God, yet he faithfully delivered the messages God had. What courage!

    There was one particularly interesting time God had him speak. There was a nomadic people that lived among the Israelites called the Rechabites (also known as the Kenites). They were descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, who had chosen to live among God’s people in tents. They occasionally are mentioned as those who helped God’s people (see Jael in Judges 4 and Jehonadab with Jehu in 2 Kings 10). God sent Jeremiah to speak to these people, take to them to the house of the Lord, and give them wine to drink. Jeremiah did what God told him to do. Read their response. “6. But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever: 7. Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. 8. Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; 9. Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: 10. But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.” (Jeremiah 35:6-10). What was wrong with drinking the wine? They had made a commitment to their father that they would not. They chose to obey their father, Jonadab. God had a point He wanted to make to His people. “13. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD. 14. The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me” (Jeremiah 35:13-14). God made a very good point. God commended the Rechabites for their faithfulness to the command given to them by their father. Their father had given commands, and his children obeyed. God had given the Israelites commands, yet they had disregarded them. God reminded them He had sent prophets to tell them. “… saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me” (Jeremiah 35:15b). God’s people did not listen. They did not obey God’s command to return to Him. This family of Rechab had willingly chosen to obey the words of their father, yet God’s people had willingly chosen not to obey the words of God. The Rechabites were destined to live as a nomadic people – without homes, farms, vineyards, or a place to call home. Yet this people obeyed their earthly father. On the other hand, God had given His people a land where they built homes, had farms and vineyards, and a place to call their homeland. However, the Israelites did not obey God. God blessed the Rechabites.  

    Because God’s people did not repent or choose to obey God, God allowed the enemy to destroy Jerusalem and take them captive. Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of his beloved city, and his people carried captive to a foreign land. Yet even through rejection and witnessing Jerusalem’s destruction and the people’s captivity, Jeremiah still mourned and prayed for his people. He even remained to encourage the few left in the land with God’s Words. Jeremiah understood something that had not even been written yet in his day: “23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

    Do you obey God’s Word heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men?

  • The Preaching of the Cross

    “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
    1 Corinthians 1:18

    Many times in the Old Testament, we read of the promise of Jesus. No one knew His name, yet God’s people were to be looking for Him the same. At times, God revealed specific things He wanted the people to understand. “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high” (Isaiah 52:13). “Behold, my servant” is speaking of Jesus. God said Jesus would “deal prudently” meaning Jesus would succeed in completing what God expected Him to do. Continuing through that verse, see that it says that Jesus will be “exalted and extolled” which means “to raise, or lift up; to carry off; take away; it is the idea of one who is a substitution bearing the guilt or punishment of sin.” So just from that one verse we understand that God told Isaiah that He would send Jesus who would complete the task of being lifted up as the one who would take away the guilt and punishment of sin by becoming the substitute – the one who took sinful man’s place. This is what God had promised Adam and Eve in the garden (see Genesis 3:15).

    They were to be aware of the suffering death that this One would have to endure. Remember that when Jesus came, He was scourged and delivered to be crucified (see Matthew 27:26, 29-30). Why did this happen? “So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider” (Isaiah 52:15). Understand that this verse tells us that Jesus’ death would enable Him to “sprinkle” many nations. “Sprinkle many nations” means “to cleanse from sin; the Servant of the Lord came to make an atonement for the sins of even the Gentiles.” In the Old Testament, the people understood the high priest had to sprinkle the blood of the ram upon the altar to cover their sins for another year (see Exodus 29:20). God sent His Son to take away the sin (not cover), and allowed the entire world to “see” and then to “consider.” “See” means “to gain understanding”; and “consider” means “to observe; to pay attention to; to gain insight or understanding.” Each person has to see and decide (believe) for himself.

    Immediately after Jesus death, burial, and resurrection, there were still many who did not understand what had happened, and many did not believe Jesus had even risen from the dead. There were two in particular who were on the road to Emmaus, not far from Jerusalem. On the evening of Jesus’ resurrection, they were walking and discussing all they had heard. Jesus joined them, walking and talking with them, yet they did not recognize Him (see Luke 24:15-16). When He asked what things they were discussing, they explained, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:19b-21). They were trying to “consider” but did not yet understand. After walking with them, listening to them as they continue their discussion, Jesus responded: “25. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25-27). They needed to believe, by faith. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).   

    It is almost amazing to those today, who are Believers, to understand how they could not have recognized Jesus. However, many times in the Old Testament people should have understood and recognized what God was doing, yet they most of the time, they did not. All throughout the Old Testament, the people were taught of God, but they had a hard time understanding that He had been speaking of Jesus, who was to come. They lacked faith.

    “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). See the following to help understand what this verse means: 

    • preaching means to speak intelligently about the word of the cross 
    • cross means the whole passion of Christ and the merit of His sufferings and death 
    • them that perish means exposed to eternal death 
    • foolishness means foolishness or absurdity
    • saved means those who have obtained salvation through Christ and are kept by Him 
    • power means a person in whom the power of God is manifested  

    The “power of God” was revealed when Jesus came and finished what God had for Him to do. Jesus came to pay the penalty for sin, taking it away from any who would only believe.

    Have you believed the preaching of the cross, becoming a Christian?

    How to be Saved

  • A Heart of Unbelief

    “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
    James 1:8

    The Gospel Message of Jesus is available to anyone who will receive it. However, one must not only believe that message, it then must be received into one’s heart and life by faith. “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). When one does not believe, it does not profit them. See why not: “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:6). We can read in the next verse that there is a cry for one not to harden their heart (so that faith can enter in). See how this is described: “12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13). One who rejects the Gospel message of Jesus has departed from the living God in unbelief. There is no hope for such a one. Remember, in the Old Testament God’s people were to obey and follow God, waiting for Jesus to come.

    One cannot help but remember back to the Bible and a very real example of one without faith. His name was Saul, the first king of Israel. He was physically, everything a people could want in a king. He was good-looking, and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else did. However, what kind of a man was Saul really?

    In the administration of his kingdom, we find out that Saul demanded obedience to his command. He even promised death to anyone who defied his command. In one instance, it turned out to be his son, Jonathan, who had unwillingly disobeyed his father’s command. When the king was prepared to kill his son, the people stepped in and saved his life. Shortly thereafter, God required King Saul’s obedience in a matter. But when Saul disobeyed God, God did not demand his death. God is forgiving and although there was discipline for disobedience, God gave him a second chance.

    God told Saul to go and utterly destroy Amalek and everything they had (for they were God’s enemies). He was even to kill the king. Saul gathered the people and went to Amalek. They took the city. “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly” (1 Samuel 15:9). Saul did not obey God’s command. God declared that Saul had turned back from following Him, and not performed His commandments. When confronted with the truth of the matter, Saul lied. Read his response when questioned by Samuel, God’s prophet. “20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20-21). Did you notice that King Saul blamed the people for his disobedience? Because of his disobedience to God this time, God removed the kingdom from Saul and his family. Samuel told him that because he had rejected the word of the Lord, God had also rejected him from being king.

    It was not until the punishment had been uttered that Saul admitted his fault. “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” (1 Samuel 15:24). Samuel completed the job that Saul was to supposed do. Samuel killed the king of the Amalekites.

    Shortly after that, God chose a man after His own heart, David. Saul spent the rest of his kingdom not trying to please God, but trying to destroy David. This caused his kingdom to become one mainly of defeat. We do not hear of him seeking after God until right before he died in his last battle. When the Philistine army gathered together against Israel again, Saul gathered all of Israel together. He was afraid. Saul wanted a word from God, but he did not receive one: for God did not answer him (see 1 Samuel 28:6). Saul then searched and found a woman who had a “familiar spirit” (means a necromancer or sorcerer; a witch). Saul disguised himself, went by night, and found her. He sought the world’s ways of seeking answers instead of waiting upon God.

    We can understand that the main problem of Saul was that he had no spiritual foundation on which to build a godly life. Sure, he was God’s chosen man to be king of His people, but Saul never sought God or His wisdom with all of his heart. When David came into Saul’s life, many of Saul’s insufficiencies (his lack of faith and obedience to God) revealed themselves. Saul openly became a double-minded man. He was a soldier pursuing David as if he were Saul’s enemy one day, yet the next he would acknowledge that God was with David. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). We can recognize that Saul had no faith.

    Are you one with no faith, like Saul who departed from the living God in unbelief?

    Or,

    Have you received the Gospel Message of Jesus, by faith, into your heart and life?

    How to be Saved

  • The Biblical Path of Life

    “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

    Do you read the Bible?  Do you understand what you read when you do take time to read it?

    The Bible is the Word of God. It has been preserved for us to read, but very few people read and understand what the Bible has to say to us today. According to most statistics, young people are growing up and leaving the church and faith in God by the droves. The main reason can be found in the lack of knowledge and understanding of what one believes about God and why. Not many people take time to gain the information only found in the Bible that one needs to live in today’s world.

    Growing up in a Christian home is no guarantee that one understands the Bible, or knows how to live a Christian life. Being saved as a young child, I learned many Bible “stories,” but it wasn’t until later that I began to understand how all of these stories fit together. When I saw a timeline throughout Bible history, it helped me begin to understand how all of those “stories” were connected together. I also began to understand that Jesus was planned from the beginning of time to redeem mankind because of sin. I wanted to know and understand more of the Bible, so I began to study.

    The most important thing about studying the Bible should be to learn the basics of the Bible and how it should be applied to Christians’ lives. A good Bible study needs to be more than a compilation of “stories” we have always heard. The word “story” even brings to the hearers’ mind that they are make-believe. Many people do not even understand that the Bible is not just a compilation of popular Bible “stories” or favorite Bible passages. The Bible is not full of “stories” but actual events in real people’s lives. Children, as well as adults, need to understand that each of these events all fit together as part of a bigger picture – much like pieces of a puzzle. Not only do these events interlock, but they also have a purpose: to reveal Jesus and why He came.

    It is very important to read God’s Word and be in a good Bible study where you can learn more about Jesus. One important goal each Christian should have is to know and understand more about the Bible. The more you learn about the Bible, the more you begin to understand that it is so much more than just a collection of events in people’s lives that lived long ago. In the Bible Study called The Biblical Path of Life, you can search and find out why the people who lived in the Old Testament times wanted to obey God. You can learn how they knew He would one day send Jesus. It is there one can see what happened to His people when they obeyed God’s Word, and even what happened when they forgot God’s Word. As you read the New Testament, you begin to recognize when people began to understand that Jesus was the One who was to come (the one promised in the Old Testament). These events will be an encouragement to you, for it is then that one can understand God is with those who love Him, seek to please Him, and that God takes care of His people. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). It is then that one begins to understand how to live a Christian life pleasing to God in the world today. The Bible means nothing to us if we do not apply the principles within to our lives to become more like Christ.

    All people, especially children, are capable of learning so much more. The Biblical Path of Life is one such study meant to simplify the understanding of the Bible making it relevant to a Christian’s life — young or old — by comparing Scripture to Scripture. Christians should understand just how important their Bible is and become familiar with it. Everyone should understand the importance of reading God’s Word!

    Even beginning readers should be encouraged to read their Bible. At first, even the youngest readers will be hesitant to read. Nevertheless, with a little encouragement and help, they can become excited about reading their Bible. No one is too young (or old) to begin to love the Word of God or to learn the principles found within God’s Word!

    In order to encourage people to know more of the Bible, I have posted blogs to motivate people to dig a little deeper into their Bible’s and study. Feedspot has recognized www.biblicalpath.com as one of the top 100 Bible Study Blogs. My hope is that by being listed here, many more people will be encouraged to read and understand what God’s Word has for people who are searching in these days.

    Do you take time to read your Bible, discovering God’s plan in these days?

    How to be Saved

  • Obey, or Run Away

    “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
    Psalm119:105

    Have you ever recognized God speaking to you through His Word? Did you understand there was something He wanted you to do? Have you ever chosen to do what you want to do instead of following the plan God has for your life? God’s Word is to be a light for your path giving you direction. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm119:105). 

    One cannot help but remember back to a man in the Bible who chose to do what he wanted to do over what God wanted him to do. He was told by God to do a job. However, instead of obeying God, he ran the other direction. This man’s name was Jonah. He was a prophet of the Lord.

    God told Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). Instead of obeying God, read what Jonah did. He went, found a ship, bought a ticket, boarded the ship, and went to sleep. No problems! Everything is lovely! He must be in God’s will for everything to have worked out so well! However, see what God’s Word tells us: “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3). He thought he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord – all because he did not want to do what God wanted him to do. One important thing to consider: can anyone hide from God? “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The following verses (in Psalm 139:8-12) declare there is no place one can hide from God. Nevertheless, Jonah was so comfortable in his position of flight from God that he went to sleep in the belly of the ship.

    Jonah was still asleep when a great storm arose that terrified even the seasoned mariners that were in charge of the ship. They were afraid the ship would be broken. “Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep” (Jonah 1:5).

    Jonah knew the storm had come because of him. Jonah had not implemented what he knew: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm119:105). Jonah was supposed to follow the path God’s Words had given to him. Jonah knew what God had told him to do. Instead, he went the opposite direction, ending up on a ship in the midst of a terrible storm. Jonah told the men to throw him overboard, and the storm would cease. “15. So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows” (Jonah 1:15-16).

    God knew what they would do. See what He had already done. “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17). 

    What did Jonah do once he was imprisoned in the belly of the fish? “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly” (Jonah 2:1). Jonah understood. It was his fault that he was there. Jonah cried out to God to help him. “When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). Jonah recognized his failings, promising to do what he was supposed to do. “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). Once he repented, “And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10).

    Jonah went to Nineveh. He warned the people. Everyone from the king down repented and turned to God. Because of Jonah’s warning, the whole city was saved. However, Jonah will forever be known as a reluctant prophet who was swallowed by a great fish for disobeying God.

    Are you willing to disobey God’s plan for your life, running away ending up ineffectual, until you recognize God and repent?

    Or will you choose to make God’s Word a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path?

  • Humbled Before God

    “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
    2 Timothy 3:5

    Jesus told a parable in the book of Luke. Read why He told this parable to the people. “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luke 19:9). We can understand that Jesus was dealing with people who thought they were righteous and others were not. Thinking one is righteous, when they really are not, would be a very scary place in which to be. Jesus wanted them to understand righteousness.

    Jesus told the parable of two men who went up into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (a very religious person – a religious leader) and the other a publican (a tax collector). Read what Jesus said about the Pharisee: “11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). Now read what Jesus said about the publican: “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

    Compare the two. The Pharisee was proud of all of his good deeds and thought he was fine in his religion. The publican on the other hand, humbled himself and asked God to forgive him – for he knew he was a sinner.

    What did Jesus say about the two men? He began by telling of the publican. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

    Read what Jesus had previously said to the Pharisees: “14. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15. And he [Jesus] said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:14-15). They did not understand that God looks upon the heart.

    See the following verses:

    • Understand the wicked: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4).
    • Understand the religious: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26).
    • How is one justified? “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
    • Can “good works” make anyone righteous? “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).
    • What does this help us understand? “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6).
    • How can one be righteous in God’s eyes? “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
    • Understanding all of the above, what is a Christian to do when faced with one who thinks he is righteous? “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5).

    The Pharisee (who had a “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”) will one day be abased. The publican, who humbled his heart, will one day be exalted. 

    Have you exalted yourself, or have you humbled your heart before God?

    How to be Saved

  • Do You Love the Wages of Unrighteousness?

    “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
    Matthew 6:21

    Have you ever encountered one called a Christian, who chooses the ways and riches of this present world instead of walking a Christ-like life? This brings to mind a very real man named Balaam from the book of Numbers in the Old Testament.

    Balak, king of Moab, (along with all of the Moabites) were afraid of the Israelites, God’s people. Balak sent for Balaam. He wanted Balaam to curse God’s people. Balak had heard that whomever Balaam cursed was cursed, and whomever he blessed was blessed. Balak sent money with men to give Balaam as payment to come to him and curse the Israelites. God spoke to Balaam and told him not to go with the men and not to curse God’s people, for they were a blessed people. Balaam told the princes of Balak to go home. God would not allow him to go with them.

    Balak sent more men to tell him not to let anything keep him from coming to him – even giving promises of great honor. “And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more” (Numbers 22:18). Yet Balaam told the men to stay the night, and wait to see what God would tell him that night. “And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do” (Numbers 22:20).

    God had already told Balaam not to go. God’s people were only to be blessed, for they were a blessed people. Yet when Balaam was offered honor, a house full of silver and gold, he told the men to wait. Why is that? Do you think he was hoping God would let him go so he could have all of that honor and gold? That night, God told him to go. Do you think that maybe this could have been a test to see what was in Balaam’s heart? Balaam went. “And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him …” (Numbers 22:22a). Balaam heard what God said, but he was not listening to what God had told him. God was angry with him for going.

    Balaam rode his donkey, heading to see Balak, king of Moab. The donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, but Balaam did not. The donkey understood that he was not to continue forward. Balaam was angry at his donkey, and began to hit the donkey when it sat down (Numbers 22:23). The donkey was trying to save his master’s life. God opened the mouth of that donkey, and he spoke to Balaam. And Balaam answered the donkey. He told the donkey that if he had a sword in his hand, he would kill him. “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face” (Numbers 22:31). The angel told Balaam that if it hadn’t been for the donkey, he would have been killed. Why? “…behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me” (Numbers 22: 32b). Balaam was not supposed to go to speak with King Balak. The angel of the Lord told Balaam to go on to see King Balak, but only speak the words God gave him to speak. Balaam went, told King Balak God’s Words, and blessed God’s people.

    If the events ended here, it might have seemed good. Nevertheless, at some point, Balaam gave King Balak counsel of the way to cause the Israelites to trespass against the Lord (Numbers 31:16). Balaam had not obeyed God. He was to have only spoken the words God gave him to King Balak. He chose to do disobey God, apparently greedy for reward and wages.

    Read the insight about the life of Balaam in the New Testament: “15. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16. But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17. … to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness … 19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:15-19). He loved the wages of unrighteousness, and people like him allure through the lusts of the flesh, wantonness, promising liberty, but they are servants of corruption. They end up in bondage. 

    Another insight we read in the New Testament about Balaam: “10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 1:10-12). It declares that Balaam was in error and went after reward. His end was described as “twice dead, plucked up by the roots.”

    Would you want to be remembered as one who loved the wages of unrighteousness, ending up twice dead?

    How to be Saved

  • Faith and Hope

    “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
    Romans 15:4

    Watching events in the world today, do you ever wonder why God allows some things to happen? Have you noticed the crime, injustices, wickedness, violence, strife, and so much more that happens continually? Does it seem like ungodliness is constantly in your face, yet there is nowhere to turn and hide from it? Believe it or not, this is nothing new. This has all happened before.

    Remember back for a minute to a small book in the Old Testament named after a prophet who had much of the same question for God. He asked God, “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habakkuk 1:2). He wanted to know why he could see so many living in such sin and wickedness, knowing that God was displeased, and why God was allowing it to continue without doing anything about it.

    God answered Habakkuk. “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you” (Habakkuk 1:5). God proceeded to tell Habakkuk that He was about to do something so mighty that it would be hard to believe such a thing could happen. God’s people had been living contrary to God for so long, and they had chosen instead to involve themselves wholly in idolatry. Because of their rejection of God and His ways, God was going to allow the enemy to come into the country, steal a select group away, and destroy the rest of the people and nation. The enemy that was coming to destroy was a “terrible and dreadful” people. God was going to use this wicked people to come into Judah and destroy. However, because God knows the heart of all people, He knew whom he would allow to be spared from the wrath of His judgment upon His people. This group of people would be taken into the enemy’s land that was wholly given over to idolatry. Hearing this, Habakkuk was greatly trouble. He did not know or understand that in that place, this group of people would be cured of idolatry forever. It would be then that God would allow them to go back to their homeland and rebuild.

    When Habakkuk did not understand, he still waited to hear from God. Once again, God answered him. God wanted him to write it down for all to know and understand, because if God says something is going to happen, be assured it will happen! The greatest verse in this book, the verse that is the most instructive is found next. “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). No one who places faith in anyone or anything besides God is “upright” in God. Remember: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). The most important faith a person can have is the saving faith in Jesus. “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once one has the saving faith of Jesus, that person is able to “live by his faith.” “16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth … 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17). In the world, people think seeing is believing. God wants us to understand that believing is seeing.

    How did Habakkuk respond to this thought of living by his faith in God and His Word? The entirety of chapter three in Habakkuk is a prayer that turns into a song. Habakkuk remembered what God had done for His people in the past, and the hope God gave for the future. God had never left them. This comforted Habakkuk and gave him hope. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

    Habakkuk put into practice what we should know to do: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). When Habakkuk sought God, God answered and encouraged Habakkuk.

    Does God’s Word comfort you, encouraging you to live a life of faith in this world?