Don't Turn Your Back On What You Know Is Right

It may be tempting for some who know God to turn their back on the way of righteousness and follow the rest of the flock, but God warns those who do of dire consequences.

God says the last state will become worse for them than the first state. It would be better for them if they never knew God than if they did and then turn their backs on Him.

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world

by the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

they are again entangled in them

and are overcome,

the last state has become worse for them

than the first. 

It would have been better for them 

not to have known the way of righteousness,

than to have known it

and then to turn their backs

on the sacred command

that was passed on to them."

2 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

It may be difficult, but always stand up for the truth and God's righteousness, and loose friends rather than loose God.

God Carries Us Close To His Heart

God has the loving characteristics of a Shepherd and we are His flock. He feeds us, gathers us in His arms, carries us close to His heart, and gently leads those who have young.

"He tends His flock like a shepherd.

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart;

He gently leads those that have young."

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

God takes care of all our needs. And if we listen closely, we will hear His heart beat as He carries us close to His chest.

Hope And A Future

Today was my youngest son, first day at his new job as Youth Coordinator/Personal Trainer at the prestigious Derrick Gulf and Country Club. Matthew recently graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Physics, plus an ACE diploma in Personal Training. He applied for several jobs afterwards, but this was the one he wanted the most. However, the hiring process was very slow because many people applied. He was delighted each time he passed the different phases of the hiring process. He endured two interviews, and a test where he had to personally train his boss. Then all five of his references were contacted and praise God! he came on top.

This afternoon, he will excitedly be introduced to the rest of the staff members of the Club in an outdoor summer party. Many of them are past Olympian champions in a variety of sports.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,'

declares the Lord,

'plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Keep On God's Path

God is our Rock and sure foundation in which we can build our lives upon. He has made a wide path for our feet to keep them from slipping.

"You have made a wide path for my feet

to keep them from slipping."

Psalm 18:36 (NLT)

Our steps can stay secure on God's paths, and our feet do not have to stumble.

"My steps have held to Your paths;

my feet have not stumbled."

Psalm 17:5 (NIV)

Don't Turn Away, But Keep Your Eyes On God

If we keep our eyes on God, we will not be shaken. But if we turn to the right or to the left, disregarding what the Lord has commanded us to do, we will fall.

"So be careful to do

 what the Lord your God has commanded you;

do not turn aside to the right or to the left."

 Deuteronomy 5:22 (NIV)

 "I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With Him at my right hand,

I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

Stand Firm In The Faith

"Be on your guard;

stand firm in the faith;

be courageous;

be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

Let The Whole Earth Sing

The Colours of Summer

"Sing a new song to the Lord!

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!

Sing to the Lord; praise His Name.

Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.

Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.

Great is the Lord!

He is most worthy of praise!"

Psalm 96:1-4a (NLT)

Cry Out For This Nourishment

This is a baby seagull enjoying the lake's refreshing water and the summer's comforting warmth. The Bible tells us we need to be like babies, and cry out for the nourishment of the pure spiritual milk of God's unchanging Word. Then once we have tasted the Lord's kindness, we need to get rid of all evil behaviour, such as deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy and all unkind speech. Never is there any call for a person to speak unkind words to someone, or commonly now write a letter or message with unkind words to a person. This is not spiritual maturity, but evil behaviour.

"So get rid of all evil behaviour.

Be done with all deceit,

hypocrisy,

jealousy,

and all unkind speech.

Like newborn babies,

you must crave pure spiritual milk

so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.

Cry out for this nourishment,

now that you have had a taste

of the Lord's kindness."

1 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT)

A Mirror Image Of Who God Is

When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts as our Lord and Saviour, the veil is removed. We now see and reflect the glory of the Lord because His Spirit now resides inside us, making us more and more like Him, as He changes us into His glorious image. In other words, Christians grow in spiritual maturity, but if there is no growth or if the growing stops, then the Spirit is not at work. He was either not there in the first place or His flame has been extinguished.

"So all of us who have had that veil removed

can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.

And the Lord---who is the Spirit---

makes us more and more like Him

as we are changed into His glorious image."

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

A Crop Of Shame

Many professing churches have mixed Christianity with the world. They may have planted wheat, but they are now harvesting thorns. Thorns which hurt God's people and do no good. Their harvest will be only a crop of shame.

"My people have planted wheat 

but are harvesting thorns.

They have worn themselves out,

but it has done them no good.

They will harvest a crop of shame

because of the fierce anger of the Lord."

Jeremiah 12:13 (NLT)

Stand The Test Of Time

The truth will last forever, but lies will not.

"Truthful words

stand the test of time,

but lies are soon exposed."

Proverbs 12:19 (NIV)

My Hiding Place

God is our hiding place. He protects us from trouble and surrounds us with songs of deliverance.

"Your are my hiding place;

You will protect me from trouble

and surround me

with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7 (NIV)

That Is What We Are

In a desert land, a barren, howling waste, God found His people. He then shielded, cared for, and guarded them as the apple of His eye.

"In a desert land

He found him,

in a barren and howling waste.

He shielded him

and cared for him;

He guarded him

as the apple of His eye."

Deuteronomy 32:10 (NIV)

We too are now called the children of God. His love for us is as great as His love was for the Israelites. God has lavished His love on all He calls His own.

"See what great love 

the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called 

children of God!

And that is what we are!"

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

Each of us are the apple of God's eye!

Follow His Steps

Jesus wasn't afraid to speak up against the religious leaders who were in the practice of professing standards and beliefs that were contrary to their own real character or actual behaviour. As a result, Jesus suffered for righteousness sake, and each of us are called to do the same. We are to do good, even if it means we will suffer for it. Jesus Christ is our example and we are called to follow in His steps.

"For God called you to do good,

even if it means suffering,

just as Christ suffered for you.

He is your example,

and you must follow in His steps."

1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)

God's Love And Faithfulness

God's love is endless; it reaches to the heavens. His faithfulness is boundless; it reaches to the skies.

"For great is Your love,

reaching to the heavens;

Your faithfulness

reaches to the skies."

Psalm 57:10 (NIV)