MARCH 21 – Which Way

MARCH 21 – Which Way

Proverbs 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

We are all traveling a journey of a lifetime. Where we end up depends on the choices we make. The journey between the beginning and the ending is determined by what guides us. There are only two paths to living and two endings that will take place. There is the path of the world which many take because it fits the desire of the natural carnal nature. We also have available the path that God has laid down for us, a spiritual relationship with the Son and a spirit led path. It is important to choose a path wisely.

It is the way in which man is born. Job knowing God made this statement, “Job_5:7  Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” This is a description of the natural man without God. Isaiah had some astute words to impart about the life of man in his natural or carnal condition. “Isa_50:11  Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” What we have at birth is a sin nature that needs to be cleansed.

They see many walking in this way. Man’s propensity is to follow the crowd and be accepted as one of the crowd. Even in rebellion against the crowd, the rebel joins another crowd, not for the better and sometimes for the worse. They will put their interests in what the others find interesting. They will join the fads that others begin. If they find a need for spirituality, they will join with whoever meets their desires that allow them to be what they want to be.

It is an easy way to walk in. They will be encouraged and congratulated when they look like everyone else. They will find that the world’s philosophy will reward them even when they are in the midst of struggles and disappointment. When families are falling apart, people are struggling with addictions, they are told it is not their fault. They swing around the truth that every person is responsible for their own actions.

It is a way which is profitable to self. There are times when some find this wicked type of life to be profitable. This profitability could be financial or a position of power. It can be profitable until death rings life’s doorbell. This time of facing death is a very disconcerting time for the carnal natural man. There is fear and uncertainty involved in dying with no hope.

How shall we know this way of death? It is the way of sin. It is the course of this world. It is the way of indifference to the things of eternity. It is the easy path of the world in ignoring God and His Son Jesus Christ. The offer for forgiveness stands and is ignored. It is a free gift and is spurned. Those that have received Jesus as Savior have a brighter future at death than the natural carnal man.

What is your relationship with the Lord? Are you still a natural man or have you been cleansed by the blood?

JANUARY 29 – YE HAVE NOT BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE

JANUARY 29 – YE HAVE NOT BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE

Joshua 3:4 “… for ye have not passed this way heretofore. “

Our life is a path that we have not traveled before. There are others who have gone before us. Some are blessed with parents who have learned the pitfalls and the traps that would befall us on this dangerous journey. This journey is not for the faint of heart because of the perils that lie on each side of the path.

We are prepared by parents. God has blessed babies with parents. Parents are to prepare their children to live in a world that can be cruel and harsh. They are to be teachers that show maturity and common sense. They are to warn children of wrong paths. They are to teach children the work ethic to survive, manners to be able to get along with others and morals to live a life not besmirched with scandal and shame. Much of this is lost today because respect is not taught anymore. Manners have deteriorated. Parents are not teaching like they used to do.

Gods Word is a lamp unto our feet. Where parents fail or children rebel, there is the Word of God. Gods instruction manual is the Bible. It lays out the safest and best path for us to follow. It gives us a way of living that we are to pursue.

I find it amazing that parents that claim to be saved will find other pursuits for their children. They will teach them to allow activities such as ball games and otherworldly activities to take top billing from God. If we love our children we will make the house of God and worship more important than any social event or activity. Our desire is that they are saved. There is nothing in this world more important than having a lost child under the influence of the preaching of the Word so that they might be saved. Some parents are condemning their children to hell and calling it love.

God has prepared the way for those that are saved; whether raising a family, looking for employment, relations with others or living life to the fullest. We should study the Word and find the path that God has put before us.

May we learn obedience instead of rebellion. May we find that path where God has gone before us and smoothed the way so that we may have a rich life-giving abundant glory to God.

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES

ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES

II TIMOTHY 3:14-17

Some times it is easier to say what we don’t believe than it is to say what we do believe. The Bible is still the best seller among books, but it is also the most widely rejected book of all. Many have a Bible but do not believe what it says.

A characteristic of Baptists throughout history is that they take the Bible alone as their rule of faith and practice.

Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psa 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psa 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psa 119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

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1. WHAT THE BIBLE IS.

1. The word “Bible” comes from the Greek “Biblia” meaning books.

2. It is a Divinely given library of sixty-six books, divided into Old and New Testaments, twenty-seven books in the New and thirty-nine books in the Old Testament.

3. It was written by about forty different writers on three continents, in three languages over a period of about 1500 years with an interval of about 400 years between the last of the Old Testament books and the coming of John the Baptist. The first five books were written about 1400 B.C. Revelation was written about 100 A.D.

4. Languages: Ancient Hebrew, Syriac-Chaldee (Aramaic in minor portions), and Koine Greek (language of the common people).

5. Translations:

1. The Old Testament was translated from ancient Hebrew into Greek about 280 B.C.

2. The Latin Vulgate was translated by Jerome from originals, 385-405 A.D.

3. The First English translation was by John Wycliffe, 1324-1384.

4. The King James (Authorized Version) was completed in 1611 by 47 scholars of the Church of England.

Note: Most modern translations contain much bias, skepticism, and infidelity. The Revised Standard Version was brought out in 1952 by the National Council of Churches. Many believe it discredits, (1) the Virgin Birth, (2) the Deity of Christ, and (3) the Inspiration of the Bible.)

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2. HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE.

It is reasonable that God would not leave men with no revelation of Himself. The Bible declares: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21). When we say the Bible is inspired of God, what do we mean? There are several theories held by men. Examine them:

1. THE DICTATION THEORY makes the writer as a recording machine, such as a tape recorder.

2. THE IDEATION THEORY is that God gave to men the idea and left them to write as best that they could (naturally they would make some mistakes).

3. THE ASPIRATION THEORY teaches that God inspired the writers in the same manner in which Poe, Longfellow, Shakespeare, and others were inspired. They saw things in their daily activities that caused them to concentrate, speculate, and aspire to write of high morals and truth.

4. THE SCRIPTURAL POSITION holds that God revealed by the Holy Spirit the exact words the writers were to write. The Holy Spirit guided the writers and guarded them from recording error. This is VERBAL INSPIRATION. The writer was permitted to use his own vocabulary, but the Holy Spirit restrained him from the use of any word that would not state exactly what God wanted written (I Peter 1:10-12: John 14:24-26; 16:13).

3. ALL OF THE BIBLE IS TRUE.

The Bible tells the truth about evil men, about God, about the past and about the future (II Timothy 3:15-17).

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4. HOW ARE WE TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES?

Many just open it and start reading, applying all to themselves. Understanding of the Scriptures mus come:

1. By right division (II Timothy 2:15).

2. By comparing scripture with scripture (I Corinthians 2:13; II Peter 1:20).

An example of contradiction unless there is right division is: I John 1:8; 3:9.

3. Men can wrest the scriptures to their own destruction (II Peter 3:16).

4. Rules to go by in studying the Bible.

1. WHO is speaking?

2. ABOUT WHAT is he speaking? What is the SUBJECT.

3. TO WHOM is he speaking?

4. WHEN WAS he speaking?

5. WHY was he speaking?

6. Use as much wisdom in studying the Bible as you would in reading a newspaper.

5. THE BIBLE REVEALS THE PRINCIPLES BY WHICH GOD SHALL JUDGE US (JOHN 12:47,48; ROMANS 2:1-6).

6. THE BIBLE REVEALS ITSELF TO BE THE STANDARD BY WHICH ALL HUMAN CONDUCT, CREEDS, AND OPINIONS SHOULD BE JUDGED.

Does it measure up to God’s Word? Is it confirmed by God’s Word? (I John 4:1).

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7. THE BIBLE REVEALS HOW MAN CAN COME INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD UNCONDEMNED.

(See John 3:3, 16-18; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:8-13; John 1:11,12.)

1. If the Bible is not the Word of God, then man is groping in darkness, helpless and without hope for the future.

2. If the Bible is not true, those who have believed it are none the worse for having believed it.

3. They are as well off as those who have refused to believe it.

4. But if it is true, we are better off than they are.

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