June 28, 2011
"If we choose to live by God's standard (THEN) we will be righteous. But if we choose to live by our own standards (THEN) we will be wicked and will face God's wrath."
It really is as simple and as black and white as that. IF—THEN. It all comes back to the choices we make. Do we listen to authority and correction? Do we submit ourselves to God's will? Or, do we decide to serve our own selves and be our own Maker? It is one or the other. There is no middle ground. You're either in—or out.
A wise woman strengthens her family,
but a foolish woman destroys hers by her actions.
People who live good lives respect the LORD,
but those who do evil—don't.
A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
Knowledge comes easily to those with understanding,
but those who don't think they need it can't find it.
Good people will be rewarded for their good ways,
but evil people will be paid back for their evil ways.
The wise are rewarded with knowledge,
but fools get nothing but more foolishness.
Those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted,
but those who make evil plans will be ruined.
Peace of mind means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.
Whoever is kind to the needy honors God,
whoever mistreats the poor insults God.
Those who do right are protected—even in death,
but the wicked are ruined by their own evil.
Respect for the LORD gives life,
some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death.
Either God's word is true—or it isn't.
Either there are blessings for living right—or there isn't.
Either there are curses and consequences for living your own way and refusing to listen to authority, correction or God's word—or there isn't.
IF we say we believe there is a God, THEN we ought to live like we believe it. IF there is a heaven for obedience and a hell for disobedience, THEN we ought to live like we believe it. God has done His part. He has given us all we need: His Son, His Holy Spirit, His Word. The rest is up to us. Our choice. Blessings—or—Curses. Life—or—Death. The choice seems so obvious. Why is it some people just don't seem to be able to let go of themselves, and let God take control? The very thing they are afraid of, the very thing they can't let go of and trust God with, is what will happen because they didn't let go.
Proverbs 10:24 - "Evil people will get what they fear most." The flip side is, "But good people will get what they want most." Their "wants" line up with the heart of God.
What is it going to be? All in? As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.
Addendum:
Proverbs 14:12 - "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 16:25 - "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death."
Think! In charge of your own life, doing your own thing, making your own way, deciding for yourself what it is you should do, and then finding out in the end that you were wrong. What a dangerous way to live. What a futile waste of time. God's Word is clear. We don't have to "think," we can KNOW. What a promise. What assurance.
"If we choose to live by God's standard (THEN) we will be righteous. But if we choose to live by our own standards (THEN) we will be wicked and will face God's wrath."
It really is as simple and as black and white as that. IF—THEN. It all comes back to the choices we make. Do we listen to authority and correction? Do we submit ourselves to God's will? Or, do we decide to serve our own selves and be our own Maker? It is one or the other. There is no middle ground. You're either in—or out.
A wise woman strengthens her family,
but a foolish woman destroys hers by her actions.
People who live good lives respect the LORD,
but those who do evil—don't.
A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
Knowledge comes easily to those with understanding,
but those who don't think they need it can't find it.
Good people will be rewarded for their good ways,
but evil people will be paid back for their evil ways.
The wise are rewarded with knowledge,
but fools get nothing but more foolishness.
Those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted,
but those who make evil plans will be ruined.
Peace of mind means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.
Whoever is kind to the needy honors God,
whoever mistreats the poor insults God.
Those who do right are protected—even in death,
but the wicked are ruined by their own evil.
Respect for the LORD gives life,
some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death.
Either God's word is true—or it isn't.
Either there are blessings for living right—or there isn't.
Either there are curses and consequences for living your own way and refusing to listen to authority, correction or God's word—or there isn't.
IF we say we believe there is a God, THEN we ought to live like we believe it. IF there is a heaven for obedience and a hell for disobedience, THEN we ought to live like we believe it. God has done His part. He has given us all we need: His Son, His Holy Spirit, His Word. The rest is up to us. Our choice. Blessings—or—Curses. Life—or—Death. The choice seems so obvious. Why is it some people just don't seem to be able to let go of themselves, and let God take control? The very thing they are afraid of, the very thing they can't let go of and trust God with, is what will happen because they didn't let go.
Proverbs 10:24 - "Evil people will get what they fear most." The flip side is, "But good people will get what they want most." Their "wants" line up with the heart of God.
What is it going to be? All in? As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.
Addendum:
Proverbs 14:12 - "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 16:25 - "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death."
Think! In charge of your own life, doing your own thing, making your own way, deciding for yourself what it is you should do, and then finding out in the end that you were wrong. What a dangerous way to live. What a futile waste of time. God's Word is clear. We don't have to "think," we can KNOW. What a promise. What assurance.
Next Entry: Proverbs 15
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