Choices

Choices... all of our lives are filled with choices...

Most of the choices we face are not easy. Sadly, all too often, we make the wrong choice. I know, it is a problem I face as well. Age and health issues do (and have) contributed to erronious decisions, but the fault cannot be only attributed to them.

A good friend once nicknamed me "Micah" because he said I "preached too much," but the sad truth is, I really didn't witness enough. God throws LOTS of opportunities our way, but we often find ourselves looking the other way.

Hey... These are my friends!
-or- I have to work with them.
-or- This really isn't my calling.
-or- I don't know the Bible well enough.
-or- I'm too tired!

Choices... they are all choices, and it is easy to choose wrongly, and find a good excuse for doing so at the time. But, the Bible tells us...
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17

So, if you know what you're supposed to be doing, and DON'T do it, that is a sin!

But choices also include what we believe. We've all known of the Ten Commandments since childhood, but, do you know where they are defined in the bible? (Exodus 20:3-17) It is easy enough to check on, but few have ever done so.

I sometimes hear somebody making what they claim is a Scriptural quote that just doesn't ring true. When your "uh-oh" light turns on, remember John 8:32; "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Psalms 119:160 tells us; "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endure for ever."

What's all this mean to me? Whenever you hear any priest, preacher, deacon or televangelist quote something from the Bible, make a note of his interpretation. Does your Bible seem to give a different meaning to the passage? Grab another translation, discuss it with your friends, bring it up at your Bible study, or talk to your trusted priest, preacher or deacon. Choosing not to do so leaves one of Satan's seeds planted to sprout forth doubt at a most inconvenient time.

So, "know the truth" and know God's "word is true."

Luke 11:28 says; "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

OK, so listen to the Word of God, and do what it says.

And never forget John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Jesus is the Word, with God from the beginning, and He IS God!

So, how do we make the right choices? We take everything to the word of God! Then, when we know what God tells us, we spread the Word so that others may know.

They thirst for the good news.
Remember Prov 25:25 "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." and from Psalms 63:1, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee..."

Give others what they thirst for, and get a good drink for yourself!
And when it comes to choices... choose God!
................................(all quotes KJV)

See you in Paradise!

Mr Mike

Afterlife Insurance Policy

It seems everywhere you turn, someone is predicting "The End." Some find it disturbing or think it misleading. Some think it is wrong to warn of the coming end, because "God has it all arranged, and only He knows." Obviously, there are those who find preparedness interferes with their lifestyle.

God does not want us to know the exact moment of the Rapture. There would otherwise be some who would plan to have "their fun," then get saved at the last possible moment. God wants us to choose Him because we want Him, love Him, and recognize our need of Him. He does not intend to be only an "afterlife insurance policy."

Why is it so hard for people to see the inevitable? What does God tell us?
-In Daniel 12:9-10, we read; "Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." -kjv-

Sometimes I think it helps a lot to use multiple versions of the Bible when studying. The Living Bible reads thusly; "For what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end. Many shall be purified by great trials and persecutions. But the wicked shall continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those willing to learn will know what it means."

(I use the Living Bible for faster reading, and to help "catch" ideas, but then go back and check it against the King James. For me, this helps.)

So, what is this passage trying to tell us?
-Those who enjoy evil will never try to learn.
-It will be hard to understand these predictions,
...right up until the time of the end.
- You will be made stronger by hatred, abuse, and
...neglect; and by being misunderstood &
...mistrusted.

Although we cannot know the exact time, the increase in numbers of those who see it coming are a sign that the end is getting closer. God granted us the priceless gift of salvation, don't bury it! Take His investment in you to the public and give Him a "return" on that investment!

See you in paradise!

Mr Mike