When we are young, we tend to often act without thinking things through first. Sadly, that is also true at times when we become mature adults. Part of that is the result of acting immediately on feelings (such as hurt or anger), without realizing or even caring that what we do or say may affect others, as well as ourselves, adversely - if not at the present time, then further down the road in our unknown future.
Take, for instance, the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden. We all know the bad choice they made - disobeying God, big time! Their disobedience not only affected themselves, but all of mankind right up until our present time! They introduced sin into what was once a perfect paradise, and look where we are now.
But God!
The loving heavenly Father made a way for humans to be reconciled to Him - through the sacrificial and redeeming death of His Son, Jesus, who paid our sin debt for us - so that by faith in Him as the Savior, we may have life everlasting and forgiveness for our sins ! What love and mercy in God's heart for mankind!
Following is a 15 minute video on the subject of how our choices have consequences - even of "monumental proportions"!
But if you are a born again believer (by a spiritual birth from above) ; if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and have repented of your sins and sincerely pray for forgiveness, you have a wonderful hope of future bliss in heaven when you die! God is love, and He forgives abundantly!
(Verses on Salvation to follow).
Another recent Christian video follows with information on the "mark of the beast" of the Bible book of Revelation. One thing to note: "It is all about the battle of who to worship!" The following 15 minute video tells us that even with the mark of the beast, the issue is all about "who" to worship. If one takes the mark of the beast during the 7 year Tribulation, that person shows he directs his allegiance to and worship to the antichrist.
Remember, the devil tempted Jesus Himself to worship him!
"Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and said unto Him, All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him." - Matthew 4:8-11
We Christians, true believers in the Savior, must follow Jesus' example ! Rebuke the devil! Do not listen to that deceiver's lies ! The devil will lie to you through other people - be cautious and discerning! Beware of anyone who constantly lies and deceives.
That is one reason to be constantly in prayer and in the reading and studying of God's Holy Word, the Bible ! It will give you strength and discernment. But most importantly, it will draw you closer to the good Lord ! When you communicate almost non-stop with God and Jesus, you will feel His presence and guidance and understand better what His will is, not only for you personally, but for mankind in general. The blessedness of fellowship with the Lord (and He does desire our fellowship) is that you will have a personal, close, intimate, loving, trusting, and lasting relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ! How awesome is that! It is the heavenly Father's will that we do so!
Here is a partial quote from A.W. Tozer: "Do not try to short-circuit God's plans for your discipleship and spiritual maturity here. If you and I were prepared for heaven in the moment of our conversion, God would have taken us home instantly!. ....... God can be known only as He reveals Himself! I have found this to be a fact: every redeemed human being needs the humility of spirit that can only be brought about by the manifest Presence of God. This mysterious yet gracious Presence is the air of life eternal. It is the music of existence, the poetry of the Christian life. It is the beauty and wonder of being one of Christ's own - a sinner born again, regenerated, created anew to bring glory to God! To live surrounded by this sense of God is not only beautiful and desirable, but it is imperative!" - end
What Tozer said above about God revealing Himself: God does this through the Bible, events in your life and in the heavens, through other godly people, and the list goes on. But for this to be so, you need to be in communion with the good Lord often to hear Him "speak" and for Him to "reveal" Himself to you and your heart and soul.
Pray without ceasing!
Constantly pour over His holy word!
Have faith and believe!
"He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him." - Jesus at John 14:21
Also, at John 14:23 = "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
"All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." - John 6:37
"Excuses are the cradle that satan rocks men off to sleep in." - unknown
"Because where we put our hope and what we put our hope in will truly determine how we live." - Peter Eide
"Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevent." - Charles Spurgeon
"God wants full custody, not just weekend visits." - unknown
"A prayerless spirit has no affinity for a clean heart. Prayer and a pure heart go hand in hand. Purity of heart follows praying, while prayer is the natural, spontaneous outflowing of a heart made clean by the blood of Jesus Christ." - E.M. Bounds
Following are Salvation Scriptures for those reading this article that may not be saved; or for those who are in doubt of their salvation. By the way, doubt of your salvation is a trick of the devil to bring you down, for the most part.
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16
"For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:26
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me," - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !
