"God's Many Promises" (video Sermon on the Lord's promises by Charles Spurgeon) - Inspirational Weekend

The photograph above was taken a couple of days ago of my Christmas Cactus.  It has been blooming profusely since February.  Isn't it funny how such a thing as this plant - blooming once a year (although one year it bloomed twice) -   how such a simple pleasure of its gorgeous blossoms can give you a sense of well-being;  a sense that  all is well and going as "scheduled"; that all is normal and things are okay.  That the promise of future things (such as next year will bring more beautiful blossoms on my cactus) will surely come to pass, and that life goes on.

I realize that today in this chaotic world, all is NOT normal and is not going as we sincere Christians would want.  Yet, at the same time, all we see happening now is fulfilling Bible prophecy as pertaining to the last days of this system of things.  We are in the last hour of the end times.  We should be "looking up" - looking to the time of Jesus' return, as our redemption "draws nigh."  (Luke 21:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."  -  Romans 8:28

The verse above is very familiar to Christians.  This is a promise from God, and we can depend upon it.  It gives us comfort and, if we are true believers, we will be so grateful for this promise that we will live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to the good Lord.

"For all the promises of God in Him [Jesus] are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."  -  2 Corinthians 1:20

The greatest promise of God was salvation through faith and belief in Jesus as the Savior.  

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."  -  John 3:16

Not only is John 3:16 a glorious promise, it is also a wonderful love story in itself as well.  How can we mere finite humans ever comprehend a love such as that; a love so strong that Jesus was willing to die a horrible and painful death on the cross at Calvary so that if we but believe He is the Christ, the Savior, whose shed blood can wash our sins away, we may thereby obtain eternal life.  Jesus took our place on the cross;  He was our substitute, our Redeemer, the Lamb whose shed blood can save us, if we but have faith and believe in Him.

Another promise of God  (Jesus ) is found at John 14:1-3, which follows:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.  In my Father's house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

Think of it !  Not only is Jesus in heaven now preparing a place for true believers, but He says that He will come again to take us to be with Him forever.   That is a promise to rejoice over!  It will occur very soon at the rate that prophecy is coming true in these end times; the rate that precursors of prophecy are occurring right at this moment in time.

There are many, many promises of God to be found in the Bible.  Don't forget the promises made to men like Abraham in the Old Testament.   Promises that came true, such as Abraham and Sarah having a son in their old age.  Pour over and study your Bible and you will uncover many of God's promises for yourself.

Not too long ago, I was praying and I was in tears as I pleaded with God to save my unbelieving family members.  The words "Is anything too hard for Me" popped into my mind.   I knew it was the Lord promising me that my prayers would be answered.  I looked up in the Bible and found more than one verse to confirm God's promise.   Previously, I had not come across these verses recently and had quite forgotten them.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  -  Genesis 18:14

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?"  -  Jeremiah 32:27

Later I ran across Isaiah 59:1 which tells us: 

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"

Following is a hymn which has special meaning to me.  It is titled "Standing On The Promises Of God" :

Below is a 49 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled "Obtaining Promises."  Please take the time to listen to all of this wonderful discourse.  In it, Spurgeon says to wait and have patience on the good Lord.  Wait for the promise.   He tells us three ways to obtain the promise.   

If you are unsaved - not born again - then all these promises cannot be yours.   That is, unless you repent and pray to the good Lord for forgiveness of your sins.   But first you must believe that Jesus is the Savior, and that He is the only way to heaven and to the heavenly Father.  

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"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

"Jesus said unto her,  I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"  -  John 11: 25-26

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend...... and life !

"Help In Doing The Will Of God When The Flesh Is Weak" - Romans 7 (With Andrew Murray Sermon Video) - Inspirational Weekend

Spring is here is some parts of the USA, while other parts are facing winter storms and extreme cold.   My photograph above was taken at Descanso Gardens outside of Los Angeles, California, a few years ago.  If you ever are near there, this is a must see, especially in the Spring.   Beautiful flowers and trees and the like always cry out of God's wonderful creation; of His love of beauty and His plans for our enjoyment of His masterworks.

"Time is the brush of God, as He paints His masterpiece on the heart of humanity."   -  Ravi Zacharias

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork."  -   Psalm 19:1  (KJV)

With all of creation shouting God's glory, and majesty, and love and so much more, we should be constantly aware of His presence and of His mercy and long suffering.   We should also endeavor to live as holy a life as possible, with the Holy Spirit's help.  If we are truly grateful for all the good Lord has done for us, we will want to please Him as best we can.   One Scripture I have memorized is also in Psalm 19:  verse 14, which follows:

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

We can please God by much prayer and much Bible reading and studying, because that builds a strong, close, and intimate love relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  You learn to grow in spiritual maturity, the closer you are to the Lord.  We cannot expect to know Him and His Word and His will, if we never communicate with Him, and if we never open the Bible to learn more about Him.

In today's chaotic and immoral world, we definitely need to be in prayer for many reasons:  for strength to stay pure and unspotted from the world, for strength of endurance, and to face the future with hope.... the blessed hope of Titus 2:13, which tells us, 

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."  

"The best and sweetest flowers of paradise, God gives to His people when they are upon their knees.  Prayer is the gate of Heaven."  -   Thomas Brooks

"Time spent in prayer is never wasted."  -  Francis Fenelon

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."    -   Jesus at Matthew 21:22

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  -   Philippians 4: 6-7

We may always want to do the right thing, if we are born again believers, but we find that our flesh can be very weak at times and we may give in to temptation if we are not careful.

"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."   -   Jesus at Mark 14:38

The Gospel of Matthew says "the spirit is willing.....".  All true Christians are aware of this battle....the flesh against the spirit.   That is where prayer comes in.   If we pray and ask for strength - spiritual strength - to overcome the flesh, the good Lord will answer that prayer and keep you from temptation and sin.  

We also need to be watchful.  Bible prophecy experts tell us this frequently, and it is a good warning for us to live lives that prove we are watching and waiting for Jesus' soon return to take us home to heaven to be with Him.   But also, we should watch for a way out of the temptation that comes upon us .   Pray for help and strength and guidance.   Pray to recognize the devil's tricks and attempts to lure us off the spiritual path;  he uses the same tactics over and over again, so we need to be alert to his schemes and stay close to the good Lord.  

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."   -  Hebrews 4:16

Romans chapter 7 shows the apostle Paul's struggle and war with the spiritual and the flesh.   I urge you to please read all of Romans 7.  Following are some verses from that Chapter:

(19)  "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  (20) Now if  I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ...(24) O wretched man that I am !  who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

In the following 37 minute audio video, Andrew Murray gives the best discourse I have ever heard on Romans 7 (as well as Philippians 2:12-13).  He answers the question as to why the Christian tries to do their best to overcome sin and imperfection, but  yet still fails.  Murray gives the solution to that dilemma.

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend..... and life !

Time Is Running Out - Israel, The Third Temple, And End Times (With Video)

Sometimes I wonder what I can do to be more effective in warning people that we are living in the end times, and that time is truly running out.  Many people - despite the desperate and chaotic and evil happenings prevalent in today's world -  still carry on their daily affairs as if nothing is about to happen; as if things are even "normal" and that they are immune to the events that are prophesied in the Bible that will soon occur.  Many people are so involved in their every day life and cares of this world, that they cannot see beyond their own immediate concerns.

The good Lord has given me a sense of urgency to share the Gospel and to warn people that we are now in the last hour of the last days. Much evidently falls on deaf ears.  Many scoff at the idea of Jesus returning soon for His Bride (the Church) and the fact that He will take them to heaven to be with Him when the Rapture occurs.  Even this scoffing is a fulfillment  of Bible prophecy.

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."  -  2 Peter 3: 3-4

I have written many articles about Bible prophecy and the end times, the Rapture and the Tribulation.  To read more, go to the "Search Box" in the top right hand side of this post and type in a search request and several articles will pop up for you to view.

Following is an article from raptureready.com about how "Times are bad and getting worse".  Wake up !  Be ready for the Lord's return.  Go here to read that article.   The author quotes Scriptures about end times prophecies pertaining to us today.  

Below is a 29 minute video from prophecywatchers.com with host Gary Stearman  interviewing pastor and author Billy Crone about Trump, the Temple, and the antichrist and much more.

Israel believes that President Trump was put in power by the hand of God.  Many Americans believe the same.  The eternal covenants God made with Israel in ancient times indicate that He is not done with Israel and will intervene to bring about His plans for that chosen people.  Indeed, the good Lord is already at work for the Jewish people.   Look at the miracles from Him in the 1967 six day war!

Christians are to view these end time signs as proof of the Lord's soon return.  Please read about these signs in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."    -  Luke 21:28

"And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."   -   Luke 21: 34-36

Are you born again?  (John 3:3).  Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, the Savior?

Have you repented of your sins?  

Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior and that He is the only way to the Father and to heaven?

"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

"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

"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

"What About People Pleasers?" - Inspirational Weekend

In my photograph above, these sociable Lesser Flamingos seem content to cozy up together and go about their business rubbing shoulders, so to speak, in their daily lives with much familiarity. 

Many humans are just like these flamingos;  they cannot be alone for any length of time and prefer to be out and about and in the company of others of like mind.   That is not really such a bad thing, unless the company they keep are bad associations.   

Another thing to consider is the fact that quiet and solitude can be a great blessing, especially if you spend a good part of that quiet time in prayer, worship, and Bible reading and studying.  

We have a choice:  please the good Lord by having quality time with Him and other Christians, or pleasing friends and family that may not be true believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior, and thereby "going along with them" in questionable conduct.  True, we need to spend time with unbelievers in order to witness to them about Jesus and the Gospel, but not at the expense of our own standing with God by becoming ungodly along with them.

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."   -  Galatians 1:10

The desire to be popular and to win praise from others affects everyone, almost, to some extent; that goes for adults as well as for teenagers.  So to become popular and to fit in, many persons become "people pleasers".   

Those who try to be popular with the world, will lose his popularity with the Lord.  He will make friends, but he will lose the one Friend Who is above all others.  He will win approval from men, but he will not hear the "Well done" from the Lord.  Remember, "No one can serve two masters"  (Matthew 6:24).  It is vain to try to keep in favor with both God and with the world.   "Pleasing men and serving Christ are incompatible."

The above meerkats are also a sociable bunch.   There is nothing wrong with Christians being sociable; we need to be that way in order to win souls to Christ.  The Holy Spirit does the "winning", but we do the witnessing and the proclaiming of the Gospel so with Scriptures we are able to spread the Word as we ought.  

"The soul that cannot entirely trust God, whether man be pleased or displeased, can never long be true to Him, for while you are eyeing men you are losing God and stabbing religion at the very heart."           -  T. Manton

George Macdonald said:  "When  one has learned to seek the honor that cometh from God only, he will take the withholding of the honor that cometh by man very lightly indeed."

The above quote by Macdonald is the cure for all inclinations of men-pleasing.  Seek approval first from the one true God, Yahweh.  Then you will not need the applause from men by striving to please them.  We are the servants of God/Jesus and we should not forget that fact.

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"     -  Jesus at John 5:44 (KJV)

"Needing God plus something else is the trouble with us."   -  A.W. Tozer

"Modern Christians feel too much at home in the world."  -  A.W. Tozer

In the King James Version of the Bible, James 4:4 tells us:  "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

James 4:4 is speaking of spiritual adultery and about those who love the world rather than God.  

This article is rather blunt in its truth, but we all need the truth and not sugar-coated or watered down doctrine.  Even pastors can be guilty in this area.   I find it true what Martin Luther said in the following quote:

"To this day you will find many who seek to please men in order that they may live in peace and security.  They teach whatever is agreeable to men, no matter whether it is contrary to God's Word or their own conscience.  But we who endeavor to please God and not men, stir up hell itself.  We must suffer reproach, slanders, death."

The apostle Paul no doubt felt, "The question is not of gaining over men, but of standing right with God, and that even at the expense of an absolute breach with men."

Bondage to man or to Christ -   we each have to choose.  

"All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies."     -  Psalm 25:10

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."    -  Jesus at John 15:19

Have a blessed and Christ-centered weekend..... and life!

"Will Unsaved Loved Ones Have A Second Chance To be Saved During The 7 Year Tribulation" (Video On Current Events) - Inspirational Weekend

My above photograph depicts a quiet, woodland place of rest and peace; a small glimpse of refuge in the "paradise" of Hawaii.  Although beautiful and breathtaking scenery is to be found there, Hawaii is far from a true paradise, of course, because of sin and fallen men.   Believers long for the time when they will be in their true home  - heaven - with the good Lord. 

Hang in there !  The return of Jesus is imminent....right at the very door, and it will happen soon according to how Bible prophecy is being played out as we speak now in these last days.  Many
precursors to Bible prophecy are already in place, waiting to be fulfilled.

Many true believers who realize the time of the Rapture of the
Church (true believers) to Heaven with Jesus is ever so near are concerned about unsaved loved ones who will face enduring the 7 year Tribulation.  They wonder if these relatives and others will have a second chance and can be saved during the horrors of the Tribulation period. 

Some scholars believe that once a person is in the Tribulation, meaning of course they were not saved and were "left behind" when the Rapture occurred,  ...these scholars believe there is absolutely no second chance to be saved during the dreaded tribulation.  No where in the Bible does it say this !

Let us go to God's Holy Word for answers.

Revelation 7:9, 14 b tells us (9) "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,, and before the Lamb [Jesus] , clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;  .....  (14b) ......  These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

The above verses are proof that there will be tribulation saints who are martyred by the antichrist and his followers because of their faith in Jesus and their evangelizing, and their refusal to take the Mark of the Beast.  The Tribulation period will be a time of much persecution for these believers. 

The Tribulation saints will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ from many sources.  In the beginning, there may still be Bibles available for them to read and study and discover the many prophecies therein that predicted the times and signs they are experiencing.  And don't forget about the two witnesses who will prophesy for 1,260 days, and speak the Gospel message  (Revelation 11:1-13).

Do not forget about the 144,000 Jewish believers in Jesus, and who are sealed by God during the Great Tribulation.  They will be preaching the Gospel during the Trib.   (Revelation 7:3-8 and Revelation 14:1-5).

An angel will also proclaim the Gospel during this time of Jacob's trouble.  He will fly in mid-heaven crying out with the Good News.

Revelation 14:6-7 explains:  (6)  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.  (7)  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:  and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

Another thing to consider is the fact that during the Trib.  many people are being beheaded for their faith, which proves, obviously, that many come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and are truly saved during this end time Tribulation.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither  his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."   -   Revelation 20:4

How merciful and loving and patient is the good Lord to give second chances ! 

So yes, your loved ones may still come to faith in Jesus and be saved during this 7 year period of great trial and judgments !   In the meantime, continue to pray for them to come with all their heart and all their very being to the cleansing power of Jesus; the Savior of souls; the Redeemer.  Be a good witness of the faith, so that they will see a reflection of Jesus in you and in your faithful walk with Him.   They will come to desire what you have, a saving and close personal relationship with the good Lord.

Following is a recent Middle East Update (March 1, 2019)  by Amir Tsarfati which is very informative and timely.  It is 51 minutes in length, but please believe you will be so interested in what he has to say, that you will not mind the 51 minutes.   Amir also touches on the subject of will unbelievers who miss the Rapture of the Church be able to be saved during the 7 year Tribulation.  He also discusses the situation with Iran and Syria, and the recent Putin and Netanyahu meeting and much more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZrvOTbum-0&t=4s


What if you are reading this and you have never surrendered your life to Jesus; never been saved; never been born again? 

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)    -   2 Corinthians 6:2

Do not delay in surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Have complete faith in Him as the Savior, believing in Him with all of your heart, and believing that only He can wash you clean from sin
and give you life eternal..... Just believe in Him. 

Jesus is waiting to hear from you. 

He will welcome you with open arms of forgiveness and embrace you with His love.

You need to repent and ask for forgiveness, and turn from a life of sin and rebellion against God, never to go back to your old sinful and selfish lifestyle. 


Romans 10:9, 10, 13 tells us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"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

"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


Have a blessed and Christ-centered weekend.... and life!

Israel In Bible Prophecy, The 7 year Tribulation, End Times And You

This assortment of orchids brightens your spirits and assures you that despite all the evil and unrest and chaos in this old world,  God is still there, reminding us of His Presence with His beautiful creations.  It is better to focus on "things above"  ( Colossians 3:1-2) and to have faith that soon the good Lord will rectify all things.

Isn't it strange that we are so obviously living in the end times the Bible prophesied about (Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13) and that the pastors and evangelist, for the most part, do not preach on Bible prophecy at all, and also dare not mention the soon return of Jesus to take true believers in the Rapture to be with Him in heaven.  Some reasons why are given in the following 8 minute video featuring Jan Markell:

Listen to her, because she is well thought of in the ministry circles; she has her own weekly radio show that goes out to over 800 channels, and she herself has been in ministry many, many years.  Every fall she organizes the largest prophecy conference in the USA and many thousands flock there to be informed on Bible prophecy and the hope the Bible gives us.  Find out more at olivetreeviews.org 

If you follow the news regularly, you are aware how extensive the coverage is on the Middle East and Israel in particular.  Many feel that we are on the brink of the war of Gog and Magog  (Ezekiel 38 and 39).   The good Lord has never forgotten His chosen people, Israel.  When Israel's enemies come against them for the battle of Gog and Magog, Yahweh will supernaturally come to their aid and destroy their foes.  

"And it shall come to pass at the same time, when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in my face.  So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth,  shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground......And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone."  -  Ezekiel 38: 18, 20,22

Also, the 7 year Tribulation period is for Israel's benefit in that it will bring Israel to an acknowledgement of Jesus as the Messiah, and it will restore all of the Land of Israel back to the Jews which was given to them by God back in ancient times.

Gary Stearman, of prophecywatchers.com, explains why there must be a Tribulation and discusses why it will be seven years long and not three and a half years as some are prone to believe.Here is a link to that article:

Please take the time to read this informative and scholarly article.  Mr. Stearman is an expert on Bible prophecy and you can trust his opinions because, of course, he bases everything he says upon what the Bible tells us.

In Mr. Stearman's article, he also gives us a little history lesson, as well as touching on the subject of the antichrist.  You will learn much from this article, and it is not difficult to understand.  But true believers in the Lord will not be here during the Tribulation period; we will have been taken up with the Lord into heaven at the Rapture.  We therefore need to focus on Jesus and not the antichrist.

In view of the fact that we are now living in the last hour of the last days, we need to endeavor to walk the narrow path with faith in Jesus; walk in His footsteps, and imitate Him as best we can.

Jesus admonishes us at Matthew 7:13,14 to (13) "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:(14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

We need to examine our thoughts and our hearts:  are they centered on Jesus and on obeying His commandments? Is He truly our Master and the love of our life? In other words, do we put Him first in our life?

If all of the above is not true of your life, then you need to repent and turn to the good Lord with all of your heart and your very being;  ask for forgiveness  and believe and have faith in Jesus as the Savior.  He died a cruel death so that you and I could have eternal life if we put our faith in Him.

Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us:  (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"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

"Insight On Psalm 23 And You" (With Sermon On Psalm 23 By Charles Spurgeon) - Inspirational Weekend

My daily Bible reading to study yesterday was, in part, Psalm 23.  I was inspired to focus on verse 3 of that Psalm for this weekend's post.  Many of you may have the entire Psalm 23 memorized, and it is an excellent one to know by heart, as I myself have memorized it.  Sometimes when I am extremely tired or just for a loss as to what to pray,  I quote the entire Psalm 23 out loud to the Lord.  It is soothing and calming to do so.

"He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."  -  Psalm 23:3

The soul can have weaknesses and weariness, and sometimes loss of trust in God.  It can sometimes lose sight of the promises of God found in His Holy Word.  Take it all to the good Lord in prayer, and the Great Physician will restore you to a healthy state of mind and of soul.   

One commentator believes this is the only meaning of "He restoreth my soul"..... that it does not refer to any sin.  But actually, any doubt of God is a sin in itself.  

Other commentators say that this restoration of the soul refers to the pardoning of sins.  We all are aware that although, if we are born again, we are still prone to sin occasionally.   The big difference in when believers sin, is that it is not on purpose and deliberately and willfully done.  It shouldn't be, if you are a true believer in Jesus.  

If one has sinned, or become a backslider, he can come back to the

Lord by way of humility and prayer and repentance and to turn from any evil.  You must come to the Lord in sorrow for the wrong and with whole-hearted  remorse.  If you are a sheep that has left the fold and become separated from the flock, the Good Shepherd will welcome you back with open arms of love and pardon.

When one is oppressed, God can refresh the soul with His Word, the Bible, and by His Holy Spirit, Who is the Comforter.   Faith is the great restorer of life to any oppressed Christian.  

Psalm 23:3 ........."He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.."

The custom of the Eastern shepherds was to go before the sheep, thereby leading them.   So God guides us.  We enter the paths of righteousness not because we are forced or driven into them, "but by the attraction of our Lord's loving presence, and the persuasive power of His holy will."

"O LORD,  I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."  -   Jeremiah 10:23

From the above verse, we can see that even converted persons need a God to lead them.   We can also see this when David prayed:

"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."  -  Psalm 143:10

Keep on the good paths, the narrow and straight paths, the paths that the good Lord leads you to follow, and you will not go wrong.  If you are in doubt, pray to God to guide you and He will tenderly  lead you on the path that is righteous, one that leads to heaven in the future.  

Psalm 23:3  ".....For His name's sake."

The above makes you think of God's sovereignty.  He not only guides us in paths of righteousness because of His love and mercy and grace, but because He is concerned with His reputation and His purposes and wants them to be maintained by His people in order that He might be glorified.

"....So didst Thou lead thy people, to make Thyself a glorious name."   -  Isaiah 63:14b

Indeed, we all ought to do everything for God's glory.  He is the Sovereign of the universe; He is our Creator and breath of life.

We believers have so much to be grateful for.  The good Lord watches over us, provides for us, loves us, and tenderly guides and corrects us.  We owe Him reverence and respect and total surrender to His will;  and we owe Him our grateful love in return.

Following is a 26 minute audio sermon by Charles Spurgeon on beautiful Psalm 23: 

In this commentary, Spurgeon says:  "It is to the honor of our Great Shepherd that we should be a holy people, walking in the narrow way of righteousness."    Another way to say it is, we should be living as godly a life as possible, endeavoring to please the good Lord in all we do, say, think, and believe.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord;"   -  Hebrews 12:14

How do we become holy and live a godly life?   You need to be born again (John 3:3), which means you repent of any sin and put your full trust and belief in Jesus as the Savior, whose shed blood at Calvary can wash away your sins.  You must forsake your sinful life and live for the Lord and obey Him and love Him with your whole heart and soul and mind.   Pray for forgiveness and for Him to wipe the slate clean; refreshing and cleansing you with His love and forgiveness.

Romans 10: 9,10,13 tells us:  (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."   -       Jesus speaking at Matthew 7:13-14

"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

"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

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend...... and life !