THE WAY OF LIFE
Monday, October 03, 2005
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before
him, but at the end of it is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 AMP
Life is like a road. There is not just one road – there are many roads
– and you make the choice of which road you go down. There is a right
way to go and a wrong way. If you make a bad choice, you place yourself
on a road heading for death, but if you make a good choice, you place
yourself on a road to life. This scripture says that there is a way
that seems right and appears straight, but obviously it is neither
right nor straight, because the end of it is the way of death. How can
you know which road is the right road; the road to life?
A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:9 AMP
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 AMP
Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in
every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but
immortality (perpetual, eternal life). Proverbs 12:28 AMP
There is no way we can find the right road on our own. We need a guide.
We need the Lord. He is our light and His word goes before us to show
the way. You can try to think ahead and plan your way, but only God can
direct you on a path that is straight and smooth and sure. If you
choose righteousness; if you look to the Lord, honor Him and follow
Him; He will lead you in the right direction and onto the right way
that leads to life – eternal life; life more abundantly – both here and
now, and in eternity!
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15 AMP
The fool thinks he knows everything and he is not willing to listen to
counsel or take advice. The mere fact that he won’t listen to anyone
else is a sign that he is a fool. Some fools do listen, but the problem
is that they listen only to other fools - unrighteous, dishonest, and
ungodly, people - that’s not very smart either. In contrast, a wise
person knows they don’t know everything and they are open to counsel
and instruction. If you know you need wisdom - take the first step –
open your heart and mind to listen, and to receive, instruction in
righteousness. Then you will find yourself walking on the road to life.
Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who
walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their
advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive]
in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where
the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are
in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions,
the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by
day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and
tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its
season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does
shall prosper [and come to maturity]. 4 Not so the wicked [those
disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the
chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall
not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation
of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with
God]. 6 For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the
righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will]
shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought). Psalms 1:1-6 AMP
Don’t walk in the counsel of the ungodly, don’t stand in the path where
sinners walk, and don’t sit down where the scornful and mockers gather.
Delight in the Lord and desire Him alone. Keep His word in your heart,
your mind, and your mouth. Then you will be fruitful, productive,
prosperous, and long-lived! The Lord is fully acquainted with the
way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish. It will
end in ruin and come to nothing. The fool will have nothing to show for
his life. In all the many things he did and said, his life had no
eternal purpose, no eternal value, and in the end there is no eternal
life for him either.
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy,
at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11
AMP
Proverbs 14:12 says that the end of the way, which seems right to a
man, is death. That ought to give you hope. By God’s grace and His
power – at any time while you are still on that road – you can look for
God’s way, call on Him in faith and follow Him onto the right road –
the path of life – where there is fullness of joy and pleasures
forevermore!
There is a way that seems right and a way that is right. Choose the right way - God’s way – the way of life!
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the