Which Path Will You Take?

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Ultimately, man must choose to go God’s way or his own way. God will not force His way upon us. We must choose to follow Him freely. He gives us a free will so we may choose the course for our life and whether we will serve Him or not. Our adversary, Satan, recognizes this truth and will do all that he can to make going our own way, apart from God, appealing to us. Sin is enticing, often pleasurable and even “fun”, but it is a mirage (what at first seems sweet, turns out to be bitter). Satan does his best to make rebellion against God look exciting and engaging, while making obedience look boring and unattractive. Having experienced both worlds, I can say that the very best Satan has to offer does not even begin to compare with the most minute of God’s blessings. Moses revealed this fact. He lived in Egypt, in the palace of the Pharaoh, but chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:25, 26). No doubt, the life of sin may look appealing, but “the end thereof are the ways of death.” Every man must choose for himself the path that he is to take. “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him (Psalms 34:8).

Jesus Will Meet You Where You Are

“I love them that love me.” (Proverbs 8:17a).
How do we show our love to the people that are important to us? By spending time with them. The activities that we spend our time on are the things in life to which we are devoted. If I asked each man reading this devotional if he loved God, every single one would say yes? My question then, is how do you express your love? Do you spend time with Him? Is your relationship with Him alive or stagnant? Building relationships takes time- with people and with God. Adam walked with God in the garden. (Genesis 3:8). Enoch walked so closely with God that he was taken from the earth without ever seeing death. (Genesis 5:24). Noah was a just man and walked with God. (Genesis 6:9). Moses talked with God face to face as a man speaketh to his friend. (Exodus 33:11). David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22). Abraham was called the friend of God. (James 2:23). These men loved God. Are you aware that God will meet you where you are? In John 21:15-19, Jesus discusses with Simon Peter his love for Him. Jesus’ first question to Simon Peter was: Simon, do you love [agape-unconditional love] me?
Peter replied: yes, Lord, you know that I love [phileo-friendship love] you. Jesus asked Peter again: Do you agape me? Peter said: yes Lord, I phileo you. Finally, Jesus asked: Simon, do you phileo me? To which Peter replied: yes, Lord, you know I phileo you. The Hebrew word for love in today’s proverb is ahab, which means to have affection as with a friend. (Strong’s). Isn’t it great to know that God is confident in His goodness? He knows that once we taste and see that He is good, we will desire to know Him intimately. We can progress from being a friend of God to His loving son.

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

“The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble” (Proverbs 12:13).
We have all heard the expressions; “He dug a hole for himself…” and “He made his bed, now let him lie in it.” These colloquialisms emphasize the consequences of our actions. When we shoot off at the mouth and fail to think before we speak, we lay a snare and entrap ourselves with our own words. As boys, most of us tried to talk our way out of punishment when we did something that deserved it. We often try to do the same with God. We attempt to make deals or convince Him as to why we deserve to be delivered from our present circumstances. In reality, all we have to do is trust God to deliver us. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (II Peter 2:9). A large portion of our struggles and temptations could be avoided if we learned to keep our mouths shut. We bring most of our problems on ourselves by confessing negative thoughts, complaining and speaking from the flesh. When we are not led by the Holy Spirit, we are liable to say anything. The tongue seems to have a mind of its own and must be kept under subjection to the Spirit. If we allow our tongue free rein, it will continue to ensnare us and prevent us from becoming godly men. Listen to your conversation today. Are there unwholesome comments, negative confessions, or complaining statements that would have been better left unsaid? Be aware of what you speak and ask God to control your tongue.

Your Spiritual Heritage Doesn't Have to Define You

“The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand” (Proverbs 12:7).
Every man has a spiritual heritage that he has absolutely no control over. Some men have a godly heritage, while others have ancestors who may have been antagonistic toward God. What we do have power over is the spiritual legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren. Fathers spend their entire lives working, saving, and investing so that they will have an inheritance to leave for their children. Yet, how many of us expend the same amount of effort and energy in bestowing a godly heritage to our children? Our actions today will affect generations to come. “The generation of the upright shall be blessed” (Psalms 112:2). “Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever” (Deuteronomy 4:40). The money, land, and earthly riches we leave behind will eventually be spent, divided, and sold. Only our legacy will remain; it is eternal. What kind of heritage will we leave behind? Jim Elliot said, “When it comes time to die, make sure all you have to do is die.” “Live so that when the final summons comes, you will leave something more behind you than an epitaph on a tombstone or an obituary in a newspaper.” (Billy Sunday). Make sure you leave behind a legacy your children will be proud of.

Sons and Scorners

“A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).
There are two kinds of men: wise sons and scorners. A wise son heareth, but the scorner heareth not. A scorner is someone who not only ignores his father’s commands but also detests and mocks them. He hates the authority over him and chafes at the restrictions placed upon him by a loving father. In the spiritual, there are also sons and scorners. Scorners hate God and all that He represents. They rebel against His commands and the boundaries set in place for their protection. They believe they know what is best for them: they are their own god. A wise son trusts God to know what is best for him. He listens to God’s voice and heeds it. He allows his Heavenly Father to instruct him and teach him. The word instruction is translated in other passages as chastisement, or correction. It is a warning to get back on track, and it is given in love. On the other hand, the Father rebukes the scorner. While still given in love, a rebuke is harsh and often painful. Its purpose is to bring the scorner to repentance. As men on the quest for godly manhood, there will be times when we are chastised and disciplined by God. We should not become discouraged. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons” (Hebrews 12:6, 8). Do not forget that we were all scorners before we became sons. Do not write off a scorner as beyond redemption, but share the Good News with him. Yes, he may scorn God, but he may also repent and become a son.

What Is Your Legacy?

“A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised” (Proverbs 12:8).
What kind of man do we want to be known as when we die? If today were our last day on earth, what kind of legacy would we leave behind? As our family emptied our drawers, cleaned out our closets, opened our safe deposit box and scanned our computer files, would they find anything that contradicted the lifestyle of holiness we professed? If they did, what kind of message would that send? Our loved ones would no doubt question whom we really were – the person they knew or the man living the double life. People may have praised us for our godly character and wisdom all our lives, but if they find out at death, that we had secret sins, it will be all for nothing. No one wants a tarnished legacy. When we are faced with temptation- even if we think no one will ever know – remember that, “The torment of the temptation to sin is nothing to compare to the torment of the consequences of sin” (Edwin Louis Cole). We can never outrun sin: it will catch up to us in this life or the life to come. Make sure that your freedom in Christ and assurance of salvation does not cause you to sin. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1, 2) Men of God, our legacy will remain long after we are absent from this body and present with the Lord. Let us leave behind a godly inheritance worthy of the name of Jesus, whom we serve.