Like Freed Slaves

“When we submit to sin, yielding to its imperious demands, it is not a matter of yielding to the inevitable or reverting to type. We are foolishly, perversely allowing sin to dominate us when in actual fact it has neither the right nor the power to do so. We have been taken once and for all out of its territory, out of the state where it holds men and women captive and in chains. Therefore, when we submit to sin and temptation, as if it had mastery, we are like freed slaves going back into the house of their former bondage and obeying their old owner.”

~ Peter Lewis

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Many Have Yielded

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaringĀ lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

~ 1 Peter 5:8

“Many have yielded to go a mile with Satan, that never intended to go two; but when once on the way, they have been allured further and farther, till at last they know not how to leave his company.”

~ William Gurnall (1616-1679)

Glories of Heavenly Treasure

Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them bountifully!”

~ Number 23:11 (NKJV)

Balak had promised Balaam a handsome amount of wealth if he would only use his prophetic voice to speak out against Israel and curse them. Yet, though Balaam had the temptation of abundant earthly treasure awaiting him for this simple request, he would not, he could not speak out against God and His people. His fear of the Lord and faithfulness to God compelled Balaam to respond to Balak saying, “Must I not take heed to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?”

We are often tempted with the promise of earthly prosperity today if we will but sin against our eternal God. Satan tempted Christ in like manner. But for those who fear the Lord and desire above all to know and do His will, no worldly compensation will ever replace the glories of heavenly treasure and the blessings of obedience to God now, and the wonderful everlasting inheritance awaiting God’s Faithful.

Amen

The Path of Life

You will show me the path of life

~ Psalm 16:11a (NKJV)

In Robert Frost’s famous poem The Road Not Taken, he describes one path that eventually diverges into two deep in the woods. This individual spends the greater portion of the poem contemplating which road to take. Yet, unable to take them both, and having to decide, the traveler chooses the one that looks less worn, less used. And his conclusion upon taking “the one less traveled by” is that it made all the difference in his life.

When it comes to our spiritual path, our soul’s life journey, only the path God shows us is the path of life. Though other paths might entice us with the lure of worldly treasures and temptations, ultimately they lead to death. Jesus would put it this way, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” If He has not done so already, pray God would show you the path of life. For in His path alone, lays all true difference.

~ apl