Jesus – Page 22 – Praying Pint

Before the rooster crows

“Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

“And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

“Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

“bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God.”

John 18:15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

Matthew 26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”

Luke 22:56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”

Joh 18:25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Luke 22:60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.

Psalms 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalms 130:3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Psalms 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.

I wonder how many times a day I deny Christ. How many opportunities are theres to speak Christ into the lives of others that I pass on? How many times do I deny by closing my ears to hearing His whispers of guidance? How many times to I close my eyes to seeing His hand at work? How many times do I look at my accomplishments and deny they are all at the hand of God? How many times do I deny the conviction of the Holy Spirit? How many times do I only think of me first and deny Jesus Christ as Lord putting aside humble service, honor, following and obedience to Him? It is sad to think about the amount of time wasted on self, self concerns, self interests, and self wants at the cost of knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Purpose, this side of eternity, is for serving, honoring, living for, following, and obeying Jesus Christ. Oh that my heart and mind would be desiring and seeking God as David said “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

not mine but your will be done

John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Psalms 75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

Matthew 20:22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”

Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 26:42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

I am continually thinking about “for the joy set before Him endured the cross“. Many thoughts come to mind. His love for the Father. His love for us. His obedience. His want to do the will of God. His human struggle. Can you imagine what this must have been like, to know you could call down 10,000 angels and never have to experience this suffering. But rather than choose this your eyes are focused on serving God and doing His will above self. Numerous scripture tells us to seek His will for our life and to live in unity, allowing ourselves to be wronged so that the grace of God may be seen in and through our reflection of His Son. At a time we celebrate the birth of Jesus with joy and thankfulness it is good to remember His faithfulness, steadfast love, and sacrifice to redeem us from our sin.

Take heart

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 11:25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Psalms 85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Note the times reference is made to: “tribulation, hostility, sin, broken down, persecuted, more than conquerors, strengthening, guarding your heart, resisting, peace that passes all understanding and not being afraid”. Why would we think this world give us any hope of peace when God’s world indicates, that this side of eternity, our world is far from peace apart from Him. If we are active in our pursuit of humbly serving Him we will see the world as it is – apart from God. The world we live in is not at peace with God. Man has gone on his own path which does not serve God. If we are at peace with what is going on in the world I think we are blind and deaf. Staying in God’s word, with a bright light, the Holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind is very clear. We choose paths that give no peace, and when issues and troubles of this life pounce on us our strength to handle them is depleted very quickly. In our own strength we can do very little, and even less things of God. His purpose and plan for us is found in His word. Do not go through life complacent and neglecting Him and His word. There will always be things of this world battling for your time, effort, thoughts, and actions. Give time to His word and the Holy Spirit will lead you in paths of peace and comfort.

Hearts far from God

“Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me,”

“the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.”

John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 9:41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

John 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

Ezekiel 2:5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house)

Ezekiel 33:31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.

Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

James 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse

1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Revelation 3:15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

How do we know if our heart is hard? How do we know if we are only serving God with our mouth and not our heart, mind, and soul? What are we going to be held accountable for? What does it mean to be without excuse? What does it take to be rejected or, for that matter, restored? How do we know if we are lukewarm? I remember it being considered normal to attend Sunday morning bible study, then worship service, then Sunday evening study, having a couples bible study during the week, Wednesday evening prayer meeting, and a mens bible study one morning during the week. Being in God’s word throughout the week. It does not seem this is the norm any more. In fact it appears that if we are attending Sunday morning worship service every week we are considered a fanatic. The expectation for what it means to humbly serve, honor, follow, and obey God has dropped to a very low expectation in our culture. We need to be mindful of our heart, mind and soul and the influence of the world and it’s expectation making us think we are in some way serving God with a lukewarm life. We are meant to be a light shinning in the darkness, making disciples, serving God, feeding on His word, knowing His word, meditating on His word, hearing His whispers of guidance, being led by the Holy Spirit, finding purpose each day seeking to honor Him. How is this done if our we neglect His word? Scripture is clear we are without excuse for being complacent. Praise be to God that He pursues us and draws us back to Himself. Praise to Him for not leaving us in a state of being lukewarm. Praise to Him for standing at the door of our heart knocking. Praise to Him for His steadfast love. Forget doing right and wrong and thinking this in someway makes it right with God. Come to Him broken and seek His building you up into a humble servant. Seek to honor Him. Desire to follow and obey Him for the purpose of glorifying Him. Run to Him for His leading in your life. Yield fully in service to Him. SPEND TIME IN HIS WORD

Chosen

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Galatians 1:15 ( But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples

Isaiah 55:10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 16:23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Chosen by God, beforehand, for His purpose. His purpose is to bear fruit, abide, glorify, ask, pray, plant, grow, and be joyful doing it. Staying in His word is the foundation on which we understand, hear, obey, and accomplish His purpose. Apart from it we are only serving self interests and guessing at what His purpose is for our life. Our understanding and knowledge of Him comes from and through His word. Application into our daily lives happens when we seek and desire for His purpose each moment of every day. Neglecting this and becoming complacent to this will not accomplish His purpose. Being to busy to spend time in His word is the same as saying He is not worthy of our time. Take time, make time, set aside time to feed and be filled with His word. It will not return void. It will set seed into your heart and mind. He will whisper life into application for you. Call upon Him. Cast your cares at His feet. Believe in His promises and humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him as His word comes alive into your soul.

Rejoice always – Glorifying God

“for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

John 15:8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Psalms 92:12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Isaiah 60:21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Haggai 1:8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

To bring glory to God in what we think, say, and do is our purpose. When the result of our actions or responses does not bring glory to God we have a problem. In Thessalonians 5 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” In times of trouble, rejoice in the strength of God. In times of trials, rejoice in the power, might and strength of God. In times of uncertainty, rejoice in hope and trust in God and His steadfast love. In times of being misunderstood rejoice, in God who knows our heart, mind and soul. Whatever we are facing God is bigger, stronger, and certainly can do more than we ask and much more than we think. This rejoicing comes from deep rooted faith and humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying God. God will confirm Himself to us in many ways through His word. Spend time in His word, praying for it to come alive and permeate through you in such a way that He is honored and glorified.

Abide in Me

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,”

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,”

“whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Luke 8:15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Acts 11:23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard,

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

1 John 2:24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

2 John 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Complacency, neglect and lacking fruit in our lives is a direct result of us not abiding in Christ. Coming to the knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of sin through Christ is the beginning of our new life. This new life is to continually bear much good fruit. This fruit ought to be seen by others as a testimony to what Christ has done in our life. Jesus said for us to abide in Him and we will bear fruit. We can not bear fruit on our own. It may seem like we can and do but it is clear from scripture that apart from abiding in Christ this fruit is not good. Paul says we ought to examine and test ourselves. Examine and test against what? The only way is to spend time in scripture. God’s word is able to discern thoughts and intents of our heart and mind. Apart from His word how can this happen. Just because we don’t read and have Holy Spirit speak conviction into our heart and mind, does not mean we are not responsible or accountable. In fact many times we are reminded that being lukewarm is a very bad bad state of living to be in. What are the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” I am sure there are those who have what they consider all of these but apart from Christ we will never understand them in the proper context. In His word we understand these and they come alive. They are whispered into our life and we find them honoring God and not us. We find it is through His steadfast love we and leading we experience these in a whole new way. We find our life has purpose beyond that which we can see and touch. We see this fruit have an impact not only in our lives but in the lives of others as the Holy Spirit leads us. I am convinced that abiding requires staying in His word and a heart deep desire to humbly serve, honer, follow, and obey.

Love one another

“By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:12-13 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Acts 4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

1 John 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him

1 John 2:10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Philippians 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Reread this again. What is God revealing to your heart? If this is what love looks like lived out where do I fall short? How do I recognize these shortcomings? How do I put them into practice? What are those triggers in my life that seem to take me down paths contrary to the principles of love? Pride, selfishness, greed, self honor, impatience, lack of sympathy, self centeredness, “ME” – “MYSELF” – “I”……. I am instructed to keep my eyes focused on Christ and His example, sharing the burdens of others, allowing myself to be wronged, seeking to keep unity, and doing this for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. This is very contrary to the sinful nature. When my focus is on me I soon lose sight of Christ’s love. Even if I stay in His word and seek to honor Him, if I’m not continuously conscious of demonstrating love it is easy to let that sinful nature of me, myself and I to hinder any effect I might have to honor and glorify Jesus. Practice the love of Christ each day. Ask Jesus to fill you with His love and lead you down paths giving opportunity to demonstrate it.

Do no be deceived

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brother”

John 13:27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

Matthew 12:45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

Proverbs 1:16 for their feet run to evil,

Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

If we are born with a sinful nature and this is the natural mindset and heart of man how are we to know what is sin in our life? How do we know the difference between good and bad? Our natural mind would conclude that if it benefits society and the culture identifies it as good, then it must be pleasing to God. Viewing this from this standpoint gives a very strong illusion of being right with God and serving Him. However nothing could be worse for our soul. Trying to be and do good is not serving God. It is nothing more than trying to earn and work way to be right with God. Performing acts of goodness and kindness apart from humbly seeking, serving, honoring, following and obeying God are man’s unworthy attempts and used by Satan to blind us into thinking we are right with God. this mindset leads us down paths of complacency and neglecting God’s word in favor of doing what we think is right. They mindset tells us we are doing what God wants. This is a lie. It is false. True servants of God desire and seek His purpose and plan. They continue in reading scripture and are fully aware of their sinful nature. They seek God to expose their sin and lead them in paths that honor Him. They do not try to please God apart from seeking His purpose and plan. They choose to be lead and their heart, mind, eyes and ears are open to His leading. Be mindful of your sinful nature and it’s desires, and Satan’s deceits.

Teach me

“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.”

Psalms 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Psalms 25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

Psalms 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

Psalms 27:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Psalms 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Psalms 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Job 34:32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Jeremiah 32:38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Having the right mindset is key to fearing God and seeking His way for your life. How many times can you give stories on people who have the mindset they can figure it out themselves and do not ask to be taught? It is easy to fall into the trap believing the current amount of biblical knowledge and understanding is all that is needed when things seem to be going fine and without many issues. This easily leads down a path of complacency and neglect. Note these scripture references; “Teach” me – let me “Hear” – make me “Know” – give me “Understanding” – “lead” me – He will “Instruct”. The heart, mind and soul of these people were humbly seeking God. They did not necessarily set time aside to give thought to God and about God, but rather this was their mindset foundation and permeated every second of their life. With this foundation their mind, heart, eyes, and ears were open and actively seeking to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God’s purpose in and through their life. Trying to please God with our own purposes on our own path takes us further away from God rather than closer. Desire, seek, and choose to be led by Him.