The Way That Seems Right

The Way That Seems Right

There is a way that seems right, but is it? Just because a door of opportunity opens for you does not mean that it is the door for you at this time. How can you know if the way you need to go is right or not? 

The First Path

It may seem there are many paths to follow in life. As a Christian, we only have two choices. One choice is the path of righteousness. The second is the path of unrighteousness. The first path, the path of righteousness, leads to peace of mind, harmony, happiness, serenity, contentment, and fullness. Living in the path of righteousness causes us to walk in blessings.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3

The second path

The second path will lead to anything but the above. Isaiah said, you 'shall not know peace'. (Isaiah 59:8). Quite the opposite is true. Without peace, you live a life of turmoil, worry, fear, disagreement, discord, and despair. Oh, yes, there are many more words I could use to describe a life without God's peace. The way of the world, the way that seems right to us, the way we deem best because of the 'lust of our flesh' or our desire for things that are not good for us will not produce a good and peaceful life.

"The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." Isaiah 59:8 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12

Creation

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He created everything in it from the birds in the air to the microscopic life and the largest of fish in depths of the ocean. He filled the earth with His glorious and spectacular creations. Then He created man in His own image. 

"Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:" Isaiah 42:5

Free Will 

He gave man wisdom to rule the earth. To have dominion over it and all that was in it. Although He gave them wisdom, He still gave them free will, a choice. Walk with Me or walk away. Sadly, man chose to stop walking in the path God set before him. Ever since man ate from that forbidden fruit we have walked in a path of unrighteousness. God restored man's right standing or 'righteousness' with Himself through His Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Some ancients walked in the ways of God. Enoch was one of them. He walked with God and was taken into heaven without dying. We can gain wisdom from the ancient.

God said, "...I appointed the ancient people..." Isaiah 44:7

"With the ancient is wisdom..." Job 12:12

The Righteous Path

He appointed the ancient people to walk the path of righteousness. The path that was right for them, the one that would lead them to the best life possible. He wants us to walk with Him as the ancient people did. All we need to do to walk in that path of righteousness is to ask Him to show us the way. 

"That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do." Jeremiah 42:3 To say to Him, "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths." Psalms 25:4 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6 "...He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths..." Isaiah 2:3

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." Jeremiah 6:16

The Lord's reply will always be found in His Word. He said He taught and led the ancient ones, and He will do the same for us. He is the same as He was then. He does not change. He is and was and always will be. His paths are mercy and truth. He even said He would put His Spirit within us and cause us to walk in his statutes or His way for us. When we do walk in the 'law of the LORD, we are blessed. We are not defined by the world or the flesh when we keep His judgments and His commandments.

"I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." Proverbs 4:11 "That thou mayest walk in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous." Proverbs 2:20 "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." Psalms 25:10 "I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;" Ezekiel 20:19 "I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:27 "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD." Psalms 119:1

We have a choice.

We have a choice. Walk the right path, the ancient or old way, and be blessed and live in peace, or walk according to the way it seems right, the way of the world, and miss out on the multitude of blessings and the peace that passes all understanding. I hope we all choose to follow the ancient paths and walk in peace.

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD." Psalms 119:1

Choose carefully which path you follow.

Cindy Hyde, MA

2018

King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)

Did You Ever Think?

Did you ever think... 

     Did you ever think you would find yourself in this position? In this predicament? In this failing relationship? In this dead end job? In this lifeless church? In this shape?

Do you ever think... 

     There has got to be more to life than this? That you are supposed to be doing something but you are not sure what? Why am I still at this job; at this church; or why am I still In this dysfunctional relationship? 

Having asked all these questions and more myself I can tell you with great assurance that there is always more to life than you have right now. When you align yourself completely and totally with the will of God He then begins an alignment process in your life. If you feel stuck start giving of yourself, like donations of all kinds, like volunteering for a nonprofit who could use your expertise. Expect nothing in return though. 

If you want to make changes for a better life start clearing out the junk in your closets, under your beds, and everywhere else you have stuffed stuff. 

Give away what you can, sell what you can, or donate it.  The feeling and the benefit you get from doing this will begin to cause a shift in your attitude and open you up to begin receiving what God has for you. 

So stop questioning and thinking so much and get yourself into gear. These ten suggestions for change will get you started. 

1. Pray. 

2. Release. 

3. Give. 

4. Donate. 

5. Volunteer. 

6. Be open and receptive to new ideas.

7. Clean out. 

8. Organize. 

9. Receive. 

10. Be grateful and thankful. 

Big Bang Theory. Really?

I just watched part of a documentary about the Big Bang Theory. My question is: where did the gas and all the chemicals come from that made the stars that made the ‘big bang’ in the first place?

Faith must be mixed with scientific fact. Scientific facts rarely disputes faith. Science on the other hand continually proves there is a God. I know God created the heavens, the earth, and all that is within them. I know this because I believe something much wiser had to figure out where to put the plumline, how to perfectly align the axis of the earth, exactly where to connect the optical nerves to our brains that it would produce vivid images that would be sent upside down and then processed at lightening speeds. How could our tongues be created by accident? Taste buds are amazing. Considering our nervous system and how it all intertwines and connects to form this nothing short of miraculous system. The cardiac muscle kknowing when to beat, how long to dialate and constrict pushing life-giving blood throughout our bodies millions of times during our lives.

Truly we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139).

A Poodle Kind of Love - A Free Verse Poem I Did for a Creative Writing Course

A Poodle Kind of Love

Speaks loudly with no words at all my poodle does.
Being the world’s second smartest breed,
Creative ways to express himself he easily finds,
Licking, staring, prancing and dancing...

Hook and loop Velcro he thinks he is,
No matter where I am, bed, couch, or chair,
Tis’ where he is, black curly hair stuck to me,
Hugging, snuggling, playing and entertaining…

Tail in full wag, legs flying through the air
Is how I am greeted every time I come home.
Five minutes or five hours, the greeting is the same,
Wiggling, whirling, twirling and jumping…

A greater love cannot we find in all the world,
Tis’ a poodle kind of love, freely, intentionally,
Unlimited, unmerited, unconditional, he is
Loving, adoring, caring and charming…

Want Unshakable Faith?

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Would you like to be unshakable in your faith?

King David knew about faith in God, he knew by Divine revelation what it took to please God, and what the requirements were to become unshakable.

Psalm 15:1-5 "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken."

Who may live with God and in his house?

John 14:23 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

Requirements:

He whose walk is blameless  

1 Thes. 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

He who is righteous

Romans 3:21-24 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

He who speaks the truth with sincerity

Ephesians 4:15 "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"

He who controls his tongue

James 3:8 "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

He who loves his neighbor

Luke 10:29-37 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

He who keeps good company

1 Corinthians 15:53 "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

He who keeps his word

2 Corinthians 1:20 "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

He who cares for the needy

Lev 25:35-37 "And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."

He who loves justice

Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Results:

Unshakable faith!

I Shall Not Be Moved!

I Shall Not Be Moved

Sometimes when I read a Scripture, it moves me. In this case, when I read these Words pinned by Kind David in Psalm 16:8, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." I knew I heard a message. A personal message from the Lord.

The Scripture, the Holy Bible, the Word of God, is living, it speaks to those who read and develop a relationship with the Word. We can read for ourselves that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). We know from studying the Word of God that the Word is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the “the One Who is and was and is to come” (Revelation 1:8). The same Word that “was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This same Jesus was resurrected and ascended into the heavens to sit at the right hand of His Father (Mark 16:19). Afterwards Jesus, in heaven by this time, sent the Holy Spirit and spoke through the Holy Spirit to His apostles. “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:” (Acts 1:2). Therefore when you are reading your Bible you must realize it is not simply ink on paper, but it is truth (John 17:17), and life (Philippians 2:16), and medicine (Proverbs 4:22). The Word of God is powerful and deserves respect and reverence.

Things happen throughout your live that move you. Emotionally moving events like divorce, financial crisis, job loss, loss of a loved one, a sickness, having a rebellious child, betrayal, adultery, a spouse leaving you, etc. This list is endless. However, when I read this Scripture today the song I used to sing in church came to my mind: I Shall Not Be Moved, do you remember that old hymn? What a Great song it is. Today that song means more to me because of the revelation I received about not being moved. The song says, “I shall not be, I shall not be moved, I shall not be, I shall not be moved, Just like a tree that's planted by the water, I shall not be moved…” Have you been moved by and defining moment, a bad decision, or a relationship in your life?

When I read Psalm 16:8 these thoughts began pouring into my mind: What will it take for me not to be moved by the things the enemy comes to throw at me, by the things my husband or my mother might say to me, by the lack or need in my life, or by the crisis I find myself in? I ask you these same questions. What will it take for you to not be moved by problems, crisis situations, or even traumatic events? How can you learn to stand firm without being moved? It is possible to stand firm and not be moved by what is happening to you. Not that you become a robot… but by standing on God's Word, on His personal and very real promises to you!

The Bible says that all His promises are "Yeah and Amen" (2 Corinthians 2:20).  They are personal, they apply to you. They are there to fill you with hope. Not just hope, but truth. One basic truth is that whatever this is for you, it will not last forever. No matter how bad it is, it will always get better. “God is working all things out for the good of those that love Him” (Romans 8:28).

God cannot lie. He doesn't say something and take it back, or say, "That’s not what I meant!" Have you ever said that? God says what He means and means what He says. You can trust Him and you can trust His Word to be true. Remember He says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). This means if you take Him at His Word and believe without doubting that what He says is true you will not be moved by what you see, what you hear, what you read because you will be living by God’s Word, you will be walking by faith and not by sight. I love this promise for us, “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early” (Psalm 46:5)

This means we will not be moved by what we feel because we know that we live by faith and not by emotions. You can make up your mind today; you can choose the path you take today. Either you will choose to be moved or will you say along with me, "Today I Shall Not Be Moved!"

 I shall not be moved by my lack of finances or my lack of health. I will stand on God's Word that says all my needs shall be met and I am healed. Use confessions like these to stand firm. What will happen to you when you decide to “stand firm” and not be moved by what you see or what you hear? It will transform your life.

A Prayer: Heavenly Father, You created me in Your image. You created me as a creature of choice. Help me to make good choices today. Help me to stand firm on the promises that You have given me. Your Word promises me health, prosperity, abundant life, blessings for my obedience and so much more. I claim all Your promises for me, my children, and my family. Help every area of my unbelief. Increase my faith. I shall not be moved by what I see, hear, imagine, think or read from this day forth except Your Word. Give me wisdom Father, to know Your Word better. Father, be it unto me according to thy word in the name of Jesus I ask all these things, believe these things, and receive them. Thank You Lord.


Cindy Hyde, MAED
Cindyhyde.com