Categories

, ,

Have you chosen a hard life? 3 steps to the good life

Israel

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30:19-20

I had lunch with a new high school graduate. He told me his immediate plans for the future: get a tattoo, stretch his earlobes, and get a job. There are long-term plans as well. No plans for Jesus. I told him that his plans for his body will limit the type of job he will be able to get. He acknowledged that.

He chose the hard life.

The Israelites listened to the blessings of following God and the curses of disobedience. Blessings brought life and prosperity. Curses brought death and adversity.

3 steps to the good life

  1. Loving the LORD. “Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5
  2. Obeying His voice. “Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.’” 1 Samuel 15:22
  3. Holding fast to Him. “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,” Hebrews 3:14

Blessing

Dwelling in the promised land. For the Israelites, the promised land flowed with milk and honey. God had given it to them; they just needed to possess it. For Christians, the promised land is eternal life through following Jesus.

The Israelites took the three steps for awhile and enjoyed the blessing. They turned away and returned many times; each time, experiencing curses or blessings. Ultimately, a remnant will return to the Lord, loving Him, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him. They chose a hard life, but they will enter the good life at the end of this world.

I’m trusting that in this young man’s wanderings, he will find the path to eternal life by becoming a follower of Jesus and learn how to take the three steps that lead to the good life.

Prayer is powerful.

My prayer for you

Father, You have set before us life and death, blessings and curses. Help us to understand how deeply You love us. Your lovingkindness leads us to repentence. Obedience follows. Increase our ability to hold fast to You. Increase our desire for You and Your fellowship. Thank You, Lord. In the nature and name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

What path have you chosen?

 

 

2 responses to “Have you chosen a hard life? 3 steps to the good life”

  1. Ziona, Thank you, Ziona. Prayer is powerful, and I’m trusting the Lord that this young man will choose the steps to the good life with Jesus. May your steps be marked with the good life. Karen

    Reply

Please Share Your Ideas

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

←
→
Father, You are love, and You have given us so many gifts, but the greatest of these is Your love. Your love is patient and kind. May we reflect Your patience and kindness. Your love isn't focused on Yourself but on others. May we abandon our self-centered focus and rejoice with Your truth. Jesus, You bore all things. You bore our sins on the cross so that we could live with You forever. Holy Spirit, empower us to bear all things, for we believe that You are transforming us. We hope in our God Almighty, and that enables us to endure all things. Your love never ends. Thank You, Father. Amen. Father, we rejoice in where You have placed us this day. Help us to see You in all that we do and in all that we encounter. We know that You have us in Your hand, and You are working Your perfect will in us. May we bless You and all those we see today. Thank You that Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Forever. In Jesus' name, amen. Are you anxious? Troubled? Fearful? Want peace even in the midst of the storms in your life? Call out to God. He is near, and He loves you. “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” (Matthew 6:28-29) Our spiritual worship starts with surrender to God. If God is for you, who can be against you? Who will charge you? Who condemns you? Who will separate you from Christ's love? God loved you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to pay the price for your sins, so that you could live forever basking in His love. “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; May you bask in God's blessings and rest in His peace.

%d bloggers like this: