THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT IT IS ? IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

DO YOU KNOW THE PURPOSE OF LIFE ?

ABC News reported on a study that shows how having a purpose in life reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 52% (1) The Chicago Tribune also published an article linking happiness and health to having a purpose in life.(2) Actually, there are quite a few studies demonstrating a variety of health benefits that come from having a purpose in life. Scientific studies reveal that purposes in life are directly related to the degree of selfishness or unselfishness in a person's life.(3) This would seem to indicate that having just any purpose will not do.

There are a lot of people who don't know or understand what the purpose of life is. They plan their lives and live without giving much thought to the possibility that there is some urgent and important reason for their existence. Years of unnecessary difficulty and stress as a result of trying to deal with the issues of life are the experience that many go through. The origin of life, the purpose of life and the issues of life are all interrelated. What a person believes and understands about how life began will shape his or her understanding about the purpose of life and will affect how he or she relates to the issues of life.

WHY HUMAN BEINGS WERE CREATED/THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

This may come as a shock to masses of people but the purpose of life according to the One who makes life possible is not to make oneself happy at any cost. The purpose of life is not to have all one's desires nor to pursue one's dreams of fortune and success. These may gratify but they cannot satisfy. They may thrill but they will never fulfill. That's because The One who created human beings has a grander purpose in mind for us than granting us just a few fleeting moments of selfish pleasure. In fact, the person who lives for pleasure is already dead, in a sense, in more ways than one.(4) When our lives are not in harmony with God's purpose for our lives, deep joy, peace and contentment elude us.

What is God's purpose for every human being ? Very simply - To be conformed to the image of His Son.(5)

To reflect the character of Jesus Christ is to thereby assure true happiness. Happiness that has the right foundation of an excellent character. What the Bible explains and what many of us don't realize about happiness is that it is conditional upon who we really are as a person. Let this be impressed upon the mind -

Our happiness comes not from what is around us, but from what is within us; 

not from what we have, but from what we are. 

Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. 

(Psalms 144:15)

According to Jesus, those who have come to the age of accountability before God and have lived their lives without determined, consistent efforts to reflect His character and resist sin have the source of their unhappiness within.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21-23)

True and abiding happiness cannot come from what's around us so long as what is within us is unChristlike.

The things we have cannot make us happy if we have a miserable character. The incredible mystery of this strange situation is that our own self is the last person we would suspect of making us unhappy. We are for the most part in great measure self-deceived.(6) God understands this and for those who have invited Him into their lives, he helps to bring to our knowledge the hidden, sinful things about ourselves that we would never have known if He had not chosen in our behalf to save us from them.

He often does this through allowing us to encounter difficult circumstances and difficult people. Our words and conduct as we relate to these are revealing what is in our hearts and it is the purpose of God that as we pray and receive His grace, we will be victorious over impatience or any other unChristlike traits of character that are revealed during these times.

It is by close, testing trials that God brings his people near to himself; for in trial and temptation he discovers to them their weakness, and teaches them to lean upon him as their only help and safeguard. When this result is attained, his object is accomplished, and his tried servants are prepared to be used in every emergency, to fill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes for which their powers were given them. While under the trial, these seasons are terrible. Hope seems to fail, and despair seizes upon us. But in these dreadful hours we must learn to trust, to depend wholly upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, and cast our souls in their helplessness and unworthiness upon him who is mighty to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by him.

Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. In every affliction God has a purpose to work out for our good. Every blow that destroys an idol, every providence that weakens our hold upon earth and fastens our affections more firmly upon God, is a blessing.

The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us.

So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co‑workers with Him.

Through conflict the spiritual life is strengthened. Trials well borne will develop steadfastness of character and precious spiritual graces. The perfect fruit of faith, meekness, and love often matures best amid storm clouds and darkness.(7)

So there you have it; the purpose of life.

To cooperate with God and allow Him to develop within us a Christlike character before we die so that we can be trusted with the gift of immortality; to live eternally in heaven and be made capable of enjoying heaven.

Many misunderstand the object for which they were created. 
It was to bless humanity and glorify God, rather than to enjoy and glorify self.(8)

Is Jesus Christ your deeply personal Lord and Savior from the penalty and power of sin ?

(1) http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AlzheimersNews/purpose-life-stave-off-alzheimers/story?id=9986018
(2) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-health-life-purpose-happiness,0,660311.story
(3) http://www.tswj.com/2009/913824/abs/
(4) 1 Timothy 5:6
(5) Romans 8:28,29/Philippians 2:5
(6) Jeremiah 17:9
(7) 1 Peter 1:7, 4:12,13/James 1:12/Job 23:10/Romans 5:3,4/Zechariah 13:9/Psalms 66:10/Revelation 3:18
(8) 2 Timothy 1:9,10/Revelation 4:11/Ephesians 2:10, 3:8-11/1 Corinthians 3:16,17

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

IT'S TIME TO GET STRONG - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part XII

Physical strength is often easier to measure than mental or spiritual strength. According to the Guinness Book of World records, Derek Boyer of Australia holds the record for the most bench presses in a single minute. He set the record on September 23, 2010 by pressing 251 pounds 5.28 ounces 126 times in one minute.(1) In the Bible, Samson was considered to be the strongest man of his time. If he had had greater spiritual strength, he no doubt would not have revealed the secret of his physical strength nor would he have allowed his hair to be cut by an enemy.(2) Spiritual strength is of great value and is something that every person will need if he or she plans to obtain the victory over sin. In this post we look at two more principles of victory over sin that are often grossly underestimated and are frequently neglected sources of spiritual power.

PRAYER AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Some people consider prayer a useless mental exercise. However, very many people are going to be eternally stunned to realize how by failing to appreciate this simple test of faith they have forfeited the gift of immortality and everlasting companionship with God. Prayer is simple heart communication with God verbally or mentally expressed to Him. The person who does not feel it necessary to communicate with God here on earth, could never be happy in the actual presence of God in heaven. How does prayer and the presence of God bring victory over sin and selfishness you ask ?

Nothing will give such clear views of self as secret prayer. He who bears with him a continual sense of the presence of Christ, cannot indulge self-confidence or self-righteousness.(3)

The more we pray, the nearer will heaven be to us. Prayer, whether offered in the public assembly, at the family altar, or in secret, places man directly in the presence of God.(4)  

As a shield from temptation and an inspiration to purity and truth, no other influence can equal the sense of God's presence.(5)

When it becomes the habit of the soul to converse with God, the power of the evil one is broken; for Satan cannot abide near the soul that draws nigh unto God. The closer we are to God, the safer we are; for Satan hates and fears the presence of God.(6)

Communion with God through prayer develops the mental and moral faculties, and the spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual things.(7)

The more a person's heart is in communion with God, and the more his affections are centered in Christ, the less will he be disturbed by the roughness and hardships he meets in this life.(8)

Through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.(9)

READING AND STUDYING THE BIBLE

In the end, it will be understood by every human being that each individual was in the midst of a war for his or her mind. It is not an accident that so many influences compete for our thoughts every moment of every day. There are principles that can be permanently fixed in the thoughts and minds of each of us and these along with the feelings help make the character. A Christlike character is the only kind of character that could ever enjoy heaven and being in God's presence; a Christlike character is the only kind of character that can be trusted in heaven. Character is not changed after death. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the mind be filled with those things that will tend toward the development of a Christlike character; a beautiful, loving, unselfish person. 

Bible reading, the critical examination of Bible subjects, essays written upon topics which would improve the mind and impart knowledge, the study of the prophecies or the precious lessons of Christ--these will have an influence to strengthen the mental powers and increase spirituality. A familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures sharpens the discerning powers and fortifies the soul against the attacks of Satan. The heart that is stored with the precious truths of God's word, is fortified against the temptation of Satan, against impure thoughts and unholy actions.(10) 

Pure healthful reading will be to the mind what healthful food is to the body. You will thus become stronger to resist temptation, to form right habits, and to act upon right principles.(11)

The more closely the Scriptures are studied, the more clearly shall we understand the true character of our thoughts and actions.(12)

As we try to become acquainted with our Heavenly Father through his word, angels will come near, our minds will be strengthened, our character will be elevated and refined, and we shall become more like our Saviour.(13) 

The truth of God never degrades the receiver. The influence of the truth upon him who accepts it will tend constantly to his elevation. Those who are sanctified through the truth are living recommendations of its power and representatives of their risen Lord.(14)

The present deteriorating conditions of our world are warning those who have an ear to hear and a mind to understand. Very difficult times are just ahead. Not only will physical endurance be tested but mental and spiritual strength will be measured as well. If you haven't started already, begin immediately. It's time to get strong. 


You have just been reading from page 11 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts...


(1) http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/search/Details/Most-bench-presses-of-a-person-in-one-minute/53463.htm
(2) Judges 13:24 - 16
(3) Isaiah 57:15, Psalms 86:1, Matthew 6:6, 1 Corinthians 1:29
(4) Daniel 9:20,21, Jonah 2:7, Psalms 140:13, 145:18
(5) Matthew 26:39, John 17:15
(6) Matthew 4:10,11, Mark 1:34, Luke 4:41, Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 12:9, 1 John 3:8, Psalms 16:11
(7) Jude 1:20, Psalms 109:4
(8) Matthew 26:41,42,44, Luke 6:28
(9) James 4:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:23,
(10) Psalms 119:11,28,105, John 17:17
(11) 1 Peter 2:2, Jeremiah 15:16, Psalms 51:6
(12) Hebrews 4:12
(13) Daniel 9:22,23
(14) Psalms 119:130,60:4, 1 John 2:5, Proverbs 12:17

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

IT'S WHO YOU KNOW NOT WHAT YOU KNOW - TO KNOW GOD IS TO LOVE HIM - PART 3

Have you ever been invited to a royal wedding ? Chances are, if you are like most people, an invitation to a royal wedding being held somewhere on planet earth has never reached your eyes or ears. Usually, those who are invited must know the bride and/or groom or be known by them in some way. The most brilliant mind, the wealthiest businessman may be absent from the guest list because in the case of a royal wedding it is not a matter of what one knows; it is a matter of who you know. It doesn't matter what you know if you don't know or are not known by the hosts of the wedding.

In a spiritual sense, there is a royal wedding to which all are invited. The king gives the invitation in the Bible(1) and an opportunity to become acquainted with Him before the marriage supper of the Lamb is a matter of eternal urgency.

-- "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that gloriet~ glory in this, that he understandeth. and knoweth ME, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth..." Jeremiah 9:23,24

THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW GOD

In the Bible, the characters of those who do not know God are vividly portrayed for all to see. The subduing influence of Christ at the center of one's thoughts and feelings is absent from each person who chooses not to gain an experimental knowledge of God. One's knowledge of God or lack thereof is directly related to the measure of Christ-likeness in one's character. To not know God is to grow to become the opposite of Him in character.(2)

"And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey HIS voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go." Exodus 5:2

"For MY people is foolish, they have not known ME..." 

Jeremiah 4:22

"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth GOD service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the FATHER, nor ME." John 16:2,3

"And even as they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge, GOD gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient..." Romans 1:28

"Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of GOD: I speak this to your shame." 

1 Corinthians 15:34

"... the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy,. nor knowledge of GOD in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood." Hosea 4: 1,2

The climax of history and the end of the reign of sin occurs when Jesus Christ returns to this earth the second time and to those who do not know Him, He appears as a flame of fire. The principles that have become a part of their character have so changed them that the very appearance of Christ burns the sin within them which they have chosen to cling to rather than Christ. It will be a sad end indeed for these poor misguided souls who have not grown accustomed to the light of His countenance and the sense of His presence(3).

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with HIS mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not GOD..." 

2 Thessalonians 1:7,8

This is not God's desire for anyone and He earnestly appeals to every human heart right now to be reconciled with Him while there is still time. What will you do ? Do you have an experimental knowledge of God and Jesus Christ ?

(1) Matthew 22:2-14/Isaiah 55:1,2/Revelation 22:17
(2) 1 John 4:8
(3) 2 Thessalonians 2:8

You have just been reading from a study entitled, "To Know God Is To Love Him." Look for more pages from this study in future blog posts...

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

IS IT REALLY GOD WHO IS CAUSING THE DISASTERS AND CATASTROPHES ?

IS IT REALLY GOD WHO IS CAUSING THE DISASTERS AND CATASTROPHES ?

Should God be blamed for the catastrophes which happen ? Is He sending a message that He wants us to keep His 10 commandments ? That is what radio commentator Glenn Beck suggests according to a New York Daily News article and an ABC news report.(1) Some of the more recent disasters in modern history have led some people to believe that somehow God is actually causing these terrible events. Even the governor of Tokyo has stated that he believes the recent earthquake and tsunami were a form of divine punishment.(2) From the terrorist attacks of September 11^th, 2001, to the more recent quadruple disasters in Japan(3), people have wondered why God has not intervened to prevent such tragedies.

While it may be the natural human inclination to blame God for sorrow, suffering and sadness, the Bible, often referred to as the word of God pulls back the curtain of the unseen world to reveal the true sources of calamities. In the book of Job in the Bible, God allows human beings to see who is really behind suffering and sorrow and sin (4). Many people freely profess a belief in God but do not acknowledge the existence of Satan who both God and Jesus Christ in the word of God have identified as the enemy of all mankind. It is strange that people would speak of “acts of God” as causing destruction and death but make no mention of Satan as the true source of devastation on this earth.

This is not to say that the devil is to blame for everything. Much of human suffering can be traced back to the words and actions of human beings. Errors in human judgment and selfishness continue to result in the loss of untold numbers of lives every day. Yet, Satan, one of the most dangerous foes to human beings, as pointed out by Jesus Christ Himself, is rarely recognized as being responsible for much of the misery in the world.(5)

It is interesting to note that the emperor of Japan stated that he was praying for his people.(6) I don’t know how he prayed or who he was praying to but In times of crisis, it often seems that human beings instinctively turn to prayer and/or to God. The Bible predicts that just such a thing will happen in the last days as disasters increase in nations around the world. Increasing disasters are indeed one of the signs of the last days pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, due to general Biblical ignorance, Bible prophecy also predicts that a counterfeit revival will come as a result and lead to the enforcement of religious laws as a misguided attempt to appease God and bring an end to the disasters. False miracles that many will believe is the power of God will confirm people in error (7)

We are rapidly approaching that time. Will you be ready with a Christ-like character to help others find their way to the mercy seat of God ? Will you be ready to pass through the searching scrutiny of the judgment ? God is not punishing anyone right now but He is allowing circumstances and events to move forward toward the conclusion of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Everyone must pass through the judgment to either live eternally after receiving the gift of immortality from the Lord and Savior whom they have loved or to be separated from that very same Life-Giver whose love they have rejected; to perish in the lake of fire with Satan and his evil angels. (8) Only by the grace of God imparted to our lives and the blood of Christ applied to our life record in heaven because of our choices will any of us be ready. May our heavenly Father keep you and I today and prepare us for that day.

(1) http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/glenn-beck-calls-japan-quake-message-god-gilbert/story?id=13139648

http://news.uk.msn.com/world/news-articles.aspx?cp-documentid=156497885

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/03/14/2011-03-14_glenn_beck_japan_earthquake_could_be_message_from_god_to_follow_the_ten_commandm.html

(2) http://moderntokyotimes.com/2011/03/16/tokyo-governor-ishihara-says-earthquake-and-tsunami-was-%E2%80%9Cdivine-punishment%E2%80%9D/

(3) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/03/13/2011-03-13_hundreds_flee_in_japan_after_shinmoedake_volcano_begins_spewing_ash_boulders.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/14/3162909.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366109/Japan-volcano-Earthquake-tsunami-potential-nuclear-meltdown-enough.html?printingPage=true

(4) Job 1,2

(5) John 8:44, Luke 8:12, Revelation 12:9, Matthew 25:41

(6) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12756801

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/16/3165919.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110316/wl_asia_afp/japanquakeroyal

(7) Revelation 13:11-14

See also ongoing studies of America in Prophecy at http://issues-of-life.weebly.com/

(8) 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, Ecclesiastes 12:14, 1 Peter 4;17, Revelation 14:7, 20:15, 20:10

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

WHEN YOU SEE A FLAW IN SOMEONE ELSE - TURN AWAY - DON'T TAKE PICTURES - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part XI

On television and in movies and even on the radio, entertainment often takes the form of human beings speaking unkindly about or to each other. It is not uncommon to hear people make comments or remarks about other people in the home, in the workplace and even in the church. Much of this happens because many of us don't understand the powerful effect of words upon our own lives. Even if the words spoken about someone are a true description of that person, unless the purpose is for the good of the speaker and the one spoken about, it can result in positive harm. Speaking about the personality issues or character flaws of others is not healthy for the mind and not in any way uplifting to the listener. As we continue reviewing the principles that assist in obtaining the victory over sin and selfishness, let's look at how we should relate to the flaws that we see in others and our own character weaknesses.

PRINCIPLES THAT ASSIST IN OBTAINING THE VICTORY

TURNING AWAY FROM HUMAN IMPERFECTION TO GOD

a) When a person turns away from human imperfections and beholds Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in his or her character.

b) Everything that causes us to see the weakness of humanity is in the Lord's purpose to help us to look to him, and in no case put our trust in man, or make flesh our arm. It is not intended that these weaknesses should be the theme of conversations.

c) The soul does not become more and more like Christ by beholding evil, but like the evil which it beholds. When we allow our minds to dwell upon the imperfections of others, our own souls become filled with the leaven of evil. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. Love cannot exist where the conversation is largely upon the errors and mistakes of others.

d) If we allow the mind to dwell upon the imperfections and moral deformities of others, we ourselves shall become depraved in character, and mentally one-sided and unbalanced. But if the mind dwells upon the perfect life of Christ, and the thoughts and conversation are centered upon him, we shall be changed to the same image.

e) We darken our lives by talking of our own imperfections or of the imperfections of others. The victory over sin and self is not gained by focusing on our imperfections and sin. It is obtained by focusing on and reflecting the beauty of Christ's character as God supplies the grace.

f) The more we dwell upon our own imperfections, the less strength we shall have to overcome them.

g) It is not praiseworthy to talk of our weakness and discouragement. Let each one say, "I am grieved that I yield to temptation, that my prayers are so feeble, my faith so weak. I have no excuse to plead for being dwarfed in my religious life. But I am seeking to obtain completeness of character in Christ. I have sinned, and yet I love Jesus. I have fallen many times, and yet He has reached out His hand to save me. I have told Him all about my mistakes. I have confessed with shame and sorrow that I have dishonored Him. I have looked to the cross and have said, All this He suffered for me. The Holy Spirit has shown me my ingratitude, my sin in putting Christ to open shame. He who knows no sin has forgiven my sin. He calls me to a higher, nobler life, and I press on to the things that are before."

h) God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Christ, and through Him be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God.

The principles given to Christians in the Bible are often very different from the principles at the foundation of conduct in this world. And why shouldn't they be ? The Christian life is to be a preparation for eternity in the world to come; a world completely different from this world. Hence, the relationships which we have with other human beings must be governed by principles which more fully reveal the love of God in the character of Christ. Needlessly exposing or conversing upon the flaws and faults of others just gets in the way.

Jeremiah 17:5/Hebrews 12:2/Isaiah 45:22/Psalms 34:4,5, 1:1-3, 118:8, 19:14/Micah 7:7/Philippians 4:8/1 John 2:1, 1:8,9/2 Corinthians 3:8, 4:18/Galatians 6:1/Proverbs 17:9

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 10 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts...

BEWARE ! - WATCH OUT !! - DON'T LET THIS PERSON RUIN YOUR LIFE

You will never guess who I am on your own. My goal is to destroy you. I have fooled you before and I will certainly do it again and again. I have to be brutally honest with you. I do not care for you and in fact I hate you. I am definitely your worst enemy. Don’t try to figure me out. I’m much more cunning than you can imagine. I will out think you every time. You are no match for me. You will never be able to defeat me on your own and you’re probably already worshipping me. Let me tell you a little about me.

I hate perfect order and perfect organization. In fact, I hate the very word perfection especially as it pertains to the conscience and morality. I am by nature against self-sacrifice and self-control. I don’t like rules and laws that prevent me from being me. I disagree with people who are constantly trying to uphold any moral standards or principles which interfere with having fun and pleasure. I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed and full of self gratification. I answer to no one but me. Don’t try to correct me when I need to be corrected because I do not appreciate people trying to help me see that I am wrong even if I am wrong. In case you still don’t get it, let me spell it out for you in plain English. I live for me and me alone. My plan is to live life according to my view of the way life should be lived but I will not live life in order to please any so called God or gods. No I’m not the devil but I am your worst enemy.

Life must center around me and what makes me happy and I don’t plan to let you think otherwise. I’ll help you to feel that it is not necessary to consistently show compassion and mercy towards other human beings. I oppose all your efforts to be kind and sympathetic towards those who are in need of your time and energy or assistance. Don’t try to be conscientious regarding your health. I can stop you. I can make sure that you eat whatever you feel is right, as much as you like, whenever you like. I encourage you to avoid physical, mental and spiritual health at all costs. I hope to lead you to disregard any foolish nonsensical talk about laws of health. I will lead you to put the responsibility for your health in the hands of someone else.

In my view, no one should be expected to live a restrictive life. Me listening to whatever music, eating whatever food, wearing whatever clothes, enjoying any entertainment or engaging in any activity that pleases me is what I expect you to understand and accommodate. As far as I’m concerned, beauty of character and moral excellence are boring, idealistic and impractical subjects. To me, people who are always trying to do good or be good are hypocrites because nobody can be nor should anyone try to be perfect in the way that it says to be perfect in that so called holy Book that people refer to as the Bible.

I try to make sure that your mind is ruined by leading you to leave it unguarded. When you try to focus your mind exclusively on truth and goodness and purity, I distract you and turn your attention elsewhere. I will make you afraid to be considered fanatical when it comes to guarding your mind. I will trick you into allowing wrong principles to take firm hold in your mind through music and images from books, movies, television shows and other sources. I will convince you that this is freedom of choice and work to help you believe that there is nothing wrong with these things because you are in control.

I work to flood your mind with your own opinions instead of truth and I’ll help you build your life upon opinions. I want to help you to trust in you and your reasoning ability alone. I make your conscience less and less sensitive and if it is troubled in any way, I influence you to rationalize away any ridiculous moral concerns. I’ll keep you from thinking about things like eternity, the judgment and overcoming weaknesses of character.

You’ll never find me because I’m a master of disguise. I hide behind words and actions which do not reveal my true motives. I can end your life without you even knowing that I did it. I know all your weak points. I know what you like and what you don’t like. I know all about you and how to motivate you but you hardly even know me. I have an enormous appetite and can never be satisfied with just a little or just once. You will never be able to make me happy.

I positively resist any and all efforts to change me or make me different. I am proud of who I am and you must accept me the way that I am. You must accept me for me and there is nothing that you alone can do about my power over you. Do you know who I am ? I’m your worst enemy.

There are verses in the Bible that refer to me as the carnal nature or the flesh. Other places speak of me as the human heart. Some call me human nature. My real name is SELF and I am thoroughly, hopelessly, extremely selfish. I live in you and I am at the core of your being. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now go back to what you were doing and keep serving me because you know you like it.

Don’t even think about breaking free from my power. I’ve got chains wrapped around your heart and I am not planning to let you go any time soon unless I am forced to do so.

There is only One who can help you to conquer me. He is my natural enemy as well as yours. He can strengthen you to resist me and to overcome me. His name is Jesus Christ and He has helped many to be free from my power and influence. He alone can open your eyes and help you to see me as the monster that I am.

He can cause me pain. If you cooperate with Him and live to please Him, you will destroy me. Therefore I must keep you from spending time with Him. I must keep you from loving Him and living your life in such a way as to please Him.

He will lead you to choose music that I don’t like but the music He chooses is acceptable in heaven. He will cause you to feel compassion and sympathy for other human beings and to think of new ways to bless them. He will lead you to actually help others and suffer inconveniences for them without murmuring or complaining. He will make you a cheerful giver. He can take away the sarcasm and the sharpness and the coldness from your character and put love in your looks and manners and in the tones of your voice.

He will lead you to be careful with your time, your money, your words and your actions so that you consult with Him concerning each of these things.

He can give you a deep, increasing, unchanging joy to take the place of my counterfeit happiness which is dependent upon circumstances and having things. He can make you beautiful on the inside while I can really dress up the outside and make it look nice. Once He has your affections, you will willingly, gratefully and wholeheartedly live to make Him happy instead of me and that will destroy me.

If you frequently meditate upon His love and study His character, my power over you will be broken. As your mind is transformed, I will die. Every time you make an effort to reflect His character to someone, it will bring agonizing pain to me. Every time you rely upon Him to resist the temptations to overeat, to lust, to swear, to lie, to steal, to envy, to covet or to complain, I am mortally wounded.

Your determination to become like Christ in character by receiving God’s grace will assure my death. So, why am I revealing my weaknesses and telling you how to defeat me ? Because, if you are like any of the other millions of human beings I have conquered and destroyed, then you will do nothing. I have nothing to worry about. Or do I ?

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

WHICH WAY ARE YOU TRAVELING ? WHAT ROAD ARE YOU ON ?

While it may not be popular in modern society for an individual to define any particular lifestyle as right or wrong, the Bible makes no apology for pointing out that there is a right way and a wrong way to live; that there are good choices and bad choices.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13, 14

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12) There are many modern examples of this. People on the wrong road resulting in fatal accidents. Here is one - http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/09/megabus_crash_its_past_time_to.html. A google search brings up about 8 million, 320 thousand hits.

According to the Bible and even more specifically, according to the words of Christ Himself, all roads do not lead to the same destination. There is a right way and a wrong way to reach any place. No matter how sincere a person may be, traveling on the interstate in one direction away from their home will not take them home.

In this life there is set before every human being two ways--the broad road of self-indulgence and the narrow path of self-sacrifice and self-control. Into the broad road you can take all forms of selfishness, pride, love of the world; but those who walk in the narrow way must lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset. Which road have you chosen--the road which leads to everlasting death, or the road which leads to glory and immortality ? In the Bible, God promises eternal life to those who are seeking and walking on the road which leads to these things. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life...(Romans 2:7)

There never was a more solemn time in the history of the world than the time in which we are now living. Our eternal interests are at stake, and we should arouse to the importance of making our calling and election sure. We dare not risk our eternal interests on mere probabilities. We must be in earnest. What we are, what we are doing, what is to be our course of action in the future, are all questions of untold moment, and we cannot afford to be listless, indifferent, unconcerned. It becomes each one of us to inquire, "What is eternity to me ?" Is my feet in the path that leads to heaven, or in the broad road that leads to perdition ?

When it comes to eternal life, church membership does not guarantee it and sincerity alone cannot claim entitlement to it. It is our own daily course of action that reveals our characters and determines our destiny. True faith and genuine Christianity is not merely professed but demonstrated in consistent Christ-like expressions of love.

Those who make a success of the Christian life will count all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Only those who are abiding in Christ can know what true life is. They realize the value of true religion. They have brought their talents of influence and means and ability to the altar of consecration, seeking only to know and do the will of Him who has died to redeem them. They know that the path they must travel is strait and narrow, and that they will have to meet many obstacles and temptations, as they resist the enticements of the broader road that leads to ruin; but they will discern the footsteps of Jesus, and press onward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in their Lord and Saviour. They will choose the royal way that leads to heaven. Is this the way you are traveling ? Take heed and get on board now while there is still time. Ask God for strength to live triumphantly in Christ today if you are a Christian and ask God to give you new motives, new desires and new purposes if you are a not a Christian or a backsliding one. He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto Him. That means all of us down here who must choose which road we will travel in this life.

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com