How to keep our eyes on the prize.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

The bible tells us to be without blemish and free from accusation. How can we accomplish this? In keeping ourselves without blemish it will help us keep our eye on the prize.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27) ²⁴ Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. ²⁵ Now everyone competing in a contest exercises self-control in all things. Of course, they do it to receive a crown that can perish, but we, one that does not perish. ²⁶ Therefore, the way I am running is not aimlessly; the way I am aiming my blows is so as not to be striking the air; ²⁷ but I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.

To be free from accusation we must continue in our faith which means we must continue to leave God’s world guide all we do. In order to continue to be cleansed by the blood of Christ we have to continue to grow spiritually and take in God’s word. We have to do all we can to make sure we have a clean conscience. The bible tells us to keep ourselves chaste. Chaste means undefiled or untouched. If we are accused and we are blameless our works will show our fruits and show the truth of matters. So if we remain blameless we will not end up suffering the results of our works. By remaining blameless we maintain the future hope in the promise of the gift of living forever. All the things in this system will be gone soon . Our lives in this system are very fleeting compared to what it will be like if we have hope in the future promises. The bible warns there is no forgiveness for those who willfully sin once they are aware of their sinful nature. We cannot expect to change over night it sometimes takes time to change but it is our willingness to work towards correcting our sinful nature once we have become aware of it that God takes note of. If we believe we do not sin the bible warns we are only deceiving ourselves. So growing spiritually means we continue to take in God’s word and to grow and overcome our sins as the mirror of God’s word makes us aware of our short comings.

The bible warns that things that are lawful are not always beneficial, this would include God’s laws. We are to remain blameless and free from accusations. If we are married and we constantly hang with members of the opposite sex and do things with them. It may be biblical lawful but it puts us in a position to commit an act of adultery. It can smear our reputation which would make our spouse seem foolish. Also how would the spouse feel if you would rather spend your time with someone else instead of them? We are told bad associations spoil useful habits. It may seem harmless but those who lack faith or do things they should not do can get us to start false reasoning and justify what they do and then we ourselves may get drawn in and fall short of God and start false reasoning.

If we realize we are sinning we need to confess our sins and do our best to set matters straight. Because if we do not then we are unrepentant and there is no forgiveness for our sins. You must confess the error to those harmed by it and to God. You should do your best to take corrective actions. Sometimes when the damage is too severe when we have fallen short it will take time for people to see if you are truly repentant and can be trusted. Some error we commit against others can leave scars emotionally that do not fully heal. Things would never be the same. If this occurs it is a consequence of our sinful nature and we must do our best to deal with it in a way that would please God so we do not forfeit the prize. Often times we do not realize we have sinned against someone until we have reflected in God’s word and it has opened our eyes to a short coming. If this occurs we cannot go back and ask forgiveness from every person we sinned against we should ask God to forgive us and do our best to overcome the short coming.

Even though something is permissible if it starts to control and overtake our life then it becomes a sin. The bible considers this a form of idolatry. Whether it is a person, object, money or even power if we start letting the desire for them overtake us then we are committing idolatry. Not only that but we start coveting things and the bible warns coveting is a sin.

The bible warns friendship with the world makes us an enemy of God. If we put more trust in ourselves and mans word then we do God’s then we are rebelling just as Adam and Eve did and we are making ourselves friends with the world. The bible warns bad associations spoil useful habits. They may seem very kind and may seem trust worthy but if they are deliberately sinning against God and have no desire to learn his word then it tells us something about them. They put their trust in man and themselves and associating with them can get us to use their reasoning instead of leaving God’s word guide us. It can draw us away and by the time we realize it often times the damage is done and it can dramatically change our lives. For example I know a man who went 20 years without drinkingl, he had been an alcoholic. He started associating with ones who drank alcohol. It drew him back into drinking. He got intoxicated and wrecked and his son was in the vehicle with him and had gotten killed in the accident.

Overconfidence in our spirituality can cause us to fall short. If we are aware of short comings we may have. We need to make sure we do not put ourselves in a situation to sin. I have seen many people drawn away from God and their lives were changed negatively forever because they got over confident and lost the awareness of their sinful nature. I watched them try to pursue happiness but never seen them succeed because they did not repent and try to set matters straight so they continued to decline and become even more sinful which destroyed their lives even more. Their quality of friends declined because as they became less trustworthy they lost the friends who would have truly stood by their side. Surely we would not want this to happen.

Jesus sermon on the mount tells us how to be happy I can say I have experienced many trials and they knock me down for a while but I get back up and continue forward spiritually and it has become very difficult to completely take happiness from me. I remain happy because I have the hope in the future promises and I know the things in this system are temporary and all suffering and sadness will be gone soon. Would it be worth giving up an eternity of happiness for what appears to be a source of happiness be seeking our happiness in the world? Jesus warned once we have repented if we turn back to our sinful nature not only will the demon that left come back but they will bring many more with them. Meaning our sinful nature will become very bad. Though sin may seem as if it would get rid of our loneliness or be exciting, would it be worth destroying our lives and others in such a way? If we have children do we want them to follow the example we have set? The bible warns of the consequences of stumbling even one child. Children learn by the examples we set. Our faith and obedience to God sets the example for them. If we fall short children will take note and most likely accept it as behavior that is ok to do. If we have bad associations we are telling children it is ok to have bad associations. What are we telling God , the bible clearly warns we should not have bad associations. This can lead the children to become corrupted, God would hold that against us. Would we want children to learn to forfeit the hope in the future promises and to lack faith? By having bad associations we are showing God we approve of such behavior, this includes associating with those who scoff at the bible.

We are to remain without blemish from the world we do this by being no part of the world. We cannot take ourselves entirely out of the world because we are to teach others about God’s word. Also we have obligations that cause us to be dependent on the world for certain things but we should not befriend those of the world they will draw us away from God and can cause us to full short then we would not remain unblemished or without spot from the world.

If we become a part of the world then we will start being molded by the world. The whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. Is this who we would want shaping our thoughts. If we have children would we want Satan and those who chose his side as Adam and Eve did and put their faith in man or ourselves? The bible warns if we love the world or the things in the world then the love of the father is not in us. If we do not know Godly love then we will never know what real love is , to be able to give it. In return we will not know when we have been truly loved so will end up in emotionally empty relationships. We cannot experienced the oneness of mind that Jesus and God experience if we love the world more then we love God. Since God is love then we could never truly know love we would only know love as the world does. They lack devotion, commitment, loyalty, humility, and often times they only look out for their own self interest. This is why many marriages end in divorce now days.

The bible teaches us to view others as being superior to ourselves. Not only that but the bible tells us not to look out for our own self interest. Jesus set the perfect example of humility and willingness to serve others when he washed the disciples feet. He knew he had already earned the right to sit on the heavenly thrown and would be seated by God on the throne with full authority over everything but God himself and he still washed the disciples feet something that servants would have done. One of the ways of the world is to yell and scream at others and say hurtful things. They will attack them and pick them apart. This is not an act of humility and it shows they view themselves as being superior to the person they are attacking. They feel no remorse when this occurs. The bible warns not to even associate with such ones. It makes sense because they are showing their lack of humility. I often times wonder if they would talk like that to Jesus. The bible tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Rage and anger does not work God’s will towards others. There is righteous anger but it should be dealt with appropriately not with anger, back biting and personal attacks on someone. The bible warns those full of strife , God has handed them over to a disapproved state. Surely we would not want to be in a state of disapproval in God’s eyes? Being no part of the world means we do things as God and Jesus would want us to do and not as man would do. Just because things are lawful to do does not mean they are approved by God to do.

To remain no part of the world we need to be aware of our short coming and not put ourselves in a position to fall short. For example if we have a tendency to hang with bad associations we should work on correcting that behavior, if we have a tendency to drink excess alcohol we should avoid situations that can make us fall short. It may offend some people but we have to make sacrifices if we want to place first God rather then men. Man cannot give us hope in the future promises. None of God’s past promises have gone unfulfilled they all were fulfilled so we can be certain the future promises will be kept by God. We are going to suffer no matter what as we deal with imperfect humans , and our own imperfections. Why add more suffering to that by falling short of God? As this system winds down the friends we choose can determine if we survive or not. Now more then ever it is very important to choose our friends wisely and to walk with the wise. That means walking with the spiritually wise who have shown they produce fruits of the spirit and fruits of the lips. Though we are no longer required to provide animal sacrifices because Jesus ransom sacrifice has done away with that we are still required to make sacrifices of praise by letting people know about God’s love, mercy, kindness and many other amazing qualities he has. If we do not see others producing fruit we may want to be careful they may be lacking in faith. If they are newly learning then we need to be patient with them they may make many errors as they learn and apply God’s word.

So we need to do our best to remain without blemish from the world which will help us keep our eye on the prize and help us find true happiness no matter what we endure. So many say they feel empty. If they would learn to fully trust God and Put his will instead of their own or mans first they could feel the completeness that one who has complete faith in God has. Some appear to have faith in God but have not completely gave themselves over to listening to his word and guiding all they do so their thirst is never quenched. This results in them being unhappy, and depressed. They also are like a wave on the ocean. Whichever way the wind blows the wave goes. Those who have not fully trusted to leave God’s word guide them will be indecisive and often times confused about what they should do in life. Those who fully leave God’s word God them have a certain confidence because they know when to let their yes mean yes and no mean know. Mans ideas and beliefs are always changing but God’s word does not change and God does not change so we know what we ought to do and have no doubts about what is right or wrong. Putting our trust in the wisdom of man such as certain professionals over God’s word will lead us to make bad decisions and be indecisive. By letting God’s word guide all we do it makes our paths straight. The bible tells us to make our yes mean yes and our no mean no. Anything else is from the wicked one. So if we are indecisive it may indicate we need to study and apply God’s word more in our lives. (Matthew 5:36, 37) . . .. ³⁷ Just let your word ‘Yes’ mean yes, your ‘No,’ no, for what goes beyond these is from the wicked one.)

(Colossians 1:21-23) ²¹ Indeed, you who were once alienated and enemies because your minds were on the works that were wicked, ²² he has now reconciled by means of that one’s fleshly body through his death, in order to present you holy and unblemished and open to no accusation before him— ²³ provided, of course, that you continue in the faith, established on the foundation and steadfast, not being shifted away from the hope of that good news that you heard and that was preached in all creation under heaven. Of this good news I, Paul, became a minister.

(Hebrews 9:14) how much more will the blood of the Christ, who through an everlasting spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we may render sacred service to the living God?

(Hebrews 10:22) let us approach with sincere hearts and complete faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from a wicked conscience and our bodies bathed with clean water.

(1 Timothy 5:22) ²² Never lay your hands hastily on any man; neither become a sharer in the sins of others; keep yourself chaste.

(1 Peter 2:12) ¹² Maintain your conduct fine among the nations, so that when they accuse you of being wrongdoers, they may be eyewitnesses of your fine works and, as a result, glorify God in the day of his inspection.

(2 Peter 3:11-13) ¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, ¹² as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! ¹³ But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.

(1 John 1:8-10) ⁸ If we make the statement, “We have no sin,” we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we make the statement, “We have not sinned,” we are making him a liar, and his word is not in us.

(1 Corinthians 10:23, 24) ²³ All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.

(Hebrews 10:26-31) ²⁶ For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, ²⁷ but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition. ²⁸ Anyone who has disregarded the Law of Moses dies without compassion on the testimony of two or three. ²⁹ How much greater punishment do you think a person will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God and who has regarded as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt? ³⁰ For we know the One who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again: “Jehovah will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(1 Corinthians 6:12) ¹² All things are lawful for me, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful for me, but I will not let myself be controlled by anything.

(Romans 7:7) ⁷ What, then, are we to say? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! Really, I would not have come to know sin had it not been for the Law. For example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: “You must not covet.

(Colossians 3:5) ⁵ Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry.

(James 4:2-5) ² You desire, and yet you do not have. You go on murdering and coveting, and yet you are not able to obtain. You go on fighting and waging war. You do not have because of your not asking. ³ When you do ask, you do not receive because you are asking for a wrong purpose, so that you may spend it on your fleshly desires. ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. ⁵ . . .

(James 4:2-5) ² You desire, and yet you do not have. You go on murdering and coveting, and yet you are not able to obtain. You go on fighting and waging war. You do not have because of your not asking. ³ When you do ask, you do not receive because you are asking for a wrong purpose, so that you may spend it on your fleshly desires. ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. ⁵ . . .

(Romans 13:8-10) . . .. ⁹ For the law code, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal, you must not covet,” and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this saying: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore, love is the law’s fulfillment.

(James 1:14, 15) ¹⁴ But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.

(Matthew 12:43-45) ⁴³ “When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through waterless places in search of a resting-place and finds none. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house from which I moved,’ and on arriving, it finds the house unoccupied but swept clean and adorned. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes along with it seven different spirits more wicked than itself, and after getting inside, they dwell there; and the final circumstances of that man become worse than the first. That is how it will be also with this wicked generation.”

(Matthew 18:5, 6) . . .. ⁶ But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have hung around his neck a millstone that is turned by a donkey and to be sunk in the open sea.

(Romans 12:1, 2) . . .. ² And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(1 John 2:15-17) ¹⁵ Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; ¹⁶ because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. ¹⁷ Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(John 17:20-23) ²⁰ “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word, ²¹ so that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one. ²³ I in union with them and you in union with me, in order that they may be perfected into one, so that the world may know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me.

(Philippians 2:3, 4) ³ Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, ⁴ as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.

(John 13:2-11) . . .. ³ So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going to God, ⁴ got up from the evening meal and laid aside his outer garments. And taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. ⁵ After that he put water into a basin and started to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him: “Lord, are you washing my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered him: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand after these things.” ⁸ Peter said to him: “You will certainly never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him: “Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him: “Whoever has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is completely clean. And you men are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For he knew the man who was betraying him. This is why he said: “Not all of you are clean.”

(1 Corinthians 15:26-28) ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Proverbs 16:32) ³² The one slow to anger is better than a mighty man, And the one controlling his temper than one conquering a city.

(Proverbs 22:24, 25) ²⁴ Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man Or get involved with one disposed to rage, ²⁵ So that you never learn his ways And ensnare yourself.

(Proverbs 14:17) ¹⁷ The one who is quick to anger acts foolishly, But the man who thinks things out is hated.

(Romans 1:28-30) ²⁸ Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting. ²⁹ And they were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, being whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, schemers of what is harmful, disobedient to parents,

(Galatians 5:22-24) ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.

(Galatians 6:7-10) ⁷ Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap; ⁸ because the one sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but the one sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit. ⁹ So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due time we will reap if we do not tire out. ¹⁰ So, then, as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.

(Hebrews 13:14-16) . . .. ¹⁵ Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that make public declaration to his name. ¹⁶ Moreover, do not forget to do good and to share what you have with others, for God is well-pleased with such sacrifices.

(John 4:13-15) . . .. ¹⁴ Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life.” ¹⁵ The woman said to him: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may neither thirst nor keep coming over to this place to draw water.”

Guarding your heart.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

We guard our hearts by knowing what God would want us to do and put it first. We cannot please man and God. We can deceive others, maybe even ourselves but God can read our hearts and knows our true intentions. This is why the bible tells us not to lean on our own understanding. It is also why the bible tells us not to trust our hearts because it is deceptive and desperate.

Because we are imperfect we need to learn what the will of God is and put his laws in our hearts and let him guide us. We write his word on our hearts be obeying it and letting it guide all we do even in the little things such as choosing friends. When the bible tells us bad associations ruin useful habits do we scoff at the scripture and mock God, or do you write it on our hearts and let him teach us how to choose our friends?

As we learn what Gods word it will expose our short comings. Instead of hardening our hearts we need to let Jehovah’s word guide us on over coming our err. If we have made errors his word gives us instructions on what we should do to set things straight. The bible tells us it is sharper then any two edged sword able to judge the attitude of the heart. So when we read God”s word it will reveal things we may need to work on. If we share God’s word with someone, the way they react can tell us their heart condition. If we have friends who are lax when it comes to certain scriptures because they seem minor then we may want to be careful. Remember the bible said those who are disobedient in the least is disobedient in the most. This is because those little things get us to drop our guard and often times is used by Satan and his angels of light to draw people away from pure worship.

We must guard our heart by putting God’s word in them and even paying heed to scriptures that may seem like little things. If we get involved in gossip, criticizing or making fun of people, or talking negatively about people it can damage our relationship with God and harden our hearts. We need to watch what we speak about because we could start developing a bad heart.

We need to keep in mind Jesus is king in heaven right now. When we make friends or discuss things with others we should think would Jesus think or behave this way. Would Jesus have this person as a friend or associate? We should ask ourselves what would Jesus want me to do?

The little things leave the door open for Satan. For example if we get angry easy and hold onto anger instead of forgiving others like the bible tells us to, it could harden our hearts and make them non receptive to bible truths. If someone shares a teaching different then what we have been taught do we research our bible to make certain of what we heard is true and what we believe or what someone else has just taught you is true? If you react angrily, try to shame someone or even try to find their flaws when they show you something in the bible that is not what you were taught to believe, this is telling you something because Jesus and the apostle never acted this way when challenged. They used God’s word to prove what they believed. Those who refuse to listen to Jesus or look to see if what he was saying was true but held onto their false beliefs were spiritually blind and deaf. This led to them eventually torturing and killing Jesus. The bible tells us some have entertained angels and did not know it. What if it was an angel and God sent them to show you bible truths and you reacted in such a way? The bible tells us to look at God’s word and verify all we have heard. Many do not study the bible because they said it contradicts itself. It does not contradict itself it is the false teachings that are rampant in the world making the bible appear to contradict itself.

Proverbs 21:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

1Samuel 16:But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Ecclesiastes 12:The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

1Chronicles 28:9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

Ephesians 6:6 Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Hebrews 4: 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Ephesians 5:13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
We have to remember God knows our true motives.

Proverbs 2:2All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Proverns 4:20My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
We also need to speak to God in prayer to guard our hearts.

Philipians 4:Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
If we get caught up with the things of the world and the thongs incthe world we lose our ability to discern what Gods will is. We should apways test and meditate what Gods will is.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Collossian 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
We all sin so we must continue to read and apply Gods word so we can continue to grow.

1John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Our hearts are very deceptive so we should never trust it to guide us but remember to put Gods word in our hearts and let it guide us.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
We must seek God with our whole hearts. So we must trust him completely then you will know him.

Jeremiah 29:13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalm 119:11 have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
If we want to be kept safe in these last days we cannot trust our own thoughts but let God guide us.

Proverbs 28:26Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
God will blesscus if we learn to fully trust him to guide our hearts.

Paslms 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Proverbs 28:26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

List of scriptures that show those we should not be friends with.

The bible warns bad company spoils useful habits. So if we have bad friends they could drag us down spiritually and even emotionally. We all have imperfections when we choose friends we should pay attention to how they respond when those short comings are pointed out. Also pay attention to whether they are forgiving or not. If they are not forgiving then you will have a bitter friend which really is not a friend. Leave them be if they do not forgive the bible warns they will not be forgiven. It is not our place to judge other but if a person consistently shows the qualities mentioned in these scriptures that are bad then we should be cautious about selecting them as a friend. If the person has many friends we may want to be careful it could indicate they are not careful when selecting friends.

(1 Corinthians 15:32, 33) . . .” ³³ Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.

The bible tells us not to walk with scoffers or those who doubt God’s word.

(Psalm 1:1) Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers.

The person should be knowledgeable of the bible , when the bible calls someone stupid it means stupid in a spiritual way. Do they put more trust in mans knowledge then God’s the bible warns this can make a person deviate from the faith.

(Proverbs 13:20) The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.

(Proverbs 14:6-8)  ⁶ The scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge comes easily to the person with understanding.  ⁷ Stay away from the foolish man, For you will not find knowledge on his lips.  ⁸ By wisdom the shrewd man understands the way he is going, But the stupid are deceived by their foolishness.

(1 Corinthians 5:6) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough?

(Ecclesiastes 9:18) Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but just one sinner can destroy much good.

(1 Timothy 6:20, 21) ²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called “knowledge.” ²¹ By making a show of such knowledge, some have deviated from the faith.. . .

(Proverbs 22:24, 25) ²⁴ Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man Or get involved with one disposed to rage, ²⁵ So that you never learn his ways And ensnare yourself.

(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) ¹¹ But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ¹² For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, ¹³ while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”

(1 John 3:6-8) . . .. ⁷ Little children, let no one mislead you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as that one is righteous. ⁸ The one who practices sin originates with the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil.

This scripture does not mean to literally tear your eye out. But if you have a friend who may do things that could lead you to din then it may be better to cut your association with that friend rather then to be destroyed in the day of judgment.

(Matthew 5:27-30) ²⁷ “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge·henʹna. ³⁰ Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to land in Ge·henʹna.

If someone talks about others in a bad way or gossips they are not a good friend. Often times those people are smooth talkers who can easily deceive others. These ones often times flatter people, if they flatter people a lot be cautious. Complementing people once in a while is not bad but watch their actions and if they overly complement people be cautious.

(Proverbs 16:27, 28) ²⁷ A worthless man digs up what is bad; His speech is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A troublemaker causes dissension, And a slanderer separates close friends.

(Romans 16:17, 18) ¹⁷ Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering speech they seduce the hearts of unsuspecting ones.

(Proverbs 26:24-26) ²⁴ The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, But inside he harbors deceit. ²⁵ Although he speaks graciously, do not trust him, For there are seven detestable things in his heart. ²⁶ Though his hatred is concealed by deceit, His evil will be exposed in the congregation.

(Psalm 12:2-4) ² They speak lies to one another; They flatter with their lips and speak with deceitful hearts.  ³ Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips And the tongue that makes great boasts,  ⁴ Those who say: “We will prevail with our tongues. We use our lips as we please; Who will be our master?”

(Proverbs 13:19, 20) ¹⁹ Desire when realized is sweet to a person, But the stupid hate to turn away from bad. ²⁰ The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.

Do they scoff at God’s word or do they happily take it in. Those who scoff at God’s word can deteriorate our faith.

(Psalm 1:1-3) 1 Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers.  ² But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night.  ³ He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, A tree that produces fruit in its season, The foliage of which does not wither. And everything he does will succeed.

Do they hold bitterness towards you when you have erred even after you have correct it? Those who are not forgiving tend to nit pick at your short coming or things that may annoy them about you. These ones do not know how to be happy and can rob you of happiness.

(Proverbs 17:9)  ⁹ Whoever forgives a transgression seeks love, But the one who keeps harping on a matter separates close friends.

How do they treat others who are less fortunate?

(Proverbs 18:23) ²³ The poor man implores when speaking, But the rich man answers harshly.

Be cautious of those who put the pursuit of wealth before spiritual things. It is not wrong to have wealth as long as spiritual things come first. Life’s experience has taught me these ones will turn on you and will even betray you often times.

(1 Timothy 6:9, 10) ⁹ But those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.

(James 4:4) ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God.

This is talking about spiritual counsel and not worldly counsel. Do they accept spiritual counsel if not then they would not be a good friend. It means they either do not want to change their heart or they are avoiding the bible out of guilt.

(Proverbs 11:14) ¹⁴ When there is no skillful direction, the people fall, But there is success through many advisers.

Does this person put more confidence in what other say rather then the bible. Does this person boast a lot. These are signs the person may be a bad friend.

(1 Corinthians 5:6, 7) ⁶ Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough? ⁷ Clear away the old leaven so that you may be a new batch, inasmuch as you are free from ferment. For, indeed, Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.

(Ephesians 5:6) ⁶ Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

(James 3:13-16) . . .. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and contentiousness in your hearts, do not be bragging and lying against the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above; it is earthly, animalistic, demonic. ¹⁶ For wherever there are jealousy and contentiousness, there will also be disorder and every vile thing.

(Romans 1:28-32) ²⁸ Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting. ²⁹ And they were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, being whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, schemers of what is harmful, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, and merciless. ³² Although these know full well the righteous decree of God—that those practicing such things are deserving of death—they not only keep on doing them but also approve of those practicing them.

Am I too picky when choosing friends?

Many have told me I am very picky about who I choose for friends. There is a reason for that. Your friends can either build you up or tear you down. I want friends who will build me up and not tear me down. I also want friends who will accept me for who I am and be forgiving as I work through my imperfections as I hopefully will do for them. The bible tells us to let love guide all we do. I look for friends who are not full of hate and let love guide their actions. I want friends who will help me through my short comings and even tell me when I am in error and be forgiving and kind enough to be there for me as I work through them. I want friends who will be there for me through the good times and the bad. Fair weather friends are not real friends they are only in the friendship when it benefits them.

I also want friends who are willing to work through their short comings and who want to grow and draw closer to God. Though it may not be a sin to associate with people who do not want to get to know God and Jesus the bible warns it can draw us away from God. Not only that but often times they do not want to read God’s word because they want to rely on their own understanding which we have been warn can not only draw us away from God it can endanger us spiritually and even physically. By associating with those who rely on their own understanding we could start to imitate their behavior and start relying on our own understanding and it can effect our faith and we could start putting more trust in ourselves instead of God. So we should leave God guide our decisions, even if we have a history of making good decisions we should be cautious we do not get overconfident. This is why you should choose friends that are humble and will help you to remain humble.

Choosing friends who put spiritual things first will help to protect us by keeping us focus on things that last forever , the spiritual treasures. The things on the earth will pass away and be gone but the treasure stored in heaven will last forever. It is difficult now days not having many friends but having a few good friends you can trust is much better then having companions who will destroy you by drawing your sinful nature out or by betraying you.

One way to help determine if they can be a trust worthy friend is sharing God’s word with them or reading the bible with them. How they respond can reveal what is in their hearts. It can help you determine if they prefer to lean on their own understanding or if they may be hiding a sin and do not want to hold themselves accountable. If the scriptures do not appeal to them one of these things may be occurring and we should be cautious. If the person is not growing spiritually we should be cautious. Watching for someone to produce the fruits of the spirit is also another way we can determine if the friend is a good friend.

Experience has taught me often times when someone who does not read and apply God’s word is treating you very kind they usually are either trying to manipulate you or they want something. They become who they believe you would want them to be. So now more then ever we need to be cautious of who we choose to be our friends. We have to remember the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one and there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing. I have included scriptures to meditate on that may help in guiding us when we make knew friends. The bible warned us that bad association can spoil useful habits. Those who do not have faith could slowly get us to start losing our faith. They may be very kind but they could still draw us away from God by slowly getting us to stop our useful habits like praying and studying God’s word.

(Proverbs 18:24) ²⁴ There are companions ready to crush one another, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

(James 1:14, 15) ¹⁴ But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.

(Proverbs 28:14) ¹⁴ Happy is the man who is always on guard, But whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

(1 Corinthians 10:12, 13) ¹² So let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall. ¹³ No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

(Proverbs 27:17) ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens his friend.

(Hebrews 3:12, 13) ¹² Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God; ¹³ but keep on encouraging one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.

(Hebrews 3:12, 13) ¹² Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God; ¹³ but keep on encouraging one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you should become hardened by the deceptive power of sin.

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) ¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” ¹⁸ “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”

(John 12:48) ⁴⁸ Whoever disregards me and does not receive my sayings has one to judge him. The word that I have spoken is what will judge him on the last day. 

(Hebrews 4:11, 12) ¹¹ Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall into the same pattern of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.

(John 3:19-21) . . .. ²⁰ For whoever practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his works may not be reproved. ²¹ But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that his works may be made manifest as having been done in harmony with God.”

(Proverbs 28:26) Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid, But the one who walks in wisdom will escape.

(Jeremiah 10:23) I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

(1 Corinthians 3:18) Let no one deceive himself: If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this system of things, let him become a fool, so that he may become wise.

(Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10) ⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their hard work. ¹⁰ For if one of them falls, the other can help his partner up. But what will happen to the one who falls with no one to help him up?

(Proverbs 27:5, 6)  ⁵ Open reproof is better than concealed love.  ⁶ The wounds inflicted by a friend are faithful, But an enemy’s kisses are plentiful.

(Proverbs 17:17) ¹⁷ A true friend shows love at all times And is a brother who is born for times of distress.

(James 4:4-6) ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that for no reason the scripture says: “The spirit that has taken up residence within us keeps enviously longing”? ⁶ However, the undeserved kindness that He gives is greater. So it says: “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.”

(Colossians 3:12-14) ¹² Accordingly, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, humility, mildness, and patience. ¹³ Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same. ¹⁴ But besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.

(Mark 12:28-31) . . .” ²⁹ Jesus answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, ³⁰ and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ ³¹ The second is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

(1 Corinthians 15:32-34) . . .” ³³ Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits. ³⁴ Come to your senses in a righteous way and do not practice sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I am speaking to move you to shame.

(Proverbs 13:20) The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly

(Galatians 5:7-9) ⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from continuing to obey the truth? ⁸ This sort of persuasion does not come from the One calling you. ⁹ A little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough.

(Proverbs 19:6, 7)  ⁶ Many seek the favor of a noble, And everyone is a friend to the man who gives gifts.  ⁷ All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more he is shunned by his friends! He pursues them with requests, but no one responds.

(Galatians 6:1-5) 6 Brothers, even if a man takes a false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness. But keep an eye on yourself, for fear you too may be tempted. ² Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and in this way you will fulfill the law of the Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person. ⁵ For each one will carry his own load.

(Proverbs 20:19) ¹⁹ A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk; Do not associate with one who loves to gossip.

(Proverbs 25:9) Plead your case with your neighbor, But do not reveal what you were told confidentially,

(Proverbs 25:23) The north wind brings a downpour, And a gossiping tongue brings an angry face.

(Galatians 5:22-24) ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.

(Proverbs 1:7)  ⁷ The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.

The danger of being spiritually overconfident.

First number is the chapter. The second number is the verse.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

I broke this up in sections to make it easier to read.

Confidence is a good thing. We need confidence in order to do God’s will, to share his word with others and to do our best to do his will. It is when we get overconfident is when we could error. This has caused many to fall short in the past and not only resulted in one harming themselves but it brought harm on others and in some instances caused some to lose favor with God. If we become over confident we stop listening to the little things and may view them as something minor providing an opportunity for sin. We are very near the conclusion of this system of things so now more then ever we need to pay attention and stay alert. Our staying alert and not becoming over confidence is very important in order for us to receive the future promises that give us hope.

We have to be careful about our confidence and in our abilities to handle our sinful nature we inherited from Adam and Eve. We should always be on the guard. We have many examples like king David, Korah, and many others who got over confident about their standing with God , and their handle on their sinful nature which caused them to miss the mark. It is usually when we are most confident that we are the most vulnerable to falling short. Pride can contribute to overconfidence and it resulted in Korah rebelling against the arrangements God had made. This resulted in Korah and others losing their lives. King Solomon had many wives and concubines. Israel was not to marry women of the nations because they worshiped foreign gods. Solomon put trust in his wisdom and standing with God and his overconfidence caused him to disobey God and take in wives and concubines from the nations. This eventually led to him worshiping foreign God’s in opposition to Jehovah.

(1 Corinthians 10:12) 12 So let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.

(Proverbs 28:14) 14 Happy is the man who is always on guard, But whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

(Proverbs 16:18-20) 18 Pride is before a crash, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19 Better to be humble among the meek Than to share the spoil of the haughty. 20 The one who shows insight in a matter will find success, And happy is the one trusting in Jehovah.

(Numbers 16:1-3) 16 Then Korʹah the son of Izʹhar, the son of Koʹhath, the son of Leʹvi, got up together with Daʹthan and A·biʹram the sons of E·liʹab, and On the son of Peʹleth, of the sons of Reuʹben. 2 They rose up against Moses along with 250 Israelite men, chieftains of the assembly, chosen ones of the congregation, prominent men. 3 So they gathered together against Moses and Aaron and said to them: “We have had enough of you! The whole assembly is holy, all of them, and Jehovah is in their midst. Why, then, should you exalt yourselves above the congregation of Jehovah?” . King Davids overconfidence resulted in him sinning against God and another man, this eventually led to king David being responsible for the mans death.

(Numbers 16:31-35) 31 As soon as he finished speaking all these words, the ground beneath them split apart. 32 And the earth opened and swallowed them up, along with their households and everyone who belonged to Korʹah and all their goods. 33 So they and all who belonged to them went down alive into the Grave, and the earth covered them over, so that they perished from the midst of the congregation. 34 All the Israelites who were around them fled at their screaming, for they said: “We are afraid that the earth may swallow us up!” 35 Then a fire came out from Jehovah and consumed the 250 men offering the incense. . .

(2 Samuel 11:2-4) 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the rooftop of the king’s house. From the rooftop he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful. 3 David sent someone to inquire about the woman, and he reported: “Is this not Bath-sheʹba the daughter of E·liʹam and the wife of U·riʹah the Hitʹtite?” 4 Then David sent messengers to bring her. So she came in to him, and he lay down with her. (This happened while she was purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Afterward, she returned to her house.

(1 Kings 11:1-6) 11 But King Solʹo·mon loved many foreign women besides the daughter of Pharʹaoh: Moʹab·ite, Amʹmon·ite, Eʹdom·ite, Si·doʹni·an, and Hitʹtite women. 2 They were from the nations about whom Jehovah had said to the Israelites: “You must not go in among them, and they should not come in among you, for they will surely incline your heart to follow their gods.” But Solʹo·mon clung to them and loved them. 3 And he had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 concubines, and his wives gradually inclined his heart. 4 In Solʹo·mon’s old age, his wives inclined his heart to follow other gods, and his heart was not complete with Jehovah his God like the heart of David his father. 5 And Solʹo·mon followed after Ashʹto·reth, the goddess of the Si·doʹni·ans, and Milʹcom, the disgusting god of the Amʹmon·ites. 6 And Solʹo·mon did what was bad in the eyes of Jehovah, and he did not follow Jehovah completely as David his father had done.

Peter became overconfident, in doing so Peter became blind to his short comings. It resulted in him denying he knew Jesus three times. This is why the bible warned us we must always keep on the watch and pray continually. This also requires us to stay aware we are an imperfect human.

Be vigilant in prayers and do all things as if we were doing them for God. Jesus was very persistent in praying. Jesus persisted in prayer even when he was dying. Jesus did not only pray for himself he prayed for others. The apostles followed Jesus example.

Matt. 26:31-35, 69-75

(John 13:36-38) 36 Simon Peter said to him: “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered: “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter said to him: “Lord, why is it I cannot follow you now? I will surrender my life in your behalf.” 38 Jesus answered: “Will you surrender your life in my behalf? Most truly I say to you, a rooster will by no means crow until you have disowned me three times.”

(Mark 14:38) 38 Keep on the watch and pray continually, so that you do not come into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.

(Romans 7:21-25) 21 I find, then, this law in my case: When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me. 22 I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, 23 but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my body. 24 Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? 25 Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, then, with my mind I myself am a slave to God’s law, but with my flesh to sin’s law.

(1 Peter 4:7-11) 7 But the end of all things has drawn close. Therefore, be sound in mind, and be vigilant with a view to prayers. 8 Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 To the extent that each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of God’s undeserved kindness that is expressed in various ways. 11 If anyone speaks, let him do so as speaking pronouncements from God; if anyone ministers, let him do so as depending on the strength that God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. The glory and the might are his forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 9:18; Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35, Matt. 27:46; Luke 23:46; John 19:30; Ps. 22:1; 31:5, Rom. 15:30; 1 Thess. 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:7

Satan is always looking to take us down. We live in the last days the lines between right and wrong have be skewed. We need to turn to God and let him guide us and help us determine what is Right and what is wrong. All the worldly things will be gone soon. No wealth or material things will save anyone but it is their faith and trust in God that will save them. Satan even tries to use our good qualities to tempt us. He tried to use Jesus compassion and desire to help others to get Jesus to do an act of worship to him but Jesus refused he put his faith in his heavenly father and the world he had given us. Jesus valued doing God’s will so much that he even put it over food in order of importance.

(1 Peter 5:7, 8) . . .. 8 Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. . .

(2 Timothy 3:1-5) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away.

(1 John 2:15-17) 15 Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16 because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17 Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(Matthew 4:3, 4) . . .” 4 But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s mouth.. . .

(Matthew 5:3) 3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.

(Isaiah 55:3)  3 Incline your ear and come to me. Listen, and you will keep alive, And I will readily make with you an everlasting covenant In harmony with the expressions of loyal love to David, which are faithful. . .

(Matthew 4:1-4) 4 Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he felt hungry. 3 And the Tempter approached and said to him: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s mouth.’”

(John 4:31-34) 31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him: “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them: “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another: “No one brought him anything to eat, did he?” 34 Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

We need to be shrewd and cautious with every step we take. Especially now days with the lines between right and wrong being so skewed. The bible warns us not to trust our hearts because the heart can deceive us. We should fear Jehovah God and let his wisdom found in the world he has given us to guide us. Becoming overconfident in our spiritual maturity or our own abilities or even man can not only bring harm to ourselves and cause us to sin it can also negative effect others around us.

(Proverbs 14:15, 16) 15 The naive person believes every word, But the shrewd one ponders each step. 16 The wise one is cautious and turns away from evil, But the stupid one is reckless and overconfident.

(Jeremiah 17:9)  9 The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it?

(Proverbs 28:26) 26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid, But the one who walks in wisdom will escape. . .

(Job 28:28) 28 And he said to man: ‘Look! The fear of Jehovah—that is wisdom, And to turn away from bad is understanding.. . .

(Proverbs 3:7)  7 Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.

King Asa did not become over confident in the peace that Israel was experiencing after they removed the foreign gods. He used the time of peace to fortify Israel’s cities and to fortify Israel spiritually. Even when we are hungry there are foods we still are not permitted to eat and these are foods that still contain blood in them. In some culture they eat the blood or use it to prepare meals. Daniel and his friends refused to eat the food the king provided because it was declared unclean by God and they chose to obey God. This resulted in them being healthier then those who chose to eat the kings food showing even in what we eat we cannot put our confidence in the food but in God who will sustain us.

The lines between right and wrong are very skewed now days. They have many celebrations that are heavily laden with idolatry. The media and others glorify those who pursue power and wealth and some churches even promote those in their congregations who pursue such things. It is not a sin to acquire wealth or if we are put in a position of power but this should not be our goal gaining spiritual wealth should be our goal because all things in this present system will be gone soon but the spiritual treasure stored up in heaven will remain forever.

We are told in the last days the reason these things would occur. People would no longer listen to sound doctrine but would surround them with teachers who would scratch their itchy ears. In other words they would surround themselves with teachers who would tell them what they want to here not what they need to here. We have to remember in times past when a prophet was sent to correct Israel because they were no longer worshiping God in truth they would persecute and sometimes kill them. We are in the last days these things are occurring on a world wide scale. Soon the whole world will turn on true worship. So now more then ever we need to be aware that we are imperfect humans and not trust in things of the world or in ourselves but let God’s world and love guide all we do. This will protect us and God will reward those who trust in him and have faith in him and his son our king Jesus Christ who set the example of obedience even when facing persecution and death. God will reward those who know this is all temporary and their main focus is storing up treasures in heaven.

We must hate what is bad in God’s eyes and love what is good in God’s eyes and in order to know what is good in his eyes we need to deeply study his word so we can get to know him thoroughly. We may become too confident and associate with those who do not believe, or we may associate with those who seem to not be so sinful. These ones have drawn people away from Jehovah in the past and caused them to fall short. So we must be cautious because you can be certain Solomon may have seen many good qualities in the wives and concubines from the nations but his overconfidence in them drew him away from true worship. We should be very careful not to become overconfident in our knowledge or our spirituality to the point we drop our guard keeping in mind that God will reward those who endure to the end.

(2 Chronicles 14:2-7) 2 Aʹsa did what was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God. 3 He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the sacred poles. 4 Further, he told Judah to search for Jehovah the God of their forefathers and to observe the Law and the commandment. 5 So he removed from all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense stands, and under him, the kingdom continued without disturbance. 6 He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land had no disturbance and there was no war against him during these years, for Jehovah gave him rest. 7 He said to Judah: “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. For the land is still at our disposal, because we have searched for Jehovah our God. We have searched, and he has given us rest all around.” So their building was successful.

(Daniel 1:8-15) 8 But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s delicacies or with the wine he drank. So he asked the principal court official for permission not to defile himself in this way. 9 And the true God caused the principal court official to show Daniel favor and mercy. 10 But the principal court official said to Daniel: “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. What if he should see you looking worse in appearance than the other youths of your age? You would make me guilty before the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the guardian whom the principal court official had appointed over Daniel, Han·a·niʹah, Mishʹa·el, and Az·a·riʹah: 12 “Please, test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink; 13 then compare our appearance with the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s delicacies, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he agreed to their proposal and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days their appearance was better and healthier than all the youths who were eating the king’s delicacies.

(Acts 15:19, 20) 19 Therefore, my decision is not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, 20 but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

(Isaiah 5:20, 21) 20 Woe to those who say that good is bad and bad is good, Those who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, Those who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those wise in their own eyes And discreet in their own sight!

(Amos 6:12) 12 Do horses run on a crag, Or will one plow there with cattle? For you have turned justice into a poisonous plant, And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood.

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. 3 They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(Ephesians 6:10-13) 10 Finally, go on acquiring power in the Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. 11 Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; 12 because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13 For this reason take up the complete suit of armor from God, so that you may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after you have accomplished everything, to stand firm.

(Amos 5:15) 15 Hate what is bad, and love what is good, Let justice prevail in the city gate. It may be that Jehovah the God of armies Will show favor to the remaining ones of Joseph.’

(Psalm 97:10) O you who love Jehovah, hate what is bad. He is guarding the lives of his loyal ones; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

(Romans 12:9) Let your love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good.

The bible tells us those who worship in truth will suffer tribulation and will be hated. We have to keep in mind Jesus own people tortured and killed him. Jesus knew this would occur but did not leave that deter him from warning others of the things to come, teaching them about his father, giving them hope in the future promises and teaching them how to obey and have faith in his heavenly father. He was rewarded for his faith and loyalty to God and was promoted to a position in the heavenly kingdom of great authority. If we do our best to imitate Jesus and store up treasures in heaven and do our best to not tire out keeping in mind we will be persecuted in many ways and the persecution is not always obvious. If it was then we could easily prepare but often times in the bible the very people who were pretending to be someones friend would be the one sabotaging the one who was worshiping God in truth. This is why we should let God’s word guide who we call friends it will work to protect us. Having friends who do not share our faith or loyalty to God can put a heavier burden on us. A yoke is what is used to tie beast of burden together so they could share a load. If you put two types of beast of burden to one yoke it would cause them to work against each other. This is why we are warned not to become unevenly yoked with those who do not believe in true worship because we will have burden enough from those who oppose true worship why add farther to that burden?

Now days things have reach a point where many have no idea what is right or wrong and their minds are heavily burdened by not knowing what they should do or what they should think. This is why now more then ever we should listen to Jesus and follow his example. Jesus and our heavenly father Jehovah made it very clear what is right and what is wrong in their eyes. By taking in knowledge of them and putting on Jesus yoke it relieves the burdens many others have and the constant states of confusion and indecision they seem plagued with. Who better to be yoked to then Jesus?

(Matthew 10:22) And you will be hated by all people on account of my name, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved.

(Mark 13:13) And you will be hated by all people on account of my name. But the one who has endured to the end will be saved.

(Luke 21:19) By your endurance you will preserve your lives.

(Hebrews 10:36) For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive

the fulfillment of the promise.

(Revelation 2:10) Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison so that you may be fully put to the test, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) 14 Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? 15 Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” 18 “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”

(Matthew 11:25-30) 25 At that time Jesus said in response: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children. 26 Yes, O Father, because this is the way you approved. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father; neither does anyone fully know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. 30 For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”

Now more then ever you can see how unreasonable man is and how they are like a wave on the sea which blows whichever way the wind blows. God does not change and what he requires does not change. In knowing God and his son Jesus we are not burdened like others when it comes to knowing when to make our yes mean yes and our no mean no. If we are torn between loyalty to the world and loyalty to God then we are trying to slave two masters adding even more burden to us. The bible warns us we cannot slave for two masters. We will suffer no matter what because this system is coming to it’s conclusion. It is better to suffer as a slave to God then to suffer as a slave to the world.

The bible warned we would have to endure many things but we can be certain neither that our appointed king Jesus Christ understands our suffering because he endured the same sufferings. Nothing can separate us from the love he has for us. He gave his own life so many could be saved. So we have a king who understands our suffering and loves us deeply. Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus not even death. Jesus came to earth and put God’s will first. He knew what God’s will was because when he was in heaven with God before he had came to earth he learned from God so could perfectly imitate him. Jesus clearly demonstrated his love for man. This shows that God also loves man deeply and desires all to repent and draw close to him and his son Jesus. Those who do so will be rewarded. Since Jesus was the very first creation of God we can be sure he knew God very well and could perfectly imitate what he had seen his father do.

(James 5:12) 12 Above all, my brothers, stop swearing, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” mean yes and your “No,” no, so that you do not become liable to judgment.

(Matthew 5:36, 37) . . .. 37 Just let your word ‘Yes’ mean yes, your ‘No,’ no, for what goes beyond these is from the wicked one.

(Matthew 6:19-24) 19 “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. 23 But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is! 24 “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches. . .

(Romans 8:35-39) 35 Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” 37 On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers 39 nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(John 6:37-39) 37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me; 38 for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me, but that I should resurrect them on the last day.

(Colossians 1:15) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;

(Proverbs 8:22) Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way, The earliest of his achievements of long ago.

(Revelation 3:14) “To the angel of the congregation in La·o·di·ceʹa write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God:

The bible warned we would have to endure many things but we can be certain neither that our appointed king Jesus Christ understands our suffering because he endured the same sufferings. Nothing can separate us from the love he has for us. He gave his own life so many could be saved. So we have a king who understands our suffering and loves us deeply. Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus not even death. Jesus came to earth and put God’s will first. He knew what God’s will was because when he was in heaven with God before he had came to earth he learned from God so could perfectly imitate him. Jesus clearly demonstrated his love for man. This shows that God also loves man deeply and desires all to repent and draw close to him and his son Jesus. Those who do so will be rewarded. Since Jesus was the very first creation of God we can be sure he knew God very well and could perfectly imitate what he had seen his father do. Jesus even stated he does what he seen his father do. So if we endure a little longer we will be rewarded.

The new system will be here very soon. There will be no more hate, no more evil, no more corruption , no more death and tears of sorrow those will all be done away with. If we endure a little longer we may see loved ones we lost in death during the resurrection.

(James 5:12) 12 Above all, my brothers, stop swearing, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” mean yes and your “No,” no, so that you do not become liable to judgment.

(Matthew 5:36, 37) . . .. 37 Just let your word ‘Yes’ mean yes, your ‘No,’ no, for what goes beyond these is from the wicked one.

(Matthew 6:19-24) 19 “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. 23 But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is! 24 “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches. . .

(Romans 8:35-39) 35 Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” 37 On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers 39 nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(John 6:37-39) 37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me; 38 for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me, but that I should resurrect them on the last day.

(Colossians 1:15) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;

(Proverbs 8:22) Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way, The earliest of his achievements of long ago.

(Revelation 3:14) “To the angel of the congregation in La·o·di·ceʹa write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God:

(John 8:57, 58) 57 Then the Jews said to him: “You are not yet 50 years old, and still you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, before Abraham came into existence, I have been.. . .

(John 5:19-22) 19 Therefore, in response Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, the Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son does also in like manner. 20 For the Father has affection for the Son and shows him all the things he himself does, and he will show him works greater than these, so that you may marvel. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead up and makes them alive, so the Son also makes alive whomever he wants to. 22 For the Father judges no one at all, but he has entrusted all the judging to the Son,

(Psalm 37:9-11)  9 For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth. ו [Waw] 10 Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. 11 But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. . .

(Isaiah 35:4-7)  4 Say to those who are anxious at heart: “Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your own God will come with vengeance, God will come with retribution. He will come and save you.”  5 At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.  6 At that time the lame will leap like the deer, And the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert plain.  7 The heat-parched ground will become a reedy pool, And the thirsty ground springs of water. In the lairs where jackals rested, There will be green grass and reeds and papyrus.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(John 5:28, 29) Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

(Matthew 24:12-14) . . .. 13 But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Hebrews 10:35-39) 35 Therefore, do not throw away your boldness, which will be richly rewarded. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. 37 For yet “a very little while,” and “the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.” 38 “But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,” and “if he shrinks back, I have no pleasure in him.” 39 Now we are not the sort who shrink back to destruction, but the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.