RENEW

Jesus is more profoundly in love with us than we could possibly ever imagine. And he knows that a false, self-centered way of living keeps us from true life. To be free from the self that is addicted to the question: What’s in it for me? is to be truly alive and free. It is to enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus taught a way or path to his followers. He called people to follow him in a way of living. He was very much about life before death. He spoke about alternative paths—the wide path and the narrow path. He talked about seeking and entering the kingdom or reign of God.

The Hebrew word hoy (woe) is used in the Old Testament to express sorrow and grief in the context of lamenting a death. “Woe” is a wailing of sadness.

But a pronouncement of woe was also used to predict impending disaster.

The Old Testament prophets often uttered the word “Woe” as a part of their prophecy against a nation. It was designed to shake people up, to make changes.

It’s worth noting that Jesus expressed sadness over the end of those who follow their own ways. That’s why he warns us about the impending disaster if we continue down that path.

Guilt is important in motivating us to repent; but if left to fester, it can also be a deadly spiritual poison.

If it’s not properly dealt with, it can lead to depression, hopelessness, and self-pity. It can destroy your faith! When you are overcome with guilt, it is difficult to fully enjoy life the way God intended.

Guilt should be like an alarm bell in our minds, attempting to awaken us to the reality that we need to repent of sin (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).

Self-esteem and self-worth are probably not something we actively think about, but these sentiments and attitudes are on display in our lives every day. Our self-esteem and self-worth impact how we relate to the people in our lives. For any follower of Jesus your self-esteem and self-worth has to be rooted in your God-given identity. It lies in knowing and embracing who God says you are.

Can you say that you have in your life a living hope, a certain hope, that you’re not going to give in to despair because of what God has done for you in Jesus Christ? Do you live with the hope of your own resurrection? This life is not all there is.

When we have the written word inside of us the Spirit of God will make use of it. The Holy Spirit will prompt you with it; so, in every situation you can feel confident that you’ve got a compass for heading down the right path.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet”. Read scripture so you can know what is right, so you can know what the best decision might be, so you can know how to take the next step.

"Your word is a light to my path". Read scripture so that you can know which path in life God wants you to take, what the next path might be that God wants you to take.

Whats most important is to live for Christ, preach the gospel and deepen your relationship with God.

There is within us a capacity for vision that is beyond our natural eyesight. We must learn to see things as God sees them, not from a shallow, human viewpoint but rather from a divine viewpoint.