Heart Choices
This Saturday’s reflection came about without intention…
I was actually looking for something else concerning the wonderful affirmation in Psalm 91, about “dwelling-in” the secret place of the Most High God; abiding under the shadow of God really caught my attention.
I wanted to know if what I understood about dwelling under God’s shadow was what He meant about living in the secret place of security—that is obviously in His shadow.
After reading Ps. 91:1, I ran reference to the book of Jude. To say the least…it was an eye opener! Now we all know that our God doesn’t play games, is not deceptive and encourages us to receive the whole counsel of God!
I understand that we must dwell in," (remain for a time, standing strong in, take up residence in), His place of safety; to trust and shadow Him…with thanksgiving… Dwelling doesn’t mean to just visit with Him every now and then, nor vacation with, or come only on Sunday mornings! The flip side of —not dwelling stunned me for a second! WOW! I delved into what the opposite side of the same reality…would look like!
Here’s the truth I found—it needs no deep, prophetic interpretation or intuitive explanation. It says what it says, and we must (with urgency), hear what the Holy Spirit says.
Although God declared that His judgment begins first with His body of believers, the world of non-believers, are in no way exempt from God’s declaration of truth or judgement. After all, the earth His, the fullness and those who dwell in it!!
The bible gives us warnings about our choices. This reference include choosing the way of Cain. You know the story—Cain slew his brother Abel, because his own deeds were evil!
What is the WAY of Cain?
For one…the way of Cain, is to worship God with impure motives.
Cain brought his offering to the Lord, but he didn't bring it in faith. No matter how great your gift may be, if your heart is wrong, then it will mean nothing. The way of Cain is also to have a heart and life that is filled with jealousy, envy, and hatred.
There always will be someone who is better looking, more successful or more intelligent than you. So will you go through life frustrated and filled with jealousy and envy? Or, are you going to acknowledge that everything you have is a gift from God anyway, and that you are going to thank Him for it, and not destroy your entire life through envy and jealousy?
For another, the way of Cain is to lie to God about what you have done. There is only one way to deal with sin, and that is to tell the truth because God knows anyway. You don’t think God knew what Cain was about to do? He warned him, but Cain did what he thought he should do, and sin pounced on him, consumed him, and mastered him just as God said it would.
Remember the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt? I want to remind you that although the Lord delivered them out of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those of them…who refused to adhere to, trust in and rely upon Him.
Another instance: Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent towns which likewise, gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in unnatural vice and sensual perversity; there was also laid out consequences, as an exhibit of punishment.
In like manner, if individuals who have received a call from God to be His spokesperson, also corrupt the body, or they scorn and reject God’s authority and government, revile and scoff at God’s chosen ones, by sneering at things they are not acquainted with or do not understand, there will also be consequences.
For those who run riotously in the way of Cain, boastful, arrogant, and flattering people for the sake of gain, boldly carousing with each other, without any scruples; they are called spineless murderers who complain about their lot in life, while killing someone else’s, going after their own desires, controlled by their passions…the scriptures speaks of great trouble, sorrow and distress.
They are called clouds without water, useless as dried-up springs, trees without any fruit, wandering stars…for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved for them forever.
Remember, that in the last days there will be scoffers—those who seek to gratify their own ungodly passion. It is these agitators, carnal, worldly-minded people who cause distractions, who are devoid of the Holy Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life!
Some of you might ask, “am I being punked?”, or “what’s the real scoop?”…or some of you ask, “is this real?” YES! It was taken verbatim from the scriptural text. (Jude 1). God didn’t change His methods or standards…we did!!
Today, don't walk in the way of Cain. Cain could have chosen to spend time with God, to dwell with Him and live within a trust environment, even though his time was limited. Abel could have easily chosen to ignore God even though he had ample time.
It was the heart choices that these men made within their livelihoods that ultimately mattered to God. Even though we are busy making a living, paying bills, and raising households, we should never lose time to communicate with God, for God is our ultimate provider.
Instead, walk in the way of Abel—Abel’s Way?
"by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it, he being dead still speaks."
Abel’s way…leads to “The Blessing” for you and your childrens children—to a thousand generations