“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Prison is an incubator of Confusion with a capital “C” and all kinds of evil. But so is the free world; the free world is merely able to hide their evil deeds better because of space. Whether it be in prison (a little captured city of evil) or whether it be in the free world, a person must make a choice as to whom or what they will serve and give allegiance to. The answer is very plain for the Born Again man.

There are many Scriptures that tell a saved man what he must do. (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Colossians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 10:3-5; Romans 6:1-23; 12:1-2; Ephesians 4 – 5 – 6; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-2; etc.) The saved man must surrender to God; submit to His Word; obey His Word; and endure in that obedience. Child of God, I write this to you, knowing you know this already, but it will help you to remember and help me to remember. We need to encourage ourselves in the Lord, as David did at Ziklag.

Really, many children of God are so self-righteous; they see others’ faults, or what they consider to be faults, while they hide and harbor their own short comings. But, the final word is – we must follow the Word of God (Romans 14:21), regardless of others, their views, and their attitudes.

What we must do is consider our ways (Haggai 1:2-7). We must consider the effect, or the results, of our actions. The most important thing is to always honor God. We must live for God.

Sometimes a clear path is not so clear when it is so easy to justify another way. And the truth is, it is according to what city you live in; the rules are different in Babylon than in Israel. But God’s Word is never changed by our location. The Word of God has instructions and principles for every city or location in which we live. We must stay focused on Christ and His Purpose for us in every situation.

Living the Christian life is not easy on the flesh; but it is precious to the spirit, the inner man. The reward is great now; and oh, what it shall be in eternity, as we abide forever in the Presence of the Lamb of God, our Savior. We must never lose sight of the fact that we are to be in love with our Savior, more than doctrine. Doctrine is important, but to those who have tasted Christ, He is precious. Our relationship is with a Person, even God Himself. Yes, it is a mystery, but yet a truth, that the child of God experiences.

May we love Him more and more every day! May we commune with Him without ceasing. He is our Hope; He alone is our Salvation; He alone is God.

When we begin our journey in death, nothing will matter but being accompanied by our Savior as He administers the Peace of God in that transfer from earthly to heavenly. May we be as Stephen was, looking Jesus face to face in that hour of our death.

May we vow at this very moment to make Christ first in everything. Let us pray without ceasing for His ever-abiding Presence; for the flood of His Love in our spirit; for the Power of the Spirit; and for the Peace of God every second of every day.

May we always pray, “God, please help us to always please You and endeavor to walk in Your Love, obeying Your Commandments, in Jesus’ name. Amen”