Weekly Devotional

I want to share an excerpt from a book I’ve read:

"A famous tombstone on the East Coast of the United States features this clever little poem:

Pause, stranger, as you pass me by;

as you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, so you will be;

so prepare for death and follow me.

A visitor to the cemetery read the words on the tombstone and used chalk to add these words:

To follow you, I'm not content

until I know which way you went." - Pastor Skip Heitzig

It's essential to reflect on the direction you are heading in life, particularly in alignment with spiritual beliefs and values. Understanding whether you are on the right path can help avoid adverse outcomes, much like a character in a cautionary tale. Evaluating one's alignment with the teachings of Jesus Christ, as outlined in Matthew 7:13-14 and John 14:6, can guide individuals toward a fulfilling destination and ultimately to heaven

As we navigate these critical times, it's crucial to ground ourselves in faith. Current events around the world echo the warnings found in 2 Timothy 3:1-9, which describes the challenges of the last days. It highlights various negative traits present in society, including selfishness, materialism, and disobedience. 

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was also.”

Those who embody these characteristics pose a risk to themselves and others, highlighting the importance of discernment in our personal lives and subsequent relationships.

In this context, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 serves as a guiding light. The Scriptures provide invaluable wisdom, as noted in Psalms 12:6, where the words of the Lord are described as pure and refined. Proverbs 30:5 emphasizes the reliability of every word from God, likening it to a protective shield for those who seek refuge in Him. Furthermore, Jesus emphasizes the significance of truth in John 17:17-19, advocating for sanctification through the study of Scripture.

Immersing oneself in biblical teachings can uncover insights that illuminate life's path, as indicated in 1 Peter 2:21. Given the significant challenges we face, addressing issues head-on is vital; neglecting to confront deeper problems can lead to persistent negative outcomes, similar to uprooting a weed without addressing its roots.

As you move forward, prioritize truth as your greatest ally. Approach your spiritual journey with boldness in standing for and sharing truth, as it holds transformative power. God calls for worship in spirit and truth, as stated in John 4:23-24. Embracing a genuine path toward spiritual fulfillment through Christ.

“Jesus said to him, ' I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6

The short story above is from Pastor Skip Heitzig's book "You Can Understand the Book of Revelation: Exploring Its Mystery and Message."

Have a blessed week.

Pastor Anthony