Bob Cassell, Messenger
Should we continuously examine our lives to verify where we are, where we are going, and where we need to be in our Christian service? What should we do to have clarity and to evaluate whether what we are doing or will do is within the center of God’s will for our lives?
When we examine ourselves, it is not to see whether our behavior or the fruit of the spirit in our lives warrant assurance of salvation. Personal examination is conducted to determine that assurance rests on the proper foundation of God’s Grace which resides only in THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Our feelings are an unreliable test of our standing before God as we are, by his amazing grace, positioned eternally in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. If anyone is to be sure of Salvation the inquiring gaze must always be directed to Jesus Christ, in whose face we see the impeccable, unchanging Love of God that is fully displayed in Hebrews 12:1,2. Meditate on these verses ever so slowly.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset us, and led us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:1,2.
I stopped here because the next verse leads you to a view that will transform your life and lead you to a steady, upward pathway of Grace, love, production, assurance, and true inner happiness. Slowly digest this verse and allow it to be a permanent part of your spiritual frame of reference. Memorize it and direct your mind to it several times a day. You will not regret spending quality time in allowing this verse to captivate your mind and become a part of the light that will illuminate your pathway. Here is the powerful and transforming verse that is called to your attention in this moment, and that I promise will direct you in the right way for the remainder of your life.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your mind Hebrews 12:3.
What will happen if you bury this verse in your mind for the remainder of your short passing, temporal life? The result will be an occupation and focus on THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. If your focus and attention is fixed on him, it will not be on you, your circumstances, your relationships, or the details of life. Instead of on you it will be on HIM, instead of poor circumstances it will be what is beyond poor circumstances. It will be what is in his hands and what is his plan for your life. Instead of broken or poor relationships it will be focused on reliable, trustworthy, and God appointed relationships. Instead of worry about having or not having the details of life you will realize that he will never leave or forsake you and will not wear out or need replacement.
Instead of revolving your life around what has never sustained anyone, your thoughts and mind will be occupied with a living Savior, who made all things and is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Relationships change or vanish, and we are abundantly blessed when they endure. Too many times our hearts have been broken because of the loss of a loved one, but guess who is still here when someone is lost and will never return? He is still there and will never leave, so why don’t we act like we know he is with us instead of thinking he is far away. He truly is near as he is God in Spirit, and that sweet spirit is omnipresent and not isolated and disconnected. Jesus is seated victoriously at the right hand of God the Father, but please realize he is fully God and has all of the attributes of God such as sovereignty, righteousness, justice, love, eternal life, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, immutability and veracity. Wherever you are he is there, whatever you do not have he has promised you can never have a need he cannot supply. Notice these marvelous attributes and realize… nothing can ever happen to you unless it has his approval on it to work for your highest good and his ultimate glory. Will this God who is all powerful, who sees everything that has ever happened in history or will ever occur in the future become less that he is or has always been. No! He will not.
Nothing will ever catch him off guard or cause him to go back and recalibrate or correct a mistake. He has never made one single mistake because of all the marvelous attributes of what makes God the one and exclusive sovereign God.
If you take the time to memorize Psalm 121, and Hebrews 12:1-3 your attention will be drawn to him rather than to you as you hold on to what you may need to let go of. Perhaps you have the expectation that more assets or furnishings will make you happy. They will not, as they perish with the using. Pleasant circumstances are a rich blessing, but have you noticed they change? What was yesterday is no more today. What will be tomorrow, if you remain, has not occurred. You are where you are and you will remain only by the permission and sustenance of our sovereign God.
It is no accident that you are here on planet earth. You are where you are and you will remain until God determines your departure. What will be your destiny after your departure from planet earth. Will you arrive in Heaven, or will your future be sealed in the torments of hell? One is blissful, the other is full of blackness and torment. Want to see a scripture for each?
Heaven… And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away Revelation 21:4.
Hell… And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20: 14,15.
What is the reward and what is the remedy? Verily I say unto you… here is the reward. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: the remedy… He that believeth on him is not condemned John 3:18, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
You have only one of two ways to go… it is here! 1) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and 2) He that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him.
If you are standing at the crossroads and are looking for directions, please examine this scripture that identifies your position and options.
Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul Jeremiah 6:16.
There is no rest for the wicked until the wicked and unbelieving rest in the LORD JESUS CHRIST
But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt Isaiah 57:20.
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked Isaiah 57: 20-21.
Cast all of your care on him; for he cares for you 1 Peter 5:7.
Whosoever (that’s you) shall call upon the name of the Lord (that’s Jesus) shall be saved (not might be saved but shall be saved) Romans 10:13.
