What's Your Opinion?

Horatius Bonar, "Man: His Religion and His World", 1851 ~ "This thinking for one’s self independently of God and His revelation is not merely an evil, but a sin. Nay, it is a sin of more than common darkness – it is so audacious, so contemptuous towards God. It places man on a level with God or at least sets Divine truth and human opinion on the same footing. It strips the former of all innate authority, while it gives to the latter an authority to which it has no claim!... There can be no authority save that which is infallible and Divine, that is, God speaking to us directly in His Word."

We must be so very, very careful not to mishandle God's Word to suit our own wants and desires. While many of us would not dream of adding to or taking away from God's Word, picking and choosing verses out of context is just as wrong. We must study and obey the "whole counsel" of God - not just what makes us happy.

2 Peter 1:20 ~ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Backslidding Heifer

Yesterday, Dan spoke in Jr. Church to the kids about the "backsliding heifer". As I listened, I was reminded that we don't have to go "all the way back" to the sin(s) we were saved out of in order to be in a backslid condition. 

"Backsliding" is simply the cessation of going/moving forward. Anytime we think "we have arrived" -- we are backsliding. We can never "stop" in our Christian walk; it's a continuous journey forward to be conformed to His image.

Proverbs 14:14  The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Jeremiah 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

Jeremiah 3:11  And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

His Plans

It is said, "You are either heading into a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of a trial." Even though you may be blindsided, even though you may not be able to see a way through, even though you may be bruised, battle-weary and war-torn ~ God is still God. He has a plan. He has NOT forgotten you; he thinks about each of us. There is an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.