Post by Pam on Aug 28, 2010 15:52:16 GMT -5
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THE MAZE OF LIFE
Have you ever tried to do a maze puzzle? It’s one of those puzzles where you go in one end, and try to find the way out. You go way, only to find a dead end, so you try another, sometimes backtracking in an effort find the correct route. There’s only one way through the maze and you have to try every option available.
Well, here you are, in this “maze” of life seeking the source of true contentment and happiness. You’ve already tried other routes, all of which ended with disappointment and a dead end. “Another route,” you say to yourself, “I’ll try another way!” The way of material things - “If I can only buy that new car, dress, suit, boat, etc., then I’ll be satisfied.” And so you did, but only to find another dead end and disappointment. Other routes? Yes, you’ve tried them all; the route of new job, new town, new friends, new hobby, new entertainment, new this, and new that. You even went so far as to try the route of “church” or “religion”, but that didn’t work either. The maze of life; there’s only one route or path through it that leads to contentment and happiness. Want to know what it is, the solution to the maze? OK, here it is.
Restlessness is the root cause of not being content and happy, and people are restless because they are not at peace with themselves nor with God. When people are at peace with God, they’ll be at peace with themselves, and with one another. Then they will have the contentment and happiness that eludes them. So, then, if you want to have true contentment and happiness, you have to have peace with God. Here’s why.
All of us are/were born with a sinful nature that we inherited from Adam and Eve (Ge. 3; Ro. 5:12), and because of that sin nature we commit the acts of sin (Ro. 3:23; Ga. 3:22; Ro. 3:10-12). Our sins have separated us from God (Is. 59:2). The only remedy for this situation is to be found in the Cross work of Jesus Christ. Like the maze, there is only one way, and Jesus Christ is it: “Jesus saith ..., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (Jn. 14:6) Jesus Christ, who is God the Son (Jn. 20:28), paid our sin debt when He shed His blood and died on the Cross of Calvary (I Pe. 2:24; I Jn. 3:5; I Pe. 1:19). The punishment that we deserved was laid on Him, our sin-substitute. This very same Jesus, having died on our behalf, was bodily raised by the power of God three days later for our justification (Ro. 4:25; I Co. 15:4; I Pe. 1:3), and today as you read these lines, He is in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf (He. 10:12; 7:25). Jesus Christ has done all that He could possibly do for us - now it’s up to each individual to accept or reject Him. To reject Him means eternal damnation in hell. To receive Him means not only the forgiveness of sin and eternity in Heaven with Him, but also the peace, contentment, and happiness that so many look for but never find. Salvation is a free gift, but to have it you must repent of your sin, seek God’s forgiveness, and by faith alone in the Cross-work of Jesus Christ receive Him as personal Saviour. Will you do that right now? See yourself as a lost sinner, pray and ask God to forgive you, and for Jesus Christ to come into your heart and save you. He’s never rejected anyone (Jn. 6:37), and those who do believe on Him are assured of their salvation, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I Jn. 5:13) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Jn. 14:6) Then seek out a good Bible believing and Bible preaching church. Attend it regularly that you might be spiritually fed from God’s Word to help you grow spiritually strong.
- Richard A. Ciarrocca
[/shadow][/glow]THE MAZE OF LIFE
Have you ever tried to do a maze puzzle? It’s one of those puzzles where you go in one end, and try to find the way out. You go way, only to find a dead end, so you try another, sometimes backtracking in an effort find the correct route. There’s only one way through the maze and you have to try every option available.
Well, here you are, in this “maze” of life seeking the source of true contentment and happiness. You’ve already tried other routes, all of which ended with disappointment and a dead end. “Another route,” you say to yourself, “I’ll try another way!” The way of material things - “If I can only buy that new car, dress, suit, boat, etc., then I’ll be satisfied.” And so you did, but only to find another dead end and disappointment. Other routes? Yes, you’ve tried them all; the route of new job, new town, new friends, new hobby, new entertainment, new this, and new that. You even went so far as to try the route of “church” or “religion”, but that didn’t work either. The maze of life; there’s only one route or path through it that leads to contentment and happiness. Want to know what it is, the solution to the maze? OK, here it is.
Restlessness is the root cause of not being content and happy, and people are restless because they are not at peace with themselves nor with God. When people are at peace with God, they’ll be at peace with themselves, and with one another. Then they will have the contentment and happiness that eludes them. So, then, if you want to have true contentment and happiness, you have to have peace with God. Here’s why.
All of us are/were born with a sinful nature that we inherited from Adam and Eve (Ge. 3; Ro. 5:12), and because of that sin nature we commit the acts of sin (Ro. 3:23; Ga. 3:22; Ro. 3:10-12). Our sins have separated us from God (Is. 59:2). The only remedy for this situation is to be found in the Cross work of Jesus Christ. Like the maze, there is only one way, and Jesus Christ is it: “Jesus saith ..., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (Jn. 14:6) Jesus Christ, who is God the Son (Jn. 20:28), paid our sin debt when He shed His blood and died on the Cross of Calvary (I Pe. 2:24; I Jn. 3:5; I Pe. 1:19). The punishment that we deserved was laid on Him, our sin-substitute. This very same Jesus, having died on our behalf, was bodily raised by the power of God three days later for our justification (Ro. 4:25; I Co. 15:4; I Pe. 1:3), and today as you read these lines, He is in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf (He. 10:12; 7:25). Jesus Christ has done all that He could possibly do for us - now it’s up to each individual to accept or reject Him. To reject Him means eternal damnation in hell. To receive Him means not only the forgiveness of sin and eternity in Heaven with Him, but also the peace, contentment, and happiness that so many look for but never find. Salvation is a free gift, but to have it you must repent of your sin, seek God’s forgiveness, and by faith alone in the Cross-work of Jesus Christ receive Him as personal Saviour. Will you do that right now? See yourself as a lost sinner, pray and ask God to forgive you, and for Jesus Christ to come into your heart and save you. He’s never rejected anyone (Jn. 6:37), and those who do believe on Him are assured of their salvation, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I Jn. 5:13) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Jn. 14:6) Then seek out a good Bible believing and Bible preaching church. Attend it regularly that you might be spiritually fed from God’s Word to help you grow spiritually strong.
- Richard A. Ciarrocca
[/shadow](Always Say A Prayer)...