REEXAMINE OUR LIVES

Psalm 119:57-64 says, "Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations. I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments. O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees." There are only two ways we can live our lives: we live for God, or we live for ourselves. Some tried to live in between. For example, they go to church, but outside of the church, they do not walk according to God's ways. In God's eyes, there is no such thing as living in between for Him and ourselves. God knows our hearts if we are truly for Him or not. Those who live between God and themselves are called lukewarm in the Bible. Here's what God says about lukewarm people: "But since you are lukewarm—neither hot (walking with God) nor cold (not walking with God), I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:16)." The writer of this Psalm made a serious decision to follow God after he thought through the direction of his life. Even though he was tempted by others to sin, he firmly anchored himself to God's Word.

Every day, we face the challenge of choosing between following God and pursuing our own ways. God understands that we are not perfect people, but he examines the motives of our hearts. God knows if our hearts are for Him or not. Let us pursue God with all of our hearts by walking in His ways according to His Word. When we struggle with temptations or have difficulty saying no to sin, let us continue to ask God to change our hearts and to give us the strength and courage to say no to sin. We need to prioritize reading and applying God's Word in our lives. In addition, we need to hang out only with those who have a heart for God because corrupt and sinful friends can lead us to sin. For example, if we hang out with people who love to gossip, we can be lured into gossiping. But if we hang out with those people who follow God, we will be encouraged to do the same.

Today, let us reexamine the direction of our lives. We need to turn to follow God's ways according to His Word. God blesses us when we follow Him. Let us not give in to sin that easily leads us away from God. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Am I following God according to His Word? What happens if I am living a double life? How should I live my life as a Christian?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please continue to change my heart and renew my mind with your truth in the Bible. Please protect my heart from living a double life. Thank you for encouraging me this morning to reexamine my life and see if I am walking with you or not. And if I am not walking with you today, please help me to get back in walking in your ways. In your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.