The Way of Life and The Way of Death

"Furthermore, tell the people, 'This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life.'"
Jer. 21:8-9

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matt. 10:24-26

Jeremiah had think that God was out of His mind - surrender the Babylonians and live? that must have seems like an oxy-moron. but we know the whole picture. we know that nehemiah and esther had their roles fulfilled after this fall of Jerusalem. we know that the Israelites were taken care of, all their needs met and they were given supplies, workers and livestock for the re-building of the Temple. God didn't leave or forsake them. He simply allowed them to be disciplined for their stubbornness and then restored to their homeland. they had an option to choose life or death.

and nearly a thousand years later Jesus offers the same message. choose Me and live abuntantly, choose your own way and live in eternal damnation. again God has given us a choice. He has set up a way for us to be united with Him without fear and shame. He has given us Jesus in exchange for our condemnation. we have a way to enter into eternal life thru a relationship with Jesus Christ = the One who loves us so much that He gave His life as randsom for ours. He laid down His life - it's time that we do the same for Him.

Jesus,
it is an honor to be in a relationship with You. i praise You for openning a way for me to access You. because of what You've done on the cross i have hope for the future. You've promised an eternal friendship - to always be near. thanks for the love You've poured over my life. i want to bless You for it.
in Jesus Name ~ Amen!

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*Ruth *Juanita *Roxanne