Main verse: Isaiah 40:27-41:10

Good morning!

            When I first started washing my clothes, I inadvertently washed a red shirt with my whites in hot water; when the wash was done, my whites came out a light pink. So, I had to rewash the whites in hot water with bleach to remove the pink coloring. I learned a lesson that day about the importance of washing clothes and setting the correct water temperature. Just as a washing machine has three water temperatures, so it is with our walk with the Lord. During Israel’s exile to Babylon, the false prophets prophesied, “The Lord will come in and rescue us from the evil Babylonians” (Jeremiah 29:6-9). Exile is/was not the end of the matter anymore than the whites remaining pink unless you put them in the dryer or, “make your final choice” (Verse). So, the Lord presented Israel with two pathways one to life and the other to death.

            The Lord Jesus always has plans for our lives the problem is, we are responsible for the choice we make. The Lord wants to bless, encourage, and uplift us right where we are (Romans 5:8). Without a doubt, sin is pleasurable and requires little or no thought. The problem is, just like my whites, you must choose which path you will follow and which consequences you are willing to accept. If you follow the narrow way, you might lose connections with friends and family members might not have the nicest things to say about you and you will be excluded from gatherings. If you choose the wide path, life will go merrily onward but be aware, you may gain the entire world, but you will lose your soul (Matthew 16:26). My encouragement for you today is, stop and consider Jesus’ offer and what he has in mind for your life. “Life presents many choices; the choices we make determine our future” (Catherine Pulsifer).

I.H.S.

MK