Scripture Text: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

You can tell a great deal about your outward appearance by just taking a look in the mirror. In fact, your physical appearance very often sets the stage for what happens for you the rest of the day. Without trying to be clever, it's actually pretty easy to see "how you feel" by examining the way you have dressed and combed your hair this morning. Conversely, the way you got dressed and combed your hair is a reflection of "how you feel".

All of that was about the physical, and "is" by the way a very important part of your spiritual make-up. If you're tired and run down; feeling as though you're in a rut, your spirit will reflect that in all that you do today.

You know, many people leave their churches and "look for" another voice, another fire that challenges them. What's dangerous about that is that many of the voices that are "charismatic" (not meaning Pentecostal - but other church leaders and their "ways" having charisma), are not necessarily "spirit-filled". Many of them are mimics of the "real thing" and they have a performance of the fire of God, but they deny the power thereof. Paul says this about those churches - "...from such turn away". (ref.,2 Timothy 3:5-7)

In order to truly "know" God, we need to have an intimate fellowship with Him. In this day and age, it is increasingly more difficult to do so since on every hand there are those who produce elaborate programming to be aired on National Television Networks which, while they come short of denouncing the existence of God; they present enough "scientific" information (statistics), designed to appeal to the intellect and cause you to "draw your own conclusion" (casting doubt) as to His existence. These same networks work in concert with other networks to infiltrate sitcoms and "FEATURED PRIME-TIME" drama - to strengthen that "doubt appeal"; to keep it on your mind and heart in hopes that you will become one of their enlightened, and make that claim that there IS NO GOD!

Right now there is on the internet a "shock campaign" driving mostly youth to come to u-tube.com and denounce the existence of God and to deny the Holy Spirit. They have at last count boasted in a matter of days over 850 who have done just that. Their next gig is to do a major recycling campaign - a paper drive if you will . . . and the target is your child's Bible - maybe even your Bible. This is something that is in the eyes of those youth is "cutting-edge" and bold . . . many have even called it "enlightening".

Our text for today says:

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

What about this Word from the Lord:

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13 (KJV)

Joshua when leading the children of Israel to the promised land put it this way:

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

It is the will of God that each of us should "choose faith" in every situation in our daily walk with God. Is it good to balance our choices by weighing out the pros and cons of what is the "best" choice in every situation in life? Yes, it is always the best policy - for life is a journey and challenging to say the least.

Many of those who make the "big" decisions of life apply the knowledge of History and are not surprised with the outcome because History is a building block that is a sure foundation for the construction of life's best. Likewise, a life that it is walking in the will of God need not be apprehensive about applying the Word of God to life situations either; for upon looking at the ways of the world (pleasurable only for a season), and the ways of Christ (joy unspeakable and full of glory), one will naturally choose Christ! Not merely because we see the flaws of the Amorites (ways of the world), but because in searching our hearts and the Word of God, we find that THERE IS NO BETTER WAY!

You see, faith in God is so bountiful in reason and righteousness that we can safely be assured that in choosing God, the answer to whatever problems we face are already determined as good for us, if we only believe. (Ref., Mark 9:23, Hebrews 11:6)

So stop for a moment today - several times today and everyday, and

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

In other words ... ask yourself the question, am I solid in the faith? You need firsthand evidence here, you're only fooling yourself if you answer falsely. If you fail the test, do something about it. (remember 1 John 1:9)

Father: Cast your light upon me and reveal to me how to live for you in such a way that I can begin to know and do what your will is for me. I know I can trust you to lead me, for you have promised you never leave me nor forsake me, but that you will be my helper in all things this day. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.