Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25 (KJV)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25 (NASB95)

Strong’s Concordance – Heaviness #1674 is defined as anxiety: care, fear, or sorrow, and is derived from #1672 be anxious: be afraid, sorrow, take thought.[1] Heaviness carries with it the idea of an added burden, weighing a man down, making him stoop beneath the load.[2]

Anxiety has no advantages. It ruins health, robs joy, and changes nothing. The Greek word the Bible uses for worry, merimnao, stems from the verb merizo (divide) and nous (mind). Worry clogs the mind, splitting thoughts between today and tomorrow.[3]

Worry causes a swarm of sicknesses: heart trouble, high blood pressure, rheumatism, ulcers, colds, thyroid malfunction, arthritis, migraine headaches, blindness, and a host of stomach disorders. Worry, it seems , hurts our health.[4]

Listen up! Here is the good word to make your heart glad!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2:16

How can this be, that believers have the mind of Christ? We have the mind of Christ because Christ indwells believers. Ephesians 3:16&17a

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 The little word let implies submission clothed in humility. Let leads us to obedience.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

The renewing of the mind is the adjustment (transformation) of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God.[5] It is a process that begins at salvation, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. I Peter 1:23, and continues until we step into glory. The whole of salvation and sanctification are activated by His written Word. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; I Peter 1:13

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. II Corinthians 4:16

The word renewed in this verse is in the passive voice, meaning that the inward man is being acted upon as we search the Scripture and hide God’s Word in our heart.

For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered (died) in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered (died) in the flesh hath ceased (parted ways) from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts (desires) of men, but to the will of God. I Peter 4:1&2

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

...let the word of Christ (Messiah Jesus) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

[1] The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA – Hebrew & Chaldee Dictionary page 29.

[2] Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words – copyright 1984,1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN – Old Testament Words p.101.

[3] & [4]- Election Day: It’s a Time to Trust – Article by Max Lucado

[5] Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words – copyright 1984,1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN p.524.

The choice we all make is this: either we are good enough on our own, through our belief system and morality, to make it to heaven; or we’re not, and we have to cast ourselves on the mercy of God through Christ to get there. Those are the only two systems of religion in the world. One is a religion of human merit; the other recognizes that we find true merit in Christ alone, and it comes to the sinner only by grace. There may be a thousand different religious names and terms, but only two religions really exist. There is the truth of divine accomplishment, which says God has done it all in Christ, and there is the lie of human achievement, which says we have some sort of hand in saving ourselves. One is the religion of grace, the other the religion of works. One offers salvation by faith alone; the other offers salvation by the flesh. (1)

(1) Hard to Believe – copyright 2003 by John MacArthur (Published by Thomas Nelson – Nashville, TN), p.78&79

Jesus speaking:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.

John 10

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Following Salvation:

“When they believed……they were baptized….Acts 8:12

“And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me from being baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Acts 8:36-37

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41

Conclusion: Baptism follows salvation, immediately, if possible.

What If I Refuse To Be Baptized?

Disobeying: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17

Loss of Testimony: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” John 8:31

Loss of Fellowship (with God): “ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14

Bible Answers About Baptism, Abb Thomas – copyright 1972, Chattanooga, TN, Used with permission.

I worship the Living God. He is not an idea, a power, an influence or a product of my imagination. He is the great Three in One, the God of the Bible, the Creator God, who is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three persons who are one in essence. I worship Him and communicate with Him.

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? Proverbs 30:4

Who do you worship and with whom do you communicate?

People in false religions do not worship the true God by another name, as some suggest. They unwittingly worship Satan’s demons. Here is what the Bible says: ”The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God” (I Corinthians 10:20). Even so, a book called ”The Christ of Hinduism” actually exists, and it argues that Hinduism’s symbols and doctrines contain the Christian message. But there is no Christ of Hinduism, nor has the true God any part in Hinduism. Christ is the only true way to the one true God, and Biblical Christianity is the only way to the one true Christ. Misguided people who recognize any other god and engage in any other religion are not worshipping and sacrificing to God, but to demons. I didn’t make this up. This isn’t my theology. This is Christianity 101. [1]

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

[1] Hard to Believe, copyright 2003 John MacArthur (Published by Thomas Nelson – Nashville, TN), page 38.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

...let the word of Christ (Messiah Jesus) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Sitting in church will no more make you a Christian than sitting in a garage will make you a car.

Author Unknown

Suggested reading: Born Again by John MacArthur

Those who rebelled against the Lord in the OT were still religious. They just exhibited an outward form of godliness, without any power over sin.

As a believer in Christ, is there any difference between you and the world? Is there any evidence of internal change?

God doesn’t want a piece of you. God wants your heart. When He has your heart, He has all of you.

…my son, give me thine heart…

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…