TGIF!!! The path we all must take...

The path of life from the time we are born and until the time we die--is a very interesting quest that we all will walk regardless of race, creed, color or culture.  Throughout life we will learn many lessons from the places, people, and things that we encounter along the way that help influence that path(s) we choose to take, whether positive or negative.  Moreover, the path(s) we choose for better or for worst are usually correlated to how we think, feel, or act in our everyday life.  Futhermore, the path(s) we choose may cause conflict between those who care for us such as our family and friends--especially when those path(s) oppose how we were brought up or taught.  Essentially, everyone around us may not agree with how we choose to live our lives.  And in some case their disagreement may be rightfully so but, as individuals we are entitled to make our own choices and decisions. Nonetheless, for better or for worst the path(s) we choose and there consequences are reflections of one another.  So, one must careful of the path(s) he or she walks upon!

In the life of a God fearing person regardless of what monotheistic religion one studies or practices.  The duty of every believer of Almighty God is to walk a path of righteousness that is morally upright in accordance to God's law and commandments.  Moreover when one lives a life that adhears to the moral principles of God their life is fullfilled in accordance to God's promise.  However, when we choose not to adhear to God's moral principles, we ultimately choose a life of pain and suffering.  


Now, one might say but "we'll go through pain or suffering whether we choose to live upright or not." True indeed we all do!  But for those who choose to live the life of righteousness--the pain and suffering that life tends to bring will be less detrimental.  Less detrimental from the stand point that God will always deliever and restore us with His grace, mercy and peace.  In which our lives then become, true proof that God loves those who truly believe in Him.  This is why we sing songs like "I've Got a Testimony" and "Helen's Testimony aka Praying Grandmother," because they are the living proof that God indeed does deliever us from our pain and suffering.

Choosing to walk a righteous path may cause you to seem peculiar in the eye's of some but do understand that this comes with the territory.  When we look at those whom have lived a life based on high moral standards throughout history--they all have been seen as strange or odd in some type of way and the world opposed them vehemently in every aspect of their walk.  But they kept on going; living a life of high moral principle(s) inspite of the pain and suffering they endured.  This was reflective in the eyes and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he gave his last speech in Memphis, TN, "I've been to the Mountaintop."  In doing God's Will, we need not worry because although everyone in your life may not understand or support the path you walk, do know that God does!  Your journey is not for man to understand for it is between you and God! Keep on rising to the top! God's gotcha!

The little choices we must make
Will chart the course of life we take;
We either choose the path of light,
Or wander off in darkest night. —D. De Haan

Scriptural and Literary Support:


What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. -Deuteronomy 4:7-9 (NIV).  And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness. -Deuteronomy 6:25 (NIV)


The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. -1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV)


The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. -2 Samuel 22:25 (NIV)


What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless? -Job 22:3 (NIV).  I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. -Job 27:6 (NIV)


For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. -Psalm 1:6 (NIV). The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. -Psalm 23 (NIV).  Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! -Psalm 32:11 (NIV).  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. -Psalm 33: 5 (NIV) .  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; -Psalm 34:15 (NIV).  The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. -Psalm 34:17 (NIV).  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; -Psalm 34:19 (NIV).  The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. -Psalm 145:17 (NIV).  The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. -Psalm 146:8 (NIV)


Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. -Proverbs 2:20 (NIV). Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. -Proverbs 10:2 (NIV). The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked...Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. -Proverbs 10:3,6 (NIV). The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. -Proverbs 10: 29-30 (NIV). Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. -Proverbs 11:4,6,8 (NIV)


So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him. All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. -Ecclesiastes  9;1-3 (NIV)


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. -Matthew 5:6 (NIV). Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:10 (NIV). This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous -Matthew 13:49 (NIV)


For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. -Romans 1:17,32 (NIV). This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, -Romans 3:22-23 (NIV). "because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." -Romans 8:7 (21KJV)


Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. -James 4:4 (21KJV)


For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." -1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)


And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide. -Holy Qur'an 2:25


Indeed there have been examples before you; therefore travel in the earth and see what was the end of the rejecters. This is a clear statement for men, and a guidance and an admonition to those who guard (against evil). And be not infirm, and be not grieving, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers. -Holy Qur'an (3:137-139). But as to those who are careful of (their duty to) their Lord, they shall have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding in them; an entertainment from their Lord, and that which is with Allah is best for the righteous. -Holy Qur'an (3:198)

"And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path". Holy Qur'an 6:153


And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment. -Holy Qur'an 42:26


And when Isa (Jesus) came with clear arguments he said: I have come to you indeed with wisdom, and that I may make clear to you part of what you differ in; so be careful of (your duty to) Allah and obey me: -Holy Qur'an 43:63