February 17, 2005 – MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
The choices we make between the beginning and the ending of our lives determine the path we will walk and our final destination. Our choices can either produce blessing or cursing from God. Deuteronomy 11:26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today’ 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn fromt he way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
Our choices must be wise and prudent! The only guarantee of absolute truth and wisdom to make those choices comes from God. Absolute truth does not come from any source but God Himself because He alone is truth and truth originates with God. Isaiah 55:8 “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the lord. 9 “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. John 1:14 the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the father, full of grace and truth.
The word is in us if we invite Christ to indwell us. Everyone is invited to know the truth! We are to blame if we do not know truth because all we have to do is ask God to give us the truth or read the words of God in the Bible. John 8:32 then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Truth did not originate with man, and so if you want truth, you must go to the source. John 1:1 in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 for the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Truth is spiritually known and discerned through a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
There is equality in life regardless of our origins because God gave us free will and free choice that can alter our lives. The choices we make determine our end; therefore, it could be truly said, we are responsible for the outcome of our lives. (I have seen the wealthy squander their riches and a brilliant mind wasted on vanity and emptiness.)
When we make Christ our “choice,” a wealth of hope and blessings awaits us because we can do all things through Christ. As a result, the balance in the things we lost or gained through circumstances of birth can be changed. Christ will even the playing field of life for us. Job 5:8 “But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. 9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. 10 He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. 11 The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. 12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. 13 He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. 14 Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. 15 He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. 16 So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth. Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I was limited by many things in my life, but in Christ I am free to be all that God has ordained for my life. God will use supernatural means, if necessary, to accomplish His plan and purpose for our lives. There are things we simply cannot accomplish in ourselves; we are limited in many ways. But God is not limited in any way. There are no obstacles that God cannot remove. He can open doors we could never open on our own. Through His indwelling Holy Spirit, we are taught divine wisdom and He gives us His word in season for the day at hand. We are complete in Him in a way that education, birth, and natural blessings cannot attain. John 16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. John 14:26 but the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
God’s blessings are not derived from origin, color, nationality, or natural birthright. God’s blessings cannot be bought or earned. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Many of the blessings or curses in our lives are derived from our “choices.” Proverbs 14:12 there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Galatians 6:8 The one who sows (CHOOSES) to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Reaping is the written law of God. The law of God cannot be violated with impunity. Our sinful choices can be forgiven, but the law of “reaping” cannot be broken and we will reap the consequences of bad choices.
Prayer changes things! The bible says we have not received because we have not asked. James 4:2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. If we lack anything that pertains to life and Godliness, it is our own fault. The law of God tells us the key to receiving things from God is prayer. ~Prayer and the Golden Rule Matthew 7: 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
There are no grounds to blame God for anything. If we lack, it is because we have either failed to ask God or we have not kept God’s commandments and are walking in sin. A holy God will not and cannot bless sin. He loves sinners, but hates sin. We can become our own worst enemy through sinning against God. All sin is against God!
Perhaps God has removed something or someone from our lives, and we think it is unjust. Remember that God is never unjust and he works all things together for good for those that love Him. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Consider these truths: God knows all things and He knows what is best. He has a good reason and a good purpose for everything. There are things we do not understand, but we can know that God is love and utterly trustworthy. If we harbor unforgiveness towards others or God, that unforgiveness will work evil in our own lives. If we sow evil, we will reap that evil.
Our lives are geared toward eternity. This truth applies to everyone and the key is in our choices. Matthew 12:35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Attitudes are a very important part of receiving blessing or curses upon our lives. Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:27 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. In attitudes and choices, the law of reaping what you sow reigns supreme.
Choices! We will all choose whether we want to live now on earth for God and his kingdom or live to build our own kingdom. We will reap according to our choice: Christ and His kingdom or eternal separation from God. There are no second chances. We are currently sowing life or death. Psalms 84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. If you want blessings in your life, all you have to do is pray and choose to live for God now and for eternity through Jesus Christ.
Do not show contempt for the blessings and riches of God. Contempt is a very dangerous choice! Often we see someone who seems blessed when in fact their life is evil. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God loves us. Never show contempt for God’s goodness because He is wise and has a purpose for everything. God lets the rain fall upon the just and the unjust and He often leads a sinner to repentance through His love and goodness. Another way we can treat His goodness with contempt is thinking that we deserve God’s blessings. It is through God’s unmerited favor that we are saved and blessed. When we boast about ourselves because of abilities or possessions which are given to us by God, we are showing contempt for his goodness, riches, and blessings.
The one who created us knows what is best for us; therefore, we should allow God to help us make our choices. When we choose the “will” of God and not our own will, miracles happen! Our burdens become light and our future bright through Christ. 1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Do you realize that “choice” has the power to separate us from all that is blessed and good? There are many people in life that have a “poor me” or “pity me” attitude. They say such things as, “I didn’t get an even break in life; my parents didn’t love me, I have a physical impairment, I was born on the wrong side of the tracks, I wasn’t given opportunities,” etc. That type of thinking is so self-centered that it is incapable of recognizing blessings. These are all excuses for not “choosing” to overcome adversity and fight a good fight and live victoriously. There are some people who would rather feel the sickness of self-pity within them, than God’s gifts of achievement that would win eternal approval. A person’s life is totally crippled when they live in self-pity. You can choose to be happy and make the most out of each day. You can choose to be one of God’s children with a vast inheritance from your heavenly Father; He gives gifts and opportunities and gives you favor that no earthly person can give you. God can make a path for you where there is no path. Jeremiah 42:3 Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
As I finish typing this lesson, I feel the Spirit of God within me speaking to someone that will read this lesson by divine invitation.
“COME, I BID YOU COME UNTO ME. I WILL CARRY YOUR BURDENS AND WASH AWAY YOUR SINS. I WILL MAKE YOU A NEW CREATION IN ME. I HAVE MUCH TO GIVE YOU, IF YOU WILL ONLY YIELD UNTO ME AND LOVE ME AND LIVE ACCORDING TO MY WORDS. I DESIRE TO USE YOU IN MY KINGDOM AND SO I WILL GIFT YOU WITH THE NECESSARY SPIRITUAL TOOLS TO DO MY WORK. AS I SPOKE TO LAZARUS, I ALSO SPEAK TO YOU: John 11: 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” I AM SPEAKING TO YOU MY CHILD OF COMING OUT OF SPIRITUAL DEATH INTO SPIRITUAL LIFE AND ABUNDANCE. COME FORTH AND I WILL CHANGE YOUR DARKNESS INTO LIGHT.”
