March 24, 2008
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
Every
day we are faced with choices some seem like such small choices but all have an
impact on our lives. In trying to help those new to the faith we let them know
their choices are the difference between freedom and bondage. This is the case
for those fighting drugs, alcohol and situational issues on the outside but it
is also applicable to spiritual issues.
What
an awesome God we serve that I can make choices. In the beginning it is hard to
discern and make the right choices and that is why a good mentor, church or
ministry is vital. Over time, the believer must train himself to YIELD to the
Spirit of God and the Word of God, instead of yielding to his carnal desires and
fickle emotions. This is accomplished by repetitively CHOOSING & REFUSING in
prayer. After the passing of time, the believer's inner man slowly gains the
mastery over his flesh, and it becomes easier and easier to obey God!
So
today I say: I DECIDE what I GIVE IN TO!
I
can just as easily decide to GIVE IN TO the Holy Spirit as I can to GIVE IN TO
my flesh.
I
CHOOSE. I make up my mind. Its not God's choice; it's mine!
I
DECIDE. I SELECT. I CHOOSE.
This
is my right, as I am a free moral agent made in the image of God with freedom to
choose.
My
flesh doesn't rule me.
My
emotions are not in charge here. Jesus is Lord of my life!
My
feelings are not dependable.
I
like it when I feel good without any effort, but sometimes I have to REFUSE to
feel bad and CHOOSE to feel good.
I
don't have to succumb to every impulse or thought that crosses my mind.
I
CHOOSE FOR MYSELF!
I
decide who I am loyal to. I choose whom I love.
I
select which thoughts I wish to entertain.
I
decide what my values will be.
I
choose how I will feel this moment. I select my attitude today.
I
change my attitude and conform it to the Word of God.
I
select how I will respond to the situation.
In
Jesus Name!
What
choices are you going to make today?
Darrel
Mason