“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” James 4:17
Category: Choosing (Page 3 of 12)
Sometimes, when we try to do good and help others, people will take advantage of our kindness and abuse our love. As a result, we can become disappointed and discouraged; we can feel knocked down and ridiculed, and start questioning our efforts. Don’t. When this happens, shake the dust from your feet and move forward. Many appreciate and need your efforts. The best “Good” we can do is to represent and share Christ’s message through our words, example, and efforts, so that others may see Christ in us and want to know how they can obtain the peace and confidence of eternal salvation we have found through following Christ and keeping His commandments.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
- Colossians 1:27
- Hebrews 11:1
- James 5:20
- Matthew 10:14
- Matthew 5:16
- 1 Timothy 4:12
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
God First!
When good hearts and minds succumb to lies and deceit, guilt arises, and it weighs heavily on the heart and mind. Choosing to hide truths rather than addressing them honestly places unnecessary burdens on us. Burdens of sin that allow Satan to set up residence and dwell in our minds. For example, if we lie or deceive someone (like a spouse), we carry that unresolved lie in our hearts daily. Rather than confess, we may tell ourselves more lies, like:
- • No real harm done
- • It’s better if they don’t know.
- • Why hurt them with the truth?
However, in doing so, we seal that burden of guilt within our hearts, we entrap our minds and souls with the lie. God knows the deception we carry, and if we cover up rather than confess to our loved ones, asking their forgiveness as well as God’s, we may carry that burden to our death and, maybe, add to our deceit by telling multiple lies over many years in our attempt to keep it hidden. I hope no one carries such a burden, but know some do. We may fear our loved ones’ response, but do we really think living with the lie or lies is better? Is our relationship with our loved ones and God all it can be when we carry these lies in our hearts and minds? Do we not know we will be held accountable by God?
Our cover-up gives Satan permanent residence in our minds, and as just stated
It’s not hidden from God!
God knows the truth and has always told us to speak it. God hates lies!
When we fess up, confess, ask forgiveness, and repent, we simultaneously kick Satan to the curb, kicking him out of that permanent dwelling we’ve furnished him in our mind.
Don’t let Satan settle in; save yourself with honesty, pray, tell the truth, face the consequences, and stop Satan from building a mansion in your mind as one lie leads to two, then three, then four, and many more. No matter how difficult it is, tell the truth that God may purify, heal, and forgive. Don’t carry the weight of those lies, sins, and burdens into judgment; they squelch the joy in this life and endanger the soul.
- John 8:34 – slave to sin
- James 5:16 – confess.
- Matthew 12:43-45 unclean spirits
- Philippians 4:8-9 rethink
- Romans 1:28-32
- John 8:32 – truth
- Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconcile
God First!
Have you noticed? The Bible contradicts a lot of popular opinion. Many people become offended when someone or something contradicts their understanding or belief, while others find it challenging. There are so many misunderstandings and false teachings about what God’s Word says on various topics; however, in God’s infinite wisdom, He gave us His Word and freedom of choice. We can hear and study God’s Word independently to see if what we are told is true, or we can accept, believe, and practice what others tell us is true, but I ask: How smart is that?
The Bible is God’s Word, and it should be our foundation for discernment.
- The Bible spans thousands of years and has many different contributors.
- It does so without contradiction.
- The prophecies and science we find in Scripture are now known facts.
The Bible was written over about 1,500 years by approximately 40 authors from widely different backgrounds, cultures, and languages, yet it maintains a cohesive story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation. It’s hard to explain all this unity apart from divine inspiration.
Of course, it does take an open mind to replace what we’ve been told with what we will discover through an intuitive investigation. With our freedom of choice comes accountability for our actions or lack thereof.
Rather than choosing to be offended, why not choose to accept the challenge and pursue the truth? We can search and trust God’s Word, or we can accept man’s ideas; the choice is ours, but one we will be held accountable for.
- “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21
John 17:17
Psalm 119:160
Proverbs 30:5
Deuteronomy 30:19
Joshua 24:15
Galatians 6:7
2 Timothy 2:15
Acts 17:11
Job 26:7
Isaiah 40:22
Hebrews 11:3
God First!
Occasionally, we can become disheartened and discouraged when things happen that are out of our control. Satan jumps on these opportunities to tempt us; he wants us to throw our hands up in the air, give up, stop trying, sulk, become apathetic, go back to old ways, or try unexplored ways of living like the world. Satan wants us to believe his LIE that a life with little or no time for God is a life of fun, satisfaction, and prosperity, and we deserve it.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
Satan wants us to believe God does not mean what He says. That somehow, there is a way around being held accountable, there is some explanation we can give, and Jesus will say, “Oh, in that case, come on into heaven, ” but that is not what we find in Scripture; we find God tells and gives us example after example that there are serious consequences for not doing things God’s way. By choosing to do things our way, we exclude God; yet by choosing God’s way, we can have a joy-filled life that ultimately rewards us with eternal life with God.
God wants us to lean on Him, cast our burdens on Him, and trust in Him, His Word, and His promises of eternal life. He wants us to stay the course laid out for us in His Holy Word. After all, it is written for our benefit—NO REWRITING TO OUR DESIRES.
God gave us the freedom to choose; follow Christ or the world.
Sometimes we do trudge through difficult times, but if we are “In Christ,” we don’t have to do so alone; through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided a way for each of those in Christ to approach His throne through humble prayer, asking for His help in Jesus name, and He will hear our prayers.
By staying God’s course, we become a light to those around us: Family, friends, children, grandchildren, and even strangers. So, when we feel disheartened or discouraged, and those temptations try to settle in, recognize who they are from, push them aside, and pray. Remember, you are loved, and you set an example to someone who loves you! Our choices will determine our souls’ eternity, and our example may have a deep impact on the choices of those we love, family, friends, and children.
- 1st Peter 5:7-8
- Psalm 55:22
- James 5:14–16
- John 14:15
- John 3:16
- James 4:10
God First!
God gave us boundaries like a fence to protect us; when we push through them, we become victims.
- “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Don’t become a victim. learn and adopt God’s ways from His Word, put your faith in Jesus, keep His commandments, and trust in God, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17
- Philippians 3:14
- Psalm 46:1
- Psalm 91:1–2
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3
- 1 John 5:18
- Matthew 6:25-26. 25
- Matthew 6:32-33. 32
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-25
God First!
God’s Standards are fixed. By what standard do we define good and evil, right and wrong? We live in a society where the majority of people adopt whatever standard is proclaimed at the moment. It’s a variable floating standard with no foundation, a foundation of sand that is ever shifting.
God’s standards are God-breathed, absolute, and unchanging. His Word tells us how we obtain eternal life in Heaven with our creator, the creator of everything we know and understand. His Word gives us the pathway to eternity with the Father, the Son, & The Holy Spirit by following Jesus and keeping His commandments.
“And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:7-12
Righteous understanding and discernment are found in God’s Word—the only true and absolute standard. IT’S GOD’S STANDARD
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Isaiah 40:8
- Hebrews 13:8
- Psalm 119:160
- Judges 21:25
- Malachi 3:6
God First!
I want to highly recommend my “Life Coach.” We were introduced when I was young. Unfortunately, I moved far away and lost touch with Him for a very long time. Those years were chock-full of unnecessary hurt and struggle that my life coach would’ve helped me avoid had I not chosen to move so far away.
A few years ago, I reconnected with my “life coach,” and He has worked side by side with me ever since, helping me avoid many potentially harmful choices. He also sits with me, listens to me, reassures me, and holds my hand as I navigate through both enticing and difficult times. He has provided me comfort that surpasses any understanding. He is not only my life coach but my most reliable friend.
I highly recommend my “Life Coach,” His name: “Jesus.” He’s not the kind of coach you pay for; in fact, He loves all people so much that He actually gave His life through a horrible death for all of us, so we could choose to follow His lead and be with Him forever. He conquered death, raised by God, that we might have hope for eternal life in heaven. Jesus lives today! He is the King of all Kings; God’s only son who was with God from the beginning. The arms of Jesus are outstretched to anyone who chooses to “put on” Christ and follow Him. We find how to “put on” Christ through God-breathed scripture, the Bible, which is, as someone coined it, our…
Basic
Instruction
Before
Leaving
Earth
Jesus is the Ultimate Life Coach!
- (John 1:1-5) from the beginning
- (2 Timothy 3:16) God-breathed
- (Galatians 3:27) put on Christ
- (Romans 6:1-23) United in Christ
God First!
I rediscovered a journal I began writing when my mom passed away in 1995. The spelling, punctuation, and handwriting were atrocious. (No spelling or grammar check software back then). I don’t recall journaling any of my life up to this point; however, I do believe that, from this point, writing has helped me considerably to trudge through some very tough times, both then and since. I also noticed I did a terrible job of maintaining this journal; it had a few long logs followed by several sporadic entries that spanned many years, ending with the last one recorded on July 5, 2002.
One of the things I found most interesting in reading my own words was how much I had grown, not as a writer but as a person. I found I had analyzed situations, feelings, and my perception of others’ feelings toward me. I saw my failures in some instances, but most notably, I noticed that letting go of myself was what allowed me to grow and change for the better.
At some point, I started suggesting to others that they write down their thoughts and then read and reread those thoughts, especially during difficult times. I strongly believe that reading and rereading our thoughts is every bit as important as writing the initial ones.
It’s been over two decades since my last entry in that journal. Currently, I write and share many thoughts on social media and on my website, AdvocateforChrist.com, hoping that others may gain from my life experiences, avoid similar mistakes, and pursue my greatest success: putting God first in my life.
In reading the historical entries from that old journal and since then, I’m continuously intrigued by how much bigger the painting of our lives really is, much more than we see in the moment it’s being painted. We live amid God’s artwork, and I’m so thankful to God for each minor brushstroke of His masterpiece that led me to recognize the importance of living a God-centered life.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
God First!
“Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” This verse from Luke 9:62 really stands out to me; Why? Because I spent and regret several years of my life with skewed priorities.
I spent years doing what I wanted, seeking fun, money, adventure, and things. Attempting to find and express my worth to self and others through what scripture refers to as “worldly means.”
During this part of life, I sought wisdom in my own eyes. Self-indulgent, manipulating wisdom. As a result, I spent years treating our Creator as if He only mattered when nothing else did, and one big issue here is, I knew better!
I already had a good understanding of the life God gives us through scripture, “The Good Life.” I was already aware that much of what I was doing went against God’s will for us. As a result, I lived those years apart from God, not truly realizing the huge negative impact I was having on others.
If I were to look back and pine for those old times or long for that old lifestyle, it would indicate that my love for Christ is neither hot nor cold but rather lukewarm. In doing so, I would NOT be looking toward Jesus, and, as Scripture puts it, the path I plow would become crooked. How, then, would I be fit for the Kingdom of heaven?
I would essentially be longing for a time when I was” apart from God.” I never want to long for those days again; life is so much better with Jesus as my shepherd who leads me beside quiet waters that guide me towards peace within.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6
Jesus Tells Us:
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. “Revelation 3:16-17
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” Hebrews 10:26
- Proverbs 3:7 (wise in our eyes)
- Isaiah 59:2 (separation)
- Hebrews 6:4-12 (Crucify Him again)
The best life is a God First life!
God First
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