The Choice is Yours

Have you ever thanked God for the ability to think and make choices? Many daily choices seem routine. But there was a time we had thought about them and made a choice.

From the beginning, God gave humans a choice, and from Genesis to Revelation, His will is made clear. However, the choice is ours: (1) Will we believe His word, and (2) will we obey His word?  

Psalm Chapter One is a favorite. Six powerful little verses contrast the righteous with the wicked. People in our day tend to downplay the meaning of wicked, but God’s word is eternal.

What do the righteous DO? They delight in the law of the Lord and choose to keep it in mind day and night. The Psalm calls this meditation.

What do the righteous NOT DO? By focusing on God’s word, they don’t: (1) walk in wicked or ungodly counsel, (2) follow the way of sinners, nor (3) sit with mockers.

In our modern day, we need to apply this to our entertainment and social media choices. But mockery doesn’t have to be outright ridicule of God. We can also mock by simply brushing Him off with our choices and actions as if He doesn’t matter.

How’s this for contrast? Psalm One says the righteous are blessed, but not so the wicked. The righteous are rooted and bear fruit, but the wicked are blown away like chaff (Psalm 1: 1-3, 4-5).  

Have you heard of the broad way and the narrow way? Jesus said there’s a broad way that leads to destruction. It’s full of people who want big and easy.

On the other hand, there’s a narrow gate and a narrow way that leads to life, but compared to the broad way, only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

There’s an old joke that says, ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” But the reality is that choices matter.

The choice is yours. God’s way or your way? The broad way or the narrow way?

It takes more effort to stay on a narrow path, but with eternal values in view, it’s worth the effort!

Pixabay: Decision, Choice, Path; Waldryana.

  

You Can Hold A Miracle

Some of you do this every day. I started doing it at about age ten, following a summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) whose theme was God’s Word, A Treasure.

I googled “amazing facts about the Bible,” and here’s what I read: (1) 66 distinct books, (2) 40 authors, (3) written across 1500 years, (4) three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, (5) still the world’s best-seller, and (6) the first book off Gutenberg’s printing press.

Church history shows three major councils, or meetings of church leaders, whose purpose was to determine which early writings were inspired. I first heard of this in a Christian University.

In more modern times, the Dead Sea Scrolls, mostly fragments, found between 1947 and 1956, have verified scripture.

The Bible is a library of books. Old Testament Books are listed on some charts as The Law, History, Wisdom, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets. New Testament books include The Gospels, Paul’s Letters to the Churches, Paul’s Letters to Friends, and General Letters.

I’m always interested in Jesus’ use of scripture. At the beginning of His ministry, after He was baptized in the Jordan, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).

Three times the devil tempted Him, and three times He quoted scriptures from Deuteronomy to refute the temptation. We have both the Old and New Testaments, and can quote from them when needed, if we have them in our hearts as Jesus did.

How can we learn the Bible? It requires more than Sunday services, small group studies, or TV and social media. We must study God’s word daily.

I enjoy my *Life Application Study Bible, NIV (LASB, New International Version). I have other versions, but I ordered this as a hardcover, large-print edition, easy to read.

It has footnotes, book introductions, charts, maps, a concordance, and more. It’s heavy, but I consider it worth its weight in gold.

What’s so important about the Bible?

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Thank God for His gift to us, a miracle we can hold in our hands and hide in our hearts.                       

*You can find Life Application Study Bibles (LASB) wherever books are sold; however, I usually check christianbooks.com (the largest online Christian bookseller). The Life Application Study Bible, NIV (LASB, New International Version) is published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, and Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, IL.

Pixabay: Read, Book, Blank Book; Tilixia-Summer.

Wanted: Personal Peace

I need cataract surgery this year. I met the surgeon and his assistant, and I was told to call her with any questions.

After calling her two days in a row and leaving the required details, there was no reply. After my third try, I decided to let it go. I read their information packet, listed my questions, and made the required appointments with my primary care, EKG, and labs.

Friday night, I shared my anxiety with my local Goddaughter.  Even positive reports from those who had experienced it did nothing to calm my fears.

After we watched a DVD, I talked about surgery again. She said, “You’re worrying and not trusting God.” The next thing I knew, she was praying, asking God to calm my fears and give me peace.

God answered that prayer in three different ways:

(1)    Later that night, she sent a scripture. It was *Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in you.

(2)    The next morning, I opened my Bible, and a colorful scripture card fell face up. John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

 (3)    Sunday, I listened to a favorite TV Bible teacher. His text was Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing . . . present your requests to God. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  

I received a call from the head of the surgery center a few days later. She was very pleasant and answered all my questions. I started to feel better about this up close and personal eye surgery! But God, in His love, had one more message of peace!

In a weekly study, the verse for the week was Psalm 56:3-4: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God whose word I praise . . . I will not be afraid . . .    

I finally got the message! “Lord, I trust Your word, and I trust in You!” I don’t have surgery dates yet, but it doesn’t matter. I now have God's peace.

*All scriptures are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB, Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Pixabay: Woman, Girl, Freedom Image; JillWellington.

Be Wise, Not Foolish

I don’t know anyone who wants to be considered a fool. Even the least among us wants to be known for something positive.

Paul advises Christians about spiritual life. We are not to live “as unwise,” but “wise,” redeeming the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).  Being alert and aiming to do good would be one way to redeem evil days.  

He also advised us not to be foolish, but to understand the Lord’s will (Ephesians 5:17). There are many places in the Bible where we are told how God wants us to live; however, when in doubt, we can ask, and God will answer (James 1:5).  

We get a few practical guidelines in Ephesians 5:18-20. We’re not to get drunk, lose our good sense, and act rashly or recklessly. Instead, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, who will help us do good and positive things, pleasing to God.

With psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we can sing to the Lord and/or encourage each other. And we must always remember to give thanks to God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is seated at the Father’s right hand, always ready to make intercession for us (Romans 8:34).

At the beginning of Creation, there was only darkness. The first thing God did was bring in light (Genesis 1:3-4). Jesus said people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19-20).  

He also declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Why be foolish and stumble away from God in the darkness, when He has offered light so we can clearly see how to live in His presence?

The result of living to please yourself will be destruction. The result of living to please the Spirit will be eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8).

Will you be foolish or wise? You don’t have to be a genius to know the difference, and the choice is yours!

Pixabay: signpost, waypoint, sign; succo.

 

What Faith Does

Faith makes life possible in both natural and spiritual ways. For example, by faith we pursue education or training, believing it will help us get a job.

By faith, I pursued a relationship with the man I would marry, believing him to be trustworthy. He proposed, I accepted, and he proved true in fifty-two years of marriage.

Faith is a basic requirement. By faith, we believe God exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

People of faith are steady, not flighty. They’re focused on fulfilling a desire or goal. We’ll look at examples in the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11).

Faith can help us do three things: 1) Persevere, 2) Endure, and 3) Never Give Up.

Perhaps because I’ve lived in the Southwest desert, I admire Noah and his three sons for building a huge ark in a barren land. There was no water in sight, and rain was unheard of (Genesis 6:5-9:29). What an example of perseverance (Hebrews 11:7).

Mankind was so wicked, God was sorry He had created them. Yet, Noah was recorded as a blameless and righteous man who walked with God (Genesis 6:5-9). He was a misfit!

When you’re swimming against the current of wickedness, continue to persevere. God sees you, too. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous . . . (Psalm 34:15).

From childhood to old age, Moses is an example of endurance. His life was full of challenge and change (Hebrews 11:23-29). He wrote the first five books of the Bible, so we learn about his life there.

David was the man who never gave up. As a young shepherd, he was anointed to be King (1 Samuel 16). It was years before this happened, and often he was running for his life. As king, he had an affair with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and even had Uriah murdered (2 Samuel 11-12).

But when God sent the Prophet Nathan to confront David about his sin, he humbled himself and asked God for forgiveness. Read his prayer in Psalm 51.

By faith, choose to persevere, endure, and never give up. That kind of faith will be rewarded on Judgement Day when we will be judged for our deeds (Revelation 20:11-15).

Pixabay:

How To Help Your Faith Grow

Growth is an important part of our lives, both natural and spiritual. Healthy things grow and are a source of joy. Just ask any dedicated gardener.

God has given to each person a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Jesus said even faith the size of a mustard seed is important (Luke 17:5-6).

Jude 20 tells us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, the basis of our spiritual life. But how? Let’s look at three possible ways:

ONE:  Know and Believe God’s Word:  God’s word is forever settled in heaven, and His faithfulness endures to all generations (Psalm 119:89-90).

We must hear the Word (Romans 10:17). It’s wonderful to get to attend church or hear God’s word taught over the airwaves, but we must also get into God’s word on our own (Psalm 119:105, 130, 133).

Knowing God’s word helps us to obey His will. That’s how we show our love for and our faith in Him (John 14:15).

TWO:  Be Encouraged by Testimonies of God’s Goodness:  Not only is God an ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1), but faith in God brings about marvelous accomplishments. Be encouraged as you read testimonies in God’s “Hall of Faith,” Hebrews Chapter Eleven.

Testimonies are just personal stories of how God has worked in someone’s life. As we share, we build up one another’s faith and provide comfort where needed (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Even the great Apostle Paul was encouraged by reports of the steadfast faith of believers in the places He had ministered (1 Thessalonians 3:6-8).

THREE:  Review How God Has Worked in Your Life:  First of all, be thankful for your salvation (John 3:16-19). What a marvelous gift. We don’t have to work for it; however, after we are saved, the good works we do are to bring glory to Him, not us (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Personally, I’m thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the One who leads us into all truth (John 14:16-17, 16:13-15).

I also thank God for every good thing He has brought into my life over the years. I don’t believe in luck, fate, good karma, or horoscopes. Scripture says every good and perfect gift comes from God our Father above (James 1:16-17).

Read your Bible and mark verses that speak to you. We’re not cookie-cutter Christians. God works with us individually. How awesome is that!

Pixabay: Soil, Seed, Seedling image: Plnatbest.

How To Know True Love

I’d say most people think of love as an emotion. February 14^th is Valentine’s Day in the USA. Restaurants, chocolate shops, florists, and card shops do great sales in honor of the day.

These things are enjoyable, but not long-lasting. True love means taking action toward the best for someone other than ourselves, not one day a year, but every day!

True love is important. True things are genuine, not false. They can be trusted. True friends, for example, are faithful and loyal at all times. So-called “fair-weather friends” tend to fade away when challenges arise.

Colossians 3:12-17 lists some characteristics of love. It’s encouraging to know that Christians have Christ to help them live with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

To “forgive as the Lord forgave you” (verse 13) clearly leaves no room for resentment or vindictiveness. If you want peace, forgiveness is one way to get it (verse 13-15).

I love reading my Bible. No matter how many times I re-read scripture, it always seems fresh and new. This week, that was Romans 12:9-18 as I considered “what is true love?”

It begins by saying love must be sincere (verse 9). That matches the description of true love above (in paragraph four). Living in harmony with one another (verse 16) leaves no room for pride, conceit, or a haughty spirit (verse 16).

As much as possible on our part, we are to live at peace with everyone (verse 18). Isn’t it nice to know we are not held responsible for rough times if others choose not to respond to our efforts of forgiveness or reconciliation?

Please read First Corinthians 13:4-8 for yourself. It’s a classic section on love that begins with love IS and continues with what love IS NOT. The conclusion is that “(true) love never fails” (verse 8).

This kind of love is what makes marriages last for decades and childhood friendships endure into adulthood.

Please, enjoy the emotions of love, but look for the actions of true love if you want something that lasts.

Pixabay: Hearts, Red Hearts, Background; MissMilly.