Choices…
Deuteronomy 30:19 -20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Isaiah 30:18 (NLT) So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Ezekiel 18:30-32 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
John 7:17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Galatians 5:13, 16-17 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love. . . . So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
“Instead of using ‘I’m human’ as an excuse to walk in the flesh, try using ‘I’m saved’ as a reason to walk in the Spirit.” Martin Lamb
Choices, we all get to make them.
Wahoo! God gave us freewill. Yes, we can do whatever we want—well on the surface at least within the guidelines of the ten commandments. So there is discouragement in regard to dishonoring parents, stealing, committing murder and adultery, and frowned on to covet your neighbor’s belongings or the spouse, and one should rest on the Sabbath or church day celebrated.
But wait! Oh, you’ve chosen, with your free will to not attend church. Is there anything about any of the days that are different to you? Special in any way? Do you take the time to acknowledge God? In any way? Maybe, the beautiful sunrise or sunset, or just the fact that it’s a pleasant day, traffic is flowing smoothly, you have enough to eat, your eyesight is fairly good, and your hearing also works. Well, do you give Him thanks that you are healthy, He has deemed you have another day to enjoy your surroundings, your family?
I see you’ve chosen ‘no.’ Hmm, and as we are speaking, I notice you keep looking at the riding lawnmower your neighbor is using. He does have a big yard, I bet that helps with the chore of mowing. You’re kind of scowling. Oh, I see, you’re wishing that was your mower, that you could be riding that over your lawn. Yes, yes, I understand. That is coveting a material belonging of your neighbor’s. That’s sinful.
I know your father was ill a couple weeks ago. Have you seen him? No, you talked with him on the phone, and he said he was feeling better. Does he need anything? Groceries? Meds picked up? Is he able to now drive? I know he had surgery and was supposed to be restricted for a few weeks. Oh. Oh. You really haven’t been to check on him? Yes, I understand you work, I do. But he lives on the other side of town, maybe fifteen minutes from here . . . I’m sorry. It’s not my business, really, but some of your choices are bound to your eternity.
Oh, really, you think it’s a bunch of made up stuff? Oh, my. . . well, I know in my heart and mind that it is not. Are you up for a challenge? I have some pamphlets that will help as you delve into the bible that will clarify your doubts. There are prophecies by many different prophets made hundreds of years before Jesus was born. God spoke to these men and told them He was sending a Savior, a Messiah. But it will open your eyes and your heart, I think, to do your own research.
Oh, I quite agree—Jesus was a good man, but more important and vital is He was and is God. He chose to come to earth to live as a human with all the temptations, discouragement, struggles, and hurts that we all live with, to demonstrate and show us how to live and love others, to teach us the scriptures from his and his Father’s hearts, so He could die a sacrificial death so that those who ask forgiveness of their sins, can be forgiven and develop a friendship and relationship with Him, and then at physical death, live in eternity with Him. He is not something one should just shrug off. That truly scares me for you and your eternity.
You have two choices; to believe and ask forgiveness and develop a relationship with Jesus or continue thinking your choice is the correct one. It’s a choice, a heart choice. Either way, when our physical beings die, there is an eternity; heaven or hell. But it’s a heart choice, not a flippant choice.
Oh Lord, this has been a fun and important message You have laid on my heart. I pray it brings You glory. Thank You for all Your blessings for me and ‘my bellaviews.’
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