Chronicles

Choices


Looking at everyday life, everyone in this world makes choices.
Whether it be dinner, going to work, helping out a neighbor. Bad or
good, we all make choices every day. I sometimes think about the
choices I make, and have made, and wonder why I make them. Sometimes I
make some stupid decisions, other choices are very good. I make a
choice every time I open my big mouth. For me, that can be dangerous.
You know that the choices we make are examples of who we serve. Paul
said in Romans 6:16 :

16 Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your
master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to
obey God and receive his approval.

We, as humans and sinners all have served many masters other than our
Lord. For me, it was money, lust, work and even myself. What makes it
even worse, is that sometimes I catch myself doing that today, even
after I accepted Christ. What is cool is that I know I can come before
the Lord and ask for forgiveness for my self-reliance and ask Him to
keep my eyes focused on Him. During this time of trial for my family
and I, the Lord has shown us that He alone can take care of us. This
has been difficult for me, personally, seeing as how I always think I
can do it myself. That is a bad choice. I need to know that I can lean
on Him and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, all of the time.
I found comfort about this in Matthew 11:28-29:

28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry
heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let
me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest
for your souls."

Think about this when it comes time to make a choice and you feel like
it is too much to bear. God will take your burden and He will speak to
you and put your mind at ease, so that you will make the right
decision. Remember we did not choose God, God chose us. Jesus said:

16 "You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and
produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you
whatever you ask for, using my name."

Isn't that a good word for us to adhere by. We are God's creation. He
created us, now we must choose to follow Him. Remember, too, that the
choices we make today can effect someone's eternity.

I also just wanted to let everyone know that I, and my family, are
tremendously grateful for everyone's prayers and generous words of
encouragement. God has really shown Himself during this time and He
has done it through all of you as well as blessing us through His
Word. I can not begin to tell you all everything He has done for us
and blessed us with over the last year. We love you all and thank God
for you. Take care and God bless.



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JR