Choices

I was quite stirred this morning in my devotions, and thought I'd include it in my blog today.
My Daily Bread Devotional today was titled "One Small Choice". It talked about the impact of one small bad choice on a young mans entire life.
It really struck me while reading this that our lives are made up of a series of minute-by-minute choices. Everything from when we're young: "Who will I play with?" "What will I play?" "Will I be obedient to my parents?"....to young adult choice..."Will I go to college?" "What will I study?" "What are my goals?"...maybe even "Will I choose to drink, or do drugs?"
Of course there is the biggest choice we will ever make-it is the most important, and it will determine where we spend eternity. (we will spend it somewhere!) The choice I'm talking about, is accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If you haven't made that decision, or aren't sure...click here to find out!
But the choices that I keep meditating on today, are the ones that we make after we have gotten saved. The ones you make once you know the Truth and you're reading your Bible and know it's principles.
Everyday these choices stare me in the face. Will I obey God-or will I obey me? Now, you may think I am exaggerating the importance of these choices...but am I?
In Joshua 24:15 it says..."choose you this day whom ye will serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Here is an example in God's Word that tells us that this is an important choice.
What kind of choices am I talking about? How about..."Am I using my words the right way...to encourage...or am I harsh?" Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
"Do I choose to submit to my husband?" Or do I do what I want? Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."
"Do I choose to be thankful?" "Or do I complain?" Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;"
"Do I take the resposibility of my children's spiritual training?" Or, do I push it off on the church? Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." and Deuteronomy 6:7 "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. "
"Do I go about my job of being wife and mother cheerfully?" Or not? Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings"
All of our choices affect others. They have a ripple effect. And, our children are watching us as their example~even more reason to make the right choices!
But mostly, I don't want to grieve Christ. I want Him to be pleased with my growth in Him, and with the choices that I make.
I am so glad that Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
I do not have to do this in my own puny strength! Christ will provide the strength.

I choose Christ!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me the cross before me;

The world behind me the cross before me;

The world behind me the cross before me;

No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow

Though none go with me, still I will follow

Though none go with me, still I will follow

No turning back, no turning back.

You can never go wrong with that choice! It's always the right one.