Freedom

I woke up feeling grateful for living in a free country, having the freedom to make choices. I just pray my choices are righteous ones that lead to pleasing my Savior and Lord.

 

It is good to be free, not chained in bondage; Sometimes gaining freedom takes action:

 

F-reedom to make a choice - one not leading to bad consequences 

R-eaching out to the One true God.

E-xpeling evil fleshly thoughts

E-ntering into thankful praise for my Lord

 

The scriptures tell about being free and having freedom: 

 

“For freedom Christ has set us free’ stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

 

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord, the Lord answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:6

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 

 

 

The Big Picture

Every day I have options. I have choices.I have aughts and aught nots. Need I say more! 

I may not see the big picture, but my help comes from God. I just have to follow what James 4:7 says, "Submit therefore to God." In doing so, I look for the rewards and the possibilities- the positives!

Make The Chili

 

Make the Chili

     Have you ever lived with a controller or one who is fun one minute and hateful the next?  People can change, but do they choose to do so?  We may love someone but not like their deeds and actions.  They can cause us to be up one minute and down another.  When we are involved with those who fail to make changes, and we are unable to live with their choices, it then becomes our choice to stay around or walk away.  In either case it is up to us to make ourselves happy, not depending on someone else to do it for us.  We need to make our own “Chili.”

C hill out

H ave self-love

I mage the best you can be

L ive life/ Love self

I mbark on self-improvement fun

 

Chose Who You Will Serve

     When I think about who I want to walk beside every day, the One who comes to mind is Jesus.  That is who the disciples also decided they wanted to walk with and to have a relationship with.  When Jesus says, "Follow me," we all have to make a choice, just as the disciples did. 
     The disciples chose to follow Him.  They chose to accept Him as their Master.  They chose to have faith in Him.  They chose to love Him.  Yet, when I read about Peter, he also chose to deny Jesus.  Judas chose to betray Jesus.  The difference between Peter and Judas was that Peter  chose to ask for forgiveness, and received peace. 
     What were their rewards for following Jesus?  They saw Jesus "hush the wind and calm the sea." They saw Him heal the lame and the blind.  They watched as He cast out demons.  They saw Him raise the dead.  They saw Him carry His own cross.  They saw Him mocked and scorned.  They saw Him carry His own cross to a death in which He died for them and for all mankind.  They knew His love. 
     What are my rewards?   I have a Savior who hears my every request.  I have salvation through His grace.  I have forgiveness when I fail Him, if I choose to ask.  I have His love and His peace which "surpasses all understanding." 

God's Will

     I never claim to be a good writer, but I enjoy the challenge to present some helpful thought that will make someone's day and help bring them closer to God.   My thoughts and writings are often a spin-off from something I have seen, heard, or read. 
     Today, the writer of the daily devotional I read shared two thoughts that will help me and I am passing them on.  I plan to consider them often and tuck them into memory so they can sink deeply into my heart. 
     I have often wondered, "How do you truly know God's will in everything?"   Number one is to seek God's Word daily in order to get insight into His will.  But here are two thoughts the author of In Touch shared which will help make daily choices easier:

"1.  Will Christ be glorified in this choice?
  2.  Can I do this in Jesus' name?"

To quote the author further, "If the answer is no, then don't follow that path."


    

20 Days To Thanksgiving

     During my count down to Thanksgiving, I am so thankful that I have the privilege to live in American where I have the freedom to make choices, realizing that my choices effect and shape my life.  I am so very thankful I have the freedom to pray and worship God, and that I have chosen to accept Jesus into my heart. 
     In considering choices, I found a few quotes from others that correctly expresses my thoughts.

"Your life is a result of choices you made.  If you don't like your life, it's time to start making better choices."

"We make our choices, then our choices make us."

"May your choices reflect your hope, not your fears."

"Life is defined by the choices you make, so make the right ones."

"I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday."

     Then here's a prayer I found which further expresses my thoughts.

"Dear Lord,
     Lead me to make choices that bring your glory and allow me to experience the life you intended me to live."

Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to share the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve: Whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."