Tag:

Choices

What I Learned From The Chosen: God Loves Us Enough To Protect Us

by Corine Channell March 4, 2023

written by Corine Channell

I remember when my friend heavily suggested that I watch a new TV series called The Chosen. I think it took me a good solid year before I took her up on it, and actually watched it WITH her. Well, from the opening scene to my watching it now – 3 seasons later and on repeat – I have cried. I learn something new every time…and I’ve learned God loves us enough to protect us.

MARY MAGDELENE

The Chosen is about the life of Jesus and His disciples – brought to life in a way that has rocked me to my core. Recently I started watching it again, from the beginning. (emphasis on the word again) AND I found something NEW for myself.

You see Mary Magdalene desperately struggling to survive her demonic torment and abuse, so she is sitting drinking in a pub. All of a sudden a hand rests on top of hers, which is holding a drink – and you hear those words – “That’s not for you.” And because I saw this episode before, I already knew it was Jesus’ hand. But THIS time, those words seemed directed at ME. My heart felt it. NOT condemnation – only love, like that of a loving father giving some much needed guidance to his wayward daughter. Mary had a destiny to fulfill and she could not move forward until she let go of what was NOT for her, or what was NOT to go WITH her.

LET IT GO

I think we all know what is NOT for us – things we are fixed on that perhaps are detrimental to our health, whether that is physical or mental. I know mine, and when I heard those 4 words it wasn’t with shame, but more with relief. It felt like a road map I could follow – every time I struggle or question I can apply it straight to myself – is THIS for me?

If you have been a parent you know that it’s not meant in anger when you at times have to remind your kids with the SAME words, “That’s not for you.” Perhaps whatever THAT is, is not age appropriate – or they could choke on it – or it could hurt them in some way. This reminded me of my young grandkids asking their dad why they couldn’t watch a scary movie about a certain scary clown. He said, “Because it’s not for kids.” (ummm, it is not for adults either. Just sayin.’ Not THIS adult. I hate clowns.) So a loving parent steers them away for their own good.THIS is what I believe Jesus does with us – and how many times are we simply NOT listening or even paying attention. God loves us enough to protect us.

LET YOUR YES BE YES AND YOUR NO BE NO

It has taken me way too long to listen for His still small, loving voice. I guess I interpreted His concern or nod to me as disapproval instead of the rich love that indeed it was. He never comes at us from a place of condemnation, but He DOES say to “go and sin no more”. “Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.” Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 11:10-12)

“Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need before we say a word
You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.” (“Good,Good Father” by Chris Tomlin)

He wants to gently lead us like a Father with His children or a shepherd with his sheep, but He still gives us free will to choose. At the end of the day the choices we make are our own.
It is as easy as a yes or a no, but many times THAT choice is the hardest because it calls for change or sacrifice, or simply – obedience.

I want to heed His guidance every single time I sense that Fatherly nod my way, that says – “that’s not for you”, realizing it is said out of love for MY well being. “But let your Yes be Yes, and your No be No.” (John 5:37).

_____________

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March 4, 2023 0 comments

What Path Will You Choose?

by Nina Keegan February 13, 2022

written by Nina Keegan

This is such an important story and I love how the Bible is so relevant today…

The vision of the prophet Nahum
The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

Nahum 1:1-5
2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
and vents his wrath against his enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither
and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.

This passage is concerning the state of the world at the time ..The world had lost boundaries and rules for living an established by God life… But men and women regularly flaunt these regulations, hiding their interactions or overpowering others and declaring that “might makes right”!

God calls this sin, He calls it willful disobedience and rebellion against His control or empathy. At times it certainly does seem as though the violators succeed.. it’s like no fouls are being called and individual dictators, and an evil agenda rule. The truth is, however, that ultimately justice will be served in our world… God ultimately will settle all accounts!

Nineveh was a city in Assyria which was the most powerful nation on earth at the time. They were very proud in their self-sufficiency and haughty in their military might. They plundered, they oppressed and slaughtered their victims. But it was only 100 years earlier that Jonah had preached in the great city of Nineveh and the people received God’s messages and turned from their evil ways… But then, generations later, evil was again reigning and the prophet Nahum pronounced judgment on this wicked nation…

In the Word, Nineveh is called a city of murder, a city of cruelty, and the Assyrians are judged for their pride, Idolatry, murders, lies, treachery and social injustices .He predicted that this proud and powerful nation would be utterly destroyed because of its sins and because of their turning away from God and the end most assuredly came within 50 years.

In this declaration ..God is judging a sinful world. The message is clear, disobedience, rebellion and injustice will not prevail but will be punished severely by a righteous and holy God who rules over all the earth. I love that as you read the book of Nahum you sense God’s wrath as he avenges sin and brings about justice.

There is ultimately a turn around and they decide to live under God’s guidance and within his rules, commands and secure guidelines for life.

God would ultimately judge the city of Nineveh for it’s Idolatry, arrogance, and oppression although Assyria was the leading military power in the world, God completely destroys this” invincible” nation
.. it’s important to understand that God allows no person or power to scoff at or mock his authority!

Anyone who remains arrogant and resists God’s authority will ultimately face his anger. No ruler or nation will ever get away with rejecting God. No individual will ever be able to hide from God’s judgment…those who keep trusting God and seek his will first in all things will be kept safe forever.

Remember it is God alone that can truly rescue us from any fears and oppressions ..We must place our confidence and trust in him because he alone rules all of history, all of the earth,and all of the world .
Ultimately it will be His will that will be done.

God will not allow sin to go unchecked forever. When people wonder why God doesn’t punish evil immediately, we must all remember that if he did, none of us would be here. We can all be thankful that God gives people time to turn to him that he is merciful and a just God!

Nahum 1:1-7 , 13, and 15,

7 The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He’s close to those who trust him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.

13 Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression.

15 Look, a messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again .

No person on earth can safely defy God the Almighty Creator of the entire universe.. to the people who refuse to believe, God’s punishment is like an angry fire. To those who love him, his mercy is a refuge, supplying all their needs without diminishing his supply… The relationship we have with God is up to us. What path will you choose?

________

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February 13, 2022 0 comments

Faith

Being Sold Out To Jesus!

by Corine Channell February 13, 2022

written by Corine Channell

I have some daily struggles. Geez, that is an understatement! Really? Don’t we all, in some way, shape, or form? I keep hoping some of them particularly will just go away. The fighting against them is the daily struggle.

I DIE DAILY

Today I was reminded of three words from the Bible – words that bother me – “I die daily.” (l Corinthians 15:31) Talk about a struggle – the apostle Paul summed it as feeling like a death he faced every day. Yikes.

First of all, did Paul mean literal death? Paul also talked about the resurrection a lot so it seems dying and resurrection go hand in hand, which is kind of an oxymoron. Life and death together, hand in hand?

“If anyone would come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). The same thought is right here from Jesus Himself, that if we follow Him we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. The CROSS was/is a symbol of death/ a torture tool used by the Romans, and has always represented death. Wait. So Jesus said to follow Him, I need to carry a cross? I need to die to follow Him? Help me Jesus. Then, is my life a daily death? Who or what am I dying to? What exactly is the cross I have to bear to follow Jesus? And can I do it? It sounds hard. Oh wait. It IS hard.

DYING TO SELF

Could Jesus have meant our struggles with life in general would require some self dying on our part? Like, our choices, things we have to give up, things we must walk away from, all the things. We would need to die to ourselves…to die to our rights…to die to our choices…to die to sin…to die to our desires. Ugh.

THIS is the struggle every day. But die I must.

I always just hoped the struggles would get easier, or I would find closure, or finally be strong enough to totally overcome. And maybe all that DOES come to pass, but first I must die, in order to live. Read that again – we must die, in order to live. Really, this daily death is simply me being sold out to Jesus and NOT giving in to all the things that pull me away from Him. So because this hurts, can feel like losses, will break my heart even, yes – it feels like a death.

LIFE FROM DEATH

THIS – (wow) -” “You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world” (Colossians 2:20) Choosing to carry our cross (whatever each of our crosses looks like…); choosing to follow Jesus (whatever each of our walks looks like…), we WILL find life and freedom as we pass from death to life every single day. Jesus was our example to follow – “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) We endure the cross for the JOY that comes after! BAM! NOW I get it.

Dying daily is a choice. And as we choose Jesus, we get the sweet reward – we get JESUS.

“On and on, on and on
You carry me
You are there, You are there
Even in my wandering
When I fall, when I fall
Oh, let it be at the cross.” (“I Am Undone” by Kim Walker)

________

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February 13, 2022 0 comments

Faith

The Battle Of Choice

by Jamie Lyn Wallnau August 31, 2021

written by Jamie Lyn Wallnau

It’s always our choice when we get heartbreaking news of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, in Afghanistan and even friends and loved ones here in the United States to either stand in faith for God’s victory or to agree with the fear the media is pushing along the way. I feel it is my civic duty as a citizen of heaven to remind each of us to not fear.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

This is when I believe more than ever we are tested in His good and written word. Will we agree and believe in what He is saying above or will we crumble to the cry of fear on the streets? I am convinced more than ever that we are moving into times of being tested – “will we be ALL in or lukewarm?”. It may sound harsh and I am not one of those people who get the tickling ear prophetic words. I seem too often get the words that have quite a challenge ahead UNLESS our hearts turn completely to the Lord. There is always an invitation to know Him, to be on His winning team and to experience Christ’s victories in every battle. The question is, are we willing to lean into Him to discover this invitation? It is 100% our choice.

Evil cannot live with holiness. There can be no mixture. I want to encourage you to not allow the evil messaging of the world to infiltrate your mind in any way. Keep your thoughts centered upon the Lord for He is our help in times of trouble. Do not fear. You are loved. You are not alone. All you need “to do” is turn your heart completely to Him. Listen for His loving voice and do as He says. It is always for our best interest and for the best interest of those around us.

Love you, my friends!

– Jamie Lyn Wallnau
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August 31, 2021 0 comments

Family

The Rules Are Making Me Crazy Too!

by Joanna Flavin July 8, 2020

written by Joanna Flavin

I recently read a blog article that was written a couple of years ago but has surfaced and been circulating recently. The title is “Tired Mom’s Tale: ‘Excuse Me While I lather My Child In This Toxic Death Cream'”. And as sarcastic as the title is, it really drew me in and resonated with me. The next line is “I’m just sick and tired of all the rules.” Boom. Parenting in 2020 is not easy. And not just because we are in the throes of a global pandemic, which trust me, is making parenting even harder. No, parenting in 2020 was hard before COVID-19. I think what’s hard about parenting in 2020 is all the rules, opinions, and noise.

If you were to ask any parent anywhere they’d probably tell you there isn’t one right way to do things. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. It’s not simple. It’s awesome that we live in a time where (if you are blessed enough financially) you have unlimited resources to food, medicine, clothing, sunscreen, etc. And you can have it all in your home in 2 days with the click of a button (Amazon is a parent’s best friend, am I right?). But often we parents get information overload and decision fatigue. Sometimes less is more, and the more choices we have the more confusing things get.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

The Rules Are Conflicting

For example, if you’re an American parent right now I bet you know how much screen time is recommended by the American Associaton Of Pediatrics (AAP). It’s ZERO for children ages 0-2. And then once your kids are in the 2-5 age range, there is a one hour max. Beyond those ages, kids are not recommended to have more than 2 hours of screen time per day. Gulp. That may have worked for the first kid. But, whoever wrote that rule probably never had morning sickness and extreme fatigue while pregnant with their third child, and had to entertain a 3-year-old and 1.5-year-old. Screen time was my best friend. And that 1.5-year-old definitely exceeded his ZERO screen time limit during my survival mode (let’s not even talk about how much the 3-year-old got).

Then there are the conflicting rules on feeding babies. I’ve heard it all, “Breast is best!”,”Baby-led weaning is the best!”, “Only do purees or your baby will choke!”, “Never give your child peanut butter before 2-years-old or they will develop a life-threatening allergy!”, “Give your baby peanut butter at 4-months-old, any later and they will develop a life-threatening allergy!” Guess what? I’ve tried it all with my three kids. Purees, baby-led weaning, early introduction of peanut butter. And you know what I have? Three super healthy, growing boys. Nobody choked, one kid has a severe peanut allergy even though I gave it to him early, one picky child, two kids that will eat absolutely anything. No rule is one size fits all.

Obsession With The Rules

The author of the blog post talks about sunscreen which is quite pertinent right now because we are smack in the middle of summer in the US. When I was growing up there was just regular old sunscreen. Sometimes there was fancy purple sunscreen that you applied it as purple and then it disappeared when you rubbed it in. Then there was cool zinc sunscreen just to protect your nose that came in all sorts of cool neon colors. But that was about it. Nobody cared about ingredients. We were just happy to not get sunburned.

But wait. Here in 2020, we obsess about ingredients. You mean, the very thing that was supposed to protect us from skin cancer contains chemicals that could cause other cancers?????? Talk about confusion. And the judgment. If you are the mom at the pool (it’s me, I am that mom) with the Up&Up brand spray sunscreen littered with chemicals, “PLEASE DON’T SPRAY IT NEAR ME!!! IT’S POISON!” Everyone has an opinion. Social media, moms groups, best friends, and even the most well-intentioned grandparents. No one is living your life, in your family, except for you. It is time to tune out the noise.

Tuning Out The Noise

There is just so much noise. So many rules. Followed by so much judgment. My point isn’t that you should forget about the research and lather your kid in chemicals. My point is to use your own judgment. Don’t listen to the noise of others. Make the best choice for your family based on the information you have and, remember, just because the information is there doesn’t mean it is the gold standard of truth.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

Then let it go.

There are so many more important things to think about whether or not the very thing you are using to protect your kid from skin cancer has a slight chance of causing more harm. Because the truth of the matter is that we live in a world where we are faced with risk at every turn. We can’t control everything around us. And trying to only hinders us to live a life of fear, not freedom.

Yes, we could keep hormones out of our children’s diets by only feeding them all organic everything. But we can’t protect them from every potential risk around them for their whole lives. Unless we keep them in a bubble, but that would not be life of freedom. God has called us to be free. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) Don’t allow yourselves to be burdened by the yoke of making the perfect choices for your child. You are human and they are human. You both are going to mess up and that’s okay. Learning from mistakes and wrong choices is how we are refined in our faith.

Love Vs Fear

Make your choices out of love, not fear. If you want to use organic sunscreen that’s awesome! Go for it. But if you want to buy the cheap spray sunscreen because you go through four bottles a week, that’s fine too. You are still making the right choice for your family. Tune out the noise and listen for God’s voice. Pray about it, read His Word, and seek Him. He will give you discernment. Not an influencer on Instagram, a famous Mommy blogger, or even your best friend. Flexibility is a great quality and releases so much guilt from “not following the perfect rules”. And trust me, we don’t need more feelings of fear and guilt in 2020.

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ”… (Philippians 1:9-10)

July 8, 2020 0 comments

Articles Faith

What Are You Sowing In This Life?

by Henrietta Decruz July 5, 2020

written by Henrietta Decruz

Image result for sowing and reaping

“As you sow, you shall reap” is actually a verse in the Bible. “Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God won’t allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.” (Galatians 6:7 AMP)

Sow: God will Recompense

God says in Jeremiah 25:14, “I will recompense [all of] them according to their deeds and according to the work of their [own] hands.” This is true for every single person. This verse gives us good reason to consider every deed we have done, especially those things no one else knows about. It is necessary that we take every such deed to God, repent and get right with God. It is important that we clear out such things from our conscience.

Matthew 12:36 says, “But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak.” Imagine if we will have to give an account of every word we speak, how detailed the records would be that God keeps our actions in this lifetime.

God – The Righteous Judge

God cannot be bribed like unrighteous human judges. Those who do wrong and cover it can’t get away with what they did. Luke 12:2 warns us, “Nothing is [so closely] covered up that it will not be revealed, or hidden that it will not be known.”

Enjoy Now and Repent Later

Some may think that they have a long life left and they can repent later in life. Their life motto is to enjoy life and do whatever they please. Ecclesiastes 11:9 says, “Rejoice, O young man, in your adolescence, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your [full-grown] youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”

There are some who think they are gods and free to live however they want. Romans 2:5 warns them saying, “But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation when God’s righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed.”

Sow: We Make Choices

The truth is that God does not force His hand on anyone. He gave each of us free will to choose. When things go wrong, most people like to blame God. They forget that they themselves made the choices that led to the problem or disaster facing them. God has given us many instructions and words of wisdom to guide us so we can live a good life. However, most people disobey these instructions and choose the path that leads to destruction or loss.

Some may say, “He made me do it” or “She was the reason I did that.” The truth is that any excuses will not help us when we stand before God on the Final Day of Judgment. It is a good reason for us to search our hearts and stop doing the things that would grieve God.

Standing Before the Judge

Romans 14:12 says, “Each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.” One day our life will come to an end. In Genesis 3 Satan caused Eve to mistrust God. Satan told her, “You shall not surely die.” (Gen 3:4) We know that Satan had lied since every human being since Adam died and all alive today are definitely going to die. There is only one human who lived, died and returned to life, His name is JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus is more than just our Saviour who died so we could reconcile with God. He is also the Judge who will judge us at the end of our life (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus is coming soon! We all may not live to see His coming. Today even a small child or a young person can face death. We can’t even be sure if we will live for another day, a month, a year or a couple of years. What do you sow? We need to live mindfully, so we won’t be ashamed when we stand before God after this life.

July 5, 2020 0 comments

Faith

Leaving A Salt Free Legacy

by Corine Channell April 30, 2020

written by Corine Channell

“Remember Lot’s wife.” Jesus spoke these three words in Luke chapter 17, in speaking to His disciples about the end of times. Lot’s wife’s final tragic longing and looking back stopped her dead in her tracks, for real. She missed her most precious defining moment. We all know her horrifying ending – she turned into a pillar of salt.

I wondered if somewhere in history there was a reference to her having had an actual name. Yes. In Jewish traditions her name was Edith. Edith means: blessed. How tragically ironic or ironically tragic. Her name was her curse. There is nothing or no one worth sacrificing eternity for.

I wonder if Lot’s wife could represent America, not just individually but collectively. We are being called out of blessing and riches and prosperity, asked to leave it all behind for the sake of eternity, for the love of remaining with your family, for the love of something bigger than what you thought was your all in all.

The things that we cling to in America are the same as the blessings and riches of Sodom and Gomorrah. They were the fruitful lands chosen by Lot because of their outward beauty. Genesis 13 describes Sodom and Gomorrah as “well watered, like the garden of the Lord.” In other words, it was just like the Garden of Eden, before sin entered and destroyed its beauty. Those two cities, though beautiful to behold, were full of sinful men. Blessing and riches do not mean purity and goodness. Usually it is a far cry from that.

If you are full and have no need, you are a target for complacency and apathy. Blessing is not necessarily due to being rewarded. Lot chose with his eyes. It cost him greatly.

So if we are warned NOT to be like Lot’s wife, what did she do that we are warned not to follow suit in the end of times?

What Is Our Legacy?

There must be something incredibly deep here. (And more than just salt free.) Could it be that we as a blessed nation, and having embraced sin fully, could miss our final chance to find redemption, in our last moments? Could we not be able to go of our riches, our schedules, our careers, our blessings?

What if we have been just sailing along, thinking all is well because, well – all IS well. Then the day of fire comes and we can’t let go of our blessings. We can’t bear it. How awful and tragic to lose the only blessing that truly mattered and truly could survive the fire of God. Knowing HIM. Following HIM. We can love our blessings more than life itself.

Remember the Bible story of the rich man and the beggar? The beggar was clearly not deemed ‘blessed’. He had nothing. I mean, come on, he was begging. The rich man however was riding high on his own success, full of riches and glory, and appeared to be the one blessed in this story. He couldn’t have cared less about the beggar on the side of the road, who was broken and hungry. Did his worldly blessings get him a golden ticket to heaven? No. “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done (or the riches we have acquired) lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9)

The rich man could not buy his way into heaven, and he looked up from hell and saw the poor man in heaven. Can you even dare to imagine his horror as he realized all he had put his hope and breath into, did not matter when it was all said and done. It did not matter in the light of eternity. He had the blessings of this world, but it wasn’t enough to get him into the next world; into heaven.

Lot’s wife faced this same thing. Sodom represented blessing to her; all the beloved people and things and desires and longings. She couldn’t leave it behind her.

I have longings and things I know I am holding on to. I am working hard at not being blinded by what feels important or what feels right, or even feels like a blessing. Who was Edith before she was addicted to her sin and longing? When did Sodom get such a hold on her that in her moment of rescue she couldn’t stop looking back ? I am wondering if we are all a little more like her than we want to admit. I wonder if I am. Are we so bound to a concept or to something or to someone that we have slowly but surely allowed our foolish heart to begin to crystallize like salt?

I don’t think she just turned to salt in an instant – I think it was a slow but sure process that had been ongoing. Salt was the final outcome of the hardening of her heart.

A Sad Legacy

God was still trying to save her – He gave her a chance to flee – her day came with a plan of escape – but she couldn’t let go of her sinful longings. Her choice became her sad legacy.

We all struggle with something that constantly tries to pull us away from God. I know what mine is – I bet you know yours. I don’t want to be running for my life and have anything that gives me pause or longing to risk it all and look back. I definitely feel the pull. It’s scary to realize your own humanity and your own sin nature you’re bent to.

The sad reality of these simple words: “Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).

I’m terrified of only being remembered for my failures. Don’t we all want to defined by more than the sum total of our mistakes? Lot’s wife may or may not have felt the same way – the Bible doesn’t say. It really only says when her day to flee her own destruction, she chose not to obey. One command . One rule at the moment – RUN! Don’t look back! Horror of horrors this is where it ends for her; story over. A no name pillar of salt. Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14)

“Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32) While there is no hope for Lot’s wife those three words could serve to save millions of souls from following her. Her legacy of salt offers us a salt free legacy, and the chance to choose wisely.

April 30, 2020 0 comments

Faith

Happiness vs Joy

by Devon Garvie October 5, 2019

written by Devon Garvie

Recently, I’ve heard teaching within the body of Christ that “God wants you to be happy”. Now, on the surface, this sounds perfectly reasonable. God wants us to be happy, what’s wrong with that?

There’s a massive difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is circumstantial. It says, if I have a great job, a great marriage and everything is awesome, then I am happy. But without those things, I can never be happy. Joy, however, is different. The joy of the Lord is never circumstantial. It endures in the middle of poverty, sickness and the death of a loved one. Regardless of what might be going on in life, I am filled with the joy of the Lord.

I have had chronic back pain for the past few years. This past week, I have also had painful stomach cramps. However, the past 2 weeks have been exceedingly joyful to me. I am still looking for a job and my problems are still there, but I see them in a different light. Eleven disciples saw a heavy storm and giant waves; Peter saw a walkway to Jesus and climbed out of the boat.

If you look at the life of Paul, you will see a man who was filled with joy far more often than happiness. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul outlines all of his struggles; being whipped, getting beaten up, getting into shipwrecks, going hungry, going thirsty, going without sleep…doesn’t really sound like a happy life, does it? In Philippians 1:12-13, Paul says, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ“. There’s nothing happy about being in chains, is there? But look at what Paul says in Galatians 5:22-23; he describes the fruit of the Spirit. Do you notice that happiness isn’t one of them?

In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with happiness. However, the problem with pursuing happiness is that we tend to become very self-centered if we do so. Pursuing the joy of the Lord allows us to keep God’s will, regardless of our circumstances. So I pray that the Lord blesses you with joy in every circumstance, that you may endure through all hardships and praise Him in every storm.

October 5, 2019 0 comments

Articles

Life Without Limits Through The Lens Of A Man With “Limitations”

by GOD TV August 15, 2019

written by GOD TV

Nick Vujicic was born without any arms or legs. His “disability” was unexpected and a complete surprise to his parents and the doctors. When Nick shares his testimony he explains how there were struggles growing up, but through choice and perspective he has chosen to live a life without limits. He attributes his ability to choose a life without limits to God, who provides him with strength to overcome the impossible.

Choice empowers us to live without limits

After struggle with suicidal thoughts as a young man, Nick Vujicic decided – he made a choice – to make his life count. He could choose to view his physical limitations as a burden or a blessing. His powerful choice to view them as a blessing help launch him into a successful career as an international speaker. Today, Nick travels the globe offering hope through his story.

It was his choice to live a life without limits, a life that mattered to God and others. Nick’s choice to believe he mattered is what powerfully impacted the trajectory of his life!

Finding perspective in the midst of difficulty

Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

The perspective we take in life largely effect how we experience life. Nick often refers to this verse when sharing his testimony. God helped him to shift the lens through which he viewed his life. The truth in Psalm 139 was true about Nick too. He “was fearfully and wonderfully made“. Nick could choose to believe the Word of God over his life, there is choice again, or he could live life through the perspective the enemy was trying to feed him.

What will you take away from Nick’s story?

Is there a situation or circumstance that is one choice away from shifting the trajectory of your life? As you’ve read through this article, is there a situation or circumstance that keeps coming to mind? Is there a situation or circumstance that could come to life with a change in perspective?

Take a moment and ask the Lord to speak to your heart. Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made too!

Image credit: @nickvujicic

August 15, 2019 0 comments

Articles

Choose Your Rut Wisely

by Dr Michael Layne June 14, 2019

written by Dr Michael Layne

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

I am told that in the early days of automobiles in the USA, there was nothing but dirt roads. In many parts of rural America, there would be a sign that stated, “Choose your rut wisely. You will be in it for the next 10 miles.”

Some great advice for the traveler. After a rain shower, as we have experienced, vehicles traveling those roads would leave ruts. When the roads dried out the ruts remained as a reminder someone else had made this journey.

Let’s apply that same principle to our daily lives. We find ourselves faced with decision making as to which way to go or, do I do this or, do I do that. You fill in the “this” or “that.”

Making Choices

As society becomes more progressive it also becomes more difficult in our decision making due to so many choices. You go into a sit-down restaurant for a nice meal with a loved one. One look at the menu and immediately you are faced with a multitude of decisions. The menu is filled with choices and sometimes multiple pages show us the various options for what we thought would be a simple process of ordering a meal. Another rut to figure out.

We go shopping for a specific item and other items get in our way of making a decision on the one type of item we went into the shop for.

Sometimes, when faced with the chore of paying the bills we discover there isn’t enough money in the account to pay everything. We may do the bill shuffle routine by choosing to withhold payment until later. Sometimes this becomes a rut in our life.

When I built a house in Texas in the mid-1980’s I had to contend with the soil. Black gumbo soil can be very difficult to work with. When it is dry it is very hard and when it rains, it is very slippery. My pickup truck got stuck in the driveway one day. We had just had rain. I tried everything I knew to do but could not move and yet there was no rut – just the slick soil. A neighbor came by with his tractor and pulled out.

Prayer and Thinking

Some things in life do not present a rut. Just as my driveway didn’t have any ruts yet, the wet soil kept me from going where I wanted. Some application for life. You may not see the rut that looms until you are in the middle of the choice you have made. Then it takes ingenuity and prayer to get you out of the situation that has reared it’s ugly head in your life.

Yes, prayer and thinking. God has given us a brain and He expects us to use it. Now, if your mind is cluttered with everything else but focusing on how to manage better, then it’s time to ask God for His help in clearing out the muddiness of thinking. For some, it may be choosing a medication to help with the thought issues while for others, learning to take one thing at a time will work wonders.

Try. Really try. Think. Really think. Pray. Really pray.

June 14, 2019 0 comments

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