Are You Ready To Choose?

Are You Ready To Choose?

 

Good Morning Friends,

 

Indecision is a dangerous position. It is debilitating. Maybe you are convicted but not committed. Maybe you have one foot in heaven and another in hell.
But know this, if you are lukewarm God will spit you out. You see God has chosen to love you and wants you to have the courage to choose to serve him but you have to accept God’s offer on God’s terms. Most of you have chosen already but some reading this may still be on the fence. So what are you going to do about it? Are You Ready To Choose?

 

Scripture: So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer him a word.

 

1 Kings 18:20-21 (NRSV)

 

Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”

 

Jeremiah 6:16 (NRSV)

 

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

 

Matthew 7:7 (NRSV)

 

Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”

 

Mark 9:23-25 (NRSV)

 

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

 

John 13:34 (NRSV)

 

Message: We desire the freedom to choose our own path. Maybe you can be a Christian without joining a group of believers with synergy and sustainability. But I really would not advise it. Doing that is like being a student who will not go to school. A soldier who will not join an army. A citizen who does not pay taxes or vote. A football player without a team. A bee without a hive. Ok that is enough. Here is the point, eventually one has to choose if one is going to be part of something bigger. In today’s scripture Elijah gives us a call to make a decision. Our yes is to be yes and our no, no. There is no sitting on the fence. And make no mistake about it, those who choose another god multiply their sorrows. But if we choose God we learn to choose to care more deeply…to be more present in the lives of other believers and yes those still who want to believe but do not fully participate, then we are about to open the door to something very special. Here we choose to be in relationship one with another… striving…listening… seeking the directions of love. So are we going to choose God over idols? Standing at the crossroads what path will we choose? Friends, if we are willing to choose to change He will help us to complete what He has in mind for us to do. But first we have to choose. Our common sense is not eliminated in the process. It is consecrated. So choose this day whom you will serve. Embrace God’s unconditional love. Follow the Lord’s command to love.

 

Pray that when Jesus stands at the door or our heart and home knocking, we answer in the affirmative.  Pray that we choose life. Pray that we stay connected to the power of His truth and choose to let its healing and illuminating power shine in all aspects of our lives. Pray that we have enough sense to choose the greater possibilities in lives that seek and follow His plan. Pray that when we struggle we choose to focus on God’s love, mercy and faithfulness. Pray we choose wisely. Pray that we choose the Lord. Pray we choose the right words when explaining our choice to others.
Pray that we choose Jesus as not just Savior but also Lord.
Pray we choose to allow Him to calm our troubled minds with His peace. Pray we choose God’s peace. Pray we have the courage and strength to accept and choose forgiveness. Pray we have the courage and strength to accept and choose service above self. Pray we realize that what we choose to do today makes a difference. Pray the demons are defeated. Pray our faith flourishes. Pray we become the body of Christ together.

 

 

Blessings,

 

John Lawson