Tag: Decisions

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You Decide

AUGUST 10

MATTHEW 6:29_that even Solomon…

Solomon is an interesting man. He was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He was not the son of their adulterous affair, that son died shortly after birth. David repented of his departure from God’s path and God gave him other sons. God’s hand was on Solomon from birth. 2 Samuel 12:24 (KJV) records Solomon’s birth, “And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.” God loved Solomon from the day of his birth. This is specifically recorded in Scripture because of David’s deep repentance and God’s great mercy. Perhaps, it is a kind of peace offering between the two.

Because God loves you from the day you are born (and even before), He has a plan for your life. Your plan in life is unique to you. Otherwise the world would be a pretty odd place.

For life to function there must be leaders, and there must be followers. There must be teachers, and there must be students. There must be administrators, and there must be workers. There must be coaches, and there must be players. It’s how life works.

You have a natural response in your spirit to what God calls you to be. As always, you decide to follow or not.   

PRAYER

Dear Savior, Thank You that You loved me before I was born. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ calls me to a plan—He will show it to me!

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The Only Creation Made in His Image

AUGUST 2

MATTHEW 6:26_Are ye not much better than they?

Do you agree with Jesus’ question? Are you better than the birds? Better in what kind of way? Better looking? Hmm, when’s the last time you’ve seen a Roseate Spoonbill? A Franklin’s Gull? A Red-breasted Merganser? A Wood Duck? An American Goldfinch? A Cardinal? An Eastern Bluebird, or a Mountain Bluebird?  And it would be hard for me to decide who is more handsome: the Indigo Bunting, the Painted Bunting, or the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak? If you are not familiar with these, look them up. Talk about good looks?!

Perhaps, you think you are far more useful to the world than a bird. Well, farmers and gardeners sure welcome the handsome Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. One of the Grosbeak’s favorite meals is potato beetles—they like the larvae as well. Talk about intelligent design!!

On the other hand, when I see Godly people performing self-sacrificing deeds, making wise decisions, and spreading love in the world, I don’t think there is any greater part of creation. 

Yes, I think God considers us much better than animals. He gives us the opportunity to bear the name of Christ when we become Christians.

I believe God thinks very highly of the only creation made in His image. 

PRAYER

God of Intelligent Design, Praise You for the opportunities You give me to be like You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ values me over all creation—I praise Him!

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You Are Worth Far More

JULY 29

MATTHEW 6:25_nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on…

How long do you stand in front of the closet deciding what to wear? Whether you set it out the night before, the morning of, or an hour before some special event, does it involve a major decision? If so, is that because you have too many clothes? Maybe it’s because you have too few, and are embarrassed about wearing the same thing—again. 

This is not about making a fashion statement, or lack of one. This is about worry.

Worry about money to buy clothes.

Worry about fashion police.

Worry because you do not have the latest name brands.

When you worry this way, you have degraded your self-worth. You have placed your value to equal a brand label on a piece of clothing. Even if it is a very expensive piece—you are worth far more. You are a living being created in God’s image.

To worry is to place the world above God. This may be very cliché but—worrying will never change anything.      

PRAYER

Holy Creator, Thank You that my worth is far more than man made stuff. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ gives me great worth—I will not degrade myself!

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Chaos Is Just Around the Corner

JULY 25

MATTHEW 6:24_No man can serve two masters…

Who do you listen to when you need to make a decision? Who has the final say? Who is ultimately in control? Whose lead will you follow when two voices call? Who is the master of your heart?

Without a final authority—chaos is just around the corner.   

From childhood, to youth, to adulthood, to old age, you serve many masters. On a sports team there is generally more than one coach. In a theatrical production there is more than one instructor. But, ultimately there has to be one who is the head—one who demands total allegiance. One the team pledges their obedience and respect to.

Jesus teaches you cannot serve two masters. A decision must be made in the heart.

The Bible offers some advice. Deuteronomy 6:5 (KJV), “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” I Corinthians 10:21 (KJV),“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

At the end of the day it’s a decision you alone must make.

PRAYER

Only True God, Help me pledge my allegiance to You alone. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ wants my allegiance—I will give it to Him!

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You Desire to Change

JULY 2

MATTHEW 6:16_Moreover when ye fast…

Another Biblical principle for times of fasting is remorse—a deep, heartfelt, sorrow for something wrong in your life. The Holy Spirit convicts your heart with guilt. When you have enough sorrow, you desire to change. 

Another time for fasting is for a memorial or preparation for certain religious days or seasons. This kind of fasting is a time of serious mindedness—turning your mind away from the world to the spiritual realm of life.

Seeking God’s guidance for a certain decision or direction is another call to fast. Acts 13:2-3 (KJV) records this incident in the early Christian church, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate [to] me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

When Queen Esther faced a life-and-death situation not only concerning the Jewish nation, but her personal life as well, she called for a fast. Esther 4:16 (KJV), “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.“

PRAYER

Lord God, You call me to worship and follow You, fasting or not. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ calls me to worship and follow—I will!