Tag: Decisions

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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.

You may worry about money to buy clothes.

You may worry about fashion police.

You 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!

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No Trespassing

JUNE 28

MATTHEW 6:15_But if ye forgive not men their trespasses…

God’s path for life is freedom – you will never find a No Trespassing sign on God’s path. Feel free to roam, explore, and enjoy His path.

But God definitely places some No Trespassing signs. You will find them on the paths which lure from His path.

God empowered Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:7 (KJV), God says, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.” There is an obvious plan here. You will need strength and courage to stay on God’s path. Do not stray – at all.

Moses was called to continue Abraham’s job. Joshua was called to continue Moses’ job. A new country for God’s people – designed by God, and for God. There were to be no other gods, no other laws, no other forms of worship – God’s only. To allow anything apart from God’s design was to stray.

When you set up a life designed by you and for you – you’ve strayed. You have decided straying a little to the right or left is not really a bad thing. 

What becomes of God’s wanting to bless you wherever life takes you?           

PRAYER

One True God, Thank You for Your path that causes me to be blessed. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ knows the path I should take—He will guide me!

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Why Else Do It?

MAY 6

MATTHEW 6:1_Take heed that ye do not your alms before men…

Take heed is translated as pay attention! Jesus begins with a firm exclamation! Just as with the verilies, He’s about to reveal an important part of the salty-lit-up disciple life. You’ve sat at the feet of Jesus long enough by now to know this will be something different from the status quo.

The word alms here is translated as righteous. Does Jesus say pay attention so you don’t do righteousness before men? Jesus messes with your mind right from the get-go. Shouldn’t the whole purpose of righteousness be to do it before men? Why else do it?

Those committed to be disciples accepted the calling to be light. Shouldn’t your light shine before men? Isn’t its purpose to draw seekers into the presence of The Savior, The Great Balancer, The Great Hope, The Great Transformer, The Great Surgeon, The Great Healer? Your righteousness must be before men.

I hope you are hanging on for more clarification from Jesus as He teaches—I am! 

PRAYER

Jesus Teacher, I want to learn whatever You have to teach me. I want the truth to guide my life, and help me make right decisions. I want to heed the Holy Spirit’s insight. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                          

Christ wants me to pay attention to His teaching—I will!