The Choice by Max Lucado

Happy New Year 2012

We do have choices and for that I am glad. I don't always make the right ones, but I also have the choice to "change". I am never stuck with my first choice, I can repent and start fresh, nothing is held against me, everyday with Jesus is a new beginning. For that I am so very thankful and anticipate the New Year for the outcome of choices I've made, and the new choices to face. Thank you Max, for your words. I look forward to any you offer, in fact I search them out.

God's Blessings to you and yours,
Julie




The Choice
It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love . . .
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy . . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical . . . the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace . . .
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose patience . . .
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness . . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness . . .
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness . . .
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I choose gentleness . . .
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I choose self-control . . .
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
- by Max Lucado, excerpted from When God Whispers Your Name

Notice, Pause and Choose to be Thankful

And the Peace of God that passes all understanding, will guard your heart and mind as you live your life in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7

"A truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person" ...I wonder what might happen if we decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice, pause and choose something for which we can truly be thankful... Dear Lord. Thank You for the reality that being thankful truly changes eveerything. In Jesus'Name, Amen. Lis TerKeurst

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
A wonderful praise song by Don Moen

Pay Your Gratitude Forward

Pay it forward cuz it just feels good and benefits so many others.
Go. Invite. Have a banquet for Jesus and invite those who can't pay you back. based on Luke 14: 12-24

Dear Lord,
when I had been knocked down by sin, when I was defenseless to help myself, Jesus stopped and did for me what I could not. For His gracious act of saving me, I am grateful. May my gratitude enable me to help others whenever and wherever I can. This I pray in my savior's Name.
Amen

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

John Wooden

Self Gratification vs Doing The Right Thing

It is a sad time for society, when love of the game and the winning reputation of a college outweigh devastation, heartbreak and horror for a young child. No one should get involved in the situation for a witchhunt, but rather to educate about and pray for wrong decisions made at the time. Support accountability measurements now for the officials who had the opportunity to overturn and make things right at the time. Pray that we may see through the eyes of Jesus, in bringing this nightmare to an end for these victims and others that may be experiencing such torment.

"What we do when no one is watching reveals the type of person we really are" Joyce Meyers

Proverbs 10:9
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his way crooked will be found out.


Matthew 7 13-14
The Narroaw and Wide Gates
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Our Temporary Home

Inscription on the grave of Dean Alford

"The Inn of a traveler on the way to Jerusalem".

Boasting About Tomorrow

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if7CZF_ycWQ

Our Temporary Home sung by Carrie Underwood

"Acknowledge Him in All Things"

"What if you woke up Today

with ONLY the things you THANKED God for

Yesterday?"

I don't know who said this! But I do know I deserve nothing of what I have and except for His unending Grace, I would have nothing.

Thank you Lord, for my life, thank you Oh Lord, for the gifts in my life that I can share with others. Thank you for my family and friends, Lord thank you for encouraging me over and over. I am unique because you made me one of a kind, and I am grateful beyond words, no Thank you are the words, a simple but heart felt
Thank You.

1 Chronicles 16:34

"O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good;for his mercy endureth for ever."

Thank you Lord for saving my soul
Thank you Lord for making me whole
Thank you Lord for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

Life is What We Make of It

As a knot appears unexpectedly in a thread, so disappointment blocks the smoothness of life.
If a few deft strokes can untangle the skein, life continues evenly; but if it cannot be corrected, then it must be quietly woven into the design. Thus the finished piece can still be beautiful-though not as perfect as planned. unknown

Center Our Lives on Something Beyond

Today I have chosen exerpts from Bishop of London, Richard Chartres at the "Royal Wedding" and
Eric Elder http://www.theranch.org/

When someone says something great it's hard not to spread it around, giving them the credit of course, as they deserve.

From Eric as he introduces the actual sermon text from the Royal Wedding:

First, I liked the Bishop's statement that, "In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding..." because as the Royal Couple were enjoying their wedding day, my wife and I were celebrating the 22nd anniversary of ours. And as much as I enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding, I felt like mine was just as royal, for we are all subjects of the King. Or, as my wife said on her Facebook page on Friday, "On this day for Royal Weddings...22 years ago THE KING of all kings gave me the perfect gift in Eric!" That was sweet, and I feel the same about her, that she is a gift from God to me.

Second, I liked the Bishop's warning that if we seek our meaning and happiness in life from each other, rather than God, we put too great a burden on our partner. I believe this applies to all kinds of relationships in life, not just between husband and wife.
The antidote to this problem, the Bishop said, was to center our love on something beyond ourselves, and by offering one another mutual forgiveness.

Third, I liked the way the Bishop closed his sermon, with a prayer written by the couple, which said in part, "In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy."
This prayer was offered "in the Spirit of Jesus Christ," which is the Spirit that I pray that we all offer our prayers, and live our lives.

My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me.

Psalm 38:10

We have two simple options when afflictions strike. We can moan about our fate and give up, or we can face it boldly and make the best of it. God grants us the power to become more than conquerors, if we will only choose to use it

Prayer:

I know there will be times when my strength fails and my will is drained. At those times, fill my heart with Your will and power. Make me a fighter, Lord. Amen

Max Lucado said

"Anybody can preach a sermon on a mount surrounded by daisies. But only one with a gut full of faith can live a sermon on a mountain of pain."

The Will of God

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter ; and we all [are] the work of thy hand.

Knowing God's Will - The Key to Everything!

Christ taught us that knowing God's will and living in obedience to that will is the key to it all!

God is the potter; we are the clay. God keeps us spinning on His potter's wheel, shaping and reshaping us as He bathes our lives in tears to make us more Christ-like so He can use us for His will. Surrender daily. Keep your clay moist through daily prayer - prayer that's in accordance to His will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEBOb-H1NbY

The More you Listen, the More You Hear

That still small voice that makes you feel so uncomfortable is the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

I Kings 19:11-12

God doesn't speak to you in a earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice.

Knowing God's Will in 10 Steps

http://www.amazingchange.org/knowingGodswill.htm

His Strength in My Weakness

Break my willful pride, O Lord, and let me recognize my limitations. Needing guidance is not weakness. Help me to see the strength which can only come from depending on You. Amen "He said to me, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "

Great Statements

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens;

Not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life.

A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.

It is a catalyst, a spark, that creates extraordinary results. (unknown)

Oh What a Friend

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.

Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Think of Others

great Thoughts for Today

The only people you should try to get even with, are those who have helped you.
John E. Southard

What a pity so many people are living with so few friends when the world is full of lonesome strangers who would give anything just to be somebody's friend.
Milo L. Arnold

I Am a Promise

“God sends every person into the world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing for others, and a special act of love to bestow. No one else can speak your message, or sing your song, or offer your act of love. These are entrusted only to you.” author unknown

Mother Teresa

"I was not called to be successful but faithful. Each one of us has something beautiful to do for God."

When someone like Mother Teresa suggests that God has something special for each of us to accomplish as a follower of Christ it is our challenge to discern the task God wants you or me to fulfill…

Romans 12 is a good read. Google it and read it. Just a portion, verses 4 through 8 says,

just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

You Ask?

Can I be a Christian without joining other Christians in the church?

Yes, it is something like:
being a soldier without an army,
a seamanwithout a ship,
a business man without a business,
a tuba playerwithout an orchestra,
a football player without a team or
a bee without a hive.

Mrs. William P. Jazen

Rejoice in All Things, I Say Rejoice

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

Paul wrote these truths of God, and didn't just tell you not to be anxious, but also why you don’t need to be anxious; he doesn’t just tell you not to dwell on your problems, but he tells you what to dwell on instead. Paul wrote these words from a dirty cell, chained after being beaten and flogged. If Paul could feel free from anxiety in a situation like that and write about it, then we could learn from him how to deal with our anxious thoughts as well.
Our Lord is at Hand, and he tells us what to focus on during the trials in our life,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

As hard as life can be, there are still things in life that are beautiful and full of the glory of God. Paul learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether he had plenty or was in need. Paul continually rejoiced in the Lord, by remembering that God was near, and in everything, he made his requests known to God.

Learn from Paul and put into practice what you learn.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Strength

Strength Within

"I feel that I am weak,
And prone to every sin;
But Thou who gives to those who seek,
Wilt give me strength within.

I need not fear my foes,
I need not yield to care,
I need not sink beneath my woes,
For Thou wilt answer prayer.

In my Redeemer's Name
I give myself to Thee;
And, all unworthy as I am.
My God will cherish me."
Anne Bronté
(1820-1849)

Psalm 28:6-7
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.　

It is the great challenges in our lives that God can use to teach us to rely on His strength alone.

All things are possible with God. It is His strength that will sustain us and His strength that will help each of us overcome our greatest fears and obstacles through prayer and through our Faith

A testimony to our ability to come to the Lord with all reqests for strength and he will provide. Good for the heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8X65HRF6U8

Each day comes bearing its gifts. Untie the ribbons.

Ruth Ann Schabacher

"As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God."

Everything you have is God's gift to you.

What you do with everything God gives you

is your gift to Him.

Keep On Keeping On

Philippians 3:13-14

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven

Lamentations 3:22-24

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!"



The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. Every day is the day the Lord has made, as Psalm 118:24 states, and “we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

One can make a resolution or promise to oneself any day of the year, and keeping it or breaking it is in their hands. One thing the Bible does say in Ecclesiastes 5:2,4 and 5 is that if one makes promises or vows to God, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.“Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”

Setting a goal or several goals at the beginning of the new year can be stimulating, but it’s the motivation to keep the resolution that is important. One can determine to pray more, read the Bible more, go to church regularly, or volunteer more, but these resolutions can fail without correct motivation.

The incentive must come from within with purpose and a plan. Even though there might be a setback at times, the best thing to do is to immediately start again