If We Had to Choose, What Would We Choose?
- Would you rather be all powerful—OR—Would you rather have the authority of Jesus over your life?
- Would you rather be healed of a sickness, by the power available in this world—OR—Would you rather have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling deep within you?
- Would you rather be the most-powerful, most-wealthy person alive—OR—Would you rather be a child of God?
If We Had to Choose, What Would We Choose?
If We Had a Choice, Would We Choose the MOST-RIGHT Answer?
WOULD WE—REALLY—CHOOSE as we are called to choose?
Here is the truth: We Do Have A Daily Choice!
Here is the truth: We Do Have Access to the MOST-RIGHT Decision!
Here is the truth: Once we choose to believe in Jesus, we have the Power of Jesus Alive Within Each One of Us—God’s Children!
- So, why do we live as if we don’t?
- So, why do we cower in fear of the “what-if” instead of standing in the POWER of the LORD?
- So, why do we sometimes feel defeated when we can bow and pray to the KING of Kings?
Jesus, the eternal Son of God said many words when He walked as a man on this earth. Jesus spoke with power & Jesus spoke with authority. Let us pause for a moment to read the words of our Savior, words that give us assurance:
“And yet not a hair of your head will perish.
(Luke 21: 18-19 NASB)
By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
On Saturday evening, after a day of painting (all the others, not me) & after a day of cleaning windows and cabinets (me) & after a day of installing new plumbing fixtures, new plugs and switches—After All That—we found ourselves (the ladies did) standing around the parsonage kitchen talking. We spoke of the upcoming work we needed to accomplish during the next week (before we moved our new pastor and his family) into their new-improved home. Then our conversation turned to a more important topic: the topic of Christians suffering for their faith.
“I think we will face it in our lifetime,” one said.
“I agree, and I think we will face it soon,” replied a sister-in-Christ.
“Do you think our church could ever be sued?” asked one?
“Maybe. Probably. I don’t know, but quite possibility,” replied another, so we must be ready.
On the night of Jesus’ arrest, He spent time on His knees praying in the garden. We have read that He prayed so earnestly that droplets of blood formed on his forehead. I really cannot fathom how hard the Lord must have prayed, but the Bible said He did and that it happened just like this, so I believe it did. Not long into the night, the officers, the religious leaders, Judas the disciple who betrayed Jesus, and the cohort of more than 100 soldiers came to Him (to Jesus).
“Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, came out into the open and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
(John 18: 4 NASB)
There are so many opportunities to stand for the Lord. Every single day, we who are Christ-followers are given this decision to make. How we answer determines how closely we are walking with Jesus, how much we really trust God, and WHOSE authority we are allowing to lead our lives—ours or JESUS’ AUTHORITY!
- If you are like me, then we speak these words: I would stand for Jesus, but will we REALLY?
- If you are like me, then we speak these words: I will live for God, but do we REALLY?
- If you are like me, then we speak these words: I will go as the Holy Spirit leads me to go, speak as He leads me to testify, and do whatever He commands me do, but then, are we REALLY going, speaking, & doing everything—in the name of Jesus?
Consumed By Fire sings the melody “First Things First” into my ears as I type, reminding me that maybe all of God’s children need to be reminded what needs to occur.
- Let us—prepare ourselves before we step out our door and face the world!
- Let us—pray ourselves ready before we face the daily decision we will face!
- Let us—read the Word of God before we approach the daily battles we will face!
- Let us—CHOOSE—before we are called to make our choice!
- Let us—KNOW—WHOSE POWER—we will walk through this day before we go!
I read how Christians were murdered for their faith over the weekend.
- Let us be reminded how the LORD CONTROLS ALL THINGS!
We have a daily choice to make, one that comes to us every single day we are alive.
- IF WE HAD TO CHOOSE, WHAT WOULD WE CHOOSE?
Will we REALLY go wherever HE LEADS US?
Will we REALLY walk with the LORD, even if we walk alone?
Will we REALLY deny ourselves and pick up the cross of JESUS?
Will we REALLY give our lives for our FATHER?
Jesus spoke of the things to come, situations that will come to all of us if Jesus tarries His return to this earth. Let us read and be reminded how we must decide—RIGHT NOW & EVERY SINGLE DAY—What We Would Choose IF We Had to Choose?
“But you will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death,
(Luke 21: 16-17 NASB)
and you will be hated by all people because of My name.”
These words of our Savior are heavy, truly, and we can stand around talking, thinking we are ready for the battles we may face. Yet, in truthfulness, the LORD does not want us to wonder IF we would be ready, willing, and able. The eternal Son of God does not want us to wonder IF we could stand as we should. We do not need to wonder IF because we are fully able to stand in the POWER of GOD WHO IS MORE THAN ABLE TO DO ALL THAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO & WE CAN KNOW THAT JESUS ALWAYS SPEAKS WITH AUTHORITY!
May we not forget that once we give ourselves, our lives, our whole being to Jesus, then God’s Holy Spirit will dwell inside us, provide for our every need and give us His Power as we Stand in Jesus’ Name!
Stars Go Dim “Authority” spoke to me during the early-dark of this morning.
Maybe the lyrics of this melody will do the same for you.
- May we always remember that JESUS MAKES US ALIVE!
- We will LIVE ETERNALLY WITHIN THE PRESENCE of GOD!
- Let us walk forward into this day, fully sure of WHOSE AUTHORITY & WHOSE POWER we are able to go.
Thank You, JESUS, for dying on the cross, for resurrecting from the grave, for overcoming death, so that we are able to LIVE FOREVER WITH YOU!
“And yet not a hair of your head will perish.
(Luke 21: 18-19 NASB)
By your endurance you will gain your lives.”