Life is a Series of Choices.
Our Past Choices made us who we are Today.
Our Present Choices will Shape our Future.
“You are your choices.” ~Seneca
Nowhere is it written that Decisions (Choices) are supposed to be easy.
Every choice requires a combination of Intellect, Intuition, and Instinct.
These three tools can be Up-graded through Prayer & Knowledge of God’s Word. There is nothing like an Up-grade! First-Class beats coach all day.
Have you noticed that the more important the decision/choice, the harder it seems.
WHY?
Because perceived importance increases our FEAR of making the wrong choice and what that might mean. ~ (Pause here for a moment!)
When choosing between Rye or Wheat toast, I don’t agonize too much, because I know the wrong choice won’t bring the world to an end, or even ruin my day.
But will selecting the wrong college, girlfriend, career, or church mean pain or pleasure?
Ever wonder what would have happened if you had taken a Left back there in 1982 instead of a Right? If you had made different choices, something may have turned out better ~ and others, maybe worse. In any case, you may never know.
Faith reminds us that every Choice we make can serve God’s kingdom if we learn to apply Godly Wisdom & Prayer.
Not every choice we have made may have been wrapped in these two bookends, but with the right attitude about even our bad choices we can begin to see that in every choice there is the seed of WISDOM!!
If we are open to Learning and Growing from our choices, if we are honest and own our choices (stop looking for someone to blame for your choices) we can begin to see Wisdom in every choice.
With a humble heart and God’s help we can Learn even from bad Choices!
Like the Smothers brothers used to say, “If I told you to put your hand in the fire, would you do it?” ~ “Not, Again!”
We may not be able to Change the past but we can learn from it.
“Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” ~ Edmund Burke
Could we add “Those who won’t own their History …….”
“Those who want to blame their mother for their History …..”
“Those who want to Deny their History …….”
“Those who won’t Learn from their History ……..”
“Yes, there are two paths you can go by But in the long run There's still time to change the road you're on.” ~ Led Zeppelin
God wants to help you with all of these Choices you have to make.
Check out the attached “Study Tool” below and tap into God’s GPS
Deb & I are Praying for you to make Right Choices!
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Hey, Give us a shout out! Leave a little Feedback Please. Just want to know you are out there!!
Our Caption winner from last Blog
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19 comments:
Congrats to Mr. Lee Web. Very creative! However his spelling is a littlee shakey responsible too him but not Respcible for his spelling!!!!
Great blog this week! Sometimes, it's hard to face the fact that I am responsible for my choices. It's easier to blame another person, the past, or some other circumstance instead of accepting accountability for the choices in my life. God blessed me with the power or free will and choice. And ultimately, it is my personal responsiblity to seek God and His Word for knowledge, encourangement, and guidance. Thank you Lord! - Kristy M.
Thats the difference between me and you: you are always focusing on the negative - JUST LOOK AT ALL THE WORDS I SPELLED CORRECTLY!
CHOICE! wow. what a great thing to think about this week! thanks for putting together another great study!! I cant wait to d/l the whole study
Regrets, I've had a few. All about the choices I made...some VERY MAJOR decisions I made when I was in no state of mind to be making them, but there's no going back now, is there.
So, forward! Making resolution to report to the Holy Spirit before making any decisions - it's the only way.
Awesome blog PM! Sometimes I wonder how my life would have turned out if I made better choices 5-10 years ago. But then I think I had to make those mistakes to really see how much I needed Jesus in my life. Once I started down the "right" path- wonderful things started to happen in my life, including meeting my husband- a person I never would have thought I would have been "good" enough for! God is SO good! I'm so glad I have Him in my life to help me make better choices now! Jen King
Oh Man I hear you Jen! God Is So Good, and His Grace is way beyond my comprehension. I think I know where my life would be now IF God hadn't rescued me like He did. Like we sang yesturday in the "am"... He's the rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven!!!
Thank You Lord for saving me even when I was miserable, and in the middle of some really bad choices.
Your Love is AWESOME! How can I NOT try to make better choices now after what He did for me then?
Holy Spirit give me an awareness of all the everyday choices I have, and the wisdom to make the right ones! Thank you for blessing my life even though I have messed up big time!
This is the God we get to share with others.... I am so excited to be a part of all that is happening at New Life, God is moving, great things are going on, and I am so ready to see what else God has in store!!! God you're so Good.
PM, your encouragement over these past couple of weeks have been what I've needed to hear. His Word is getting through!!!
Thank You
Nichole T.
C. S. Lewis wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
I've made many choices in life, some that I wish I could take back, others made through the pain I've experienced, then listened to God to find the path. All of our lives lead such an interesting road map, I only wish I let God lead the way the WHOLE time! It would be even more glorious!!
Thanks for writing this blog, PM, and for a wonderful 604 last night!! =) - Natalie
I can't stand it anymore...I think I know what 212 is...and if I am right, then we are all in for an incredible month! And if I am wrong, we are still in for an incredible month and a great way to kick off a new chapter in New Life's history that I believe will see bigger things happen in our community far beyond what we even thought possible now. Nikki and I are so excited about this fall and what is going to happen! God is so good and now I can see all the studies and series' coming together for a grander purpose! So cool! Great Great stuff.
On a lighter note, My "Anonymous" is being a bit harsh on our friend Lee Web...from what I understand, an email or blog that is misspelled shows the level of importance of that person since they don't have the time to check their spelling. So that means, the rest of us may not be quite as "important" as Mr Web. It's all part of Developing the Leader Within Us ! LOL
L. P. G. D. MORE !
Pastor Mark,
Yesterday morning's service hit us like a ton of bricks! As Jay & I drove to pick up our kids in N.Y. we talked the whole way about the things we need to let go of. How funny that we shared the same convictions...we truly are one!!! As we drove home last night we shared with the kids the exciting things that are happening in our church and how thankful we are to be a part of it all.(needless to say they want a t-shirt!!!)I thank God for the choice we made a long time ago to serve Him!!
So True PM Great Blog
Kristy....Amen Amen
Lee, nicely dun
Jen...soooo true
wow Nichole...you hit it, right on..soooo true.
ditto Natalie...ditto
It's so awesome that we have such a God that does draw us closer and closer as we draw near to Him...Praise God !!!
Guys hook up the site below to pump up the volume to one of our favorite praise songs....God you have "Made Me Glad"...in Jesus name. \O/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Zc_VWJJoI&feature=PlayList&p=782EE636F14A36D9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=31
Pastor Jason
check this one out..."Awesome in This Place"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faiLQCuoskM
Although I have been in church for most of my life, and my parents have been in ministry for over 1/3 of that time. I must admit that 85% of my choices have usually been the opposite of what I was taught. After being saved for over 15 years now, I am finally coming to a place where I feel the need to pray that the Holy Spirit lead me toward God's purposes for my life instead of my own. It's not easy because I am used to jumping first and praying later (once the trouble starts). I am just now learning to trust and surrender to God's will for my life and accepting His purpose instead of my own disasters. Thank you New Life!
Looked at the 'Stairway To Heaven' lyric in a whole new light/!!
Stand up and walk out of your history!
This was a GREAT Selah PM
What timing....God's always on time....just the right time. I kind of like how this translation states David's lament..
The Message (MSG)
22-23 Pile your troubles on God's shoulders—
he'll carry your load, he'll help you out.
He'll never let good people
topple into ruin.
I lost my job this past week....the building project's over and banks are holding back on loans for the next....at the same time my wife got a job out of nowhere which she has been praying about for some time now.
We are at peace for the most part because of passages and Selahs like these.
God is good....we have faith all will be fine....pray for us....thank you for so much encouragement from your teachings....it keeps us going.
Praise Him \O/
Great to read so many wonderful “Comments” ~ Always Encouraging!!
Thanks for all the honesty and openness…
Bob & Ana we will certainly be Praying for you; Knowing already that Our Mutual Master will Provide.
Pastor Mark
AKA PM
AKA MJ
Thank you PM.
Wheeeew man, Selah was good today...BINGO !!!
I was speaking with someone this am who is going through a struggle, who is a baby christian (she's going to church and trying...) and she is worried that her life is about to turn upside down....she told me, "well, if I wind up in a place I believe I don't belong, then that's it...how could God let that happen....I'm done...no more church for me".
I was blown away...my heart dropped...you know it felt like it gained 20 pounds in my chest. I said, "Does that even make any sense at all what you just said...You have to give Him a chance...in His time".
I emailed her this Selah, as I have several times before....how can we give God a deadline...an ultimatum...a warning!! It amazes me how our human minds work at times....how foolish. I stressed to her how she needed to DRAW NEAR TO HIM...HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU...we have to trust that and He will provide.
Pray for her guys, her name is Kaye.
I love praying these prayers PM when these Selahs hit me like a Louisville Slugger (a 34 of coarse was my bat of choice).....God help us all to pray like this.
Father In Heaven; Help me to "SEE" what You are trying to make of me! If it will bring Glory to You and create in me the person You need me to be, then struggle I will. Help me to Grow in my present trial and learn to trust You more in the process. In Jesus Name. ~Amen.
Dear Father !!!! Praise Him \O/ \O/ all of us !!
Hey guys check this out.....it's a beautiful rendition of that poem we've seen in so many card & gift stores....but so much better.
http://www.onesolitarylifemovie.com/land.php
Colossians 1:14-16 (English Standard Version)
The Preeminence of Christ
15(B) He is the image of(C) the invisible God,(D) the firstborn of all creation. 16For by[a] him all things were created,(E) in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether(F) thrones or(G) dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created(H) through him and for him.
Praise Him \O/
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