It's About Choices

                                 It’s About Choices

                       “I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today: I place before you Life and       Death, Blessing and Curse.   

                 

 Choose life so that you and your children will live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 (MSG)

The longer Eve admired the beautiful tree the more she craved its fruit. “Why wouldn’t God want me to have this? I don’t think He really meant exactly what He told us. This fruit is beautiful. It will give a lovely glow to my skin.”

As the enemy egged her on, Eve had this thought, “God’s just a real kill joy. I don’t think I can trust Him anymore.”

In the background the subtle voice hissed, “Go ahead. God’s got it all wrong.” The bait was laid. The bait was taken and the girl created in God’s glory made a wrong turn.

Eve chose to trust her reason. She chose to doubt God. She chose to rebel. She had to be realistic… right? Wrong—Eve chose death and lost Paradise.

No one tops the devil when it comes to lies. Jesus calls him the father of lies.    

You have a choice. You know the truth. Lean on God’s Word.  Now the tables will turn. Nothing tops the truth of God’s Word!  

 “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8:44b NIV

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set    you free."
                                                John 8:32 NIV
        Dear Lord,
        I will take my favorite scripture with me today. I will say it to myself all day. I love Your truth

Not Ashamed--Not Bullied!

                        Not Ashamed—Not Bullied
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.”
                              Romans 1:16 NLT

The giant was a bully. He mocked—he laughed—at the young boy named David. But David held his slingshot at his side and looked into the jeering eyes of the giant. In his coat pocket were five smooth stones. Why five?—the giant had four brothers.

David was ready. God was with him—God was for him and God had already helped him kill a lion and a bear that went after his father’s sheep. Ha! God would do it again. 

Goliath sneered at David. “You’re a joke, you little apple cheeked boy! I’m going to feed your flesh to the buzzards and to all the beasts of the forest. You’re gonna to be toast today!”

David shot back, unafraid and confident, “It's the God of the Armies of Heaven that you spit upon today. He will hand you over to me and I will cut… off…. your…. head! Oh yeah!”

Wow! And that’s exactly what happened. When Goliath’s army saw that their hero was dead they ran like crazy men to escape the fired up Israelites.

Do you have a bully who whispers intimidation?  “Oh, who’s going to listen to you? You can’t talk about God at school. You’ll get in trouble…go to the office…embarrass your parents.”

Goliath was a bully. He tried to stop David by making him feel small. But David knew what God could do... and David spoke the truth.

You’re a David too. You know Jesus is the only help for your friends. Their situation is desperate but you hold the key. Refuse to be bullied, speak the truth--run with the King.

          “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What                        can mere mortals do to me?"

                               Psalm 56:11 NLT
   
Dear Lord, I am not ashamed to talk about you. No one bullies You…no one bullies me either.