CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL LIVE FOR!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023.

SUBJECT : CHOOSE WHO YOU WILL LIVE FOR!

Memory verse: ""And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24 vs 15.)

READ: First Kings 18 vs 20 - 21:

18:20: Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on mount Carmel.

18:21: And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him. But the people answered him not a word.

INTIMATION:

The time is now for your resolution of who you live for, either for yourself or for God. God created us as free-moral beings, and allows a choice in all things. He will not make our choices for now and the future. Your right to choose makes you responsible for your life thereby putting your own destiny in your hands. 

However, because of what God had done for you in Christ Jesus, it is reasonable and responsible for you to make the choice to continue in obedience to His will. It is noteworthy, therefore, that if you fail to do the will of God, you will be responsible for your own judgements from God.

Why do so many people waver between these two choices? Perhaps some were not sure. Many, however, knew the Lord was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures, and other benefits that came with following from their idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshipping a false God—ourselves. That is idolatry—simply following after your own desires. And it is easy to slip into the quiet rebellion of going about life in your own way. 

But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God’s Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day. Living the rest of your life for the glory of God will require a change in your priorities, your schedule, your relationships, and everything else. It will sometimes mean not following the way of others, or choosing the difficult path instead of an easy one. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. 

Jesus during His earth walk, struggled with such choice at a time. When He remembered that He was about to be crucified, He cried out, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name..." (John 12 vs 27 - 28.) Jesus knew that His crucifixion lay ahead, and because He was human he dreaded it. He wanted to be delivered from this horrible death, but He knew that God sent Him into the world to die in our place for our sins. Jesus said no to His human desires in order to obey His Father and glorify Him.

Will you live for your own goals, comfort, and pleasure, or will you live the rest of your life for God's glory, knowing that He has promised eternal rewards? The Bible says in John 12 vs 25, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Our commitment to live for Christ does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ. 

God gives you what you need to live for Him if you make the choice. The Bible in Second Peter 1 vs 3 says, "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue." God is constantly inviting us to live for His glory by fulfilling the purposes He created us for. It's really the only way to live. Everything else is just existing. 

Real life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ. If you have not done this, or you are not sure, all you need to do is receive and believe in Him. The Bible, in John 1 vs 12 promises, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." 

First, believe. Believe God loves you and made you for His purposes. Believe you're not an accident. Believe you were made to last forever. Believe God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus, who died on the cross for you. Believe that no matter what you've done, God wants to forgive you. 

Second, receive. Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior. Receive His forgiveness for your sins. Receive His Spirit, who will give you the power to fulfill your life purpose. The Bible, in John 3 vs 36 says, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life..." If you are ready to believe and receive Him right now where you are, just say this prayer quietly, bowing down your head:

"God my Father in heaven, I believe You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die in my stead on the cross at Calvary for my sins. I do, here and now, open my heart and receive Jesus Christ and His new life into my life as my Lord and Savior. I believe that as I receive Jesus, I receive You, O God. I am now restored to You my God and Father through Jesus my Savior. Amen."

If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God! You are now ready to discover and start living God's purpose for your life. It is as simple as that. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the privilege of sonship. Endue me with the excellent spirit of total obedience and commitment to You that I may live for You all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!