Monday, August 10, 2009

Teaching Notes

The Choice is Yours
Written by Minister James S. Williams, Jr.


Meditation: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; - Proverb 3:5

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. - Ephesians 5:15-17

The choice is yours, life or death, good or evil, right or wrong - which will you choose?


Each day when we arise and all throughout the day we make choices between competing options. Our friends, classmates, family, acquaintances all want to influence our choices, but what is the true and correct way to choose? Some say follow your heart some say your head, others say just go with the flow, be easy and just chill, but are these the best ways to govern your life and entrust your soul?


Let's examine them. Your heart (emotions) is variable and can change based on things over which you have no control, should that control you? Your head is just a compilation of knowledge that you have gained in your life, but I am reminded of how my father said, "What you don't know could make another world?" If I know so little should I follow my own intuition and knowledge exclusively? The flow, being easy or just chillin’ like a villain, these are all very popular and can garner you a following of cool (or not so cool) people who think that you are the bomb. But is popularity the goal and will being popular with lots of associates, colleagues or friends (some of them flaky) provide the answer to leading your life?


If these models are insufficient to entrust your entire being, your life and your soul, then what or who is? The what is faith, the who is God. Start and end your day with the Lord and let His spirit lead you through your decisions, actions and motivation. To put anything else first or to fill your day with actions, talk and thoughts where God is not primary (1st) is to waste the wonderful opportunity.


Meditate on the devotional verse Proverbs 3:5 and take to heart the encouragement of Ephesians 5:15 - 18 throughout your week and see what God has in store for you!

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

16 - Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

17 - Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

Remember

Hebrews 6:11-14

(Contemporary English Version)

We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.

God's Promise Is Sure

No one is greater than God. So he made a promise in his own name when he said to Abraham, "I, the Lord, will bless you with many descendants!"

The choice is Yours Be Blessed or...........

No comments: