Choices

CHOICES

 

Do we choose to serve Jesus? Or do we choose to serve the devil? Jesus has plans for us, to prosper us and to give us a hope and a future. Whether His plans for our life happen, depends on the choices we make.

 

The devil –

 

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." - John 8:44

 

Jesus –

 

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." - John 10:9-11

 

When we choose Jesus, we choose Life. By the gospel, we turn from sin and give our life to Him. Peter preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, that Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected, and how to obey it.

 

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:37-42

 

That day, about three thousand souls chose to serve Jesus.

 

The devil – the god of this world - does not want us to be saved. He is a liar and a murderer from the beginning. (Genesis 3:4)

 

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

 

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" - Ephesians 2:2

 

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

 

We as the servants of Jesus, have chosen to live our lives for Him. Our lives are changed. To be successful, not only are our lives changed, but we no longer go to the places we used to go, where everyone does what we used to do. We touch not the unclean thing AND come out from among them.

 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12

 

Our battles are not with people, but rather with those unseen spiritual influences that tempt us to turn back to our old ways and habits.

 

We listen to the leading of the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of Jesus in us) to keep us out of trouble and to be strong in the Lord.

 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:10-11 (see verses though 18)

 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13