Choices

We all make choices every day. Some of them are as simple as what to wear or what we are going to have for lunch and some may be very difficult like ending friendships that are unhealthy for us, changing careers or taking a stand for what is right when the world (and sometimes family) are screaming no! The choices we make are so important...for instance, choosing to read God's word whether we feel like it or not, choosing to honor God with your money, talents and time and most importantly, choosing to follow Christ. Our choices can encourage others in their walk with the Lord or they can turn people away from the Gospel. Whenever I am facing a hard decision and am standing at a crossroad, I am so thankful, that God will lead me and He will lead you too. "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17 We, however, must know His voice and listen for it and wait on Him. When we do this, and pay attention to His commands, our peace will be like a river. Isaiah 48:18 Some of the decisions we face in life are very difficult and we will hear many voices-from friends, family and the media. It is so important to open our ears and listen to what God says. At those times, we need to really get in His word and let Him speak to us. You need to know that satan, the enemy of your soul, wants nothing more than to destroy you, destroy your testimony and coerce you into making decisions that will steal your joy. He will put thoughts in your head and he will use anyone in your life-even those close to you, to try and steer you down the wrong path. "satan comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life to the fullest."  John 10:10 I have to be honest, today has been a day filled with spiritual attack. These attacks were coming from all angles. I thought wow, this is timely, seeing that on Father's Day tomorrow, Darren and I are going to renew our vows. The Lord reminded me that "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5  In other words, any thought we have that does not line up with the word of God, we have the power through the Holy Spirit, to cast it down and not think upon it. What we think about and entertain in our minds is crucial to our life. We have to set our minds on Christ and not let the negative thoughts that flood our minds determine our outlook or have an effect on our decisions. Now we are human, so naturally, we will have negative thoughts at times, however,we don't have to let them rule our minds and need to know that sometimes these thoughts are assaults from the enemy. Remember, satan is the master deceiver, he masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 Test everything you hear whether it is from a preacher or trusted friend, if what you are hearing goes against God's word, you need to run! I know I have said this before, but I cannot stress it enough, stay in the word of God. He is your refuge and your shield. Hide His word in your heart so that when the time comes, the Holy Spirit can bring it to your remembrance. We, friends, are in a war....and this war will go on until Christ comes, so be ready, be prepared and be on guard! Don't go into battle without your armor. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:13-18

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