Sunday's message, it's a long post

I'm not sure that I will get to post anything tomorrow so here is the message the Lord laid on my heart to share with the congregation tomorrow evening God willing.

CHOICES

Joshua 24:1-18 Emphasis on vs 15

Just like the children of Israel stood on the threshold of decision that day, so we too stand on the threshold of decision every day. With choices ranging from what to where to how much to invest it's not wonder so many people are feeling paralyzed and not wind up not doing anything with their lives. But no matter how overwhelming the volume of choices, choose we must because wherever we are in life today, it’s because of the choices we made in the past. And where we are going to be in 1yr, 2yrs, 5yrs, 10yrs should Jesus Christ tarry will be a result of the choices we make today, tomorrow, next week and next month.

We cannot tell what tomorrow may bring. We don’t know what is coming our way next week. We may not even be here next month or next year. But we have today and today is what really matters. Will you make the choices today that will give you a desired future tomorrow? Many of us look to the future which is okay to a certain extent. We say things like someday I want to do this, one day I want to have that or someday I want to be this. This is fine if we don’t stop there. The question is what are we doing today that will help us get to those someday desires.

Today matters saints of God. Today matters. God has placed eternity in our hearts as the scripture says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 but He has given us only today to manage. His word says in Matthew 6:34 – Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. One of the ways that tomorrow will take care of itself is by making the right choices today. You cannot do anything tomorrow. You only have today.

Do you want to be a particular weight in one year or 6 months? Then today make the choice to limit your portions, eat on time, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat ½ of your usual dessert. Just today. When tomorrow comes it will no longer be tomorrow it will be today and you do the same thing. Over a period of time you will see that someday of being this weight come into being.

Do you want to be debt free within the next 5yrs? Then today make the choice to sit down and look realistically at what you owe. Then choose to stop eating out at least ½ of the time and put that money aside. Don’t just leave it sitting there to be spent put it aside toward debt reduction. Save something out of your paycheck and every bit of money you receive. It may be as small as 1% which at times may amount to literally pennies but if you consistently do that you will be a lot further toward your dream of being debt free than if you did not save that 1%. If you get an unexpected financial gift make the choice to put ½ of the amount towards debt reduction. You never had it in the first place so it won’t take food out of your mouth. It’s extra. You have the other ½ to use anyway you choose. Take the coins from at the end of your day and put them in a jar. At the end of the month before it gets too overwhelming, count them and make that trip to the bank and put it in your account toward debt reduction. Every little bit helps. No you don’t need that extra pair of shoes right now or that bag or that dress or shirt or electronic gadget, book or what ever it is. Between us and God we all know the area or areas where we say “I know I should ease up on buying more of this you know”. Work with what you have and continue to pray and believe God. As he notices your steps of good stewardship towards your goal he will reward you with little surprises and big surprises along the way because of your faithfulness.

Do you wish you knew more of God’s word? What have you done today toward that desire? Did you make the choice to spend at least 15 minutes reading His word? Did you do more than your usual today? The secret is all in today.

Do we want better kids? Then choose to be a better parent. Choose to smile more at your kids today and yell less. Train in the areas you yell instead. It will mean taking time out of your day but that choice is worth the investment of time.

Do you want a better marriage? Smile more at your spouse today and frown less even when you disapprove. I think that he or she knows by now what you disapprove of so let it go and smile more. I know you will feel better. Trust me been there done that and have had to do it over and over until it became habitual. The choices still present themselves and more often than not I smile and let it go as I say a prayer to God in my heart about it.

Women of God, are we praying for opportunities to be the Titus 2 women that God calls us to be? Are we living like one as the scripture dictates and then training and helping others to be that way? Let’s go there now to look at a little of what that entails. Titus 2:3-5.

Did you submit to your husbands today, wives? Or were you excusing your behavior by saying he will understand. Are we as wives crucifying our flesh and being 1 Peter 3 women. Let’s read this for a minute. 1Peter 3:1-6 Many of us know what we should do but we all need a reminder now and then Amen?

Men who are husbands. Are you choosing to be 1 Peter 3 husbands as well? Look at vs. 7. Prayers not answered men of God? That may be one of the missing elements. Just some food for thought. Today did you make the choice to be considerate and understanding of your wives? Not yesterday or last week. Were you considerate today? Did you treat her with tenderness and respect today?

Think about it saints today is all we have. Listen to many whose spouses are dead. They will tell you the little disagreements seem petty now. So make the choice to live today with more smiles, more respect, more submission, more consideration and less of the negative frowns, disrespect etc.

Students do you want a higher grade, GPA, degree? What did you or can you do today to help you get there? Think about it. Put down on paper the steps to get you there. Then work your plan step by step with much prayer and sometimes fasting.

Ministry leaders and those aspiring to be ministry leaders. Do you want to be more effective in ministry? What did you do today towards that end? Did you choose to watch that TV show or did you take some time out to think, meditate and pray about the situations in your ministry area. Did you make the choice to read a ministry publication or listen to audio teaching to help you grow spiritually or did you choose to surf the internet for hours instead looking at and reading about stuff that does not help you to grow? Let’s turn to 2 Timothy 2:15. You are a workman in His vineyard are you not?

Not doing anything today will not hurt you today but think of the effect on your future. There are consequences both for action and for inaction. Are we obeying God today or putting it off till tomorrow. There is a saying we are familiar with - Delayed obedience is disobedience.

Say you have a child and you tell that child to put off the TV and go do their homework, chores whatever. You come back into the room 5 minutes later and found that child still watching TV would you say that the child was being disobedient or would you say he or she was just delaying their obedience. Most of us would say that the child was being disobedient. The same principle applies with our God.

Let’s read James 4:17. What does the word say?-When we know the good to do and we don’t do it we are sinning. Let us use wisdom saints and choose wisely how we live our days. God has given us today and today only. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Let us take today and run with it. We will reap the benefits tomorrow. As Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives us strength.

May God richly bless you as you move forward to make today count.

I hope this was a blessing to you as you read it.
Be fruitful and multiply. Multiply what the Lord has put in your hand and glorify Him.
Jen