The Choice is Ours~

Just as sure as anything the sun comes up every morning ---I know for sure it is there even if it is covered by the clouds; I still know it’s there just over the horizon. And, just as surely as it rises, it will set when day is done. These things I know. Something else I know-God is faithful. Knowing and seeing these things comes from a lifetime of serving God and placing my faith in Him on a day-to-day basis. Just as the sun does what it’s supposed to do on a day to day thing, so does our God. He never stops seeing, never stops loving, and never stops giving…Realizing I have this kind of God, gives me hope and courage to face the day. It gives me peace to lie down at night and rest. If I didn’t have a personal relationship with God, I would be like the “cynics” and ask, “Why does your God let bad things happen to good people?” God does not “LET” things happen to people to be a cruel God. He gives us free will to make choices. I am amazed that people hold God accountable for their choices.

One thing I know for sure ---God does not take us somewhere that He is not there to walk with us through our journey. In Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 He says we can choose life or we can choose death…The choice is ours. I would like to share some of my favorite verses of scripture on faithfulness with you:

     Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands…Deuteronomy 7:9

    Great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the skies…Psalm 108:4

The works of his hands are verity and judgment (faithful and just); all his commandments are trustworthy; they are steadfast for ever and ever; and are done in faithfulness and uprightness…Psalm 111: 7-8.

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one…2 Thessalonians 3:3

I could never blame God for my sins and bad choices any more than I can blame any person. I, and I alone are responsible for the choices I make. Only God is faithful forever; only God can bring peace to this crazy world we live in…Only God brings light to rid the darkness of a sinful world. Only God offers hope to those who are in despair. Only God has the complete picture.

                   I come to the cross, seeking mercy and grace

                   I come to the cross, where You died in my place

                   Out of my weakness and into Your strength

                   Humbly, dear Lord, I come to the cross.

                        

                                                  * A LOVE STORY *

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love me?" I answered, “Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?" I was perplexed. I looked down at my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation.

So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our heart.

I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. Praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.

So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?"

This time, I had no answer. Only tears.

The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all." "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed tremendously. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, “Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"  

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior.  And for the first time, I truly prayed.

                                                                                                                      Author unknown~