"CHOICES"

Good Evening to All!

Before I get to my post, I read a very enjoyable informative post yesterday about one of my most FAVORITE Bible Verses: Philippians 4:8, which goes like this: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I love this verse because I have low self-esteem and it helps me to keep my attitude and my own self-esteem on track. When I was younger, I used to be a VERY POSITIVE person. As I grew older upper teens on, it started going down hill until I was at "rock bottom on self-esteem. It wasn't until I got serious about my relationship with God and even found this verse that my esteem started to rise. I know if it helps me it will help others. Please, please read this post at Settled in Heaven! You'll be glad you did.

He had one of the best studies on this verse I've ever heard. Very explanatory Please check it out at "Settled in Heaven" The title of the Post is "Mind Control". It is a wonderful post.

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Today's Bible Seed tells us, "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.'" 1 Peter 3:10-11 NIV

The King James Version states it this way: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let Him eschew evil , and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Imagine that you are on a plane finally taking your dream trip to Hawaii. Your bags are packed with summer outfits and sandals in ever color, but as the plane lads you notice snow on the ground. when the cabin door opens, the air is icy cold. Just then the fight attendant says, "Welcome to the Alps!"

If that happened to you, you would be faced with a choice--either cry and complain that your trip is ruined or head for the nearest ski slope and get outfitted for the most beautiful snow in the world. ( I personally would take choice number three and straighten out the snafu and get on a plane bound for Hawaii! LOL!)

The point is, our lives consist of choices. We decide every morning what kind of day it will be. Peter says if we want a life worth loving and want to see good days, we must make some careful choices. The first choice is what to do with our tongue and lips. Peter suggests keeping away from evil and deceitful speech. This means that our word choices must be good, not evil, and focused on truth, not deception. It also means that we should not whisper behind someone's back or say unkind things even in a joking sense. We make the choice to control what comes out of our mouths.

Peter doesn't limit his advice to our tongue; he points to our actions too. "Do good," he says. Don't give lip service only. Actually do something good.

( My first choice is to wake up in the morning and before I open my mouth to anyone, I pray and ask God to keep my tongue in check and help me not to say anything that would not be pleasant to His ears). Then, I would make the second choice of what to do with my lips and tongue. Always remember that with God's at the helm, our choices are made easier.

Dig Deeper: One of the meanings of the Greek word thelo, which is translated "will" in today's seed, is intend. We can live and love life on purpose --intentionally.

Weed & Water: Solomon struggled with the opposite view of life. He said, "So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me . . . " (Ecclesiastes 2:17). Solomon had tried wine, fun, possessions, power, friends, sex, hobbies, money, and awards, but none of it made him love life. Peter's view is that loving life is an act of the will. We don't need possessions and accolades to make life great. We don't need long life to make life worth loving. We only need to make our choice. Will we choose good not evil?

Sprout & Scatter: Our attitude about life will spread to those around us. If we complain, grumble, and find fault, they will too. If we look for the positive, we change the mood of a meeting or conversation. If we choose the good, the bad will seem unimportant. Our positive influence will sway others. How do we keep a positive attitude? By remembering our joy in Christ Jesus. If we allow it, his joy will overflow from our lives to others.

Think about it: What has kept you from loving life?

Will you make a choice now as an act of your will to discard that bad memory?


Prayer Pot: Lord, help me choose joy today when . . . (Insert your thoughts)




Take-Away Idea: In a difficult situation, choose joy.



Reference: "Bible Seeds" A Simple Study-Devotional for Growing in God's Word by Patsy Clairmont and Florence Littauer and Starburst Publishers.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!