Choosing and Changing
Violence is not a new thing. Throughout history, people have done horrible things to one another. The Bible tells us stories of how jealousy and greed destroyed families and friendship. We read that people sacrificed their babies to idols, betrayed their siblings, and stole their best friends wives. The hatred so often expressed in our world today is not a new thing.
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 NLT
People have abused one another since Adam and Eve walked the earth. And yet, at every mass tragedy we look at each other and ask, "How could this happen?" We are surprised by the evil that hides in our midst. Some even go so far as to ask, "Where was God in all this?" And "How could He let this happen?"
The answer is simple. God is not responsible for the choices of men.
Think about the gift of free will. God gave it to us and He will not take it away. He does not want us to live for Him or with Him by force but by choice. God wants us to choose Him. He wants us to put Him first in our lives, in our thoughts, and in our hearts. But it is our choice.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV
God says he gives us the right to choose for ourselves the path for our lives. He breaks down every decision we make to two things - life or death, light or darkness, good or evil. Either way the choice is ours and God is not responsible for what we choose to say or do.
Look at the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds in Matthew, Chapter 13. A master planted good seed in a field and that night while he was sleeping, the enemy came and planted weeds with the wheat. When the new plants began to grow above the surface, it became apparent what had been done. The master allowed the weeds to grow with the wheat in order to preserve the most amount of wheat possible. If he would have tried to separate the two plants too soon, then some of the wheat would have been lost.
Good and evil are allowed to live in the same neighborhood by God's design. How else would we recognize the value of His gifts of mercy and grace that He so abundantly gives to us?
Our lives are a reflection of our choices. Want a better life? Make better choices. Not sure how to do this? Start by reading your Bible. Study it. Ask God for help. Apply His instructions to your life. Use them to help you establish boundaries on your life. Seek godly counsel through your church leaders. Read books that address the areas you are weak in.
Change is never easy and that's why so many people resist it but it is worth it. You cannot grow beyond where you are right now without it. But it's your choice. Don't quit when things get rough. It is in going through the storms that you develop trust in God. When you stick with Him through the tough times, you build a foundation for future good decisions to rest upon.
God is not responsible for your choices. He has told you the key to life is to choose it. Don't get hung up on being perfect. God knows that is impossible for you but be quick to apologize and admit when you are wrong. Learn from your mistakes and let God show you how to do better the next time.
The choice to grow requires change but it is your choice to make.
Heidirn
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 NLT
People have abused one another since Adam and Eve walked the earth. And yet, at every mass tragedy we look at each other and ask, "How could this happen?" We are surprised by the evil that hides in our midst. Some even go so far as to ask, "Where was God in all this?" And "How could He let this happen?"
The answer is simple. God is not responsible for the choices of men.
Think about the gift of free will. God gave it to us and He will not take it away. He does not want us to live for Him or with Him by force but by choice. God wants us to choose Him. He wants us to put Him first in our lives, in our thoughts, and in our hearts. But it is our choice.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV
God says he gives us the right to choose for ourselves the path for our lives. He breaks down every decision we make to two things - life or death, light or darkness, good or evil. Either way the choice is ours and God is not responsible for what we choose to say or do.
Look at the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds in Matthew, Chapter 13. A master planted good seed in a field and that night while he was sleeping, the enemy came and planted weeds with the wheat. When the new plants began to grow above the surface, it became apparent what had been done. The master allowed the weeds to grow with the wheat in order to preserve the most amount of wheat possible. If he would have tried to separate the two plants too soon, then some of the wheat would have been lost.
Good and evil are allowed to live in the same neighborhood by God's design. How else would we recognize the value of His gifts of mercy and grace that He so abundantly gives to us?
Our lives are a reflection of our choices. Want a better life? Make better choices. Not sure how to do this? Start by reading your Bible. Study it. Ask God for help. Apply His instructions to your life. Use them to help you establish boundaries on your life. Seek godly counsel through your church leaders. Read books that address the areas you are weak in.
Change is never easy and that's why so many people resist it but it is worth it. You cannot grow beyond where you are right now without it. But it's your choice. Don't quit when things get rough. It is in going through the storms that you develop trust in God. When you stick with Him through the tough times, you build a foundation for future good decisions to rest upon.
God is not responsible for your choices. He has told you the key to life is to choose it. Don't get hung up on being perfect. God knows that is impossible for you but be quick to apologize and admit when you are wrong. Learn from your mistakes and let God show you how to do better the next time.
The choice to grow requires change but it is your choice to make.
Heidirn
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