It is important that we always be disciplined when times of choosing comes into play. So many times we are tempted to take a shortcut, to compromise our integrity, to cheat just a little to get ahead, but what we don’t always realize in these moments of decision is that our choices will dictate our future. It may be a small thing to us in that moment, but the wrong choice could have a ripple effect that will follow us for many years to come. That is why we should always have the forethought that our future’s blessing resides in our decisions today. The Bible has forewarned us to make the right decisions even if those around us seem to be prospering while doing evil as we read in Psalm 37:7-11 “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” (Proverbs 11:3) (Proverbs 14:12)

My best encouragement to anyone is to think of the longevity of your life. Don’t look at the days, weeks and months ahead of you, but think 20, 30 or 40 years down the line and see where you would like your life to be. Would you like to be married, have children, have a successful career, be healthy and whole and most importantly be in right standing with God above? In order to have these blessings in our life we have to make the right choices that will in time take root and bring back to us a wonderful harvest. Another thing we have to keep in mind is that there is no instant recipe for joy, blessing or success. Everything takes time; every good endeavor requires hard work, discipline and patience. A woman has to wait nine months in order to give birth to the baby that was conceived nine months before. She knows that it takes time for the baby to grow, but she also knows that a great blessing will be coming into her life after the child has been fully developed. (Psalm 91:9-16) (James 1:2-7)

Be encouraged to live your life with character, with integrity and with the foreknowledge that living rightly before the Lord will ensure your life’s longevity, blessing and fulfilled success. The Bible confirms this truth as we read in Proverbs 16:17-20 “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” (Psalm 138:6-8)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to choose the right things in life that will bring back a harvest of joy and blessings.


MAKING CHOICES

Joseph Henry was an American scientist who served as the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. He used to tell a rather strange story about his childhood. His grandmother, who raised him, once paid a cobbler to make him a pair of shoes. 

The man measured his feet and told Joseph that he could choose between two styles: a rounded toe or a square toe. Little Joseph couldn't decide. It seemed to be such a huge decision; after all, they would become his only pair of shoes for a long time. 

The cobbler allowed him to take a couple of days to make up his mind. Day after day, Joseph went into the shop, sometimes three or four times a day! Each time he looked over the cobbler's shoes and tried to decide. The round-toed shoes were more practical, but the square toes looked more fashionable. He continued to procrastinate. He wanted to make up his mind, but he just couldn't decide! 

Finally, one day he went into the shop and the cobbler handed him a parcel wrapped in brown paper. His new shoes! He raced home. He tore off the wrapping and found a beautiful pair of leather shoes - one with a rounded toe and the other with a square toe. 

I can learn a lesson here... a lesson about decisions: if I don't make decisions myself, others will probably make them for me. Better that I make them myself. 

And if I choose poorly from time to time, that's okay, too. At least I won't have to wear shoes that don't match. Besides, I'll probably do better the next time. 

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Proverbs 15:16 “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.”

Psalm 37:16-19 “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Proverbs 3:31-35 “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today’s Selected Poem: HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAMS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem172.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: I WAS ONCE LOST
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony21.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry