Navigate life's challenges with God's wisdom for a more successful and fulfilling journey.
Planting Seeds of RIGHT CHOICES
Deuteronomy 30:15-19
I wonder how many decisions we make every day. I believe it’s probably hundreds. We decide whether or not to get out of bed, what we’ll eat, what we’ll do, what we’ll think about, what we’ll say…and on and on.
While it may seem like many of our daily choices are not that significant, it’s important to understand that they do matter.
In Deuteronomy chapter 30 verses 15-19, the Bible says.....15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
Every choice is a seed we sow, and those seeds produce fruit in our life, or they do not. And if we want to have the life Jesus died to give us – an abundant life full of real peace and joy – we need to make wise choices.
Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about on a practical level. Sometimes it’s hard for me to go to sleep. I mean I struggle and it seems I can’t get my brain to slow down. But when I do manage to “hit the hay” and get at least 5 hours sleep, then get up, stretch, go out for a early morning walk/jog…. wow, things go better and I feel better.
So, getting consistent sleep, exercise, eating right makes a difference. As I cross over into my seventies, I can honestly say I feel great most of the time, because I have made some good choices regarding my health. In fact, I can do more than some people that I know who are a lot younger than me. This is the fruit of making wise choices in my life; daily.
When God told the nation of Israel, in Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 19 to “choose life,” He was showing us as well what wisdom looks like and making good choices.
It’s a connection to Proverbs; oh, come on look….here it is, it’s life-giving and when we follow wisdom, we live deeper than "what we want, what we think, what we feel”, because spiritual wisdom will always direct us in what to choose rightly now, or in the future. Now living with a self-guided wisdom/walking in the flesh mindset, is the bed fellow of living a life of foolishness.
Now here’s some great news: If we’ve made foolish choices (and we’ve all done it at times in our lives) and we’re not happy with the way things are, WE CAN CHANGE. But we have to be willing to take responsibility for our wrong choices and make a determined decision to change the way we behave, or choose.
When we do, we’ll find that every right choice we make helps reverse the wrong decisions we’ve made in the past. I really want you to get this because my passion is to help you learn how to live the life Jesus wants you to have, just giving to God and walking in obedience.
To begin this journey in Christ, we have to understand that nobody can change themselves. I know this because when I desperately wanted to change and be a better person who made right decisions, it was clear that I couldn’t do it on my own. I needed God and still do, to heal me of hurts from the past and make me secure and whole in Christ. Then I was able to choose life and live the way God wants me to live.
Whatever change you need to make, simply pray and ask God to change you and help you. Study the Bible in the areas where you are struggling, like anger, selfishness or unforgiveness. And then.....be serious about it changing.
It’s so good to know we can do something to choose life, not just have an existence full of misery and death. We can seek wisdom, pray every day and renew our commitment to do what He wants us to do. We can live with integrity and do what’s right, even when no one is watching us but God. That’s when we know we’re really living for Him and not for ourselves or to please other people.
Think about this: How can you change and what would your life be like if you made better choices right now? Don’t put it off any longer. There won’t be a more convenient time than now. We don’t have to waste another day missing out on the good life God has for us. We can do it. Let’s begin PLANTING THE SEEDS OF RIGHT CHOICES.
Pastor Phil
Comments from readers
"Pastor Phil's insights through the Word of the Week have truly transformed my perspective on life's challenges. His simple yet profound words of encouragement help me make it through the day."
Emily Johnson
Springfield MO
"Recently I found your church website. I was amazed how the word was what I needed. I have been struggling with depression and even suicide the past year, but after reading the word for the week for the past month I know there is a God and he loves me. Thank you pastor Phil."
Sean Callagum
Port Douglas Australlia
"Recently I read pastor Phils word for the week on not being alone. Pastor Phils word, impacted me at a time when I felt like ending my life. After losing my wife to cancer, I did not want to live anymore, but now I know God is with me no matter what I face, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am never alone."
William
Greensboro NC
"While going through a touch situation in my life, I was devastated at the impact it had on my life emotionally. I was at my "wits end". I read books, talked with people, sought counseling, but nothing worked. After reading the Words for the week the past few weeks, I sense a change in my life attitude and decision making processing. It is amazing what a few words can do to change your life."
Barbara
Greensboro NC
"Thank you pastor Phil for your word of the week. I have been reading them since I found your website while searching for a church. Although you are in North Carolina, the past two months have been a blessing because the word you have been posting on your website is something have looked forward to. It means. a lot and I wanted to say thank you."
Harold R.
Fort Worth Texas
"Pastor Phil, 2 weeks ago I read your word for the week about staying focused in a distracted world. I have been going through a hard time the past six months. I was ready to quit and walk away from my church because of the distractions brought on by my problem. I have prayed, talked to people in my church and nothing changed, until I read your word for the week. I realized that I had taken my focus off the one that has always been there for me. I began reading my bible again, praying and trusting Jesus in a new light promising him I would never take my eyes off off him again. I feel so much better now and have a new perspective on my life and the problems I face. Pastor Phil, I can walk on water if Jesus is with me and I keep my eyes focused on him.
Thank you and God bless you."
Trish W.
Asheville NC
