Deuteronomy 30:19-20a Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to Him, for He is your life. (NLT)
I’ve been thinking a lot on how our choices affect our peace, and whether or not we walk as victorious children of God, or victims of the lesser god. Every day we have choices to make.
Philippians 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. (NASB)
If you’ve accepted a relationship with Jesus Christ, then He lives in you, as you and through you. You are already victorious and blessed. However, your choices will affect whether you walk in victory and blessings.
Anyone can place themselves in a state of depression and anxiety by what they choose to think on. I could do it right now because there are things in my past that aren’t good, but, I choose not to think on those things.
There was a time that I was a Pharisee. That wasn’t my heart at all. I was trying to be the Titus woman and teach the younger women what I knew. It hurt and offended those I love dearly. I asked the Lord why I taught like that and He showed me. I was teaching the way I am to myself. I’m like a bulldog when I see things in me, or things I do, or things I allow myself to watch, etc. I’m on it and get rid of it or change it. It was because I love, and I care, that I taught as I did. Walking as He intends me to is very important to me. The old is gone…I needed to participate with Him in the new.
Paul had terrible things in his past. He had to choose not to look back, just like we do.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Don’t dig in the past. Leave it there. There is no victory to be found in yesterday’s mess. Forgive and forget. Ask Him to help you forget those things that keep you from walking in victory and peace. You will grow stronger as you depend on Him.
Please know my heart…I’m not judging, but encouraging you! You can choose! You have control over your thought life, and your decisions! That’s great news, because you can do something about it! You’re not helpless! He lives in you!
If I live in the past, I’m living in my own self-induced prison. I choose life, because He is my life.
Jesus asked the twelve, after many of His disciples left and weren’t walking with Him any more, if they wanted to go away, too.
John 6:68-69 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (NASB)
John 12:49-50 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life, therefore the thing I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” (NASB)
So I speak as the Father has told me: You are Mine, you are not victims, but victorious! I have laid before you life and death. Choose life! Drop those things that bind you and walk in the freedom and the victory I give you. Let Me be your life and let not the things that hinder you have place any more.
Amen…so be it.
