"Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near" - Isaiah 55:6 (NLT)

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Thursday, October 17, 2019

But As for Me, I Choose the LORD

"Nothing harms or destroys us but the wrong use of that liberty of choice which God has entrusted to us."  - William Law

Some find themselves stuck in a cycle of actions or habits, of which they believe they can stop or quit whenever they want to. This line of thinking, more often than not, can lull one's conscience into a false sense of control.

Erroneous ideas, such as this, also tend to suppress good principles and values. They may promote a cheerful, easy-going attitude within, as one continues down the wrong path, disregarding right from wrong, and neglecting responsibilities (Mark 7:20-23).

The belief that bad habits are not dangerous, because we can change them at any time, appears to be grounded in an undersupply of love for God, and a lack of devoted compassion that, without either, anything we carry out is unfruitful (Psalm 106:25).

For example, the nation Israel dealt with this in the Old Testament; finding just how difficult it is to break bad habits. They struggled with obedience to God for a time, then fell back into disobedience; repeating the sequence many times (see Book of Judges).

Although God will help us (Deuteronomy 31:6), should we choose inappropriately and refuse to listen to His voice, He will grudgingly turn us loose to follow our own desires, whatever they might be (James 4:17).

The late Baptist pastor Curtis Hutson said, "When the believer is faced with a decision regarding a questionable matter, he should never proceed unless he has complete peace about it. If there is nothing wrong with it, then God is able to give complete peace."

Our lives here on earth are but a series of trials, proofs, and preparation for an everlasting placement of good standing following our passing. God placed in our hands the power to make our own decisions; but we must choose wisely (Romans 6:16).

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Revelation 2:10; Proverbs 16:1; Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 32:8

Prayer: Dear God, You gave me a spirit, not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. May I demonstrate this in all that I say and do. Amen.

Bless you always,

Addison

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