CHOOSE LIFE

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 27 January 2013

Hi all,

“Are you saved?” This is not a popular question to ask many folk today. They say, “Saved from what?” Of course it’s a valid comment. The question has become so “stereotyped”, people hardly take it seriously. Perhaps we should ask, “Have you chosen life or death?” It’s a much more Biblical Question and unbelievers are more likely to give an intelligent answer. Then we can respond with the Gospel.

I’m reminded of the statement, “If you do the same things this year as you did last year, you will most probably get the same result”. Perhaps the time has come for us all to change our words to unbelievers; unless of course we want the same result. Do you want the same result? Then perhaps you should rephrase the question to choosing life or death? That’s today’s meditation.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 27 January 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	Choose Life
The goodness of God! What can we say? At times it seems impossible for us to even get a glimpse of His infinite goodness. Today’s Scriptures make this abundantly clear. So how great is His goodness? I’m reminded of someone’s remark that when Jesus was asked how big His love was, He stretched His arms out wide and died. What can any of us say in the face of love and goodness this big? Any attempt to express it in words is doomed to failure. The context of the following quote from 1st Samuel 3 is not correct for the quote. But the sentiments are 100% accurate. “He is the Lord. He will do as He thinks best. 18 So Samuel told him everything. He didn't hide anything from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD. Let him do what he thinks is best." 1 Samuel 3:18 NIrV There have been occasions, particularly in connection with salvation, when someone has told me that he or she is a good person. My response is to ask if I may shake their hand. I tell them I’ve never met a good person before. When they ask me if I’m a good person, I say “No! Only God is good”. This was Jesus’ comment when He was asked the same question. 18 "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18 ESV I then add, “What a privilege for me to be in presence of someone who is good!” This usually brings the individual back to reality. But this “put down” cannot conceal the goodness of God. God is good. (Period) As Moses, God’s spokesman, said before handing over to Joshua. 19 "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deut 30:19-20 NLT Something of God’s goodness is revealed here. He tells them to choose blessing or curses. Choose life or death. This approaches the ultimate in goodness. It’s as though God says, “I want you to live!” In spite of this, most people don’t want to know Jesus. Their actions indicate they prefer the curse to the blessing. Why? Who can say? Jim Elliot, the martyr at the hands of the Waodani people of Ecuador is said to have put it this way: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." God offers life. Why choose death? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			19 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, Deut. 30:19 ESV 32 When anyone dies, it does not give me any joy," announces the LORD and King. "So turn away from your sins. Then you will live! Ezekiel 18:32 NIrV 22 If I hadn't come and spoken to them, they wouldn't have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. John 15:22 GW 47 "The servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't get ready to do it will receive a hard beating. 48 But the servant who didn't know what his master wanted and did things for which he deserved punishment will receive a light beating. A lot will be expected from everyone who has been given a lot. More will be demanded from everyone who has been entrusted with a lot. Luke 12:47-48 GW 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23 NLT 35 The Father loves His Son and has put everything into His hands. 36 And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment." John 3:35-36 NLT 16 Don't you know that if you offer to be someone's slave, you must obey that master? Either your master is sin, or your master is obedience. Letting sin be your master leads to death. Letting obedience be your master leads to God's approval. 17 You were slaves to sin. But I thank God you have become wholeheartedly obedient to the teachings you were given. Rom. 6:16-17 GW 26 Anyone who serves me must follow me. And where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. John 12:26 NIrV	We’re standing at the junction, of a most important street. And which is the direction that will not bring defeat? One way leads to heaven. The other leads to hell. Which is the correct one? We really cannot tell. Of course we can be foolish and camp there on the road, Delaying a decision and carrying our load. The choice is ours entirely. No man may tell us “Nay!” So what is it that we must do upon this crucial day? For many it is simple. They’ll merely ask their wife, Which one of these alternatives leads to eternal life? But that is not acceptable. The husband takes the lead. It’s his responsibility where both of them will feed. Another way to do it is gaze upon the way. Is it broad and easy, on which we all can play? Is it straight and narrow with only room for one, So one behind each other is the way to carry on? Jesus told us plainly, to take the narrow road. The broad way is quite certain, to be disaster’s mode. There is a simple answer to, “Which way will be correct?” Ask the Holy Spirit to come and to direct, Into the way that’s suitable for you to walk along. Listen very carefully; you will not get it wrong. For God will always show you the right and proper route; A way that is impossible for any to refute. He wants you to be with Him. He doesn’t want to see, The death of any person through their own stupidity. He wants to give eternal life. He wants us at His side. He wants us for the Saviour; to be His precious bride. He wants us to be perfect! He wants us to be whole! He wants to save our spirit, our body and our soul. He wants us to be numbered among His chosen folk, Who’re thrilled to be His servants and wear His pleasant yoke. So as He said to Israel before His servant died, “I’ve offered you both life and death. It’s you who must decide. Choose to have the blessing. Do not choose the curse. I will not prevent it. I will not reverse, What you have decided. So I say to you, Choose life! It is the finest thing that you will ever do!” Jim Strickland  Written 27th January 2012