THE POWER OF CHOICE DETERMINES YOUR SUCCESS
The power of choice is God’s gift, but it is up to you to use it wisely. No other creature is given this power except the human being. God allows us to choose our own destiny. On the other hand, a fatalist believes that events are determined by an impersonal fate and cannot be changed by human beings.
Let’s see what the Bible says concerning our choice and destiny. Deut 30:19 “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.” God has set before us life and death but has given us the power to make choices and He is urging us to make the right choices for our own good.
Jos 24:15 “ And if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” God will never force you to love and obey Him but one day He will judge you for the wrong choices you made.
Isaiah 7:15 “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Your success depends on the kind of life you choose. You are assured of a better life if you know how to refuse evil and choose the good. Good judgment will lead you to a better life. Good choice leads to good results and bad choice leads to bad results.
What happens to you is not as important as how you respond or react. When you respond, you become BETTER but when you react you become BITTER. You are who you are because of the choices you make in your life. Don’t complain about what you choose! A fornicator can blame the devil when she/he contracts HIV but she/he forgets that the devil had never undressed her/him. The devil may have enticed you to do wrong but he has never undressed you. You will never find yourself naked because of the devil. He will make sure you undress yourself to your own detriment. You do it by your own free will.
A. Who am I in Christ?
Self-image: How do I see myself – this comes from being created in the image of God.
Self-value: How do I value myself? – this comes from being a child of God.
B. Who God says I am?
Matt 5:13 – I am the salt of the earth. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
God wants you to preserve and bring flavor to this world.
Matt 5:14 – I am the light of the world. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” God wants you to bring light where there is darkness.
Phil 3:20 – I am the citizen of heaven and seated in heaven right now. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Col 3:3 – I am hidden with Christ in God. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
1 Pet 5:8 – I am the enemy of satan. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
John 15:15 – I am the friend of Christ. “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”
ABCs of Practical Self-value:
- Accept yourself
- Balance yourself
- Complement yourself
- Discover yourself
- Encourage yourself
- Forgive yourself
Tell yourself this: I AM CREATED IN THE BEST IMAGE OF ALL AND I AM A CHILD OF GOD, THEREFORE I DESERVE THE BEST.
God wants you to prosper in all aspects and live a balanced life.
3 John 2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” Pro 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
What are the areas we need to live life in balance?
1. Physical
2. Mental
3. Spiritual
4. Social
5. Financial
6. Family
For you to be happy do the following:
1. Love you (yourself) – If not, you will war with you
2. Love what you do – If not, you will war with your work
3. Love where you live – If not, you will war with geography
Personal Reflection:
Are you using this power of choice in a right and Godly way?
Do you complain about what you personally chose in life?
My friend the Bible says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps 139:14 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” You are uniquely created so never allow anything to take away your privileges of being a child of God. God loves you with everlasting love (Jer 31:3). GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!
If you are not yet registered in the Kingdom of God this is the right time for you. Accept Jesus in your heart and allow Him to control your life. I assure you, You won’t regret it. He is meek and lowly in heart. Matt 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Have a great time as you discover your identity and divine destiny in Christ.
Dr. Lawi Mshana, +255712924234; Korogwe, Tanga, tanzania
