Choose Life

"'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!

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.'"

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

Paper or plastic.

With or without nuts.

30- or 15-year fixed.

Sell or rent.

Caffeine or no caffeine.

Now or later.

Life is full of choices.  I make dozens each day, some without even thinking.  Others take much prayer and consideration.  

When God drew me to Jesus, enlightening me of my need for a Savior, I invited Him in as Lord of my life(John 6:44). As a result, I received the free gift of eternal life (John 3:16). Once I became a part of God's family through faith, I may have thought my choice had been made.  While my salvation is secure, I still have a decision to make that will result in blessing or trouble. Will I choose life or death?  

Words

I'll never be able to do that!

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

Why even try?  I'm a failure at everything I do.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

I can't touch them or see them but they have the power to bring life or death into a situation.  As a follower of Christ, I have the option of either using my words to tear myself and others down, or I can apply them to edify, encourage and inspire greatness.  

Before I prefer life through my speech, however, I will need to get control of my thought life.  I find it easy to think negative thoughts, worry about what may or may not happen, and analyze my circumstances in an effort to find a suitable solution.  

Instead, to begin choosing life, I must strain my thought life through the filter of Christ.  If a thought doesn't honor Him and line up with His principles, it doesn't belong in my mind (2 Corinthians 10:5).  If my way of thinking is negative and self-defeating, it must be replaced with lovely, pure and praise-worthy ideas (Philippians 4:8). If I tend to think more like the world than like God, then I must intentionally cooperate with the Lord as He transforms my mind (Romans 12:2).

Once I'm on the path to pure thinking, my words will tend to take more of a godly slant.  Soon, I will find myself pointing others to the life-giving words of Christ, encouraging them to carry on despite the difficulties of their circumstances.  I may even notice a change in the way I speak to myself, choosing to preach the truth of the Gospel to myself in an effort to spur on my faith.

I have the power to choose either life or death in the way I speak to myself and others.

Actions

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Talk doesn't cook rice."  Chinese proverb

"Talk is cheap."

"A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion." Washington Irving

"Don't just talk the talk but walk the walk."

"Well done is better than well said." Benjamin Franklin

The world is filled with wisdom regarding the power of action.  God also has much to say about the influence of my actions on the world around me.  He says mere knowledge of Him and His ways is not enough.  When it comes to His Word, He wants me to be more of a doer than just a listener (James 1:22).

Therefore, when He says that love is of the utmost importance, I better pay attention to not just doing what God calls me to do, but to saturate my obedience with love (1 Corinthians 13).  It also means I must do more than just memorize the scripture that teaches me to value others above myself, but to show Him that I believe what He said by respecting all humans as His image bearers (Philippians 2:3).  In addition, I can't just study about forgiveness and letting go of hurt, but I am called to make it a practice to extend the mercy and grace I am so freely given (Matthew 6:14-15).

When I take the option to do as God says, He will use me to bind wounds, soften hearts and promote healing.  In these ways my actions have resulted in life, with God getting all the glory for the great things He has done. 

   

I have the power to choose either life or death through my actions.

Heart

"I left my heart in San Francisco." Douglass Cross/Tony Bennett

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched--they must be felt with the heart."  Helen Keller

"Keep love in your heart.  A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead." Oscar Wilde

"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye." H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Everyone knows the heart is important; it determines my actions and sets the path for my feet.  If my heart is not in it, the work I do will not be my best.  

Samuel, the prophet and judge, learned how important the heart is to God when he was searching for the king who would replace the defiant Saul as the leader of Israel.  As he followed God's lead, travelling to Bethlehem in order to meet Jesse, he examined all of this man's fine-looking sons.  Judging by appearances, he determined the oldest as the one who must be God's chosen king.  Much to his dismay, however, God rejected each of the men until he got to the youngest, a lad named David who God saw as a man after His own heart  (Acts 13:22).

It is the heart that is important to God.  While I tend to size someone up based on their skills, abilities and stature, God pays attention to something of more value(1 Samuel 16:7).  Therefore, if I am to choose the way of life, I must also take note of the condition of my heart.  What do I treasure?  Who do I value?  How do I spend my time?  In what do I invest my money?  These are all questions that can help me determine where my heart is located (Matthew 6:19-21).  

If I'm more concerned with my bank account, making my own retirement of utmost importance, then my heart is rooted in the temporal.  If, however, I'm intent on using my financial resources to build God's kingdom, I'm treasuring the eternal.

If I hold my own rights as vital, then I'll jeopardize relationships and opportunities to give a testimony in order to defend my selfish interests.  If I replace that desire to uphold my own liberties with a regard for furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I'll unveil my heavenly value system. 

If my focus is on pleasing myself and indulging in my own sensual desires, then I'll live a shallow life.  If, instead, I am centered on pleasing God and following His lead, my life will be rich and full.

I have the power to choose either life or death in the attitude of my heart.

God created His masterpieces with the ability to choose.  As a result, I must decide whether I'll pick life or death in the words I speak, the actions I take and the incline of my heart.  In these areas, it is my desire that I make the effort to choose life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember the power of my words.

When do I speak carelessly, tearing myself or others down without a second thought?

How can I better honor God in the direction of my focus?

Originally posted on February 13, 2014

What's in a Name?

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,"

Matthew 6:9

"Let them praise the name of the LORD,
   for his name alone is exalted;"

Psalm 148:13 



"What's in a name? that which we call a rose,  By any other name would smell as sweet;" * 

Many of you probably recognize this poetic line from Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.  Juliet was saying that Romeo, born under another name, would still be the one with which she was madly in love.  To Juliet, who Romeo was seemed more important than what he was called.

This is not the case with God.  Even His name is special, set apart and to be revered.   The Lord is very concerned about His name, as demonstrated in the restraint He showed toward His disobedient and rebellious people.  "For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; (Isaiah 48:9)  God's name is of the utmost importance. 

David knew the significance of preserving the name of the Lord.  He said, "For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great." (Psalm 25:11)  David's main concern was for people to link God's name with His qualities: grace, mercy, love, justice, righteousness, holiness, etc.  This was more important to David than his own welfare.

Jesus demonstrated the reverence He held for His Father's name, in what He said after predicting His death to His disciples.  " 'Father, glorify your name!' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.' " (John 12:8) God's response speaks to the purpose for all of creation: To lift up the Name of the Creator and sovereign Lord.

How do I treat the name of my God in the way I use it in everyday life?  Do I purposefully act in a way that will bring glory and honor to His name?  Is the integrity of His name even something that crosses my mind?

 Respect

It is easy to fall into a familiar, casual relationship with God.  I have heard people refer to Him as "The Big Guy Upstairs," or to say that, "He's my main man,"  thinking that in their laid-back manner they are showing their love for Him, kind of like a friend.  But God himself never demonstrated that kind of lack of respect for His name, rather He expected a reverence for not just Him, but also His very name. 

It is quite common to casually use God's name in amazement or irritability, almost like a swear word, as in, "Oh my God!"  As my Savior and Creator, the Author of my faith and the Giver of all good things, He deserves so much more than this.  I must guard against falling into the practice of casually uttering His name as if it were common.  The name of God is not common, it is holy, and should be set aside for use in only ways that will make Him look good and show reverence.

It reminds me of my dishes.  I have a set of heirloom china that is only used on special occasions.  I do not use it every day, and when I do bring it out, I treat it more carefully than I do my other dishes.  This is similar to how my attitude should be toward the name of the Lord.  I need to be careful and only use it in ways that will bring glory and honor to Him.

As a bearer of God's image, I need to be mindful of where I go, what I do and how I think.

Honor and Glory

In the Japanese culture, the honor of the family is very important.   Schools, careers and mates are chosen in such a way to reflect well upon the family.  It is the highest goal in society to create a sense of respect and admiration for one's own family name.  

In the same way, I can make it my highest goal to honor and glorify the name of the Lord.  Every decision I make, every step I take, every word I utter, could be with the thought that I can lift up the name of the Lord in these actions! In this way, I will live out the admonition of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Integrity

God is perfect, good and just.  He does not need my help as a PR person to give Him a better reputation in the world.  After all, Jesus clearly warned us that we would be hated for following Him.  The world is the enemy of God because of sin.  I cannot make anyone hold respect and honor for God, only He can change a heart.

What I can do is be constantly concerned for the integrity of the Lord's name in my thought life.  Just as we are exhorted in Philippians 4:8, ". . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things,"  I need to be purposeful in what I think about. 

My thoughts easily go to thoughts of worry about the future, finances or friendships.  I can also spend a lot of time thinking about what I'm going to do that day, or I often dwell on past conversations, rehashing them to death, beating myself up for stupid things I said.  

But are these thoughts showing reverence for God, or a complete disregard for Him?  It's easy to say, "Well, we can't think about God 24/7!" but I can focus my thoughts on things that bring glory to His name.

Even though Shakespeare didn't think a name was all that important, God does.  And I can show this same regard in the respectful way I use His name, in how my actions bring honor to His name, and in what I choose to think about.

As I begin this day, I pray that I will honor God's name in the way I speak, act and think.

How do I fritter away my time thinking about trivial things when I could be meditating on God's glorious name?

Where do I have no business going as a bearer of God's image, thus treating His name as common?

* From Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, 1600