Piggybackin' sorta off the topic of "choices" and how to make em.

There are consequences for the choices that we individually and as a nation will make. Yes, these choices have an end result. You'll make some choices, I will make some choices, our leaders will make some and guess what.. those choices will turn around so to speak and make us. They can change who we are.

My friend @DSLgroup (Dan) just brought up some great discussion questions about choices. Love it! Wants something more said on this topic. He always starts good discussions with such great topics like this one. Yup, he basically asked:

1. What major choices in life do we all face?
2. Did you ever make a bad choice because you did not consult with God first? (1 Samuel 16:7)
3. Have you been characterized as a person who makes good choices and what have you learned from some bad decisions ..if any?
4. How does our self-image affect our choices in life? (Psalm 139:13-14)
5. Can we at any point along the way choose to be different or are we pre-programed and helpless.
6. What bad choices am I living with right now?
7. Do you feel that any of the choices you’ve made negatively affect your relationship with God?
8. Due to openness am I able to help anyone I love to make better choices?
9. In what way am I obligated to make the best choices possible?
10. How can I recover from a bad choice that I have made in the past?

“Choose to cultivate your inner person, and don’t sacrifice your character on the road to success.” ~ Anon.

"By me (godly wisdom for decision-making..) princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me." Prov. 8:16-17.nkjv

“It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ― J.K. Rowling

While out walking my dog today, five minutes ago I just got of the phone with a dear family member who is not yet a Christian. Been praying for this person for several years. And while I was on my Android with this person, I felt like the Holy Spirit told me to (and I really don’t say this often at all..) clearly share the Gospel with them.

I had to silently pray about how to.. as this conversation with them continued on because I didn’t want to offend them. So I started it out with the topic of gaining an inner assurance of salvation here while living. Part of what I said was, “Any of us can in a few moments gain this valuable assurance through repentance, faith in Christ, and a simple relationship with Him.” But this respectfully relative disagreed based off some friend's "experience" ..that God will appear to each one of us after we die to give us a chance to be saved. Please don't base your choices off of feelings, visions, or anyone's experiences. Base em on the Word of God that's true and can't change! I want you to early on have a real rather than a false assurance of salvation inside.

The Bible says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13-15 nkjv

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” Hebrews 9:27-28 nkjv

No reincarnation, no Karma, no gettin' saved after one reaches room temperature. For over 38 years now I’ve been doing my best to tell my relative and friends about this assurance. I’ve told them that choices really matter and that that choice is more important than all the rest of em.

It’s the big choice: Will you turn from sin and commit you life to Christ or reject Him by putting it off or saying no? Yes indeed, deep down you too know that’s life’s most important choice. Our conscience confirms this. We are sinners in need of this Savior. We all need to grow up spiritually relationship with this Savior! God says...

"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." Deut. 30:19-20a.nlt

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Josh. 24:15.nkjv

And the second most important choice of life is who and when and how you will marry ..if you will. And most do.

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http://kurtwvs.tumblr.com/post/123123141513/every-choice-you-make-has-an-end-result-we-make

Yeah, I've been tellin' believers here in the USA and in different Lands that it is so important to often pause and inquire of the Lord about all this, to really hear from Him, and to just make biblical choices accordingly. The Bible says, “Refuse the evil, and choose the good” (Isa. 7:15). It says, “Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways” (Prov. 3:31). Elihu remarked, “Let us choose justice for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good” (Job 34:4).

Some choices we are faced with in life are difficult and the risk factors involved can make them seem unreasonable. Our close friends often influence us in how we choose. “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Prov. 12:26). I like how Warren Wiersbe put it, “People reveal their true selves by the choices they make. Remember Lot when he put himself ahead of Abraham.” But God's children have the advantage of making choices differently than people in the world — with eternal value in mind.

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter" (Heb. 11:24). Moses was the adopted grandson of a king (a Pharaoh) who had no sons. Think of it, he was next in line to the throne. His position within the royal family allowed him many privileges including access to the wealth of Egypt. The archeological findings in the tomb of King Tut, who lived just one hundred years after Moses, testify to the great wealth and privilege of this royal family.

Moses could have chased his wildest dreams in the world, but instead he chose to deny himself and walk wisely by faith and leave Egypt behind. From a worldly standpoint, he sacrificed so much, but from a spiritual standpoint, he looked to the eternal value of his decision. There was so much to gain and I'm sure he never regretted his wise choice! The idea of dying to self is still an essential part of following the Lord. Choosing to follow the Spirit and walk by faith into the unknown – that’s far better than exchanging God's plan for your life in the interest of personal gain! You should never fear trusting your unknown future into the loving hands of a known God.

Moses sacrificed Egypt's comfy posh luxury for the sweet intimacy of a relationship with God and then God used Him in a great way. Had some suffering mixed in there too--the godly will suffer some. But didn't matter to Mo, he knew he chose what was best for all. So what about you? Does God want to deepen your faith through a choice you are faced with today? Sure, He desires to bless and deep our faith no matter who we are, because He so loves all of us the same. Pray, listen well, and choose wisely! “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deut. 30:19). 

Peter Marshall once said, “The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration.” 

I say, choose God’s lovely Son and His will for you! If you are away, come to Christ today and get real with Him. Little eyes are watching you. Giving your life to Christ is the best gift you can give – it’s also best for your family. Look past the temporal to the eternal value of your decision. As we gather together with friends and loved ones this holiday season, let’s remember to follow the example of Mo. Put the Lord and his will first! There is so much more at stake than choosing the right Christmas gifts, events and tree this year! facebook.com/shareJesus