Someone has said ”the problem with life, is that it keeps coming at you.” Meaning that every day is filled with challenges. How true that is. Morning till night decisions, decisions, decisions. But, that is what makes life exciting. It's called freedom of the will. We have the freedom to make choices. But, we can't choose the consequences.
We can choose what to think. Even a person in handcuffs has this freedom. I like the verse in Proverbs that records “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” We can think good thoughts or bad thoughts. We have a choice.
We can choose to say anything. Now words carry a bigger impact than thoughts. Words can build a person up, or tear a person down. Words can be truth or lies. But it's still a choice, what to say or say nothing. Once words are spoken, they effect something or someone. Then there are consequences both good or bad. Knowing this, we should choose our words wisely and when to say them. The Bible teaches “words can kill and destroy.” It is better to build up, than to tear down.
We can choose to work or not work. Again it's a choice. We trade time and skills for money. Why? So we can buy food and have a place to live. We work so we can support our families. We work so we can have conveniences to enjoy life. We don't have to work, but if not there are consequences.
We can choose a career and where to work. This is the great thing about America. These choices determine so much about our life and our future. If the choice of career is not to our liking, we can change.
One career makes one man happy and fulfilled, but another is for someone else. But the choice will determine income, lifestyle, where we live, etc.
Have you ever stopped to think of the people who went before us and how our lives today are affected by their choices. For example, our ancestors fought a very bloody war with the English to have America a land of freedom. They paid a very high price by that choice. Today we benefit from their choices.
Our country fought a very bloody war over slavery in the 1800's to keep our union from being forever divided. These were hard choices. Today we benefit from their decisions.
Our country's fight in World War I & II was for our freedom. The Korean War, the Viet Nam War, Desert Storm, and now Afghanistan, Iraq. These choices affect everyone. These choices have had a high cost in lives and money. But freedom is not cheap. Freedom is everyone's business.
The choices you make today will affect those who follow us. Whether it is in your community, your job, your church, or your home. There are consequences with our choices. Will our decisions make it better or worse for those who follow us? Will we be selfish and only think of ourselves or prepare for those who replace us?
Life is about Words and Actions. Life is short but can have such a good or bad effect on those around us. Let's do the best we can for the next generation. Make your choices count for something good, and life will be good to you.
Chaplain Bud
It's Possible To Lose What You Have
It's possible to lose your crown.
Romans 3:11 “I am coming soon. Hold on to what
you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
It's possible to lose your share in the holy city and the tree of life.
Rev 22:19 “And if anyone takes words away from this
book of prophecy, God will take away from him his
share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are
described in this book.”
It's possible to lose your spiritual rewards.
Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to do your acts of
righteousness before men to be seen by them. If you
do, you will have no reward from your Father in
heaven.”
It's possible to lose the joy of your salvation.
Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
It's possible to have the Holy Spirit depart from you.
1 Samuel 16:14 “Now the Spirit of the Lord had
departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord
tormented him.”
It's possible to lose your soul.
James 5:19,20 “My brothers, if one of you should
wander from the truth and someone should bring him
back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from
the error of his way will save him from death and
cover over a multitude of sins.”
It's possible to lose your salvation.
2 Peter 2:20 “If they have escaped the corruption
of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome
beginning.”
Mark 4:16 “Others like seed sown on rocky places,
hear the Word and at once receive it with joy. But
since they have no root they last only a short time.
When trouble or persecution comes because of the
Word they quickly fall away.”
Gal 5:4 “You who are trying to be justified by law
have been alienated from Christ; you haven fallen
away from grace.”
Matt 10:22 “All men will hate you because of me,
but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
2 Peter 3:17 “Therefore, dear friends, since you
already know this, be on your guard so that you may
not be carried away by the error of lawless men, and
fall from your secure position.”
It is possible to lose what you have. Live your lives to glorify and serve God. Don't take anything for granted. Make sure your beliefs and convictions live up with God's Word.
See ya in church,
Bud