Choices

[Chad]

Choices
A.W. Tozer
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! --Psalm 119:30-31

The important thing about a man is not where he goes when he is compelled to go, but where he goes when he is free to go where he will....

A man is absent from church Sunday morning. Where is he? If he is in a hospital having his appendix removed his absence tells us nothing about him except that he is ill; but if he is out on the golf course, that tells us a lot. To go to the hospital is compulsory; to go to the golf course, voluntary. The man is free to choose and he chooses to play instead of to pray. His choice reveals what kind of man he is. Choices always do....

I think it might be well for us to check our spiritual condition occasionally by the simple test of compatibility. When we are free to go, where do we go? In what company do we feel most at home? Where do our thoughts turn when they are free to turn where they will? When the pressure of work or business or school has temporarily lifted and we are able to think of what we will instead of what we must, what do we think of then?

The answer to these questions may tell us more about ourselves than we can comfortably accept. But we had better face up to things. We haven't too much time at the most. Man: The Dwelling Place of God, 158-161.

"Lord, as a pastor or teacher I can't choose to play golf on Sunday morning, but I can choose a lot of other things that are just as revealing of my inner character. Help me to make choices today that are pleasing to You. Amen."

 

[Property Of God]

Sometime I sleep instead of going church, this thread embarrassed me very much and humbled me,
I'm fungus...Next time I'll think of my choices really carefully...
You always wake me up brother Chad.

 

[stephen]

When we are free to go, where do we go? In what company do we feel most at home? Where do our thoughts turn when they are free to turn where they will? When the pressure of work or business or school has temporarily lifted and we are able to think of what we will instead of what we must, what do we think of then?

This week I was exhorting the folks gathering to pray that prayer was not easy. In Daniel ch 10 Gods servant was on the floor washed out, as he prayed. Prayer can be intense at the level seen in Daniel ch 10

All are tempted to withdraw.....at this level


But Jesus loves all. And he has a niche, a place of blessing/service
that we all can find as we Him follow Him.....and be a blessing

 

[Coconut]

I almost liked the message...

I submit the "way of truth" has nothing to do with a day...or a building...or a time...


Rom 14:5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds.

Eph 6:18 Praying always...

 

[redfox]

Thank you chad this is very helpful.

The important thing about a man is not where he goes when he is compelled to go, but where he goes when he is free to go where he will....

This really spoke to me. A lot about idleness and about being fervent in our desire to know God better and enter into a deeper relationship with him... Shall I watch TV or wait on God... one brings instant and fleeting satisfaction, and other is more like hard work at the time but brings ETERNAL satisfaction.

We are called to 'pray unceasingly' and that means we should always turn to God and his kingdom when we don't know what to do. I find the times when I give into the devil's temptation most of all are when im BORED and when im TIRED. Basically, when Im doing nothing productive. It is so important to immerse ourselves in the word of God and to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to living for him at all hours of every day. Whatever you do do it for the glory of God (1cor10:31 ish).

Where do our thoughts turn when they are free to turn where they will?

This is really challenging because we can outwardly profess a strong relationship with God but it is our inward thoughts that are a true mark of who we are. We are called to a life of purity and purity comes from within. If ever I spend a lot of time around friends who talk about inappropriate things (sex, gossip, slander etc.) even though I am not taking part in such a conversation it pollutes my mind and my thoughts. We are called to take radical action against sin and to have our minds and hearts focused on GOD. I know I am a long way from getting this right!

Love Jack