Greetings to all on this Thanksgiving week.
Well, we are on vacation and I was not sure if I would have a chance to share some thoughts with you this week but I was confident nonetheless that I would see and hear a few things here and there which would provide me with a few ideas for some relevant topics. The very first one came even before our departure, and I believe all of God's children, especially those who serve the Lord in one capacity or another, can relate to it. At the time when we left, I was very much aware of certain situations at home, as well as some involving our church, which I wanted to be around for. I immediately thought about the dilemma the Apostle Paul encountered and wrote about in his letter to the Philippian church concerning the desire to be in two places at the same time. Some of you who are reading today's blog may be in that situation even today. In Paul's case, he knew that his situation was such that he could die a martyr's death at anytime and although he was confident that he would see the Philippians one more time before the Lord would call him home, he spoke of the two possibilities, that is, his leaving or staying. He wrote: "If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
which is better by far." (Ph.1:23) On many occasions we wish, just like Paul, that we could be in two or more places at the same time but the sad reality is we cannot so then the best thing we can do is to choose one over the other. When that happens, God's children want to do what is right and choose accordingly but once we make our choice, we begin to wrestle in our mind with the decision we just made. It is at such times when we also begin to hear some troubling voices, the kind that make us feel that we arrived at our decision by way of selfish motives, leaving us feeling guilty.
Could it be possible we did not make the best choice? Of course! Nevertheless, and especially if we are familiar with God's Word and ways, we know He will keep us from straying too far from His will for our lives, and be completely assured that He will never fill our hearts and minds with threatening or condemning thoughts. (See Romans 8:1) Whenever we get disconcerting thoughts, we need to recognize immediately that they did not come from God. A pastor I know, was confronted one afternoon by one of his church members who demanded some time to discuss a personal issue. When he informed the member that he was on his way to see his son's football game, the man became furious and asked if he really thought his son's game was more important than his personal matter, the pastor said "yes" and excused himself.
If you find yourself struggling today with the matter of choosing one thing over another, pray and ask the Lord's guidance but once you've made the decision don't look back and don't second guess yourself; you've got other pressing matters to attend to. And don't let any thing or anyone fill your mind with troubling thoughts. If it very difficult to function properly when we permit these satanically inspired tactics to fill our hearts and minds. Be happy, fruitful, and victorious today.
Memory verse for the week: (Philippians 4:7 KJV) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
