Sunday, August 3, 2008

Scripture Challenge {Week 31)

Week 31 Challenge Word: Choice

Not five minutes after I chose our word for this week, I got this message in my e-mail box from Dayspring. It was written by Roy Lessin:

“Just think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else—you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.”

God has a plan for you, and He is always so good to confirm these words for us each and every week. God made a choice; He chose you. He chose me. God is sovereign and He does the choosing. Think of how He chose each of the disciples, Noah, Moses, Mary, etc. What about the choices you make in your life? Do you remember when you chose Jesus? Have your family members heard your story of “choice”? There is no greater gift to give your family than the story of when you chose Jesus as your Lord and Savior! What a gift and something they can cling to when you are no longer with them. I encourage you to share that gift with them this week if you have not.

What about the choices your children make? Do you cover for your children when they make bad choices or do you let them suffer the consequences? We must live by example in making good choices or suffering the consequences for our poor choices. I read a great devotion this week as I studied. It was so wonderful and helpful that I am going to type it verbatim here for you. I pray you will enjoy it. When you are faced with a choice, Neil Anderson says:

**Pray about it.
**Ask God for His plans.
**Is it consistent with the Word of God?
**Can I do it and be a positive Christian witness?
**Will the Lord be glorified? Am I doing this to be noticed by others or God?
**Am I acting responsibly? He will let us suffer the consequences of our sins and irresponsible choices.
**Is it reasonable? Think and practice what we know to be true. (Philippians 4:8-9)
**Does a realistic opportunity exist? Don’t knock down a closed door. Wait for God’s timing.
**Are unbiased, spiritually sensitive associates in agreement?
**Do I have a sanctified desire? Is it a desire of the flesh or to help God’s people?
**Do I have a peace about it?


Evaluate your choice in light of these questions. Do you choose to live by the world’s standards or God’s standards? Who do you turn to when you need to make a choice (big or small)? Is it in God’s will or is it something you want without consulting anyone? Use the list above as you have choices to make in our life. It truly will be helpful to you and help you discern God’s will for you.

For my card this week, I used the most amazing August kit by Create My Keepsake. Oh yum, do I ever love the colors in this kit! The embellishments are pretty spectacular too. How did Lisa know that I would need an arrow this week? The arrow in this kit was just perfect for my card.
I used the following verse this week:

Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a “Now choose life, so that you and our children may live and that you may love the Lord your god, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.”

When looking for scripture this week, I did not find a whole lot. I used the following words to help me in my search: choice, choices, choose, chooses. I hope you have fun studying and looking at this word. And remember, God chose YOU! Wow, what an amazing thought! What is your choice—the world or God? The here and now or eternity? Will you choose to be in a daily relationship with the Lord? I pray that if you haven’t that you will take that step this week. Blessings, and join us at Create My Keepsake, The Scrapping Spot, Scrapjazz, and Faith Sisters for discussions and links to your cards and pages. Until next week,

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, wonderful wonderful WONDERFUL! Thanks as always, Patter! This is great and love the information you supplied us with. Your card is gorgeous. I love the CMK kits. They are always full of so many goodies!
~Chelsea

Nevis said...

Wow, thank-you very much. So much to think about!

Shana Dilldine said...

What great comfort to know that he chose us. I hope you dont mind me quoting some of this on a layout. Words are so inspiring for my children in the coming years.

Michelle said...

Here is mine!

http://michellerabon.blogspot.com/2008/08/scripture-challange-choose.html

Anne House said...

Still doing mine! Just forget to post them, lol...
http://papercutzandpraisez.blogspot.com/2008/08/chosen.html

Chris S. said...

Patter, I was doing a quick browse through Splitcoast and saw your scripture challenge. God certainly has a way of connecting the dots! Our women's Bible study just started a new study on David. Boom! Our first week of homework has been how God CHOSE David and of course, that God CHOSE us. ...Lots of practical lessons on how we make life choices. I hope it's OK, but I printed Neil Anderson's devotion to give to our ladies. It's a great checklist!

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