Saturday's Snippet

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Good morning, family and friends!

The Good Lord has blessed us to see another sweet Saturday! Let us rejoice and be glad for just the blessing of another day.

Choices, choices, and more choices. Daily we face choices and, whether we like it or not, EVERY choice has a consequence. In my life, I'm trying to watch my calories, choosing to eat the foods that are lower in fat - MOST OF THE TIME! Yet, something that occurs quite often in our evangelistic field of labor and it's what I refer to as social eating. Pastors and their wives take us to really nice restaurants with delectable food choices and, before the night is up, I have to face the "heavy" thought that my choices were not the best and, if I'm not careful, the number on the scale will show the consequence of my errors. I often choose dessert because others are having it, and not because I'm all that hungry.

One sign that my son-in-law Heath always points out to my daughter and I is the one of good old Smokey the Bear with his finger pointing at us with his all-too-familiar slogan, "Only YOU can prevent forest fires!" Yes, many choices are an individual responsibility. Eat too much, you gain. Eat sensibly, exercise regularly, and the number will drop on the scale as well as the body will feel much better. The choices made lead to the consequences earned - that's the cold, hard facts!

And, while this spoonful of tonic is aimed primarily at the writer, not all of my choices run along a natural vein for a lot of my daily choices are spiritual ones. What will I choose each day - to trust God or doubt Him? When I cannot see God's hand nor understand His plan, will I still believe that He is working all things for my good? Even when I cannot feel Him, will I still pray and praise Him because I know He promised to never leave or forsake me?

Yes, each day, these choices rest on my shoulder. No one can make these choices for me. What I choose will have consequences. But, I will choose the path of righteousness because one day I want to see my Lord and hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." 

The importance of spiritual consequences matters more to me than the number on the scale. Eternity will reveal just what we chose to believe and live.

I love this song, written by Rodney Griffin but sung by Ivan Parker, I Choose:

Verse One

Master, may I be so honest? Could I express the way I feel?

I'm hurting. It seems that You've forsaken.

I wonder, is Your love for me still real?

Though my friends think I am happy, unaffected by this trial,

they can't see the pain I'm hiding, just underneath my smile.

Master, I can't live this way anymore. So, today, I make my choice.

Chorus

I choose to believe that You are faithful, and my heart is in Your hands,

and this mystery that I face today is part of a greater plan.

I choose not to be discouraged when the sun will not break through.

I have the choice of trusting You. So, Lord, this is what I choose.

Verse Two

I know the road will not be easy. I know I'll have my weaker days.

And Satan will tell me I don't mean it when I say I'll trust God all the way.

But that really doesn't matter. I refuse to hear him out.

With my faith I'll find the power that will overcome all doubt.

Lord, I've never felt so strong as when I'm resting in Your arms.

I pray we all make good choices today, whether for physical benefits or spiritual strength.

May God be with you all and, if He's willing, I'll see you tomorrow...........