Posted by Mike Kaylor on May 23, 2001 at 18:26:17:
When we learn to choose to live, then our lives begin to take on new shape and form; and the people around us begin to take on new shape and new form. We choose, and make our choices, based upon our core values. What determines our core value is what we choose to believe to be the truth. If we keep telling ourselves something doesn’t matter long enough, that thought reaches into our core and it becomes broken. As a result, we make decisions based on a broken core value. Wrong core values cause us to make wrong choices. What we really believe is the basis for the choices we make.
So, problems and situations can be overcome if we choose wisely. Look at the Ten Commandments, God’s way of life can sometimes look plain and mundane on the outside. On the inside, it is anything but plain and mundane. Inside, equipped with the right choices and the right core values, we can be equipped to really live. Making God’s values into our values, including learning to hear his voice is a lifestyle. To hear and obey the voice of God is an exciting lifestyle. If I choose to listen and obey today, then tomorrow, again, I have to make that same choice. We have to remake that choice everyday.
If we learn to follow the word of God, it directs our steps; keeps us out of trouble. You may say, “why should I obey? How can I have any fun if I just do what the Bible says?
That is so far from the truth. The big reason God does not want you to stray from following the book is because he wants to keep you out of trouble. We must anchor ourselves in God’s word before trouble comes. Joshua 1:8, “do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so you may be careful to do everything within it; then you will be prosperous and successful.”
We have to anchor ourselves in the word of God before trouble comes. Most us try when trouble hits to jump into prayer. God wants us to be prepared before the battle. Just as you have to practice before running the race or playing the game, you must be in the word before the real problems arise. If you are not spiritually equipped, you will not be spiritually strengthened. You will not be able to hold the course. You have to understand that your faith is a shield and a protective force, and as you get into this word of God, faith grows and if you put the word down, your faith weakens. You must exercise your choice to get into this book, and when trouble strikes out at you, you will be protected by the shield of faith.
Our choices must be made based on God’s truth. We don’t make choices based on moods, emotions, or feelings. Moods and emotions get us in trouble so many times, we don’t want to go that way. That is a choice we must make. If you keep choosing to get hold of moods and emotions, the Holy Spirit will go to work inside of you and will help you overcome the problem. You become a new creature in Christ. You change! It is a co-operative joint effort. We have to learn to choose properly even when we don’t want to feel or do right.
How can I begin to choose wisely? How can I begin to actually put this to practice in my life? Psalms 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
First thing you need to do is create a new habit asking God to help you. God loves it when we get serious with him. When you are serious, the Holy Spirit starts working within you. So, what we have to do is create a new habit, a habit of learning to choose right. After 21-30 days a habit becomes part of who you are. So, after a while, that thing that’s been hitting you is no longer an issue, you can just keep going! We have to choose and ask God to create a new way for us.
Choose to put the word of God in your heart. When you choose to put the word of God in your heart, the reasons you make the choices you make changes. Again, ask God to help you put the word in your heart. “Holy Spirit, create a new heart in me.” Then your core values begin to change.
That is what choices are and we must learn to choose wisely. There are times you feel the pressure, the stress of those thoughts inside you, until you feel like you are going to explode. Get the word of God in your spirit, in your heart, and in your mouth!
We all want to be blessed in what we do. To be blessed, we must learn to hear and to do. We must learn to choose wisely.
Mike Kaylor, Pastor
Westside Vineyard
Coral Springs, FL