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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 2 days

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I will not be posting devotionals for a while. My husband is in critical condition. Prayers please.

#jesus christ #god #holy spirit #lord of lords #word of god #it's your choice #devotional #prayers #please #life and death #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 3 days

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Entirely Different Breed

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38KJV

Have you seen the viral videos of people giving money to the homeless and other people? Their filming crew randomly selects people to give money to. A homeless man wins $1000 from a lottery ticket given to him. His first reaction was trying to share with others, then weeping. The deserving waitress gave of herself to customers. Same film crew orchestrated a $1000 tip, trip to Hawaii, and a new car. Her joy was boundless. South African videos are mimicking this but giving food, shelter, and medical care.

Jesus told us: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you…” Matthew 7:12NLT When I was around thirteen years old, Mom and Dad were trying to buy Grandma’s house. Grandma’s will left each child an equal part of the house. Trouble was: Dad had been crippled in an accident and had no income. Mom’s ability to earn was very limited because of his 24 hour care. Two aunts and one uncle kicked back their inheritance to my parents. They all prospered because of their gifts.

William Buffet has been quoted as saying, ‘the more money I give into others needs, the greater my income increases. Former entrepreneur, Mary Crowley wore a necklace with two shovels on it. One was tiny, pinky fingernail sized. The other was about an inch. She’d tell people, ‘The small shovel represents what I give into others’ needs. God’s shovels back what I give with His bigger shovel.’

Kenneth Copeland tells of a great need he had before becoming a big preacher. He found someone with a need and gave to help them in their need. In return, God sent someone along to provide for his need with a little extra besides.

Once, I gave a prayer request for someone unemployed, unemployment income run out, dead broke and needing help to save their vehicle. A total stranger came to me a few minutes later and handed me a large denomination bill sowing into the needs of the other person. I saw the little shovel in action. Later, I heard about the big shovel event in the life of a once stranger’s life.

Everywhere people are barely surviving. Houses foreclosed. Vehicles repossessed. Inflation has gone wild. God is looking for shovelers.

“…Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1John 3:17NASB God takes seriously how His people use what He gives them. Much of the Old Testament regarded Israel’s failure to care for their poor, widows and orphans.

James instructs: “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22,25KJV. If we hear the Lord's word to be a giver and don’t give, we’re deceiving ourselves.

“Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.” Proverbs 28:8NIV For years I’ve heard about a transfer of wealth coming from the ungodly to the qualified people of God. Who’s qualified? Those who will funnel this transfer of wealth to where needs are. It won’t be the wealthy. It will be the givers. They’re an entirely different breed of Christians, ones God can trust. What are you? It’s your choice. You choose.

PRAYER: Father help us to become trustworthy givers that shovels wherever they’re told, in the name of Jesus Christ’s I pray.

#Jesus Christ #god #holy spirit #word of god #lord of lords #it's your choice #devotional #different breed #entirely #wealth #give #needs #greater #seriously #trustworthy #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 4 days

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Approachable And Loving

“One sitting on the throne… He who was sitting was like a jasper stone… a sardius in appearance… there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones… upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting… Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder… there were seven lamps of fire burning… the seven Spirits of God… before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal… in the center and around the throne.” Revelation 4:2-6NASB

In case you’ve not figured it out yet, God sits resplendent, impressive in heaven. Francis Chan asked everyone in his book, ‘Crazy Love,’ to ponder just how all-important God is— Almighty God— absolute Ruler and Creator of everything everywhere. Our Creator spoke, “…Let there be light…” Genesis 1:3. Scientists are still discovering new galaxies. Were these galaxies truly newly discovered, or are God’s words actively creating new galaxies now?

Imagine with me, we’ve just entered the throne room of Almighty God. What are the first words we’d say? Since Chan posed this question, I’ve considered it with a lot of thought.

Growing up in the holiness religion, Yahweh was this huge formidable being for whom we had to walk perfectly before in order to be loved. Mess things up, sin big-time and always look over the shoulder wondering when He was going to zap you with sickness and harm. That God was frightening and unapproachable. My puny mind had difficulty absorbing the sights of heaven or imagining what I’d do faced with such awesomeness should I actually get there..

In the book made movie, ‘Heaven Is For Real,’ Todd Burpo’s father deals with the reality of heaven. He’s heard about this God of love all his life. The subtler teaching of approaching a God of judgment had him with that same awaiting of being zapped, that I experienced. Faced with explaining the unexplainable God, Burpo was bereft of words. Sense, logic, nor previously known experiences didn’t fit into any of the unexplainable events. Eventually Burpo settled on the fact: God can do things however He pleases for He is THE Almighty.

My thoughts have come through many difficult places in life. Although I revere God in His awesomeness, I’ve needed an approachable and loving God, which I’ve discovered through reading and studying His Bible. Paul taught God will be what I need, although not always financially. Philippians 4:19KJV “…my God will supply all your needs…. in Christ Jesus.”

In prayer I’ve come to the knowledge He’s our Almighty knowing everything God. Prayer isn’t presenting a honey-do list to God; nor is it pulling the handle of a heavenly vending machine. Worship, praise, surrender, admitting how much we need Him while seeking the Source of all wisdom and answers are all parts of prayer. I’ve learned while surrendering everything to Almighty, I must allow Him to become God over those needs. Taking those needs back isn’t trusting Him to be all His Word says He is.

David understood my feelings: “Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my Help and my Deliverer…” Psalm. 40:17NASB. As I face the largest, most difficult place in my life, I’ve had to pray— ‘God You are my “Help and my Deliverer.” This mountain is more than I can endure.’

How would your prayers change, if you stood in the astounding throne room of Almighty God, as you prayed? What would you say or think? Would your knee willingly bow admitting your need? One day it will. “…That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance,” Isaiah 45:23KJV. Now or later? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Father thank You for being approachable, even as You are the Most High God. Teach us to admit our need for You as we revere You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#jesus christ #god #holy spirit #word of god #lord of lords #it's your choice #devotional #approachable #loving #difficult places #knowledge #mountain #need #prayers #wisdom #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 9 days

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Wrong Spiritual Choices

“The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight …They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors… They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them… angered the Lord …This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so He handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them.” Judges 2:11-12,14NLT

Yahweh God the God of relationship making a covenant with Abraham. When He brought the Israelites, Abraham’s descendents, out of Egypt, He desired to be their Father, God and King. Seventy-four Israelites were allowed to dine in God’s Presence. “Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel climbed up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself… though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, He did not destroy them… they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in His presence!” Exodus 24:9-11NLT God celebrated their freedom for Egypt with them. We similarly celebrate special occasions with meals in our families.

After the leaders left, Moses returned to God to receive instructions. Forty days away, impatience took over the Israelites. Give us a god we can ‘see’ they whined. Never mind that some had really seen Him, their majority wanted to create a golden calf! God became angry with their unfaithfulness.

In our text scripture, Moses and Joshua were deceased. Again they couldn’t ‘see’ God. “They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them.” Through Moses, Yahweh had given the Israelites choices— Deuteronomy 28. Verses 1-15 held all the blessings covering every good thing imaginable coming to those faithful ones under the umbrella of God’s mercy. Verses 15-68 showed all the curses coming to those who chose other gods and a life of sin. Slavery, poverty, and sickness are some of those curses.

In 1620AD a group of Pilgrims made a covenant with God for the new America. Groups came to this land seeking a place of freedom to worship Jesus, unfettered by the organized church. Those leaders all died. We’ve organized many denominational churches. Many such denominations have lost full sight of Jesus as Lord; His amazing love and power. Others have fallen into the sleep of apathy. Those Pilgrims would be aghast.

Has anyone noticed the soaring prices of inflation? Loss of medical care after Obama’s medical takeover? Higher taxes? Enormous national debt? Sex trafficking of our children? Enemy invasion over our borders? Foreigners owing our land and government buildings? Check out Deuteronomy 28. Could our national enslavement be because of our wrong spiritual choices?

2Chronicles 7:14NLT “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” God has given us a way out of this mess— repentance. Solely prayer won’t suffice. We must ask God to show us our sin, in order to repent, not just our sins but those who’ve gone before us. Sins thriving inside each of us individually. REPENT per online dictionary .com is defined— “to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed TO CHANGE ONE’S LIFE for the better; be penitent.”

Thus repentance is not just a ‘God I’m sorry’ prayer. This is a prayer of heartfelt change, doing a 180 degree life turnaround. Our choices today are like the Israelites. Repent or become more enslaved down to even watching our nation be totally destroyed. What do you want? Will you repent in prayer? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Father forgive us of our sins! Help us to regret our sinful ways. Please change our hearts in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #wrong #spiritual #choices #repent #enslavement #taxes #unfaithfulness #devotional #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 10 days

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Another Opportunity To Bless

“Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering…” Genesis 22:8ESV

How generous are we with God? Jehovah Jireh, God-provider, called Abraham to be His friend. Then He told Abram, “…My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations…thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.” Genesis 17:4KJV. Abraham 100 years old, Sarah ninety, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Isaac was a supernaturally given son, for Sarah was unable to have children. Thus, Isaac was similar to a payment to Abraham from God for his faithful heart in trusting God. “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” Hebrews 11:19NIV. Read Genesis 22:11-13 to see God provided the lamb needed for the offering.

Centuries later Abraham’s children were slaves in Egypt. Slaves have nothing. Yet, we read Jehovah Jireh had raised up Moses to lead His children out of slavery: Exodus 3:21-22, 12:26NASB “…it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed …every woman shall ask of her neighbor…articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters… …Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” The Israelites were provided by God wages for their 400 years of slavery in Egypt.

After leaving Egypts’ slavery, God instructs Moses to make a tabernacle for worshipping Him. Exodus 25:2NLT “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.” Everything God asked for had been given to them by God’s favor. Jehovah Jireh only asked for a portion, a ‘tithe,’ of what He’d provided.

Did Jehovah Jireh really need what He asked from them? Creator of everything needed nothing, but another opportunity to bless His children. Looking for a giving heart of trust in Him— 2Corinthians 9:7NIV “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” God shared freely with man. Would man share freely with Him?

Thousands of years people have debated the subject of tithing. We won’t spend our time looking at that. Each individual will join tithe camp of their choice. Everyone needs to agree on the aspect of giving. Solomon revealed two types of hearts —Proverbs 11:24NET “One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy… another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.”

Paul instructed Galatians 6:7KJV “…God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” …2Corinthians 9:6KJV “…He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

African people were starving. A mission organization sent thousands of 100 pound bags of wheat seed. The distributors tried to show the people to plant the seed, ‘tithing the seed for their future— they refused. Everyone was gobbling up the seed as fast as they received it. Planted, the seed would’ve eventually provided an abundant crop of food to replenish their food supply for years to come.

Everything we have comes from our generous God. When He asks for a small portion, a ‘tithe’ of what He’s given back, it’s because He wants to provide us with a lamb. This is a heart issue of love and respect, especially in these dark days. What’s your response? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Father God everything comes from You. Help me to be as generous with what You’ve given me, as You have been generous to me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #opportunity #bless #provide #abundant #giving #heart #tithe #lamb #generous #boutifully #word of god #holy spirit #lord of lords #god #it's your choice #devotional #hope #love #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 11 days

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Stood In The Gap

“…Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.” Luke 22:52-53NIV

There are times that belong to satan. We can pray, trusting faith scriptures, quote God’s Word until we are blue in the face… that is the hour of satan. One such time was when they crucified our Lord Jesus, Yeshua Hamashiach. Another time is coming— the final hour of satan, the time of antichrist, and his tribulation.

Until that time we must be ‘the ones who restrains’… “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way” 2Thessalonians 2:7ESV. I’m quite aware many preachers teach Holy Spirit is the one who restrains. My question to them has always been and continues to be, where is the scripture which predicts Holy Spirit is leaving? Each preacher has then pointed back to this scripture. Problem with their explanation returns to the actual language translations— a ‘masculine-feminine’ or ‘human gender nonspecific,’ male or female. Nothing like Holy Spirit Who is Spirit and part of the triune Godhead.

During the time of Nazi Germany, Hitler was considered to be the antichrist. The church thought we were at the end of the age, thus they wouldn’t pray away the events. Except for a few intercessors such as Bonhoeffer, or Reese Howell, a man from Wales UK, who led a group of intercessors, who literally stood between Hitler’s goals and the world. Yes, there were other nameless intercessors who stood in the gap… “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it…” Ezekiel 22:30NIV. God will always look for His person who will pray and intercede on behalf of their nation.

Today, we have such people interceding for our land. Cindy Jacobs and Dutch Sheets being two leaders in this movement. Assuredly, there are thousands more praying as well. I know a little woman from South Africa, whom God has frequently provided the funds to come to the USA to pray. Jesse has been to every border crossing in this nation, both borders, anointing it with oil, while bathing it in prayer. She also goes bi-annually to Israel instructed to walk the streets and pray there.

Has anyone beside me ever wondered what the following scripture means? “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father” John 14:12NLT. What are the greater works than what Jesus could people do?

As I read our text, Holy Spirit dropped into my spirit— ‘Jesus couldn’t prevent the hour belonging to satan. We can. Reese Howell, Bonhoeffer and the other intercessors prevented Hitler from taking over the world, as the antichrist.

The cabal, elites, and globalists all believe this is their hour to rule our world. They’ve been busy putting their one world government into place, painstakingly so, over the last seventy plus years. News flash: God has His elect praying, interceding, repenting for this world because it’s not satan’s hour yet. Will you join the intercessors in praying away the darkness’s hour? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God we pray for Your kingdom alone to come, and Your will only to be done in our nations and our world. You alone God love us and are trustworthy. Help us to trust in You alone, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #holy spirit #god #lord of lords #it's your choice #devotional #stood in the gap #intercession #pray #prayer #greater works #restrain #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 16 days

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The Great Exchange

“A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18NIV

Salvation— You can’t get to heaven without it. How to obtain salvation is the question asked by this “certain ruler” and many people today. The common thing is— they desire to work for their salvation— anything but believe in the work of the cross and the salvation through Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and blood.

As the “certain ruler” conversed with Jesus, he called Jesus ‘good Master.’ When Jesus told him, only God was good, the “certain ruler” replied by addressing Jesus only as ‘Master.’ Proving he didn’t believe Jesus to be God, but a teacher or prophet. Christianity is the only religion with a Savior, and which recognizes Jesus in His rightful role as the a part of Godhead. Amazingly, all the religions recognize Jesus— like the “certain ruler” did— as a prophet.

Make no mistake— JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD— not a prophet. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6ESV. Only the Son is the doorway to God.

Peter repeated this— Acts 4:12NIV “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Always before, I’ve heard salvation described as ‘accepting Jesus into your heart and life as your Lord and Savior.’ That’s only partial truth, salvation is realizing you’ve been accepted and loved by God, in the midst of all your unpleasantness and filth; and believing in Him. You don’t have to ‘clean up your act’ to meet Jesus. Accepted—just as you are. Isn’t that exciting?

Before Christ, God dealt with us through the Law. After thoroughly studying the Law, I can tell you— not breaking the Law is impossible. Only two things aren’t considered breaking a law— breathing and praising God. Everything else breaks God’s laws. Andrew Womack says the law is like glass. Shoot a BB, [little infraction] through it or throw a boulder, [huge infraction]— it’s broken. And someone has to pay for the glass. Salvation is the great exchange— our sinfulness for Christ Jesus’ sinlessness. He pays for it all.

Breaking the Law is called ‘sin.’ Paul declares in Romans 6:23KJV “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Salvation is called “gift of God.” A ‘gift’ is a free, undeserved blessing. Jehovah God didn’t think it was enough to just accept and love us humans. He wanted to give us undeserved gifts— mercy and grace— to erase our filthy sins.

Paul told us how to be saved in Romans 10:9-10ESV “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one BELIEVES and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Emphasis mine)

Then Paul proceeds to tell where the faith to believe for salvation comes from, Ephesians 2:8NIV. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, IT IS A GIFT OF GOD—” (Emphasis mine.) Faith is His gift to us as well.

Knowing the how and why of our salvation is very important. When the lie comes to tell us— ‘You have to obey this rule and that rule to be saved,’ we can lean on the foundation of truth in faith. Saying— ‘No devil! I believed in Jesus with the faith God gifted to me. I believe and I’m saved.’ Or you can be a Galatian, falling for the lie and trying to earn your eternal life. It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Papa God please lead these readers out of bondage and into the truth of grace, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #great exchange #salvation #Law #eternal life #mercy #grace #wages of sin #love #hope #faith #devotional

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 17 days

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Welcome Mat Is Out

“Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” John 20:17ESV

Mary Magdalene went to find her beloved teacher at His tomb. The angels told her, “He is not here; He has risen!…” Luke 24:6NIV. Not good enough for she wanted to see Him, to KNOW. Seeing the gardener, for her, it was important to know what they had done with her Lord. …Only, could it be? This gardener was her Master? Falling at His feet, arms went around His knees in a hug. Imperative for Mary was knowing this really was His physical body she worshipped.

Then Jesus told her, “Do not cling to Me.” Different Commentaries have different explanations. I will condense them into— His body wasn’t yet glorified, nor HIs blood yet in the throne room. “when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come… He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. …For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands… but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”

The entire life of Jesus Christ was lived into death, all for Him to sprinkle His blood in the throne room of God as permanent redemption. Why? Our redemption of us was for Father God to have children— us. Jesus told her, “My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.”

John 1:12KJV “…as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:” We’ve received Jesus as our Lord, therefore, we’re sons and daughters of God.

To understand what kind of Father God is, we must look at Jesus’ example. He told us John 5:19NIV “Jesus… answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 12:49-50NLT “I don't speak on My own authority. The Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells Me to say” ***Healings— because God wanted people healed. ***Deliverances— God wanted people delivered. ***Raising the dead— because God wanted them raised up ***Without judgment— to the woman caught in adultery God said to Him… “…Has no one condemned you?” …And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11NIV

Churches have made God out to be an ogre sitting on the throne waiting for us to mess up. That’s not love. 1John 4:8NIV “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Jesus died to make us His brothers and sisters, for God to have a family. Because He loves us, the frail creatures He created. The door’s been flung wide open. His welcome mat is out. All the lights are on. “…it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1Timothy 2:4ESV

If you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please do so today. He doesn’t want to condemn or judge you. His desire is to welcome you into His family— to be your Papa, Daddy, LORD God. It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Papa Yahweh thank you for wanting us in Your family. Help others to choose You also, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #god #holy spirit #it's your choice #devotional #welcome mat #flung open #received #said #do #healings #deliverance #raise the dead #family #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 18 days

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Living Water

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” John 19:28KJV

2018 We traveled to Luke AFB to visit our grandson, receiving training there. He invited us to go to church with him in Scottsdale AZ.

Mark Driscoll pastored Mars Hill Church, Seattle with 14,000 attendees. Leaving Mars Hill at God’s direction he studied a few years in Rome and Jerusalem. He returned stateside founding a church in Scottsdale. We attended his Good Friday funeral service there.

During Driscoll’s studies a guide took him through the ancient Roman toilets/latrines. A long rock shelf with various holes were the toilets used for toileting. Under the shelf was the collection area. What was behind the shelf brought questions from Driscoll. Answer— slaves stood in the trench behind the shelf. A wall separated them with an opening about a foot wide on the side facing the toilet holes. Slaves took a stick with a rough sponge on the end. They dipped the sponge in vinegar and wiped the backsides of each user. These exact same sponges and a small stick was a part of every Roman soldier’s gear.

Golgotha, the place of Christ’s crucifixion, was the scene of Roman soldier’s doing the dirty work for Pontus Pilate. They suspended the beaten, partially skinless and muscleless man, Jesus Christ about a foot higher than their height, upon that cross, low enough for people to spit upon Jesus and rail at Him, while He looked closely upon His tormentors. (This information Driscoll learned in his Rome and Jerusalem studies.) That cross, at just the right height to be reached with a small stick with the germ-laden, fecal-covered sponge dipped in vinegar.

There was a slight variation of the vinegar used. Matthew 27:34NLT said, “wine mixed with bitter gall, but when He had tasted it, He refused to drink it.” It was enough that Christ was defiled by the taste upon His lips. He refused any comfort from the “bitter gall,” a substance similar to today’s pain killer.

“If you knew the gift of God and Who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10NIV Jesus told the woman at the well. The source of all life-giving water suffered such defilement for you and I. He could’ve drawn from His well of living water, instead of crying “I thirst.”

When Christ had called for the final defilement of the sponge, the moment He cried out “I thirst” Driscoll explained, Jesus did this for everyone who had been violated sexually, and abased beyond measure. I found myself totally wrecked, a sobbing mess. My Savior had taken into Himself this final defilement for you and me. Not because He had to, but because He wanted to take our defilement on our behalf.

The thought occurred to me, Jesus also did this for us to learn to “thirst” for His life-giving water. John 7:38NIV, Jesus said: “Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Life deals everyone very harsh blows. In those harsh situations, we have choices to make. We can become bitter or better. The pain and agony can take us into bitter unforgiveness, anger, hatred, a desire for revenge, when we don’t guard our hearts and minds. Or better when we thirst for Christ’s living water. Those harsh circumstances are to create an insatiable thirst for Christ, making our hearts stalwart and worthy of the name, Christ-ian. We’re being molded into His image, “…with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…” 2Corinthians 3:18ESV.

Will we thirst for Him, and then pour out the life giving water on others? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God, we thirst. Give us You living water in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #holy spirit #lord of lords #god #word of god #it's your choice #devotional #living #water #defilement #vinegar #gall #sponge #thrist #bitter #better #hope #love #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 23 days

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Not A Fair Trade

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary” Psalm 107:2NASB

We’re to begin telling the Lord once again, ‘I’m the redeemed.’ Fanny Crosby penned these words in 1882. Should we not be singing it to Him over and over especially during Resurrection season? “Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever I am. Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! His child and forever I am.”

Back in the beginning, what did we do as ‘the Redeemed?’ Frequently, I declared, ‘I’m redeemed.’ Have we lost the initial FIREY passion for God? Rev 2:4-5NASB “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first…”

Have we forgotten our redemption? We don’t hear singing about redemption. Love songs about Christ’s love and how much we love Him. But have we forgotten His suffering and death, the price of our redemption? When we deal with the cost of our redemption, that first love and adoration for Jesus is revived.

Leviticus 25 is regarding Jewish Law about a person selling themselves because they’re poor. V48 “then after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him,” A kinsman could redeem them.

Ruth 3:1-8 Boaz becomes the kinsman redeemer buying back what was sold away from the bloodline. Boaz is considered as a picture of Jesus— who redeemed all of us— for we’d all sold ourselves in sin to satan.

Jesus bought us back, not with money, but with His blood. —Mental suffering in Gethsemane to the point of sweating blood; —The crown of thorns beaten through His skull, causing twitching; —His face pulverized, —His beard ripped out; —His back muscles and skin shredded by the lashes of the bone and metal edged whip; —His wrists and feet nailed in a way to cause tortuous muscle cramps; Deserving none of this, He bought us back from satan, with His blood. Hardly a fair trade for Him. He carried everyone’s sins upon His body, nailed to the cross with Him, (see Colossians 2:14).

Jesus spent agonizing hours trying to breathe. Finally dying. He paid the debt He didn’t owe, for people who owed a debt, they couldn’t pay. Trading His life for unfaithful people. For anyone who will receive His sacrifice and for those who don’t. DID YOU HEAR ME? The debt has been paid for every person, even those we consider as worthless, or hopeless, a lost cause; those most vile.

Galatians 3:13ESV “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” What curses? Look them up for yourself: Deuteronomy 28 covers everything in every area in life. Plus every generational curse assigned to us from the sins of our ancestry. Jesus on that cross bore every curse we deserved.

Study the Law— Not a fair trade at all for Jesus to pay every payment for sin, sickness, peace, prosperity, deliverance and wholeness in every way imaginable for us. When He cried out— “IT IS FINISHED!” John 19:30KJV, we became the redeemed. Bought back from satan by the blood of the Lamb. Tis the love story of the ages.

Will we sing— redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed, how I love to proclaim it His child and forever I am? We can not only sing it but live the song. It’s your choice. You choose.

PRAYER: Yahweh Lord, Thank You for sending Jesus to die in our places. We’re redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Praise You. Glorify Yourself in our lives we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #devotional #fair trade #hopeless #agonizing #redeemed #paid in full #tortuous #hope #love #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 24 days

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This Is The Picture

“…He sent out two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.” Luke 19:29-30BSB

One central figure of Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem is the donkey. Per Jewish tradition, this isn’t just an unridden colt, but the first donkey born to its mother. Israelite law, requires Exodus 13:13NIV “Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck…” Jesus knew the unredeemed colt was was what He, the Lamb, would soon redeem. This is the picture of our redemption.

The donkey was of no use, tied up, because it had never been ridden. Here we have a picture of Believers, who although set free by Jesus’ redemption, are still living chained up to the past. Living a life of bondage and shame in the midst of freedom. It’s ridiculous to think we can earn our way out of this bondage and shame by doing good works and right living. Romans 8:2ESV is our liberation— “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” This is the picture of release.

Disciples untied the donkey and brought it to Jesus. Why? To carry the King. The donkey— never ridden— needed to be ruled by One loving enough to deal gently with it. To arrive at its life purpose, the donkey had to submit to being ruled. We humans can be even more stubborn than the donkey. Submission isn’t in most of our vocabularies or plans. But He wants to rule us in order that we can carry Him, the King, to the lost of the world. “…do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” 1Peter 4:2NIV. His plans aren’t to destroy us but to deploy us. Surrendering to His plans for us— this is the picture rulership, molded by grace.

After Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey, He sent the donkey back to its owner a different donkey. The donkey which wasn’t useful before had been redeemed, released, ruled and now came home repurposed— useful for the owner.

When we go through the processes of the redemption, release from our chains, finally submissive to our Master, we begin to look like our Savior. The key is to allow His work to be done to us.

Christ Jesus is coming back for His bride. 1John 3:2BSB “Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.” This is the picture of Christ.

Will we look like Him? All of this depends on how we submit to the process of being made into His image. It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God I don’t want to be the donkey refusing to submit. Help us to allow Your processes to create us into the picture of Your Son, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #god #holy spirit #it's your choice #devotional #picture #free #donkey #release #redemption #ruled #King #submission #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 25 days

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Here’s The Kicker

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught His disciples.” Luke 11:1NIV

Prayer is the most powerful communication between God and man. Jesus wanted His disciples to know how to pray. If He wanted them to know how, it’s for certain He wants us to know as well. There are many forms of prayer. My most often prayed prayers are ‘Help,’ and ‘Forgive me.’

One form of prayer is ‘Petition,’ where we write down our need, the scriptures which align with the need and find a partner who will agree 100% with our prayer.

I’ve been listening to Hank Kunneman preach about ‘Imprecatory’ prayers. Actually, I’d never heard of them before, but as I read the scriptures now I can see all of these prayers prayed by King David. In Psalm 58 David was speaking about unjust judges, (where have we heard this lately in our society?) Then we come to the imprecatory prayer— V6ESV “O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! Let them vanish like water that runs away;…”

Wow, relatively harsh! But wait. What the evildoers were doing was harsh, evil and unjust. David understood they knew right from wrong. Bleeding hearts will say, ‘they didn’t know any better.’ Wrong! Genesis 3:22NLT “Then the LORD God said, “Look, the human beings have become like Us, knowing both good and evil…” This one statement from Yahweh shows that all people from all times have been given a conscience. The conscience gives warning, followed with feelings of guilt, remorse and shame. Satan makes sure those feelings follow every sin, because he’s the of the Law.

A depravity equal to today was occurring in Rome during Paul’s time there. He addressed this depravity knowing God built a conscience into everyone, even those unacquainted with Him Romans 1:21NIV “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Before Yeshua/Jesus God knew Gentiles had no understanding and no way of making atonement for their sins. After Jesus came and paid the debt for everyone’s sin “…now He commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30NIV.

In this nation no politician, church-goer, or judge has an excuse for practicing evil. They’re all aware of Who Jesus is and what He has done. The fact they don’t choose to believe in Him doesn’t resolve their guilt or negate His Sovereignty. Romans 14:11-12ESV “…As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

After asking God to save these lost souls, we can pray our text, or Psalm 141:10NIV “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.” Psalm 35:8NIV “may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.”

Yes God hears and answers such prayers prayed by the innocent. Our prayers aren’t to be prayed out of spitefulness and revenge, hatred or malice— for we are to love our enemies. Here’s the kicker to this imprecatory prayer. Prayed in God’s love these consequences ‘may’ awaken them to truth and give the opportunity for Holy Spirit to deal in their lives unto salvation.

Can we love as much as Christ loves to keep our hearts free of vengeful desire? Seek for their salvation? Praying down God’s will? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Father God my mom used to pray, whatever it takes to save __ use it. Lord God these evil people trying to eat us alive, do whatever it takes to save their souls, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #lord of lords #word of god #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #devotional #kicker #prayer #communication #petition #conscience #consequences #atonement #hope #love #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 30 days

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Tell Them The Truth

“I tell you, No; but unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally.” Luke 13:3AMPC

Someone came to Jesus with a ‘did you hear’ message. Whomever the bearer of tidings was, they came not only with the message, but evidently had a question….. ‘Were these people evil to have received this horrible death?’

In verses2-5 Jesus proceeds to tell them, ‘people are going to die. It’s satan’s payoff for serving him. You’ll get the same payoff, if you keep sinning and not turning to the Lord.

Society today is riddled with auto accidents, murders, death by disease-neglect-lack of help. Death is everywhere we look. There’s also sorrow, grief, and pain causing seemingly decent people suffering without relief. We can mourn with those who are mourning. But much kinder to them is whenever possible tell them the truth. Jesus chose to tell those listening to Him— ‘repent. If we don’t repent the same fate awaits everyone who sins— death and hell for eternity.’

I know I’ve been hitting the negative hard lately. It’s become more and more astounding to me as I discover that much of the church-going-Christians don’t believe the Bible is totally true. Some don’t believe in satan being an actual being: in hell being actually a real place: in the fact God will allow people to enter hell by their own choice: in the anti-christ trying to takeover planet earth: nor that God’s love doesn’t supersede and override a person’s choice to sin and not caring about heaven or hell.

Recently a family member— a lady I highly regard and love— lay in the hospital dying, unless she had a miracle. All I could see was, if she didn’t live, she’d end up in hell. Sweet, kind, generous, loving, helpful always didn’t add up to being born again. Often I’d tried to tell her about Jesus, to lead her to salvation. After God so graciously heard my prayer and allowed her to live, I became very up-front-in-the-face — ‘Sweet lady, had you died you would be in hell. God allowed you to live in order to give you another chance to accept Jesus as your Lord.’ I gave her the sinners’ prayer. Her choice for Jesus isn’t an option to me— it’s a necessity.

What will we do when we see war on our soil? We’ve got a Chinese and terrorist army both right here in our land now. This week they were given the right to bear arms as illegal aliens. War is a perfect way to prevent an election.

What will we do when we see people dropping like flies with the disease X? The WHO has already announced it’s going to be a major player in deaths this fall. They ruined one election with a disease.

Wake up. Pray! “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2Chronicles 7:14NIV. When we repent and seek the Lord, He promises to remove the evil consequences from our land. We will be able to speak to the lost in order to not see as many of those we love die, knowing they’re going to a sinners’ hell.

Are the lost important to you? Is this nation important to you? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God the world is lost and dying and we’re not caring for the lost, trying to win them as we should. Help us to awake from our apathy, to repent, to pray, and to live with You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #devotional #truth #repent #death #dying #disease #grief #lost #up front #helpful #override #hope #love #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 1 month

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Bleeding Hearts’ Swoon

“…Yahweh will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of distress. And those who know Your name will trust in You, for You do not forsake those who seek You, O Yahweh.” Psalm 9:9-10AMPC

The most oppressed people in the USA are its citizens. We’ve got good jobs: Not when the company lays off their citizen employees in order to hire illegal aliens and pay for illegals’ childcare.

This issue is hard for the Believer to swallow. We can’t take a nap anymore and wake up to a different truth. Not when our nation has had sixteen states matched in numbers by illegal aliens. Many hundreds of thousands of the illegals are military age Chinese men. As many or more illegals are from the countries in the middle east which have blatant hatred of the USA. Both of these groups are here with the idea of destroying our country from the inside out. The Chinese think communism needs to take us over. (Communists murdered hundreds of millions of their own citizens for not submitting to absolute obedience.) For the terrorists, the plan is to kill off everyone who will not denounce Jesus Christ and become Muslims.

Society is abased enough to where people are doing the bleeding heart swoon over how ‘pedophilia is a natural born sexual orientation. The bleeding heart’s swoon is coming to the statehouse near you soon. Let me tell you as the victim of pedophiles’ molestation— pedophiles need to be removed from society for the sickness they’re suffering. Go to any prison and find out how the ‘lifers’ treat the pedophile— pedophiles become the lifers’ ‘girls’ in the harshest of manners.

These sexual orientation agendas and the illegal aliens, over 12,000,000,000 thus far, are explained in the book, ‘Blood Money’ by Peter Schweizer, (sells on Amazon). If that book doesn’t turn your head backwards, read ‘Letters To The American Church,’ by Eric Mataxas, available at book’s-name-.com. A wake-up call is being sounded.

King David faced enemies in family, national neighbors, to King Saul. He learned there was only one place to go— Yahweh Adonai, our God. “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2ESV, David’s hiding place is our hiding place.

We as Believers must learn to not trust what we see and feel around us. The more I see, read, hear, and discover, I’m convinced we’ve been living in a refuge of lies. Praise God— Isaiah 28:17NASB1995 “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place.” The lies are beginning to be exposed and the truth is coming out. LORD God is destroying the lies one by one.

Only place we can be trusted absolutely— our God and His Word. Our refuge is in Him. He has promised to care for us in our text and throughout the Bible.

As Believers, we’re to fight the evil, even at the cost of our lives. Even then we win, because they can only kill the body and not touch the soul, (Matthew 10:28). Besides, Christ took the sting of death, (1Corinthians 15:55-57).

From heartaches, abandonment, neglect, rejection, isolation, abuses, to control, manipulation, living in a world of lies, hidden agendas, hatred, greed, and pure evil— Christ, Yahweh, Holy Spirit are our “stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of distress.” They won’t forsake us. Don’t fall for the smooth talking lies. Investigate for yourselves. Once you begin to see the truth, the TRUTH will set you free, (John 8:32). It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God I pray You will awaken Your people to the truth. Help us please to come to life and quit laying lifeless in pools of apathy, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #bleeding heart #swoon #enemies #lies #refuge #trust #safety #stronghold #devotional #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 1 month

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Guarding The Sheep

“Then the LORD said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?” Numbers 14:11NKJV

How long will Jesus Christ’s church refuse to believe in Him? In His supernatural? In His Holy Spirit? In His love for His Believers? In His love for the world? Hasn’t He proven Himself over and over again?

Yahweh Adonai is The God of Love…. He is holy— totally unapproachable by sin. His Laws are just and righteous. The love covers the repentant heart, freeing them from the penalty of the Law. That same love covers the sinners with grace and mercy. But He has a real problem with those who once knowing Him have turned their backs on Him. God doesn’t deal well with total rejection after His kindnesses have been displayed.

The Israelites had seen God’s consistent care during the Egyptian plagues. They’d walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. Egypt tried to follow and ended up drowned by the waters covering them. Manna, the food of angels, had been provided as their food. He rained quail nearly a yard deep, gave them drinking water coming from a rock. Yet they failed to trust Him in taking the land He had promised to give them.

Moses was a true shepherd over God’s flock of Israelites. Today, we have few true shepherds. “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock of My pasture,” declares Yahweh. Therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel concerning the shepherds who shepherd My people, “You yourselves have scattered My flock, and you have driven them away, and you do not attend to them. Look, I will punish you for the evil of your deeds,” declares Yahweh” Jeremiah 23:1-2LEB Evangelicals who before were considered stable have ceded the true gospel for wokeism, transgenderism, DEI, CRT. No one is guarding the sheep from the demonic onslaught. They’ve turned their backs on Conservative Agendas politically and spiritually, forgetting what wondrous works God did through their predecessors such as in the movements of John Wesley and other fathers of the faith.

Renowned leaders, fathers of movements, authors of many books have turned their backs on gospel standards. All of them cite grace to cover themselves and their flocks. Meanwhile Jesus says: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! …because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” Revelation 3:15-17NIV.

Our Savior says— “You shall not murder.” Abortion is murder. Evangelical pastors are leading their congregations into rallying support for Biden, who supports murdering babies up until the time of birth. I am praying for a mighty revival throughout the evangelical branch of churches, all churches for that matter.

Some believe we’re on the precipice of the rapture. Do you really think you’re enough like Jesus to be His bride? Leaders actually believe the antichrist is rising, therefore let come what may. We need an unprecedented move of God to shake the churches and awaken everyone to God’s standards. Apathy and deceit have reigned too long in the denominations. Time to be performing miracles again and having total faith in Lord God— respecting Yahweh, not rejecting Him for their socialistic agendas. Wake up will you? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY; LORD God forgive us for apathy and allowing ourselves to be deceived. Shake Your churches awake before it’s too late for us all, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #lord of lords #holy spirit #god #it's your choice #devotional #guarding #sheep #leaders #apathy #miracles #stable #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 1 month

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Command Fire

“…When His disciples James and John observed this, they said, Lord, do You wish us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did? But He turned and rebuked and severely censured them. He said, You do not know of what sort of spirit you are,” Luke 9:54-55AMPC

James and John, in our text, were indignant because the Samaritan village snubbed Jesus. I don’t know of any other time in my lifetime, when it’s been easier to become indignant and offended. In fact, at times I’ve had many ‘calling down lightning’ desires towards various DOJ, Senators, Congressional members and the people currently running the White House.

Nothing rankles me worse than those involved in pedophilia, and child sex trafficking. I too was molested. The molestation hasn’t given me the desire to fantasize and sin against children. What it has done is give me a huge stretching of the love of God in me for offenders.

John 3:16KJV “For God so loved the world…” What is the world made up of? Some Believers in Christ, yes. Decent self-righteous people? Even more blatant sinners? Many desperately wicked people? God loves them all. Gave His Son’s life for each and every individual, no matter their bent towards sin or Him.

Jesus didn’t give us an option to hate and pray evil towards wicked. “…I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44NIV. Praying for the death of enemies and persecutors would be very easy to do— “command fire.” Instead Jesus taught we’re to love and pray for them in order, V45 “that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

I always thought that King David “commanded fire” on his enemies. Psalm 3:7NLT “Arise, O LORD! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!” This isn’t exactly calling for a lightning strike on the enemies, but a huge wake-up call and loss of power to his enemies.

There’s a great difference in calling for an enemy’s death and a huge wake-up leading possibly to salvation. We’re to be known as lovers of other Believers, John 13:35, and loving those in need of salvation. Praying for those lost in sin and darkness to be saved is the opposite of “commanding fire.” This is much more pleasing to our Lord mainly because those prayers are a remembering of the fact— except for grace I’d be going the same direction.

Pray for the wake-up calls and salvations of those enemies, and persecutors. Allow God to be the One Who decides their fate, as we remain out of sin in this matter. We may the reason one evil person arrives in heaven. Meanwhile we won’t be like them wishing malice on another. It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: Sovereign God please keep us from the sins of hatred, malice, and desiring wickedness on the wicked. Help us please to be more like You, in the name of Yeshua Hamashiach I pray.

#Jesus Christ #holy spirit #lord of lords #god #word of god #it's your choice #devotional #command #fire #lightning strike #option #self righteousness #Believers #wicked #love of god #love #hope #faith

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itsyourchoicedevotionals · 1 month

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When We Truly Love

“No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].” 1John 3:6AMPC

This scripture rankles denominations claiming ‘go ahead and sin, grace covers all sin.’ I will take it a step further.

When Lou and I married 54 years ago, if I displeased him, ‘he’ll get over it’ was my mentality. Marriage was about me. Over those first years, I learned to try and be pleasing— to keep peace within the confines of our home. Along the way, I fell totally head-over-heels in love with Lou. It became my desire to be part of him, an extension of his ideals, hopes and dreams. Today I have no desire to hurt or displease him in anyway.

Lou currently has bronchitis along with his other issues. I was trying to help him stand up and walk. He looked at me totally lucid saying, ‘I don’t want to hurt you. Please don’t, lifting will hurt your back. Get help.’ Then he slipped back into the fog of fever and illness. Those years of becoming a part of him reaped a harvest of his continued protection and concern for me, no matter how he feels.

My point: When we truly love— truly love God— we won’t want to sin—hurt Him. Those pet sins aren’t worth keeping around to stimulate us in the wrong manner. That addiction, desire, whatever isn’t as important as intimacy and fellowship with Yahweh Adonai. He becomes our consuming passion.

1John 1:8-9NIV “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This appears to be the total opposite of our text. It isn’t.

In the text it’s talking about pet sins— refusing to let go of things which God has been dealing with us about. This covers sins against your own body, etc.— “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” Example——: “…For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” Romas 1:26-27ESV. ——: “…nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,…nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers…” 1Corinthians 6:9-10ESV. ——: “…impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry…” Colossians 3:5ESV. ——: “liars, perjurers” 1Timothy 1:10ESV ——: “A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 22:5ESV Cross-dressing, or transgenderism?

Sin are listed also throughout the first five books of the Bible. They cover everything besides praising God and breathing. God is HOLY. He can’t tolerate sin close to HIm. His glory burns sins up. To daily not sin— breaking God’s Laws — is impossible. Jesus died for the payment of ALL THOSE SINS to bring us close to God. Still, we can choose our pet sins above our Savior by constantly claiming ‘grace covers.’ I remember the night Yahweh said to me— ‘Let go of that sin. I won’t tolerate it in you any longer. I can’t live with your sin.’ Not once have I regretted letting go of what was wrong for relationship with God.

Are you hanging onto something which is holding you back from God’s best? Sins are forgiven. Relationships are chosen and built. Which do you want? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God forgive us for choosing sin over You. Cleanse our desires, in the name of Jesus Christ.

#Jesus Christ #word of god #god #holy spirit #lord of lords #it's your choice #devotional #truly love #sin #hurt one you love #truth #forgive #grace #love #hope #faith

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