Choose Today Whom You Will Serve: GOD or SELF

Main text: Joshua 24:15 

Supporting Text: Hebrews 11:25

As individuals, our lives are typically centered on decisions we make every single day both individually & and as a group (as in personal relationships, family settings, etc.). We make choices in different situations ranging from simple things like what we will have for dinner tonight, to a more complicated decision such as choosing the right home to purchase. Whatever decisions we make; it is either going to end up as a positive experience or negative experience for us over time.


What do we mean by "Choice"?

The dictionary's definition of choice is an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.


Friends, everyone has been given free will by the Lord God, whether you believe in His existence or not. You and I have been given the power to choose between right and wrong, but know this, whatever decisions you make, will either make or mar (negatively impact) you. The choices you select shapes who you become over time.

Although human beings have been given the ability to make choices, we also have the responsibility to choose wisely. If you do not choose carefully, some consequences will negatively affect you at some point or the other. Throughout the Old Testament, you can see how the children of God suffered greatly in the hands of their enemies as a result of their poor choices, poor decision making.



Have you ever examined yourself before, the choice words you use when you are talking about your life, what you want to accomplish?


For example,

If you find yourself saying this,

When I finish with this, I am doing this, this and that, in five years, I must get this and that done. I will move to x location and will do this and that... It's I, I and I (self). Does this sound like flesh talking? Not to say there is anything wrong with wanting to be successful in your activities here on earth. It is a pleasant thing! And it is the Lord's desire for us to prosper and be in health.    3 John 2      


But my question to you is;


In all your wanting to do this or that…Have you ever included God in your conversation, your decision making? Have you ever said, "Lord show me your will for my life"? Or   "Lord, if it's your will, let me do this and that within this x period for I know your plans for me are good and not of evil." Jeremiah 29:11.



When you try to accomplish things without God's direction or approval, and it backfires, guess who you come running to or blaming for your failures?

GOD.

Human beings, even the ones who claim He doesn't exist, blame him for every single thing that happens to them.


As believers, the question you should ask ourselves when it comes to making choices in your lives are "This decision I am about to make or take, does it align with God's will"? Am I aiming to please God or please myself?

You must be true to ourselves and be ready to take ownership of the choices you make both good and bad.  

At some time in our lives, most of us have made decisions that negatively affected us. Some of us are still being impacted today by the choices we made years ago or months ago. I have made some unwise decisions in my life that has cost me dearly. I refused to allow the Lord to lead and direct my path even when He kept tugging at my inner man. As a result, I suffered the consequences of my actions; I owned my mistakes and had to repent and seek the Lord's forgiveness. 1st John 1:9. The Lord is faithful, the God of a second chance gave me another chance, and many things previously lost as a result of my disobedience and selfish acts were restored. Our God is merciful!



Joshua in our main text called on the children of Israel to choose this day whom they will serve, God or idols?  He was basically telling them to put away all these idols, fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully and if they have a problem with serving God, they need to make a choice right now, you can’t serve both God and idols.  As for him (Joshua) and his household, they will be serving the Lord for the rest of their lives.  

Beloved, in every moment of your existence, you have a choice to make. Which choice will you make today?

Are you prepared to let go of self and serve God?

Are you ready to surrender totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and let Him live through you?

Are you ready to put your complete trust in Him and allow Him to direct your path?



The decision you make today will prepare you for eternity, either way, the fundamental question is which direction of eternity? heaven or eternal separation from God (hell)?  I pray you will make the right decision today; 


Choose heaven, choose eternal life,

Choose today to serve God and not-self.



Shalom

Finding Hope in GOD

I have been making my way through the bible this year, studying and meditating on the word of God.  I have received several new revelations so far and it has been awesome. Today I want to share one of those revelations.  It is in the book of Lamentations, chapter 3:19-23.  "Remember my affliction and my wanderings,   the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]  his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness."

I believe we can all relate to this passage in scripture at one time or the other in our lives. Most of us have experienced one or multiple afflictions in our lifetime and of course its never pleasant.  It tears at the core of one's heart and soul and takes a long time to recover.    Affliction can be so excruciating to the human soul and spirit that the Bible text compares it to the bitterness of wormwood, which is an aromatic plant and gall, the secretion or substance that comes from the liver, both have a very bitter taste. 

Lamentations is not one of the books in the bible that people are often eager to read but it is really loaded with poetry and songs that help us, as individuals to understand an important aspect of  our relationship with God – It reminds us how normal it is to express grief and distress in various circumstances that occur in our lives.  

  Twelve years ago, I lost a daughter after 9 months of looking forward to carrying my beautiful child. It was by far the worst pain and heartache I had encountered in my life and even after everyone forgets, the emptiness and pain still linger on... 

But for God,  I would have lost hope, especially for the fact that during that period, things were very challenging for my family i.e financially.   I have known of some who turned away from God either for a period of time or permanently because the pain and anger were just too much to bear.  Hopelessness and bitterness set in,  but there are those like me, who were of course hurt and angry but, instead of running away from the Lord, we ran to Him and He was there to carry us through.   You can not judge how a person handles their pain or anger, but you can be there for them; offering support, a listening ear, prayers, etc.

The writers of the book of Lamentations knew pain as well, they witnessed the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the killings of so many of their people, some sent away in exile. But in spite of all the afflictions, they held on the promises of God and remembering how God had always been faithful and this gave them hope.  

And so the same thing goes for us my beloved friends, that no matter what we may have been through or still passing through, run towards the father, remember his promises, remember all the times he has been there for you, thank him for your life that he has kept up til now. In my case,  but for God, I won't be here today, I could have died during childbirth.  But he gave me strength and hope to keep living.   Today, he has blessed me with more children and so much to be thankful.  His words say in verse 22-23 " The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.    If you do not remember anything else in this short exhortation, just remember these verses.  

 I am a Life coach who specializes in grief and loss of any kind; specifically the loss of a child, marriage.

If you are needing helping in moving past the hurt and anger, so that you can live God's best life for you in your new reality, give me a call today  505-226-1832, visit our website livingwaterchristianservices.com( the contact page) or our Fpage;   living water christian services and book an appointment with us. 

Remember our hope is in God; for He indeed is faithful.  God bless you all!

DOZme's Annual Community Outreach in July

FOR THE KIDDOS!!!

This year, we shall be supporting our youths and children from homes struggling to make ends meet. From Monday, July 8th through the following Monday, July 15th, we shall be accepting donations of backpacks, school supplies, clothing, etc. This is to help them get ready for the new school year. All donations collected will be sent to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of New Mexico and other non profit child welfare based organizations depending on the number of donations received. Items will be delivered to organizations by Tuesday, July 16th.


Thank you in advance for your generous donations. No amount is too small. We would prefer in-kind donations, but monetary contributions are acceptable. Drop off location is 12836 Lomas Blvd, NE Ste. B Albuquerque, but if not convenient for some, we can plan alternate arrangements with you.

For those residing out of the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area or out of New Mexico, looking to contribute, please contact us @ 505-226-1832 or send us an email @ dozmeinternational@gmail.com and also do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or comments regarding this community outreach. Again thank you for your contributions, and the may the Lord bless your labor of love.