The Choice is Yours

I was watching a television drama the other day and this congressman was speaking to a church congregation. There had been a tragedy in the community and he was there to supposedly comfort them. When in fact he was just spinning the situation to his advantage. I was a little taken aback and yes a little angry. Here he was in the pulpit saying things he really didn’t believe but what he thought they wanted to hear. He seemed so sincere and seem to believe in his convictions. But the thing that made me really angry is when they showed the congregation embracing him and what he was saying. I thought how dare he finesse them in this way. How dare he use their hearts against them. These people weren’t blind but they wanted to see the good. But there really was no good, just manipulation. He was a master manipulator that took pride in that fact. I know this was just a T.V. show but it happens in real life everyday in numerous ways. And what really upset me is that I could identify with those congregants and their desire to see the good in this individual and the pain of feeling duped. Some may think they would recognize this but would they? We have to be careful of darkness disguised as light. We teach our children not to go with strangers that say they are looking for a lost puppy yet we are seduced everyday by music, television and for some by the people with whom we choose to associate. We accept things because they are popular. If they look the part and they are clever enough we will buy into someones agenda without looking closely and ignore that uneasy feeling we get when things don’t quite feel right. We admire those with money just because they have it and follow those with power because they knew how to get it. Celebrities are to be held in awe just because they found fame. Every person with money and fame is not out to deceive you but should we hold them in higher esteem?

There will come a time in your life when you will be asked to choose this day whom you will serve. Jesus said you can’t serve two masters.

Matthew 6:24 NIV

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Sometimes we are making choices that we are not aware of. Be careful Beloved of darkness cloaked in light. Be vigilant, alert and aware. Regularly search your heart and examine yourselves.

Matthew 6:21 NIV

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Love one another but be careful not to follow someone just because they say they lost their puppy.

Remember:

John 10:10 KJV

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly..

Unfortunately, there is darkness cloaked in light everywhere, ready to deceive. Don’t get caught up in the deception. Don’t be seduced by all that glitters because it may not be gold. Don’t conform to the norm. We are to be a peculiar people. We are in this world but not to be of it. It is sometimes hard and uncomfortable to go against the grain but well worth it. Use wisdom. Pray for yourselves, pray for those who are deceived and those who attempt to deceive. Because if not for the grace of God go I.

I told you last week I started a weight loss program and one of the tips they gave was to make wise choices and plan and decide what you were going to eat beforehand. This way you were more apt to stick to the plan and not overeat. In the same way make your decision and decide whom you will serve this day and don’t wait. God loves us all but all will not choose to serve Him.

Joshua 24:14-15 NIV

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord . But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord .”

The choice is always yours. Choose wisely Beloved.

Love, Ms Wanda, GAC