Choose Life
By: Dr. Rodney Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/14/2018
Foundation Scriptures:
For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. Deuteronomy 30:11-15 KJV
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: 20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 KJV
Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge.
In life, and at one time or another, people have good or bad experiences.
People often feel that they deserve the good, but not the bad.
They expect good things to happen, but are not thankful when they do.
When bad things happen, they are upset or angry. Many times, they blame it on God.
People believe wrong things about their life, because they are ignorant of God's Word; even some Christians.
God has not hidden anything – He has laid out in His Word how we can prosper in every area of life.
Hosea 4:6 KJV - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
God says that His people lack knowledge, because they have rejected His knowledge.
People can't receive the blessings God offers when they have rejected or ignored God and His Word.
We Are Not in Heaven Yet.
God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil.
Matthew 7:11 KJV - "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
James 1:17 KJV - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
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."
God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is the source and origin of life, blessing, and all that is good.
He gives life, preserves life, restores life, and prolongs it by His power.
When Adam relinquished his God-given dominion to the devil, then death, cursing, and evil began to operate in the earth and in the lives of every person born on the earth.
When we chose Jesus, we choose Life.
We are translated out of the kingdom of darkness, and into the Kingdom of Light (Colossians 1:13).
Jesus defeated the devil, but the devil still has dominion, or authority, over those who are still in his kingdom – the kingdom of darkness.
It is Your Choice.
God tells us, in His Word, that we have options here on the earth.
We don't have to wait for heaven, to have life, or be blessed.
He tells us that we are the ones who can, and should, choose.
The options are: Life, blessing, and good. Or death, cursing, and evil.
By default, if you don't actively choose Life, then death, cursing, and evil will try to do its thing in your life.
Do not tolerate death, cursing, or evil, in your life or your home.
Choose Life!
John 1:4 KJV - "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
Jesus offers us eternal life.
When you choose Jesus, you choose Life for the first time.
When we belong to God, we can begin to walk in His blessings.
God wants to bless you.
Choose blessing!
Choose good things!
Choose Life.
You choose life, good and blessing, by loving God, obeying Him, and cleaving to Him.
1 Corinthians 8:3 AMPC - "But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]."
Love God – with affectionate reverence.
Mark 12:30 KJV - "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Obey Him – promptly obey Him; submit yourself to His Word.
Cleave to Him – cling to Him – hold fast to Him.
Never forsake Him, in your heart and in practice (what you say and do).
Romans 12:9 AMPC - "[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good."
Love sincerely; hate evil; hold onto what is good.
Trust and rely on Him in all things.
If you do these things, you will be blessed.