Better Measurement

Hello,
So often in life we face choices that have us scratching our heads wondering which choice is the better choice. Not the choices of good vs bad – but choices where no option feels inherently bad. So, how do we decide what is better? What is the measurement we should use in these cases? Let’s look at a couple examples from Scripture:

• 1 Peter 3:14-17 “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ” (NASB)

• Luke 10:38-42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” (NASB)

In the 1 Peter passage we see that the better choice is clearly aligned with doing what is good and right over that which is evil. And we are not to weigh short term consequences, but rather give preference to a longer perspective in terms of eternity (which by the way, does last forever….)

In the passage in Luke, we see that Martha is not doing anything bad – just trying to be a great host for the honored guest. But, Jesus shows that we are to value our time with Him. By saying that Mary had chosen what was better we can also see that we are to be focused on fixing and preparing our hearts rather than just an outside appearance.

I think these are great measurements of a better choice – and easily applied to our lives.

1. Is one pleasing to God vs. against His word?
2. If both are pleasing to God, which one focuses on fixing and preparing our hearts and shows the value of time with God?

I pray this challenges and encourages you today.

Will Hill

The Right Choice

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:13-17

I have so many people in my life where I have deep and close connections with.  No matter when I see or speak to them, it is as if we have never lost a beat even if we haven’t connected in months.  There is higher love I have for them that is a bond that never leaves.  That being said, they are not God.  It is that which I find myself challenged.  Sometimes, I do what I want to appease them and not what God wants.  It is indeed something I have prayed about often.  One should not have to choose between them and God.  To a degree, if they are as good a friend as I claim them to be they would never put me between them and God in the first place.  But what if it happens?  It’s far easier with someone you do not know, but when I know them and my heart strings are tugging, will I remain faithful?  Will I make the right choice?

Building ourselves up in Christ requires that we focus on each aspect of our faith to ensure we are prepared to choose God above all else.  When I was young, I was once told, “Practice makes perfect.”  This was the analogy of doing something continuously making you really good at it.  As I got older, I found a different version of it that said, “Practice makes permanence.”  This implied that you need to be careful because if you are practicing bad habits, you don’t want that to become permanent.  This brings me to today’s verses.  Paul was talking about spiritual warfare and preparing for battle.  This of course is a mental battle, and the things he asked the Ephesians to do was focus on those things that are good for them.

Focusing on truth, God’s righteousness, knowledge of being saved by Christ, and faith to walk on water serves us well in the battle.  These are things we should wake up and use every day.  Some days will seem like they are not used at all, but if we are focused on these things daily giving glory to God for them, we will be ready at the time those skills are most needed.  They will make the choice easier.  To be clear, it is not to say at times it will be an easy choice because as my wife was telling me earlier last night, the heart wants what the heart wants.  This is where God’s word is essential in our preparedness.  God tells us to “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  If we instill it with God inspired things, it will drive us in the right direction.  If we fill it with our own wants, we may struggle in the end.

Following Christ while rewarding is not easy.  There is a reason Jesus said, “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14)  We must focus on preparedness even when not being tested.  Every moment is an opportunity to choose what God wants.  Sometimes it will align with our wants, but each time it does not, it is a moment to gain clarity and vision for what God truly wants for your life.  Let us willingly challenge ourselves to continually grow in the light of Jesus Christ.  What lessons can you learn from past choices where your and God’s wants conflicted?  How can you have intent daily to make decisions for God?  My prayer is we focus on filling our hearts with Christ, so we can make the right choice.  Amen.

The Crossroad

When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

“Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?  This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”

Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.

They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes^[i] from Galilee!”  John 7:45-52

At various points in one’s life, people will find themselves at a crossroad.  You will look and see there are many different ways you can turn.  None of them look different, but you know the destination itself is different.  Usually, those who can see past the short term of that choice and looks deeper beyond the initial turning point will usually make the right decision.  I spoke previously about struggles in my married life.  My wife and I both have faced crossroads.  Sometimes separately, but many times together.  We always have looked beyond the initial turning point, and when we were not sure, we paused until we felt certain.  I won’t say that we were right all of the time, but most of the time, we were.  It has been our faith more than anything that has guided us, and to be honest, a Christ led decision has never been wrong.  Never.

We all hit crossroads in our journey of faith, but we should have surety that choosing Christ is always the right decision.  I was in a study on John focusing on whether Jesus was who He says He was.  In today’s verses my focus is primarily on the man called Nicodemus.  When Nicodemus first met Jesus, he was not buying into what Jesus was saying.  However, he was asking a number of questions trying to get understanding (ex. “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” John 3:4).  While reading this, I reflected on a poster in my office called ‘The Mood Elevator,’ and the best place to be on this elevator is the place called ‘curious.’  This is where you are neither assuming nor judging.  You are gathering information.  Nicodemus’s questions would be very telling because they set the stage for where you could tell he was officially at ‘the crossroad’ in Chapter 7.  Does he side with his fellow Pharisees or does he make the move toward Jesus.  He says, “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?”  Now that may initially sound like he really has not made a choice, but note that the rest of his brethren had already thought Jesus should be arrested and found guilty.  Thus, it is clear that his heart was already converting from non-believer to believer, and this would later be underlined as he would go with Joseph for the burial of Jesus (see John 19:38-42).  Although we find ourselves questioning which way we should turn, we can always ask questions and be curious to gather information as to what God is trying to tell us.  It is then we can make the best decision for it is based on instructions God has given us.

Following Christ is always righteous.  It can be difficult at times to see what God has in store for us, but if we are faithful and pray, we will always be able to see beyond the initial choice to where God ultimately resides.  Don’t be passive or decide prematurely.  Be curious because if you are like Nicodemus, you will come to the right choice.  What choices are weighing on you today?  How can you be curious when you are unsure which way God wants to take you?  My prayer is that we trust in God’s wisdom to get a clear vision of the righteous path when we make it to the crossroad.  Amen.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part II - Choices

In 2010, Joe went back to school for a master’s in psychology (after financial constrains led to his job loss as a youth pastor). So, I thought maybe God was going to wait to give us children until after Joe finished his masters and got another job. However, we did eventually see a second fertility doctor, who again didn’t find any issues.

Joe graduated in 2012 and got a full-time job at a treatment facility in 2013. No pregnancy ensued, though. We didn’t sense any direction from God regarding adoption, either.

Then, in 2014, we were led to again call the Department of Human Services about attending a foster orientation. They were no longer hosting orientation classes, but contracted with Orchards Children’s Services to conduct in-home orientation classes. So, a lady came out to our home. (We let her in and didn’t lock her out! J) After orientation, we could choose any agency to go through to get our foster license. I didn’t know which agency to pick. Even after prayer, it wasn’t clear. Joe thought we could go with Orchards as they did the orientation, so that’s what we did.

God knew it didn’t matter where we got licensed. He knew the unique circumstances that would connect us with James and Sarah. It only mattered that we got licensed and not who licensed us. I had worried about selecting the “right” licensing agency when God knew it didn’t matter.

Sometimes any of the choices before us are the “right” choice. I often want God to specifically direct me to a certain choice. I don’t want to make a mistake. However, He is Sovereign!! He will accomplish His plans even if I do make a mistake.  

Job 42: 1-2 Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.

Have you ever been stuck in a situation where any choice could be the “right” one? Besides prayer, we should also check our options against God’s Word. Do any of the choices violate any of His commands? If not, we don’t need to keep sitting and waiting but can move forward in faith with any choice.    

James 3:13, 17-18            If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom… But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Are you in a situation where many options seem good? After much prayer and checking your options against God’s Word, you can move forward in faith with any of the choices. Then, be open to God’s confirmation or redirection as you take one step of faith after another!

Alice