I am so thankful that 47 years ago on May 17th I chose to follow Jesus! At age 29 I laid down my drugs, alcohol, and other addictions, along with my mean spirited actions at the feet of Jesus and became a NEW CREATION IN CHRIST. Thank you Abba Father for empowering me to make that choice!
It’s very sad but many people, in desperate situations, choose to continue in darkness, pain and sorrow because: “…In the last times there will be scoffers who will [by their own choice] follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.“ Jude 1:18-19. Unfortunately, many people chose to follow these ungodly desires “…For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many [choose to] enter through it.” Matthew 7:13
It is essential for us to continually make right choices. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21
We need to make it our choice to:
- Build ourselves up on our most holy faith – just as we build our bodies, by exercising. When the apostles said to the Lord “…Increase our faith…the Lord said, “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed…” Luke 17:5-6. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. We must read, quote, pray, sing, meditate on and live the word of God.
- Pray in the Holy Spirit – “…the Spirit also helps…for we know not what we should pray…but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us… according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27. ”He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth [builds up] himself…” 1 Corin 14:4, 18.
- Keep ourselves in the love of God – My Abba Father; you loved me so much that you gave up your only begotten Son. Truly I am blessed, chosen, adopted, highly favored and forgiven!
- Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Choose Him who, “…is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 1:24
-Bill Stockham