The world, the flesh, and the devil have been selling us a lie for many years; and too many of us have bought in to it. What is this lie? The lie that you have no choice. The world’s way is to blame someone or something else for your problems. The world tells you that you just can’t help the way you are because you were abused growing up; or because of your skin color; or because of what side of town you live on. You’re a “product of your environment”, they say. You’re destined to follow the path of destruction, because after all, how could you go any other direction, considering your circumstances?

Do you want to know what God’s Word says? It says in Christ, you’re always victorious; not a victim (1Cor 15:57). It says in Christ, you’re always caused to triumph; not defeated (2Cor 2:14). It says in Christ, you’re more than a conqueror; not conquered (Rom 8:37). Do you know what else The Bible says? You have a choice! Even if you’ve been dealt a bad hand in life, you can still make right choices! Deut 30:19 says “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”. Did you hear that? You have a choice!

God sets before each of us life and death, blessing and cursing. Then He tells us which one to choose. If you choose Jesus and His ways, you choose life and blessing. If you choose satan’s ways, or your own ways, you choose death and cursing. The choice is yours. I know some of you have really had some bad things happen to you in your life; and you may feel like you’re helpless to get out of what you’re into. But may I say, all things are possible with God; and He gives you a choice. With every temptation you find yourself in, He makes a way of escape (1Cor 10:13). You are not hopeless or helpless! Don’t buy into the devil’s lies anymore!

Proverbs 1:29 says that we should not hate the knowledge of The Lord; but that we should choose to fear The Lord. If you choose to fear The Lord now, you won’t have to fear Him on judgment day (1Jn 4:17-18). The choice is yours. The Bible tells us in Prov 3:31 that we are not to envy the oppressor ( or unrighteous person); and that we should not choose any of his ways. You are not destined to be unrighteous, or unsaved; the choice is yours.

Joshua said “As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord” (Josh 24:14-15). He told the people to choose that day who they’re going to serve. They had a choice. Fathers, you are the leaders of your home. You need to make a bold declaration; that as for you and your house, you are going to serve The Lord. You make that decision for your family. Choose life for your family! When your kids grow up and move away, then they’ll have to make that choice for themselves. But as long as they are under your roof, you see to it your home serves The Lord.

In 1Kings 18:21, the prophet Elijah challenged the children of Israel to make a choice. He asked them how long were they going to hobble back and forth between to opinions. He was basically asking how long they planned on straddling the fence. How long are they going to keep on living with one foot in the enemy’s camp; and one foot in God’s camp. He said “If the Lord be God, then follow Him! If Baal be God, then follow Him! Make your choice!”

Perhaps you have felt like a victim; like you have had no choice. Like your life is out of control, and you are trapped. I pray that you now realized that you do have a choice. You do not have to accept death and destruction for your life. You are where you are today, because of the choices you have made. If you don’t like where you are today, start making different choices. It’s never too late to start doing the right thing. The choice is yours. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord! (Phip 4:4)