New Years is a Time of Change
I really think 2011 is going to be one exciting year! To some extent, every year begins with a fresh slate. People make New Year resolutions because they want some changes in the coming year. We, as people, tend to not like the status quo. Boring can drive us crazy, so we like to do things to break up that monotony.
God Gives Man the Ability to Choose
One of the great things about the God of the Bible is that He gives us the total ability to choose. Not only does He give us that ability, but it is our responsibility as well. Deuteronomy 30:19
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:
This coming year of 2011 is going to be full of choices for all of us. Will you choose the path of blessing or the path of cursing?
Obedience is a Choice
As you read the Bible, you find out very quickly and very clearly that obedience to the Lord is quite important in our journey as we follow Him.
Proverbs 1:29,30
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
God is in the correcting business. If you have gotten off path in 2010, it is now a new year!! Don‘t despise His reproof and correction. Thank Him for it. He loves you and knows His ways are the best.
Proverbs 3:31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Isaiah 56:4,5
For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
What Choices Will You Make?
So what are some things we can choose that will please the Lord?
Are you going to read your Bible front to back like you did last year?
Will you soak your mind in the Word of God more than any other book this year?
How will your prayer life look this year compared to last year?
How will your giving record look at the end of 2011? And I am not just talking about money. We can give our time and talents as well.
Are you allowing the Lord to mold you into the man or woman that will have those fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5?
Parents will this be the boldest and best year that you have had in imparting the truths of God to your children?
Will this be the year that you are going to break through and have your boldest year yet in reaching the lost?
Repentance is a Choice
Speaking of the lost, remember that they have the total ability to choose as well.
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Jesus preached all the time. He told people to repent. Why would He do that? Because they have the total ability to repent or not to repent, because it is their choice. Jesus wasn’t speaking to a group that couldn’t repent. He was speaking to people of whom the real question now was would they repent?
Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Paul was preaching truth to Felix, and Felix trembled. Why did he tremble? Because he knew the truths that Paul was speaking applied to him. He also knew he had to make a choice. Would he get ready for the judgment to come or not? That was his choice and his choice alone. God was using Paul in the process of drawing Felix to Him, but now the question was, what would Felix do?
The Lost Have the Ability to Seek Truth
I met Kwana at the train station the other day. When I tried to hand her a tract, she didn’t want one, but, as the trains were taking their merry time showing up, she walked up to me and said, “What are you handing out?” It began a very interesting conversation. At one point she said to me, “I know I could take the time to search out the things of God if I wanted to.” She knows it is her choice to find out who God and Jesus are. We had a blessed conversation, and she even took a book at the end of it. Praise the Lord!! I also had a great talk with Will, at the mall the other day. He was reading a book called The 48 Laws of Power. I was curious what it was about. He grew up Baptist but is now just “spiritual.” The next day, he made the choice to bring his wife and daughter to hear me speak at a church! I am so glad he made that choice, and he told me that he was glad he made it as well.
Choosing to Study and Follow God‘s Word
Remember as you read your Bible, take the transparencies off the top of its words. So many times, we go to the Bible with our own preconceived notions, instead of just letting the Holy Spirit be our teacher as we read. Remember to always read the Word of God with the character of God in mind. His teachings will never go against His character. Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Encourage both the lost and saved to make the right choices in 2011! Until the nets are full, 
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