Grow Up...for God

Have you been stung by these words “ - Grow Up” - from a parent, relative,  co-worker, friend, foe, or boss?  How we Grow Up happens by circumstances we encounter, choices we make, and cherishing life with Christ at the helm!   

Last week’s message encouraged making good choices and sowing seeds of peace. In James 3:18 a message of peace parallels one of growing up in Joshua 24:15.  

We, God’s  children, make choices to live in peace and grow up for God or to live in pride, prejudice, and predicaments pleasing to Satan that smother the good life and separate us from our good, good, Father.   We make the choice.

When the devil tries everything he can to upset us and succeeds, it is not because he has forced us to do so, it is because we have chosen to do so.  The choice is always ours. How we react in a situation is a choice. We all make choices, have attitudes, and react differently. 

Things in our past  that hurt and wounded us can cause us to react negatively and make wrong choices.  We can overcome making such negative choices by being connected to Christ and knowing the Word of God. When we choose to live by the example Jesus taught  instead of reacting to circumstances and making poor choices, we can celebrate serving the Lord!  We can rest assured He will walk and talk with us every day as we Grow Up... praising, praying, and putting God first.

As for you and your household, who will you serve ‘for such a time as this’ when what is right seems wrong and what is wrong seems right?  Choices being made by people (in high and low places) -  across our planet - to disgrace God (as Goliath did) sadden hearts of believers who chose to follow Christ every day! Sharing Joshua 24:15 seems fitting to finish up this story about making choices that have eternal consequences.

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But, as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  

God created us with a free will! He gave us the ability and freedom to make our own choices in life.  Troubled times, recorded in Revelation, that come near the end are spreading like wildfire in this land we love.  People are making choices that leave God out, while opening doors for the devil to rush in.  However, we know who wins in the end...GOD!

So, let us get our hearts and homes in order, trust and obey,, choose to serve the Lord this day, and Grow Up for God!