by Randy Willis
Choice
Choice: “An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. And “The choice between good and evil.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Preface
I’ve used a woman to picture Lucifer. In chapter 28, Ezekiel described Lucifer as: “You were the seal of perfection. Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” I created this image on AI. I know I’m no Picasso. And I could not make a male beautiful. The right arm is hidden. It is what you don’t see that will harm you. The snake is coiled to bite. I’ve taught my children and grandchildren, “If you play with a rattlesnake, eventually you’re going to be bitten.”
Her hand is over her heart, swearing she is telling the truth. Jesus said of Satan in John 8:44: “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. He speaks a lie from his own resources.” I was taught never to believe a person who will not look you in the eyes.
“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
Rulers of the Darkness of this Age
Your enemy is not “Karen” next door: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.” Ephesians 6:12
But to do fear: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John: 4:4
Only God can create something from nothing. Satan has attempted to emulate God’s creation by corrupting it. But 99 counterfeit hundred-dollar bills do not make a real one fake. One of mine (I sold a horse for cash) was examined at the grocery store yesterday. The lady at the cash register held it to the light to see if it was real. We must do this in our life. Satan counterfeits sex, marriage, religion, and even the Bible today. Hold them all up to the light of the truth of the Word of God, the Bible.
I Googled Take control of your life for this article. One gentleman writes, “The more control you have over your life, the more responsible you feel for your success.” All of the articles I read included control, positive thinking, and feeling good. But what about God?
I believe every Word in God’s Owner’s Manual, the Bible, for my life. However, I want to have control of my life.
I bought a GMC pickup with an owner’s manual a few years ago. Like me, the more dents and scratches I get, the more character I give it. At least, that’s what I tell myself. My son, Aaron, is gracious enough to clean it out occasionally so I can find the brake and accelerator. But that is my choice, although not a good one. Aaron is trying to save my life. God does the same through His commandments and scripture.
I’ve searched from cover to cover and cannot find where I can drive a hundred miles an hour. But, officer, I have the right to drive as I deem best since I own that ole truck. It’s my truck and my body. Tell the judge that.
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“And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1
“Did God say?” was the first lie on this planet. The fallen angel Lucifer spoke it in the Garden of Eden.
And no, the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” was not an apple tree. It essentially gave Adam and Eve the power to decide morality for themselves. This act denied God’s authority in their lives.
I’ve heard “Did God Say” packaged and repackaged in hundreds of ways in the press and pulpit. Lucifer, known as Satan today, wants us to think we can’t trust God. So Satan attacks the accuracy of the Word of God. Satan wants us to think we can’t believe the Word of God, the Bible.
Then Satan tells Eve another lie, “You will not surely die.” Satan wants us to believe there is no punishment for rebelling against God—sin. Satan wants us to think there is no eternal separation from God because of sin—hell. Tell the Judge of the universe that.
Satan explains to Eve why God lied. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Now, Eve, you will be enlightened. Reminds me of what we were told in college if we did LSD.
Satan tells Eve what he said of himself in Isaiah, “You will be like the Most High.”
It’s the same lie we hear daily: You can be like God and be in control. You are your own God. You are a God. It’s all about me, myself, and I. No one can tell me what I can and can not do. You are in control of your body, not God.
I’ve tried being in control. Spoiler alert—it does not work. You’ll lose your peace, joy, purpose, and life. We were created in God’s image. He is the potter, and we are the clay. Take hold of His pottery wheel, and what a mess we make.
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I remind myself daily that any decision I surrender to the Lord will have the best results. Easier said than done, I know. But Lord, I want to do “My Way” like Frank Sinatra sang. It’s almost as if He says, let me know how that works for you. No, He didn’t say that to me.
Life is a battle of the “wills.” Jesus faced death on the cross and separation from God, the Father. Jesus, the Son, surrendered his will to God the Father. Jesus paid our debt for our sins. The Just for the unjust. The Righteous for the unrighteous. The sinless Lamb of God for the sinner, you and me.
Dr. Luke records Jesus’s words. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
Jesus died on that infamous tree, the cross, so you and I don’t have to. Thank God Almighty. He made that choice so we can spend eternity with Him and our loved ones in Heaven.
Thanks be to Christ. He gave his blood and his body for us. He chooses us over himself on the cross of Calvary. How precious are we to Him?
Accept that gift today. Make the right choice. Choose Jesus—today. You will never regret it.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Revelation 12:11
Control
Control: “To have power over, RULE.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary
“The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy,” Jesus said in John 10:10. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Only God can create life. Satan convinces people to kill God’s gift of life through greed, revenge, and anger on our roads. He influences the murder of millions of our most innocent, the unborn, in the name of control. You are in control of the life in your body, your baby, not God, Satan declares to the world.
Satan is a liar and the father of lies. Satan is the source of all lies. Jesus said of Satan in John 8:44: “He was a murderer from the beginning…”
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus said in Matthew 19:14. Jesus also said in Matthew 18:6, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned.”
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The most famous 25 words ever spoken: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Place your faith in Jesus. Accept Him today as Lord and Savior by praying:
“Heavenly Father,
I pray to You, asking for the forgiveness of my sins.
I confess with my mouth. I believe that Jesus is Your Son. He died on the cross at Calvary so that I might be forgiven of my sins.
Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead. I ask You to come into my life and be my personal Lord and Savior.
I turn from my sins and will surrender to your will throughout my life.
Your word is truth. I confess with my mouth that I am born again. I am cleansed by the blood of Jesus!
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!”
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