Category Archives: Choices

Bible, Choices, Grace, Law, Questions, Scripture

JUST TELL ME ONE THING

GALATIANS 3:2

“This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”

Have you ever said, “Okay, just tell me one thing”? We say that when we are trying to win an argument or to clarify something to someone. Keeping the important things, the important things is important (say that five times real fast, lol). I know when I preach, I try to tell the people what I am going to say, I say it and then I tell them what I said. I want to make sure they understood the message and the facts were clear.

In today’s verse we see Paul making sure the Galatian believers kept the main things the main things. Can’t you just hear Paul exhorting them? Let me ask you one question – was it through faith or the Law that you received the Spirit? I don’t know about you, but I can hear that in the tone of this verse. Paul was tired of others coming in and muddying the water with their added restrictions and guidelines.

APPLICATION

Don’t ever let anyone put you back under the Law. Carl, no one is going to do that! Oh yea? How about those people who say you can’t miss church, or you must dress a certain way? Romans 7:6 says, “But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”

There are plenty of people out there ready to put you back under the Law. They have a long list of “Thou Shall Nots.” But for us, it’s more about “Thou Shall.” For instance, look at 1 John 4:7. “Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” Isn’t that better than getting your hand slapped for something you did or didn’t do? We are commanded to love each other.

So, let me ask you just one thing. Does your life exemplify Jesus to a lost world? That’s really what matters. That is a main thing. We are his witness. We represent Him. Take that to the world. Let them see Jesus in you. If you and I do that daily, we will grow in our faith. We will mature as believers. We will see fruit for our labor. Do the main thing.

Keep me focused, Lord, on what You say is important, not what others say.

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Abiding, Accountability, Appeasement, Bible, Choices, Commands, Deliverance, Freedom, Gospel, Law, Scripture

YOU CAN’T GO BACK

GALATIANS 2:18

“For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a wrongdoer.”

Millions of people make the fatal mistake of returning to past sins or past ways of living. For example, meth addicts are extremely precluded to do this. They can be in jail for a year, clean from the use of this substance, and the very day they get released they return to it. It’s like a magnet drawing them. Sadly, there are many who also come to Christ but get drawn back into old habits or sins.

In today’s verse, Paul is still addressing Peter and the Jewish believers who are there in Antioch. He is saying that once they had come to Christ, the Law no longer held any sway over them. The sacrifices were no longer required. Circumcision was no longer needed. Kosher eating had been abolished. They were free in Christ. But they were returning or still trying to observe these guidelines in the Law. Paul said that would make them a “wrongdoer.”

APPLICATION

In Romans 14, Paul addresses at length this issue of our freedom in Christ. Take a minute or two and read that whole chapter. But let me share a couple of verses as an example. Verse 2-3 say, “2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.”

I have a responsibility to myself and to others to be true to Christ, not some man-made, imposed tradition or rule. I only answer to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 comes to mind. Do you know that verse? You should. It says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Oh, the freedom we have in Christ. I live each day to please Him. I know if I am pleasing my Master, He will take care of the rest. Others may not like my freedom in Christ. That’s okay. He does. That’s all that matters. Are you free? Have you laid down all those old laws that bound you? Or have you returned to them, thinking that by doing them you are pleasing Him? Lay them down. Live in Him.

Thank You, Lord, for freeing me from the shackles of sin and the Law.

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Accountability, Advice, Apologies, Bible, Choices, Confrontation, Encouragement, Gospel, Influence, Mentoring, Scripture

BAD INFLUENCE

GALATIANS 2:13

“The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.”

It is not a good thing to be a bad influence. God does not look approvingly on that. I have to admit that before I came to Christ, I was not the best influence. I had some bad habits that I shared. I repented of that and have apologized to those I may have harmed back then. Even as a believer we can do that also. Let’s look at what happened in Antioch.

Paul begins to get in more detail why he had to oppose Peter to his face (as he said back in verse11). Because Peter stopped eating with the Gentiles, the rest of the converted Jews and even Barnabas, were influenced by him. The word Paul uses for “carried away” is only used three times in the New Testament. Once it is positive (Romans 12:16) and twice negatively (here and in 2 Peter 3:17). These Jews and Barnabas were led away by Peter’s negative behavior towards the Gentiles.

APPLICATION

Why did Paul jump in and confront Peter? Well, we will see more of the story in the rest of chapter 2. But to make a concise point – Paul had to stop the corruption of the Gospel. Peter and the rest of the men who pulled away were essentially adding to the Gospel. They were implying that you had to eat kosher to be right with the Lord. Thank the Lord that didn’t hold up. I love bacon, lol.

Another story of bad influence was told in the book of Acts when Ananias made the plan with his wife Sapphira to lie to Peter about their land sale. Read Acts 5:1-11 for the full story. This decision to follow her husband in this lie cost Sapphira her life. When we influence people in a negative manner, it may not cost them their physical life, but it could spiritually. If unbelievers don’t see a difference in us because of Jesus, they may be influenced to not listen to the drawing of the Holy Spirit in their own lives, thus costing them eternity with Christ.

Who will you influence today? You have the opportunity to be Jesus to someone. You may influence a neighbor by the way you speak to them on the street. You may influence a fellow believer by sharing a prayer request with them or praying with them. We have a high calling. Be an influencer – only in a positive way.

Lord, give me the opportunity today to influence someone to follow Jesus – not me.

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Abiding, Affection, Bible, Choices, Commands, Friends, Gospel, Neighbors, Scripture

UNKNOWN

GALATIANS 1:22

“I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ;”

In this day of Facebook, Instagram and other social media, it is harder and harder to not be known. People leave a digital footprint all over the place. You may not know somebody personally, but you are friends on the internet. I have friends all over the world, most of whom I have met. But there are some whom I have never met in person. I am known to them, but I am also not really known by them.

Paul stated in today’s verse that the churches of Judea (outside of Jerusalem) did not know who he was. He had not visited them. There were no pictures of Paul being circulated. He could have walked into any of those churches, and they would not have known who he was. Sure, his reputation as a Christian persecutor had spread quickly, but they did not know Paul, especially this new Paul who had been converted and was now preaching Jesus.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. Who knows you? I mean, who really knows you? Do your neighbors know you love Jesus? I have to admit that a lot of the people who live on my street do not know me. Oh, they know I am the guy who drives by in his white pickup. They may have met me at an HOA meeting, but they don’t really know me.

Today’s verse has convicted me that I need to get to know my neighbors, not so much for me, but for them. I need to find out who they are spiritually. I have been placed where I live for a purpose. I have been given the opportunity to be a witness for Jesus right on my street. Would you pray for me that I could be a better neighbor and reach out to those who are literally all around me?

In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asks the question – who proved to be a neighbor? If we answer as the lawyer did, we will get Jesus’ reply. Luke 10:37b “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” We are commanded to take the healing balm of the Gospel to those around us. Will you join me in reaching your neighbors for Jesus?

Forgive me Father for not being more “neighborly” and reaching out to those who are all around me.

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Abiding, Belief, Bible, Bondslaves, Choices, Faithfulness, God's Will, Relationships, Scripture

GOD PLEASER

GALATIANS 1:10

“For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Adrian Rogers, the beloved former Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, said it best when he said, “If you please God, it doesn’t matter whom you displease. If you displease God, it doesn’t matter whom you please.” Boy, isn’t that true? You can either be a God pleaser or people pleaser. You can’t be both.

Paul nails this down with the last phrase. He says, “…I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” HELPS Word-Studies says this about that Greek word for bond-servant, “is used with the highest dignity in the NT – namely, of believers who willingly live under Christ’s authority as His devoted followers.” Paul had tried the people pleaser route and found it lacking. But as a bond-servant of Christ, his only desire was to please his Master, King Jesus.

APPLICATION

Now, how do we take this verse and apply it to our lives? This should not be confusing for any believer in Christ. You either please God or you please people. Paul says in Romans 6:16, “Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

But Paul isn’t done yet. Let’s go to 1 Thessalonians 2:4. “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.” Aren’t you glad the Lord gave Paul this insight to pass on to us? Paul had dealt with the religious crowd. He knew their intentions were not true.

Therefore, we are to be focused solely on pleasing the One who gave us life. Lest we think this is a New Testament concept, look at Psalm 118:8. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people.” David knew this, too. So do you. Stop trusting in the approval of others. Seek to please Him. That is all that matters.

O Lord, it is so hard sometimes to not get wrapped up in pleasing others. Keep my attention on You.

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AMAZED, Bible, Choices, Decisions, Enemies, God's Will, Gospel, Relationships, Scripture

WHY I NEVER!

GALATIANS 1:6

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel,”

Have you ever been incredulous about something? You know, you just couldn’t believe that someone would do such a thing. Down here in the South, we say, “Why I never!” to show such astonishment. Some things are just hard to believe, even if you see it for yourself.

Paul was “amazed” that the Galatians had turned from the truth of the Gospel which he had taught them to some other form. When Paul called it a “different” gospel, he meant it was totally different, a different kind. Most scholars agree that this shift must have happened relatively quickly after Paul left them. Paul was often followed by men who wanted to add to Paul’s teachings. They must have been just waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and pervert the true Gospel.

APPLICATION

We have to stay true to the Gospel as it was presented to us. That’s why it is so important for you to get into the Word and study it. That’s why you need to be discipled by someone. You are also supposed to be investing in someone yourself, teaching them to follow Christ’s teachings. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others.” That is so critical to keeping people informed and growing.

The word Paul uses in today’s verse “deserting” can also be translated as “switching sides.” What if a star player on a team decided during half-time to switch sides and play for the other team? That would be foolish. He had been trained by his team’s coach. He had been taught all the plays. If he switched sides, he would be playing against the very things he had been taught.

Don’t let anyone teach you anything contrary to God’s Word. Check them out. Make sure whatever you hear can be verified by the Word. Too many people fall for any slick teaching. If the preacher sounds good, he must be telling the truth. If he has thousands of followers, he must be right. Listen closely to what he is saying.

Keep me loyal, Lord, to Your teachings. Help those who fallen prey to false teachings.

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Abiding, Allegiance, Bible, Choices, God's Will, Loyalty, Obedience, Scripture

TURNING FROM THE WAY

MALACHI 2:8

“‘But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have ruined the covenant of Levi,’ says the LORD of armies.”

Call me a nerd, but I like the Star Wars movies and the spinoff shows. One of the most recent spinoffs is “The Mandalorian.” The main character is basically an inter-galactic bounty hunter. I don’t have space here to go too deep into the plot and subplots of the show, but I wanted to mention part of his creed which is spoken at least once every episode. It is “This is the Way.” This creed guides his decisions and actions. He must maintain this “way.”

The priests of Israel have turned from “the way.” God says so right there in today’s verse. And their turning away has “caused many to stumble.” This goes directly against what we saw in the previous two verses (verses 6-7). God says they have “ruined the covenant.” That’s a pretty heavy charge against them. God does not make false charges, so we know this was true. We also know He is a covenant keeping God.

APPLICATION

One of my biggest fears as a Children’s Pastor was that I would do something to cause one of the children under my watch to stumble. Jesus said it well, didn’t He? In Luke 17:2 He said, “‘It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin.’” I don’t know about you, but I am sure I couldn’t swim with a millstone around my neck.

We have such a high responsibility as believers to lead others toward Jesus, not away. Most of us are so careful with what we do, but we do not always watch what we say as carefully. One little word could cause someone to shun a life with Christ. They are looking for something different in us, a life that is not perfect but is different.

May I encourage you to say “This is the way” as you live each day with Christ? Make your way a holy way. Make your way one that reflects Jesus. Make your way His way. If you do that, you will draw others to Jesus. They will see you as different and want to find out how to get what you have. Keep the Way.

Show me Your Way each and every day, Lord. I want to lead others in it.

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Abiding, Allies, Battles, Bible, Choices, End Times, Following, God's Will, Repentance, Salvation, Scripture

SECOND CHANCES

ZECHARIAH 14:16

“Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of armies, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.”

God is a God of second chances. If you don’t believe that, just ask me. God has given me and others that second chance. Mine came at age sixteen, after living a lie for the previous eight years. I had been baptized at age eight but did not know Christ. At age sixteen, I was given new life in Christ when I truly repented and asked Jesus to be my Lord. Second chances are great.

It is pretty clear in today’s verse that the remnant from the defeated ones will repent and worship Jesus on the great and awesome day. They will come to Jerusalem, the very city they were trying to destroy, and worship Him there. The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) is a daily event in the life of the Christian. We are continually “tabernacling” with Jesus.

APPLICATION

Have you thanked the Lord for your second chance? Maybe you are still running in rebellion. Maybe you have not yielded to Him and received that second chance yet. Don’t wait too long. You may miss out. But for those of us who have received it, we are continually celebrating Who He is. Amen?

I am thankful God gave David a second chance after he blew it with Bathsheba. He gave Saul (Paul) a second chance after he was guilty of jailing and even killing Christians. He gave Peter a second chance after he denied Him three times. How has the Lord given you that second chance? What has He rescued you from?

Oh, I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for second chances, even third and fourth chances. My God has never failed me, and He never will. He is watching over me. He is ready to catch me when I fall. He will never give up on me. He won’t give up on you either. Celebrate second chances and give God the glory.

Thank You, Lord, for second chances. You desire for me to live in them.

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Bible, Choices, Distractions, God's Will, Godliness, Obedience, Protection, Salvation, Scripture

DON’T EVEN SAY THEIR NAME

ZECHARIAH 13:2

“‘And it will come about on that day,’ declares the LORD of armies, ‘that I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land.’” 

If I told you right now to not think about ice cream, what are you thinking about? Ice cream! You can’t help yourself. When a thought is planted in your mind, your mind just goes there. I have a friend who is an Illusionist. He is good at this. He will have you thinking he can read your mind, but all he is doing is planting thoughts in your head which lead right to what he wants you think. Pretty smooth.

The Lord, through Zechariah, is telling the people He does not even want the names of the false gods mentioned in the land. He is going to remove all mention of them to prevent the people from going towards them. Along with that, He is also going to remove all the false prophets who played into the craving of the people to “know their future.” The Lord is going to clean house.

APPLICATION

We have a practice in my ministry which we teach men who have an addiction to pornography or another unhealthy practice. We teach them to amputate this source. Just like a diseased or damaged arm or leg that has to be removed to protect the rest of the body, we have to amputate those things in our life that lead us astray. We can’t even give them a thought.

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. That’s the idea here. We must destroy any concept of this wrong thinking. That may mean some radical changes in your life. It may mean giving up certain types of movies or television programs. It may mean eliminating some friends you hang out with. Remember – amputation is about saving yourself.

When I think back on my decisions after coming to Christ, I had to stop hanging with some of the crowd I had been running with. I knew where that would lead if I did not make some changes. Is there something in your life that you need to amputate? Don’t wait. It will not bring your closer to Christ. Just the opposite! Cut it away now!

Father, help me rid myself of any “idols” or “false prophets” who only want to drag me down.

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Bible, Choices, Failures, Faith, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Imitation, Scripture

JUST LIKE DAVID

ZECHARIAH 12:8

“On that day the LORD will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them on that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them.”

Most of us don’t like being compared to others, unless that comparison is flattering. Am I right? You don’t want to hear Carl, you remind me of Jack the Ripper. Not a good comparison. There are few comparisons out there that I would want to be attributed to, but even the best had their warts and failures.

David is once again the example Zechariah is using in today’s verse. He says the feeblest of the inhabitants will be a brave fighter like David. Then he says something that really amazes me. He says, “the house of David will be like God.” Now, he doesn’t mean that literally. He means they will be acting holy, recognizing all that God has done in and through them.

APPLICATION

I am reminded of Philippians 2:6. “who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” We are urged to be like Jesus in our everyday encounters with others. We are told to have the same attitude as Christ. We are told to have the mind of Christ. Being Christlike should be our daily pursuit.

I don’t know about you, but I fail miserably. Just like David failed (remember Bathsheba?), we will fail also. The only thing that keeps me from doing that daily is my daily surrender to His Spirit. I allow Jesus to control my thoughts and actions. He has the control panel to my words and deeds. If I do that, I am just doing what He wants me to do.

You may think you are too weak a Christian to be used by Him. Hogwash! Just like the Lord used the feeble in Jerusalem as mighty warriors, He can use you to fight against the evils of this world. You just have to submit. Will you do that today? Be a willing servant, just like David.

Use me, Lord, to do whatever You want accomplished today.

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