In eternity, you only have THIS opportunity "to choose".

If you don't know that the purpose of man's existence on this earth is for man to have the opportunity to choose, you might simply consider that it is appointed for man only once to die. Hebrews 9:27

Because we only exist in, and exit, this life only once, it is wise to consider what choices we'd really like to make. In the rest of eternity there will never be a chance to return and make different choices. That's something to think on, deeply.

Are you sure you want to watch TV instead of reading your bible or praying, or giving thanks?

Are you sure that arguing (or cutting down, or even sharing cat videos) with others is really better than praying and asking God if there is a word they (or others) need to hear?

Quite honestly I'm sure that on occasions a cat video IS what is needed for some to grasp that they are loved, So i'm not saying we should never do that sort of thing. But how are we doing at loving God first, most abundantly, and most passionately?

50,000 years from now, and 50,000,000 years from then, will we still tell ourselves that we spent our day in a way that was our "best", and was the most pleasing to God that we could manage?

Because... we have only this one opportunity to choose how we spend these days before the opportunity is gone... and we see his face... and explain our choices... and receive the reward of our choices... and then see & experience the results of those choices for the rest of eternity. Such vast implications for decisions made during such a short amount of time. This life NOW is so valuable... and how are people using it?

I realize this thread may sound self-serving, as if I'm trying to sound philosophical or some other vain thing. But occasionally I think of how many people die without even considering that the choices they're making now are eternal choices. And I'd like to at least TRY to get people to understand the value of their life, and at least choose intentionally.

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

Sway not as the leaf in the leaf but fly like the arrow from the bow straight and true hitting the mark on target, let your heart be steadfast and firm as the blade of a blacksmith strong and resilient like that of bedrock underneath
The falcons focuse is as sharp as a knife likewise be that of a falcon an eagles vision exceeds any other creature likewise be that of a an eagle yet be soft hearted like a tender dove be still as the waters of the gentles waves of the great seasof the earth and finally let your spirits soar to the heavens with the joy of the Lord always resting in his presence.
choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:2, 15).

Today,now,is the only day to use your free will and choose God.....or there WILL BE NO CHOICE IN ETERNITY. HERE IS WHERE YOU CHOOSE. ETERNITY IS SEALED....CHOUCES ARE OVER!

Dear Kelby,

I didn’t learn this immediately, it took a while. I’ve been beside myself with feelings of inadequacy, remorse, depression, fear, and worthlessness because no matter how hard I tried I didn’t seem to be loving God with all of my strength.

How you love God with all of your strength changes based on your available strength on any given day. Sometimes maybe you find it possible read the Bible, memorize verses, pray on your knees in sincerity, worship God, and confidently preach the gospel. Other days maybe you’re tired, or depressed, or sick, or discouraged.

Our strength changes and the grace we’re given to love God naturally and automatically adapts to what our strength permits.

And yes, sometimes all people have is a cat video to share. We don’t always know what someone is going through, especially on social media when they have time to craft a persona and project a tone of normalcy. Often the reality is, behind the screen, there’s a deeply troubled person.

Love,
Brother Runningman

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.”

I hear what you're saying. Of a truth if we try and seem to succeed one day, but can't do as much the next, Satan is right there to help us beat ourselves up with condemnation.

I've had the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues for over 30 years. God started healing, working miracles, speaking to, teaching and answering prayers for me right away... as his word promises "these signs will follow them that believe". (And don't anyone beat yourself up if you haven't seen these things yet. because if you're still alive to read this, you still have opportunity to let your requests be known unto God and give him time to answer. I'm saying these things for a reason.)

But even though God has been doing these things since he brought me in, it was about 15 years before I could grasp that God actually loved/loves me.

I knew that his word promises that he will do these things if we believe... and I believed... So from my point of view He could be doing them out of contractual obligation or as if it were the natural result of a mathematical or chemical formula such as A + B = C. (Whether a person is loved or not "A + B" will still produce "C".) I could see it as a matter of obligation rather than as a matter of love. Even when other people would pray for me and I'd receive healings, or a word, or other things, I could write it off as "God loves them. That's why he did it. He was answering THEIR prayers for me".

For 15 years I battled these sorts of feelings and condemnations (between times of elation and faith as God would use me in various ways)... Until... I was comparing myself negatively to how Job stayed steady whether God was allowing him to be blessed or tormented... And I said to God (basically as a desperate request) "I want to love you like THAT... I want to love you whether you are giving me good, or bad." And he answered immediately "Do not I have the same right?" (Meaning the right to love me whether I was sending HIM good or bad.) And I had to say "Yes... you do. I get it. I'll stop fighting you on this". And from then on it's been MUCH easier to understand that he can (and does) love me.

I'm not suggesting that your experience will be the same as mine (God knows how to reach every one of us in the way WE need it). What I am saying is that I was rather skilled at self-condemnation and God still was able to get through to me...because he loves me. And as much as others struggle to internalize that for themselves, I know that God loves them (you) too...whether you are currently sending him good, or bad.

So as you PRAY... Base your prayers on his unwavering love for you, not on your faithfulness towards him. Did he not say "All that the Father giveth me will come to me, and those that come to me I will in no wise cast out"?

I said PRAY because Jesus said "No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him" and PRAYER is how we go to the Father to be drawn towards Jesus. (That is NOT just a word for unbelievers... it works for ALL who come to him.)

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

As for God using things as simple as cat videos because that may be the only thing we can receive at the time. ... That's a real thing.

One of the most impacting statements I've ever heard was when a coworker said "Have a good evening" instead of "See you later" when I was having a bad day. God has used the lyrics of a humorous country song to help deliver me from fear and worry. And a land auction sign to deliver me from being wound up in my own head (and thinking it would be difficult for God to deliver me from my 'intense' concerns).

Things as simplistic as a cat video can indeed bring deliverance to the weak when God is moving through it.

Thank-you Jesus for simple deliverances!

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

amen to that !!! Brother that time of despair that made you feel Inadequate and not able was necassary to bring you to where you are now

when we get to that place we’re in the best place possible we’ve been completely humbled in the reality and God will Lift us up.

It’s not until we come to that sorrowful place when’re it’s becomes evident we are wrong at the core that we find true repentance and ability to rely fully in the word of God to heal us and bring us up from the grave we dug for Ourself when we realize our own sins and how far we are from perfect God goes to work in us like never before

and because we have known the truth of our self we will never fail to glorify God for the changes and freedom he gives us for the righteousness he clothes is with through faith

All things are possible with God !!

that being said I agree this life is like a trial and is meant when simplified to choose where we will spend eternity

if we embrace the world we will end up with it and if we embrace Christ and the gospel we will live with him