THE CHOICE, by Max Lucado

Falla39 · #1 08-11-2010, 10:24 AM

The Choice by Max Lucado

IT’S QUIET. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love . . .
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy . . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical . . . the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace . . .
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience . . .
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness . . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness . . .
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness . . .
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness . . .
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control . . .
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day.

If I succeed, I will give thanks.

If I fail, I will seek his grace.

And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

(From When God Whispers Your Name
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado)

Falla39 · #2 08-11-2010, 10:32 AM

Permission to use the above "snippet" from Max's book "When God Whispers Your Name".

Max Lucado | Friends of Max by Upwords wrote:
"Hi Nancy,
Please feel free to share short snippets from Max's books with your community. I'm so glad
to hear that his words are touching you and that you want to share them. Blessings on your day.
-The Lucado Team"

Reply:
Thank you so very much! HE is the Supply! We are the distributors,
Right! Blessings!

Falla39

Jermyn Davidson · #3 08-11-2010, 10:32 AM

AWESOME post Sis Falla!

Thanks for sharing this!

Falla39 · #4 08-11-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

AWESOME post Sis Falla!

Thanks for sharing this!

Thanks, Jermyn,

I cannot take credit for the beautiful article, authored by Max Lucado. I
am only the distributor. Just as the Apostles were the distributors of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. He gave it to them and they "handed" it out! By
extension, Jesus' true witnesses continue to "hand it out or distribute" the
gospel today. What are all of us "distributing" or "giving out" today. Does it
bring love, joy, peace,........Gal.5:22,23

Falla39

Tina · #5 08-11-2010, 02:17 PM

Thanks for posting this, Sis Falla. I needed this today.

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors. I have been blessed with finding many of his books at yard sales. I can't believe people would want to sell them, but I am glad someone did because I got them at bargain prices. I read them over and over, and always find something different to encourage me each time I read them.

MawMaw · #6 08-11-2010, 02:39 PM

Enjoyed that Sis Falla.

ContenderForTheFaith · #7 08-11-2010, 03:29 PM

Very good Falla.....I like that.....He is the 'Supply' and we are the 'distributors'! Thanks for sharing....

Falla39 · #8 08-11-2010, 04:02 PM

Thank you, Tina, Lacey and Contender For The Faith,

One of our 15 grandsons preached a message a few Sundays ago, and I got that from his message. He preaches some really good insightful messages for a 24 yr. old. He had just come off a week long time of prayer and fasting called "A Week Of Wonder". Everyone was asked to do what they could. He, being single, did the whole week without any food. He did drink water, don't know if other liquids. He did work all week. He wouldn't like me to tell this, but his Grandma knows that it is the ANOINTING that breaks the YOKE!

Brandon said I knew I could not do what needs to be done, for I don't have the ability (supply). Then he realized that God had the Supply (Power) to do what was needed. But he could be a distributor. He preached with a great anointing.

Falla39