​Decisions determine destiny.
 
Nearing the end of his earthly life, Joshua made a major decision. The courageous Israeli leader who God used to conquer Canaan also exhorted the generation succeeding him to make a decision.
 
“And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose (decide) for yourselves today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15
 

• Decision time looked like this: You, God’s chosen people, decide who you will worship and serve.

 
 Here are your choices. You can turn away from the Lord and serve false gods. You can look back to yesterday and serve the Egyptian gods and the oppressive society that enslaved your fathers; or you can look around you and serve the Canaanite gods and immoral society that influences you to do evil.
 
Or you can look straight ahead and serve the God who is the One and only true God, the God of your fathers who provides purpose, security, freedom, salvation and joy for you and your family.
 

• You choose. Decide today. I, Joshua, have made my choice. I have decided that no matter what you decide, me and my house will serve the Lord.

 
Good for your Joshua. You decided to make the right decision.   
 
Imagine for a moment if Joshua had danced with his decision. What if he said something like this. “I am thinking about serving the Lord the rest of my life, but I am not sure. Some of the other gods look pretty good. To be honest, I struggle with the temptation to step over to their side.  Well, not exactly. I mean, I do not know. I really do not know which god to choose.
 
One day I feel I should serve the Lord. The next day I feel like serving the Canaanite gods. What is a person to do? Maybe you guys can help me make a decision. I feel so indecisive right now. I know you are not sure either. But maybe we can call a conference, sip some tea, debate the issue, and make some kind of decision. It might be fun giving it a shot.”
 
Would you like to follow a leader like that? Not hardly!
           

• No indecision for Joshua. Without hesitation, he decided to side with God. Joshua and those residing under his roof would serve the Lord.

 
Joshua could make the decision to serve the Lord because he had made that decision time and time again. It was a no-brainer for Joshua to decide to take a stand for the Lord and stand up for Him. Over and over again, God had proven Himself faithful to Joshua and His chosen people. That is why he exhorted the people to consider doing the same.
 

• Life demands decisions.

 
Daily decisions. You and I cannot remain decision-less and hope to be successful. Indecision, and making poor decisions, does not contribute to a happy and fulfilling life in Christ.
 
So why is it that even Christians can be trapped by indecision from time to time?
 
Sometimes people are indecisive because they are afraid to make a decision. Some are fearful of making the wrong decision. Some are indecisive because they do not have enough information for making a choice. Some are indecisive because they are intimidated by pressure others put on them.
 
Some are indecisive because they do not want to take responsibility for their choices. Some are indecisive because they do not want to face up to the consequences of their choices. Some are indecisive because they are anxious about taking risks. Some back away from making significant decisions because Satan runs interference in their decision-making process.
 

• Time and time again, in the restoration counseling setting, I have seen indecision derail dreams and dash hopes of better days.

 
Indecision keeps people spinning their wheels, wasting energy and heading nowhere. Not being decisive creates confusion, leaves people in a lurch, hanging in limbo, and aimlessly sitting around in an emotional no man’s land.
 
Indecision is a decision. When indecisive, we are deciding to be undecided! And indecision is a decision that takes on its own life. At the end of an indecisive day, we may live to regret indecision.   
           

• It takes some spiritual and emotional guts to leave the ruts of indecision.

 
Here are some decisions I believe serious-minded, fully surrendered, sold out Christians need to be making in this historic hour in which we live.
 

• Decide to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Word no matter what the cost. Stand up for truth in a world living a lie.
• Decide to not be intimidated by a society that mocks God and all that is holy, right, moral and pure.
• Decide to uphold through word and deed God’s standards of righteousness, moral conduct and sexual purity.
• Decide, if you are married, to remain emotionally and sexually faithful to your mate all your life.
• Decide, if single, to remain sexually celibate until you are married.
• Decide, if you are a father, to man-up, to be a real man, and model for your children what a Christ-like man is all about.
• Decide, if you are a mother, to model for your children how a Christ-like woman lives her life.
• Decide to speak up for the innocent and victimized in our self-absorbed, narcissistic, using and abusing society. Take a stand for someone who cannot stand up for themselves.
• Decide to resist with all your might in the Lord the godless, immoral, unholy waves of corruption and perversion that are sweeping over America.
• Decide to live your faith and pass on the baton of Christian faith to your children.
• Decide to tell everyone you know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The only way to God and eternity in heaven is to choose His Son Jesus. (John 14:6)

 
My friend and fellow Christian, any important decisions you should be making? If you are being indecisive, it’s time to decide. Why not seek God, listen for His voice, surrender to His will and then rise up with bold faith and unwavering obedience to make the decision you need to make?
 
·      Go ahead. Be decisive like Joshua. Your decision to serve the Lord will bless you, your family, your community, your nation and your world.    
 
 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So, choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”                                                                                    Deuteronomy 30:19
 
 
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.”                                                          Ruth 1:15
 
A Word For Your Week: Decide to make the decisions you need to make.

​The last time your faith was put to the test in a fire fight with the enemy, did you praise the Lord in the midst of the battle?
 
I asked you that question because I had to ask myself this question before I could write this. I must admit, I could have faired much better on the praise meter. I am pretty good at calling upon God to deliver me when the spiritual battle rages. But sometimes I forget to praise the Lord while battling. I neglect to use this mighty weapon of our warfare.
 

• King Jehoshaphat in the Bible understood the power of praise.  

 
When Jehoshaphat had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and declared, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
 
And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.”
          II Chronicles 20:21-22
 
The king knew what to do when under siege by his enemies. Study II Chronicles 20 for the whole story of Judah’s victory over three hostile armies surrounding God’s people. King Jehoshaphat was initially fearful as we would be.
 
But fear gave way to faith. Jahaziel the prophet told Jehoshaphat not to fear, for the battle was not his, but God’s. The Lord would fight for the people without their having to lift a sword.
 

• Jehoshaphat strategically placed the praise singers out front of the army.

 
Please note the singers were not placed in the middle or on the side or in the rear of the bus. Right, smack dab on the front line. The choir led the soldiers into battle! Can you imagine what that sounded like?
 
A shout of joyful praise to God thundered across the battlefield. I think the enemy army shuddered in their sandals. In response to His people’s praise, Almighty God took them out. Routed them….while Judah stood singing God’s praises!
 

• The rout was on because of a shout. A shout of praise.

 
Would you like to rout your enemy? Shout. Praise God. Refuse to doubt or pout. Shout and rout Satan. Rise above your circumstances and overcome your challenges by praising the Lord.   
 
           

• Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:22-34). At midnight, instead of throwing a pity-poor-us-party, they held a praise service. The result: the earth shook, opening the prison gates, setting Paul and Silas free. As a bonus miracle, the jailer and his entire family were saved! Not a bad night for a couple of Christians praising God in the midnight hour.   

 
Satan will pull out all the stops to stop you and me from praising the Lord. The devil hates the praises of God’s people. He knows the power of praise and what it does to knock him down and take him out. Praising God sends the devil and his demonic forces running for cover.
 

• Isaiah 61:3 says of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He would give people who are mourning “The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.”

 
One of the many things Jesus has provided for His people is a mantle of praise. To be effective, the mantle has to be worn. The Psalmist tells us to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. You and I are to clothe ourselves with praise. Like Jehoshaphat and Judah, we will be delivered when we praise God for His everlasting lovingkindness.
 

• Praise takes the battle out of my hands and places the fight in the hands of God.

 
The next time the battle rages, try praising God.
 

• Turn on edifying praise music. Let the music minister to your spirit.
• Sing praise choruses. Praise God for who He is and what He has done for you.
• Read selected Psalms out loud. Psalms 100-150 are songs of praise.   
• Praise God whether you feel like praising God or not. Often our emotions lag behind our will. Praise God and joy will catch up.
• Shout God’s praises. Open your mouth. Make a joyful noise. Let praise rip!
• Lift up the name of Jesus with generous praise and thanksgiving.
• Praise God for the victory that is yours through Jesus Christ.
• Finish your praise with thankfulness to God for loving you and meeting your needs.                     

 
My friend, battle in the name of the Lord by praising Him. Lift up the name of Jesus over the battlefield. He will fight for you while you stand back and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
 

• Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him….and praise Him some more on your way to victory

 
“Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O Lord shatters the enemy. And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You.”                                                                                                  Exodus 15:6
 
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”                                           Psalm 34:1-3
 
A Word For Your Week: Praise your way to victory today.
 

​The last time your faith was put to the test in a fire fight with the enemy, did you praise the Lord in the midst of the battle?
 
I asked you that question because I had to ask myself this question before I could write this. I must admit, I could have faired much better on the praise meter. I am pretty good at calling upon God to deliver me when the spiritual battle rages. But sometimes I forget to praise the Lord while battling. I neglect to use this mighty weapon of our warfare.
 

• King Jehoshaphat in the Bible understood the power of praise.  

 
When Jehoshaphat had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and declared, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
 
And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.”
          II Chronicles 20:21-22
 
The king knew what to do when under siege by his enemies. Study II Chronicles 20 for the whole story of Judah’s victory over three hostile armies surrounding God’s people. King Jehoshaphat was initially fearful as we would be.
 
But fear gave way to faith. Jahaziel the prophet told Jehoshaphat not to fear, for the battle was not his, but God’s. The Lord would fight for the people without their having to lift a sword.
 

• Jehoshaphat strategically placed the praise singers out front of the army.

 
Please note the singers were not placed in the middle or on the side or in the rear of the bus. Right, smack dab on the front line. The choir led the soldiers into battle! Can you imagine what that sounded like?
 
A shout of joyful praise to God thundered across the battlefield. I think the enemy army shuddered in their sandals. In response to His people’s praise, Almighty God took them out. Routed them….while Judah stood singing God’s praises!
 

• The rout was on because of a shout. A shout of praise.

 
Would you like to rout your enemy? Shout. Praise God. Refuse to doubt or pout. Shout and rout Satan. Rise above your circumstances and overcome your challenges by praising the Lord.   
 
           

• Paul and Silas were imprisoned in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:22-34). At midnight, instead of throwing a pity-poor-us-party, they held a praise service. The result: the earth shook, opening the prison gates, setting Paul and Silas free. As a bonus miracle, the jailer and his entire family were saved! Not a bad night for a couple of Christians praising God in the midnight hour.   

 
Satan will pull out all the stops to stop you and me from praising the Lord. The devil hates the praises of God’s people. He knows the power of praise and what it does to knock him down and take him out. Praising God sends the devil and his demonic forces running for cover.
 

• Isaiah 61:3 says of the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He would give people who are mourning “The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.”

 
One of the many things Jesus has provided for His people is a mantle of praise. To be effective, the mantle has to be worn. The Psalmist tells us to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. You and I are to clothe ourselves with praise. Like Jehoshaphat and Judah, we will be delivered when we praise God for His everlasting lovingkindness.
 

• Praise takes the battle out of my hands and places the fight in the hands of God.

 
The next time the battle rages, try praising God.
 

• Turn on edifying praise music. Let the music minister to your spirit.
• Sing praise choruses. Praise God for who He is and what He has done for you.
• Read selected Psalms out loud. Psalms 100-150 are songs of praise.   
• Praise God whether you feel like praising God or not. Often our emotions lag behind our will. Praise God and joy will catch up.
• Shout God’s praises. Open your mouth. Make a joyful noise. Let praise rip!
• Lift up the name of Jesus with generous praise and thanksgiving.
• Praise God for the victory that is yours through Jesus Christ.
• Finish your praise with thankfulness to God for loving you and meeting your needs.                     

 
My friend, battle in the name of the Lord by praising Him. Lift up the name of Jesus over the battlefield. He will fight for you while you stand back and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.
 

• Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him….and praise Him some more on your way to victory

 
“Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O Lord shatters the enemy. And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You.”                                                                                                  Exodus 15:6
 
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”                                           Psalm 34:1-3
 
A Word For Your Week: Praise your way to victory today.
 

​Six months ago, November 6, 2024, was election day in America.  
Then followed November7. Votes tabulated. Offices filled. Hopefully, voters will move on.   
Thankfully, and mercifully, the election is over. I sense a collective sigh of deep relief across our great land from Americans who have been stressed to the max during this election cycle. If you are like me, I have felt emotionally frustrated, exasperated, a little bit crazy and extremely exhausted for over a year. I have prayed a lot for this election cycle.
Voters have decided. Half of them is elated, the other half deflated. So it goes.
The day after the votes are tabulated, ad nauseam post-election analysis, personal agenda-driven finger pointing, wild-eyed accusations of conspiracies, as well as political push back and fallout will undoubtedly dominate the Breaking News.
But I have a news bulletin that has been around since eternity.

• Regardless of who occupies the chair in the Oval Office, Almighty God sits on the throne of heaven!

Hey friends and fellow Christians: our election did not shake the Kingdom of God. The God of the Bible is not a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Independent. Our heavenly Father does not have to conduct a survey or take a poll regarding His favorability, likeability or popularity. The Holy One, He alone, is Sovereign head of His universe and His only Son, Jesus Christ, is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“Therefore, also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those who are in heaven, and on earth, ad under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Chris is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus is Lord. Period. God has declared it so. No debate. No voting. Therefore, every one of us is responsible and accountable to our Creator. Look what the wisdom writer Solomon has to say about how we will answer to our Father in heaven.
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say “I have no delight in Him.” Ecclesiastes 12:1
“The conclusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

• You, me, and every human being answer to God, not men.

God’s platform has one plank: eternal life. He sent His only Son Jesus to earth to teach, perform miracles, suffer, die, and be raised again from the dead so we could have abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life forever (John 3:16).  
Almighty God, who loves us, is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. No term limits on the Him! He is Lord and will always be! There is no power in heaven, on earth or in hell that can dethrone God!
So, whether America is great again or not is irrelevant in the light of a home in heaven!  
What Christ’s Lordship Means For You And Me The Day After

• You and I are secure when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
• You and I can count on God to be faithful to fulfill His promises.
• You and I can be partakers of God’s mercy, lovingkindness and grace.
• You and I can be certain of God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for our lives.
• You and I will always be provided for because God is our source for everything we need.
• You and I will be safe from Satan and evil enemies because no one can take God out!
• You and I are assured of the hope of heaven because Jesus paved the way for us.   

 The day after and every day God is sovereign. Sovereign means He is in charge. God is the boss, number one. No one tells Him what to do or how to do it!  Pastor and missionary statesman J. Sidlow Baxter said “There is no substitute for Jesus because there is no equivalent.”
The Bible is the absolute truth. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is coming back soon. God’s people will be caught up to heaven. All who repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ into their heart as Savior and Lord will spend eternity with God in heaven. Satan will be chained forever in the pit of eternal hell fire.
Someone suggested there has only been one election in heaven. God voted for me; Satan voted against me. I cast my vote with God, and we won two to one! I like that election return.
Bottom line for time and eternity: Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Have you cast your vote for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Does Jesus inhabit your heart by faith? If not, now is your opportunity to get right with God.
Open a Bible. Read John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23. 6:23, John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10, Revelation 3:20, and I John 1:9, II Peter 3:9.
Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised from the dead. Repent and ask Him to forgive your sins. Receive Jesus into your heart. Choose to serve Him for the rest of your life. Then give Jesus thanks for saving you from sin and giving you the free gift of eternal life.
I am so happy our elections are completed and I am still heading for heaven because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
How about you?
“To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of the servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He shall be gracious to us.” Psalm 123:1-2
A Word For Your Week:  Yesterday, today, and tomorrow Jesus Christ is Lord.