Free Will

Deut. 30
19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;"
20 "that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

1 Thes. 2
10 You are witnesses , and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12 that you would have a walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

It is really a matter of choice...everyday we are to choose between evil and good...in small and great things...heaven and earth are our witnesses and also God...whatever we choose builds our character that eventually directs our own destiny...consequences of our choices in life.

Isaiah 1
19 "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
20 "but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Isaiah 30
1 "Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord, "who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;
2 "who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!"

There are consequences for our every action...blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Tough times make you lose your perspective so it is important that we pray unceasingly and immerse ourselves in God's Word, reading it day and night that we may receive counsel from God and devise our plans under the guidance of His Spirit strengthening the core of our heart by trusting only God and not man nor material wealth. We are totally responsible for all our actions. No one can assume responsibility for our sins nor can we point a finger to someone else who persuades us to commit a sin like Adam did, pointing his finger to Eve as the one who gave him the fruit of the forbidden tree...and Eve pointing her finger to the serpent as the one who deceived her and made her eat the fruit (Gen. 3:12-13).

It is character that determines who you are...a child of God or a child of His enemy, the devil. The Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts (1 Chro. 28:9). The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you (2 Chro. 15:2). God is on the side of those who know His heart and mind and do His will. He is on the side of those who love Him with all of their hearts, mind, soul and strength. Nalulugod Siya sa mga taong nagmamahal sa Kanya ng higit sa anumang bagay o tao dito sa mundo maging sa langit man...at kapag nalugod Siya sa iyo, wala Siyang hindi ibibigay sa iyo. Magtatagumpay ka sa lahat ng iyong gagawin at mananatili ang Kanyang biyaya sa iyo sa habang panahon.

Read Genesis 39:7-12...kung paanong ipinakita ni Joseph ang magandang ehemplo ng isang may mabuting ugali na tumatalikod sa tukso para mapatunayan niya ang pagmamahal at pagsunod sa Diyos. Sa huli, biniyayaan siya ng Diyos dahil sa kanyang katapatan.

Character is being bigger on the inside than on the outside...growing more and more into the image of Christ, abstaining from every form of evil (1 Thes. 5:22) and choosing integrity rather than the pleasures of this world. We must decrease and Jesus increase in us, choosing a life of excellence and favor from God...then our heavenly Father will pour out His blessings on us as we continue to honor and love Him with all our heart.