Choices: Selfish or Selfless

Reading a devotional today by Joe Stowell and it really answers a root cause to so many problems we have in relationships. More Scriptures came to mind than Joe shared and they really round out this whole thought on choices. Let me share them with you.

"A man once told Joe Stowell, "Joe, I've come to realize that my life is not made by the dreams that I dream but by the choices that I make." Count on it: You will have plenty of choices in life. And usually they boil down to a choice between 'What do I want?' and 'What's best for others?'
Orpah and Ruth had a choice to make in the book of Ruth: either go home [Moab] and start a new life or stay with Naomi [and go back to Israel with her] to help her in her time of great need. It was a tough choice. Because to go with Naomi as a foreign widow meant a tough life to follow.
Orpah chose to leave Naomi and start her own life over again. Ruth chose to go with Naomi and serve her and her needs rather than her own. As a result, Ruth went on to play a significant role in Jewish history and became the ancestor of Jesus." --[Joe Stowell, Our Daily Bread, Feb. 20, 07]

We serve God by serving others. Paul said in Galatians 6:1-2, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual [not the preacher, not the deacon, but all who are spiritual, born again, spirit filled--that's you and me Christian] .....you who are spiritual RESTORE such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
What's the law of Christ? Look at Gal.5:13-14: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" [vs.15 needs to be read also, look it up.]
James says, "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" James 4:1ff. Where does all the strife and struggles in relationships come from? It comes from people making choices of WHAT I WANT over and against WHAT'S BEST FOR OTHERS. Whether it's in a family, a business, in church, at the office, in a club or organization or wherever---where there's friction and strife it comes from those who do not choose what's best for others. Rather, they choose what's best for themselves.
That's why Paul said in Philippians 2:3-4, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others." [Then Paul gives Christ as our ultimate example in the verses following--go back and read it.]
So, our choices usually boil down to these two: "What do I want?" --Selfish. Or, "What's best for others?" --Selfless. Let's do what's best for others! Amen? Amen!
God bless,
Bro. Royce Rambling on Tuesday Morning............

Super Bowl Sunday

Well, the big game is finally upon us this weekend. Who will win? Bears? Colts? This will be one year where I can truly say I wish both teams could win. But obviously, only one team can claim to be the Super Bowl Champs. I like both coaches. Much is being touted as this being the first year where two African-American coaches are in the big game. But not much has been said about their faith. Both are strong Christians, dedicated in serving the Lord. So, in essence, both will walk away winners.
On the lighter side, let's talk about some 'football religion'. There are some similarities between churches and football games. For instance, we have the:

Draft Choice: The members who choose the rear seats and force strangers to the front.
Bench Warmers: They're present, but they don't participate.
Backfield in Motion: Making trips to the rest rooms during the sermon.
Sudden Death: This happens when the preacher calls on a church member to pray.
Fumble: Dropping the Lord's command to proclaim the gospel to everyone, everywhere.
Blitz: The dash to the doors after the benediction.
Halfback option: When the majority of the members don't return to the evening service.
(Maybe they're getting settled in for the kickoff for Super Bowl. Don't worry, I'll be there shortly watching it with you!)
Go Bears! Go Colts! But may Christ receive the glory! Amen!