Choose the Most Excellent Way"

-


  "I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond measure, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual insight in all things. This will enable you to choose the most excellent way of all-becoming pure and without offense until the unveiling of Christ. And you will be filled completely with the fruits of righteousness that are found in Jesus, the Anointed One-bringing great praise and glory to God."  Philippians 1:9-11 (TPT)

 

 Choose the most excellent way of all. I posted a short version of this on Facebook a while ago, but I wanted to dive a little deeper. There are many choices that one must make during the day. With some of them, we find out later it wasn't an excellent or even a good choice. We regret what we did. Many times there is no taking it back- especially if it was something we said to someone or the way we reacted to something or someone. The only recourse then is to repent to God and the person and try to do better the next time. 

That word "choose" means to examine,, discernment, find what God approves not just what He forbids. We must always look for what is excellent or best- pleasing in God's eyes. It isn't choosing rules or laws- but loving discernment. You may say- Sister- that takes time. Sometimes I don't have the time to search out my choices, seek God or pray about it. I agree that there are times we have to make quick and instant decisions- but I bring to your attention verse 9- that our "love would grow and increase," which brings us into greater knowledge and understanding of God- and of situations ahead of time. If we daily seek God and His will, if we continue to grow and move closer to the Lord- when situations arise where we have to make a quick choice- He will direct us to the right one. So often we just fall back on our own fleshly desires. It is easier and quicker sometimes to just go with the flesh- and not take a deep breathe and ask God which is right.

Then we have the dilemma of a good choice as compared to the most excellent choice. Many times we do things that are not bad or evil in themselves- but God may have something much better for us. We just take the next fork in the road, we take the path that has beautiful flowers and trees, a nice level easy path. But God may have something else in mind. The most excellent path He desires for us may not look so lovely at first. Be assured friend, if we take the time and ask God which way- He will lead us on the path that will bring increase and benefit to the Kingdom of God. It isn't always about us. More than not- it is about God's eternal plans and purposes, not just for us- but for those around us.

When we take the time daily to pray, read and study His Word- commune with Him in worship, praise and thanksgiving- it will be easier and quicker for us to see and choose the most excellent way of all. As we do this, we will grow in discernment and "into the rich revelation of spiritual insight in all things." I like how the New Living Translation states verse 11: "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in you life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God." When we allow God to fully indwell us- He produces that righteous character that we need in order to live our lives and be a testimony to others and to bring glory and praise to the Lord.

 

Join me in praying this prayer:

Lord, today there will be many choices to make. Help me to choose the most excellent ones- those choices that will bring You honor and glory. Those choices that line up with Your Word and Your Spirit and not with my fleshly desires. Give me the wisdom and enlightenment to see the difference and the boldness and courage to make that most excellent choice- the one that brings honor to You. May I not let the power of my own desires override the promptings of Your Spirit voice. Thank You, Lord, that You give each one of us the right to make the right decisions out of our love for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

~Blessings, Donna 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Extravagant Devotion Series~ (Part 1) The Prophetic

-
Image
 Originally posted May 2020 Scripture reference John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9 We are continuing our Extravagant Devotion Series. “Extravagant” means " exceeding the limit of reason or necessity, lacking in moderation, balance and restraint, extremely or excessively elaborate and spending much more than necessary."  We are looking into how Mary displayed this extravagant devotion to Christ when she anointed Him. Today we will have a glance at how our extravagant devotion can lead us into the area of the prophetic. The Prophetic John 12:1-2 It was 6 days before Passover- just a few days before Christ was crucified. She was actually anointing Christ for His burial. She had no idea in the natural that He was about to die.   She was doing it as an act of honor- but- was actually operating in the prophetic. Our extravagant devotion will open doors to us in the prophetic area- if we are yielded.   It may not be huge or remarkable ways- but- ...
Read more

Fear Not

-
Image
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."   Luke 2:10-11 Fear not! The message is still true today. So many people are filled with fear and anxiety of many things- the unknown mostly. Fear of losing their job, getting sick, not being able to provide for their family. Fear of something happening to their loved ones, fear of growing old, fear of what is coming in the new year. The unknown. We spend so much time worrying and fretting over the future that isn't even here yet and over things that may never come to pass. Fear not!  God says, fear not. The Apostle John said "there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment." (1 John 4:18)  If you have ever been in the grips of a panic attack, fear of something coming- you know those words first hand: " fear is to...
Read more

Prepare a Room

-
Image
 "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"   1 Corinthians 3:16   I am a little behind on my post, but I finished the devotional, "The Greatest Gift" by Ann Voskamp on Christmas morning. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I was especially moved by the reading on December 22 about being a dwelling place for God.  After Christ's ascension, He sent His Spirit to those who had gathered in the upper room- as Christ had directed them. The Spirit of the Lord invaded that room and the hearts of those who were gathered there. And ever since, He does the same! When we allow Him, when we have prepared a room- a place in our hearts- for Him- He comes and invades us~dwells inside of us~lives inside of us~leads, guides and directs us~and speaks to us on a daily, continual basis. The author spoke about how we are God's dwelling place and to make sure that we always have room for Him to dwell in. It wasn't something that I didn...
Read more