Topic: CHOOSING TO BE DIFFERENT (2)  By Pastor Faith Oyedepo Living Faith Church [ Winners Chapel] 3 January 2022

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CHOOSING TO BE DIFFERENT (2)

Dear Reader,

I strongly believe that this month has been filled with joy for you. In the last edition, we looked at choosing to be different. However, in this edition, we shall be considering areas in which we need to make those choices. I pray for grace for you to follow through with your choices to be different, in Jesus mighty name!

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• Choose to Obey and Serve God: The Bible says, And it shall come to pass if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day… (Deuteronomy 28:1). God’s commandment is outlined in His Word. The Bible is a manual by which we live our lives. You have to be committed to the study of God’s Word daily. Obeying God’s Word will make a star out of anyone. The story of Joseph is a good example of a young man who obeyed God. Doing what was right, although it did not bring immediate praise or reward, but in the end, he was honoured by God and justified in the sight of men for taking a stand to do right even when it was not convenient or pleasurable. Some people may even make jest of you and call you different names, but in the end, it will always pay off. Obeying God will command His blessings upon you.

David is also another young man who obeyed and trusted God, and he ended up doing great things for God. He ended up a star after his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 18:6). Teenage years are a period you should be committed to totally obeying and serving God. The Word of God says, Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth… (Ecclesiastes 12:1). As a young man, David delighted in the things of God, and this is one of his secrets. He said, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD (Psalm 122:1).

• Choose to Live Righteous: The Word says, Righteousness exalted a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Let us consider certain keywords used in this scripture. Exalt means to think or speak very highly of someone or something. To raise to a higher rank or position. Reproach means disgrace or shame. Therefore, living a righteous or holy life will take you to places and put you in positions you never imagined. Choose to live for God, let sin be far away from you and watch as God keeps lifting you up.
• Choose Right Company: It is written, Be not deceived: evil communication corrupts good manners (1Corinthians 15:33). The company you choose to keep today will determine what accompanies you and how far you go in life. It will either make or mar your destiny.  Associating with godly people is very important because the Bible says that walking with the wise will make you wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20). Who are your companions? Are they people who have the mind of Christ, who are committed to obeying God? Or are they people who will discourage your service to God and advise you to sin against God like Jonadab advised Amnon in 2 Samuel 13? Watch it!  Two cannot walk together unless they agree (Amos 3:3). Birds of the same feather flock together.  If your closest friend is a liar, gossip, or one that wallows in fornication, so will you. So, beware of wrong company!
• Choose What You Read/See: Today, the society has become so polluted with all kinds of un-edifying pictures. Pornographic pictures are all over the place, and social media has also contributed to this. Most young people have become enslaved with vices, such as homosexuality, robbery etc., simply because of what they see and read.  You must be mindful of those movies, music, books you see and/or read. If you have any of these materials, gather them and burn them because if you do not destroy them today, they may end up destroying your future. Remember, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Romans 12:2a NIV).

However, you cannot make this decision on your own without the help of God. Until you are born again, you cannot connect to God and submit wholeheartedly to His will. You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you have not asked Jesus to come into your life or may have neglected your initial love for Him, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I believe You died and rose again for my sake. Forgive me of my sins, take over my life, make me Your child and let Your peace reign over my life. Thank You for saving me.  Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations, you are now born again! I believe you will begin to experience the reality of the price Jesus paid for your sins at Calvary. All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus name!  Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Make Your Life Count and You are Welcome to God’s Family.