Thoughtful Thursday - Deserve

In today's world, we often congratulate people by saying, "You deserve this." We're happy something good has happened in their life.

Other times, we might hear someone complaining. "I've worked so hard. I don't deserve this." It's probably true. We all work hard to try to make our lives better.

But the truth is, we're living in a fallen world. Sin is king and none of us are exempt. Romans 3:23 makes no bones about it. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (NIV)." Then Romans 6:23 cuts to the chase and tells us what we really deserve. "For the wages of sin is death..."
Whoa.

There is good news is at the end of that verse. "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So the choice is ours. We can get what we deserve--death. Or we can get what we don't deserve--eternal life. But to get that we have to accept Jesus as the King of our life instead of allowing sin to reign.

So next time you think you're getting a raw deal that you don't deserve. Think again. And if you're still breathing, give thanks.

Linda

Choice Reflections

It's Thoughtful Thursday here at Parenting With a Smile. This meme seems obvious, but really does require thought. What do your choices, both past and present, reflect? How do they color your life? When you look face down into your life's pond, do you see beautiful crystal clean water or more of a murky, muddy reflection? For most, it's a combination. But the water clears a little more with each improved choice you make. It seems easy, a no-brainer really, that a different choice will yield a different result. But often, choosing a different path than the one you've worn so smooth is anything but easy. If you aren't sure about what is right in a certain situation, seek the counsel of someone whose pond is already clear. Or better yet, go to the Owner's instruction manual, Our Creator gave us the Bible to help us figure out this crazy life. It will never fail you. Look again. What does your life reflect? Choose wisely until your life's pond is flowing with the purified water of your good choices.