Choose a better tommorrow

Commitment.  What does it mean to you?  How do you show you're committed to something?  In school you study hard, make good grades, don't miss class. In sports you practice, you get good, better, improve, don't miss games.  With friends you are always there to listen to their problems, call for birthdays, hang out together, give them encouragement.  But what does commitment look like to Jesus?
In Luke 9:18-20 the disciples made the decision to follow Jesus because they were aware of who he really was. 
Luke 9:20 says: "And he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered and said, 'The Christ of God."
Knowing this, they gave him their total commitment.
According to Luke 9:23 he asked them to deny themselves and take up their crosses daily and follow him.  DAILY.  That really struck a cord with me.  We are often told we can not "taste test" Christianity and that is exactly what scripture is telling us right here.  It is a conscious effort we must work at daily.  A commitment.  So when was a time when you gave a total commitment to deny yourself and take up your cross?  What would you do differently in your life to better serve God to be more committed to him?
So what's keeping you from making that total commitment?
It can be difficult sometimes to make that commitment.  It's counter culture to a lot of things we are exposed to when we make that choice to commit to him we are saying we are willing to live in a different way than much of the world. 


So how do you identify with Jesus?  To identify with him we can't be ashamed of him.
In Luke 9:24-26 he pretty much says if you are ashamed of me...well I'm ashamed of you.
Remember when we talked about godliness and being Christ like?  That's where this comes into play.  You have to be like Christ so people see Christ in you...people identify you with Christ.  Sure he wants you to boldly tell people about him but he rather you just show them.  In fact, he even makes reference for them to not tell the people he was the Messiah at one point (in Luke 9:21), but rather to show them through your actions by denying yourself and taking up your cross daily.  This is how he wants you to identify with him.  When someone looks at how you live, do they clearly see a relationship with Jesus?  Do you want them to?  Maybe you need to think about some things or people you need to distance yourself from.  Are you willing to do that?  To make that kind of total commitment?  We can gain a lot from following our worldly desires...especially when we get impatient with God's timing.  But is it worth it. 

According to Jeremiah 29:11  God has a great future for every one of us.  "For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."
But through our choices, we knock ourselves from his plan for us.  Your choices dictate your steps you take:  steps to glory or steps to destruction.  You make your tomorrow today.  For every act, consider the consequences of your choices.  Every choice has a consequence, no matter how small.  It doesn't have to be immediate but it will come.  There is no such thing as karma, only God's will.  You can gain the world with bad choices but what good is it if you loose your soul along the way?  In the book of Genesis we see Esau sell out his birthright just to satisfy his momentary hunger rather than waiting just moments more to prepare his own meal.  It is better to deny yourself some things today, even if people mock you, so you can have a better tomorrow.
Your destiny is dependant on nobody but YOU and God.  So don't let people persuade you into making the wrong choices, choose to endure today and enjoy your blessings tomorrow.  It will come around.  It always does.  God IS watching.  Joseph had an amazing destiny mapped out by God and although he could have followed the crowds and make some bad choices, he endured and God blessed him making him number 2 to the thrown of Egypt. 
So what can you do to make your tomorrow better?

 Fear God - God will teach you to make the right choices when you fear.  Psalms 25:12 tell us this through reverence, respect and obedience.
Study and meditate on his word  - The word of God will help you to tell good from evil.  Isaiah 7:15 tells us that the more of God's word we have in us, the more strength and grace we have in us.
And MOST importantly
Think Before you talk or act - Do not hastily do anything no matter what or who is pressuring you.  Always consider the consequences of your choices.  James 1:19 tells us to be slow to speak and quick to hear.

Your tomorrow really is great....choose it to be.