CHOICES

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE Joshua 24:15: And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. CHOOSING RIGHTLY 1. CHOOSING GOD (LIFE) Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live 2. CHOOSING THE KINGDOM Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 3. CHOOSING THE NEEDFUL & THE GOOD PART Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO MADE POSITIVE CHOICES IN THE BIBLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES Noah chose to listen to God’s instruction and went on to build the ark in spite of general ridicule. CONSEQUENCE: He was able to save his life and members of his household when the flood came. (Genesis 6 & 7) Abraham chose to let go and decided to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. CONSEQUENCE: God blessed him greatly. (Genesis 22) Lot decided to host the (Angels) visitors and bear the wrath of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah by not releasing them (the visitors) to them to be defiled. CONSEQUENCE: He and his family were spared from the divine judgment that befell the cities. (Genesis 19) Joseph chose not to shortcut his destiny by giving in to the momentary pleasures of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife CONSEQUENCE: He rose to the number two person in Egypt, the most powerful country in the world then. (Genesis 39 & 41) Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought good reports about the Promised Land. CONSEQUENCE: They ended up getting there, while others were destroyed in the wilderness. (Numbers 13 & 14) Rahab risked her life by hiding the two spies that were sent to spy the land of Jericho CONSEQUENCE: She had her life and that of her whole family saved when the Israelites conquered the city. (Joshua 2 & 6) Ruth chose to follow Naomi and submitted to her mentoring CONSEQUENCE: She ended up marrying Boaz, a very wealthy man, and also became the grandmother of David as well as the ancestress of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ruth 1-4) David chose not be intimidated by size, but launched out to fight Goliath. CONSEQUENCE: He won the battle and earned national honour as a result. (1 Samuel 17) Solomon asked God for wisdom rather than riches and honour CONSEQUENCE: God gave him more than he asked for. (1 Kings 3) Elisha chose to ignore the ‘sons of the prophets’ and followed Elijah all through till he was taken to heaven. CONSEQUENCE: He got a double portion of the anointing of Elijah. (2 Kings 2) The Shunamite woman took it upon herself to always host Elisha whenever he was in town. CONSEQUENCE: God gave her a son after many years in marriage. (2 Kings 4:8-17) Namaan, the Syrian general, listened to the advice of his servants and went to bathe in river Jordan as Elisha had instructed. CONSEQUENCE: He came out cleansed of his leprosy. (2 kings 5:1-19) King Hezekiah chose to cry out to God, rather than mourn, when he was told he would die from his sickness. CONSEQUENCE: God healed him and added 15 years to his life. (2 Kings 20:1-11) Esther chose to risk her life for the salvation of her people by going in to the king’s chamber uninvited, after praying and fasting for three days! CONSEQUENCE: God gave her favour and the Jews were spared. (Esther 4, 5 & 8) Job chose to remain faithful to God in spite of his many great afflictions. CONSEQUENCE: God restored him and gave him twice everything he lost. (Job 1 & 42) Daniel chose not to compromise the rules of God while in the king’s palace CONSEQUENCE: He was outstanding among his peers. (Daniel 1) He also chose to defy the king’s command and pray to God CONSEQUENCE: God spared his life and eliminated all his enemies. (Daniel 6) Meshach, Shedrach, and Abednego chose not to displease God by bowing to the idols of Nebuchadnezzar CONSEQUENCE: God spared their lives in the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3) The prodigal son chose to repent and go home to his father after squandering all his wealth. CONSEQUENCE: He was warmly received and celebrated by his father. (Luke 15:11-24) Peter chose to repent after denying Jesus 3 different times. CONSEQUENCE: He was restored and later became the head of the apostles. EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO MADE NEGATIVE CHOICES IN THE BIBLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES Eve chose to listen to the reasoning of the serpent against the instruction of God Adam also listened to the lures of his wife. CONSEQUENCE: They both ended up being banished from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3) The wife of Lot looked back in spite the angels’ instruction not to do so. CONSEQUENCE: She became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19) Isaac stayed in Gerar in obedience to God, in spite of the great famine there CONSEQUENCE: He prospered beyond all human reasoning. (Gen 26:1-14) Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge. CONSEQUENCE: He lost his father’s blessings as a result. (Genesis 25:29-34) The ten spies chose to see the negative things in the Promised Land and therefore brought an evil report about the place to the Israelites. CONSEQUENCE: They never got there. (Numbers 13 & 14) King Saul chose to go against the counsel of God by sparing the life of Agag, the king of the Amalek, and bringing home the best of the land. CONSEQUENCE: God rejected him as king over Israel. (1 Samuel 15:1-28) David chose to stay home at a time when kings go out to fight wars, and got involved with Bathsheba, impregnated her, and killed her husband to save face. CONSEQUENCE: He brought curse and blood upon his own household as a result. (2 Samuel 11-12:14) Solomon married heathen women who influenced and led him astray from God CONSEQUENCE: God tore the kingdom of Israel from him and gave it to his servant. (1 Kings 11:1-11) Rehoboam chose to listen to the advice of youths on governance over the ones given him by the elders. CONSEQUENCE: The kingdom of Israel was divided into two during his days, with only two tribes left for him to rule. (1 Kings 12:1-19) This prophet of Judah disobeyed the prior instruction of God not to stay in the land. CONSEQUENCE: A lion killed him on his way. (1 Kings 13:1-24) Lesson: You alone, and no one else, are responsible for whatever instruction God gave you. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, went to Namaan to collect some money without his master’s knowledge. CONSEQUENCE: He inherited Namaan’s leprosy as well. (2 Kings 5) Queen Vashti chose to disregard her husband’s invitation to come and show herself to the nobles CONSEQUENCE: She lost the queenship of the kingdom of Persia to Esther. (Esther 1) Hamaan chose to be bitter about Mordecai’s perceived insolence to him, and earnestly sought to take his life and wipe out his people, the Jews, as well. CONSEQUENCE: He ended up being hung on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. (Esther 5 & 6) Judas, after betraying Jesus, chose regret over repentance. CONSEQUENCE: He went to hang himself. (Matthew 27:3-5) Ananias and Sapphira connived to lie to the church. CONSEQUENCE: They paid for it with their lives. (Acts 5)