Choices n n n We Make Choices Everyday

Choices n n n We Make Choices Everyday Choices Have Consequences We Need to Make Wise Choices Old Testament Provides Us Valuable Lessons Examples of Unwise Choices

Choices n LOT n Choice of Where To Live Resulted In: War and Kidnapping n Loss of Possessions n Loss of Wife n Incest With Daughters n n But he did get the best pasture for his cattle!

Choices n DAVID n Choice to Commit Adultery Resulted In: Murder of Uriah n Death of Infant Son n Daughter Molested by Half-Brother n That Son Killed by Vengeful Brother n Rebellion Led by Son n n Choices Affect Us & Others

Choices n Choices That Greatly Affect Our Lives n Choosing Jesus n Will Affect Our Life More Than Any Other Choice n Will Have Bearing On Every Other Decision n Will Determine Where We Will Spend Eternity n What Choice Have You Made?

Choices n Choices That Greatly Affect Our Lives n Choosing Friends n Type of friends say a lot about ourselves n Friends are a reflection of our values n Friends can be a blessing Proverbs 17: 17 n Proverbs 18: 24 n n Friends can be a curse Proverbs 12: 26 n I Cor. 15: 33 n

Choices n Choices That Greatly Affect Our Lives n Choosing A Career n Worldly View n Future Job Market n Amount of Money, Power, Prestige n Spiritual View n How it Will Affect My Relationship and Service to God n How it Will Affect Marriage and Family n Consider Spiritual View Before Worldly View

Choices n Choices That Greatly Affect Our Lives n Choosing a Husband or Wife n Greatly determine happiness n Bearing on our and children’s emotional well being n Children and family not unaffected by violence and divorce n The person you marry will either bring you closer to God, or farther away

Choices n Choices That Greatly Affect Our Lives n Choosing Where To Live n Lot’s mistake n May have been good business decision, but a bad moral decision n On what will we base our decision? n How close to work or school? n How much house we can buy? n Is there a church of Christ? n How sound is the church? n Is it an area that will help me and my family serve God?

Choices n Suggestions For Making Wise Choices n Remember Every Choice Has A Consequence n To increase the likelihood that our choices will have good consequences, we need to: n Pray & Ask God For Wisdom n James 1: 5 -8 n Ask n Others For Advice Proverbs 11: 14 & Proverbs 12: 15 n Commit n Our Choices to the Lord Psalms 37: 5 -6; 23 -26 n Understand, n “If the Lord Wills” James 4: 13 -15

Choices n n What If We Make the Wrong Choice We Can Do As: Lot - Heed and Flee! n Peter - Repent and Serve! n Paul - Accept and Live! n n We Must Always Live For God!

Choices n Choices have Consequences n n Therefore, we need to make wise choices Our Choices of: Choosing Jesus n Friends n Careers n Spouse n Where to Live n n Will greatly determine our happiness in this life and where we will spend eternity

Choices Have you made the most important choice of all? Accepting Jesus!

n By Bob Gard – Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www. hollisterchurchofchrist. org January 22, 2006 am