THE POWER OF CHOICES

THE POWER OF CHOICES

Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, “Do you want square toes or round toes?” Unable to decide, Reagan didn’t answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days.
Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn’t decide, so the shoemaker replied, “Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready.” When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! “This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you,” the cobbler said to his indecisive customer.
“I learned right then and there,” Reagan said later, “if you don’t make your own decisions, someone else will.”
( Today in the Word, MBI, August, 1991, p. 16 )

I ministered in the the local jail for a number of years and most of the inmates days are filled with the decisions that others made for them. Everything they do, or don't do, is controlled by some one else. For me this is got to be the hardest part about being incarcerated. But there are some who become institutionalized and actually have a hard time when they get released. They even have classes to help the inmate learn to make better choices,in the hope they will not re-offend.

Life is all about learning to make good choices in our lives.

Having the ability to make choices is what defines us as human beings. Every one of those inmates I made some bad choices that landed them in jail.
I also realize that our choices even it they are good choices can bring forth negative results as well. Example, some one who is preaching the Word in the underground church in China and is arrested and put in jail for choosing to preach the Word of God.

I want to focus on the bad choices, and procrastinating making choices that we deal with every day.

Abel also brought some choice parts of the firstborn animals from his flock. The LORD approved of Abel and his offering, but he didn't approve of Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry and was disappointed. Then the LORD asked Cain, "Why are you angry, and why do you look disappointed?

If you do well, won't you be accepted? (make the right choice ) But if you don't do well (By making the wrong choice ), sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it."

Cain talked to his brother Abel. Later, when they were in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. ( Genesis 4:4-8 )

Please notice God told Cain that He had some choices to make; a choice that would have a positive outcome, and a choice that would have a negative outcome. Cain made a bad choice and became the first murderer in human history.

Someone may ask, “ Why did God give us the power of choice?” Having choices is what makes us like God the most.

Adam and Eve made a bad choice and all of God's creation was impacted by that choice.
Jesus on the other hand chose to make good choices and we all can be saved now because of the choices that He made.

One man sinned, and so death ruled all people because of that one man. But now those people who accept God's full grace and the great gift of being made right with him will surely have true life and rule through the one man, Jesus Christ.
So as one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people, one good act that Christ did makes all people right with God. And that brings true life for all.19
One man disobeyed God, and many became sinners. In the same way, one man obeyed God, and many will be made right. ( Romans 5:17-19 New Century Version )

We are faced with choices every day that will form our future.

If we avoid making some necessary choices such as receiving Christ, and choosing to obey the moral laws of God, then we are going to experience the negative consequences of the choices we make.

Conclusion

God is saying to us as He also said to Cain, “ If you do well, then it will be well with you.”
All through the Bible we discover that many did not choose the right way and suffered, and caused suffering for other. We can't blame others for the mess we have made because of our own foolish choices.
Like President Reagan we will not get what we want when we refuse to make a choice.
This is a good example of those who know they need to make a choice for Christ, but keep putting it off. What choice are you procrastinating to make?
Maybe you have made some bad choices and now you are a drug attic, or an alcoholic, maybe you had an affair, maybe you choose to lie, steel, etc.
Knowing the Word of God, and having godly counsel will help us to make the right choices in life, plus we have the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us during the times of decisions that we all go through.

Prayer
Father God having the power of choice is an awesome thing, but this power can cause a lot of trouble for us if we do not learn how to make good choices in our lives. Father how many times have we made bad choices and have grieved your heart? We have hurt ourselves, and hurt others by these choices. Please forgive us for not seeking you before we make decisions. Help us to make good choices in our lives, in our families, in our jobs, and in our churches. We are grateful to the Holy Spirit who guides us and helps us every day. Thank you so much for the choice you made to send Jesus to save us, and give us eternal life. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.