Making wise choices:
Every day of our lives we are faced with the task of making choices. Some of them maybe simple ones like what to eat for breakfast or what clothes to wear to college or office. However some decisions will have a lasting impact on our lives. Making the right choice is not just as simple as tossing a coin. The effects of making a wrong choice may last a lifetime. Our very first parents, Adam and Eve, took a wrong step when they listened to the serpent and suffered the wrath of Elohim throughout their lives.
The examples of men and women in the Bible provide us with valuable lessons about making the right choices. I Cor.10:11 says” Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
Abraham listened to Elohim and moved out of Haran to a place he never saw, trusting in the Lord’s promises and has shown us what it means to have faith in Elohim.
However it is from the lives of Lot and David that we can learn the effects of wrong choices.

Lot was Abraham’s nephew who came out of Haran with him. He also grew wealthy like Abraham and there was dispute between his men and Abraham’s men (Gen.13:7). So Abraham suggested that they separate. Lot chose the plain of Jordan where there was plenty of water and the land was green. So he went and dwelled in the land of Sodom. Bad choice. The men of Sodom were wicked and oppressed Lot and his family. Then there was a war and Lot was kidnapped and taken prisoner. (Gen.14) Eventually Elohim decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Only Lot, his wife and two daughters fled for Sodom. But Lot’s wife ignored the angels’ command and turned to look back at her old home and was turned into a pillar of salt. So Lot lost not only his possessions but also his wife.

David was a man after Elohim’s own heart (Acts.13:22). The Lord blessed him and made the shepherd boy into the king of Israel. However he committed adultery with Bathsheba and as a result he lost his son. (2Sam.12). Later on his daughter was molested by her half brother and that man was killed by David’s son (2Sam.13) His own son Absalom led a revolt against him and was killed in battle.

On the other hand we have Moses, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season”(Heb.11:24). Because of such faith and right decisions, Moses was a prophet like no other (Deut.34:10), he appeared at the mount of Transfiguration along with Elijah (Matt.17:3)

Some of the choices that affect our lives are:
Will you choose to follow Yahshua or not? This is one decision that will affect your life more than any other.  Will you accept his offer of salvation? It will determine your place in eternity, you will be concerned with doing His will, not your own. Eccl.12:1 tells us to remember the Creator in the days of our youth.

Choosing a right career is also important. The wrong choice may lead to financial ruin. It will affect your family life. It will affect your service to Elohim. Making money the foremost goal in your life will lead to going away from Elohim. (ITim.6:10). Remember Matt.6:33 ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’.

Choosing right friends is important. A good friend will be a blessing. Prov.17:17 ‘A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity’, but a wrong friend can be dangerous. Prov.12:26,’the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.’    

Choosing the right spouse will decide on how happy you will be the rest of your life. It will have an effect on the children. Divorce is not going to change the parents of your children.
Choosing where to live will also affect your life. This was the mistake that Lot made. He saw that the plains near Jordan were well watered and the land was green. He thought only about his prosperity but not about the neighbors. The men of Sodom were wicked. Is the place where we choose to live good for our family? Is it near the schools and our place of work? Most importantly, will it help us in our spiritual growth? Are the neighbors god-fearing people or are they a hindrance to our spiritual lives?

Every choice has a consequence or result. Ask others for advice. ‘In the multitude of counselors there is safety’ (Prov.11:14; 12:15). This is the reason kings and rulers have so many advisors around them.
To help us make the right choice ask Elohim for wisdom (Jas.1:5-6) He will give us the wisdom (Prov.2:6) Once we have made the choice, put them into his hands. (Psa.37:4-6, 23-24). Remember always that his will be done, “if the Lord wills’ (Jas.4:15). Whatever choice we make, it is the Lord who ultimately decides. (Prov.16:33). Elohim should always be a part of your decision making process.
We learn from our mistakes. David accepted the rebuke of the prophet Nathan and repented. Lot saw with his own eyes the wickedness of Sodom and when the opportunity presented itself fled form there. Peter repented having denied the Lord and remained faithful till his death. Paul accepted his mistakes and became a great apostle of Messiah.

Make right choices. First, decide to live for Yahshua, follow him and serve him. Live for the Lord to the best of your ability. (Phil.3:13-15) Elohim has set before us life and death. Choose life. (Deut.30:19)

You are free to use this material without charge for your edification. "Freely you have recieved, freely give". All we ask is that you mention that you have taken this from www.aoyhyd.org.

Maranatha Prayer Fellowship. # 311, Agarwal Chambers, King Koti, Hyderabad-500 001, A.P.India.
Phones"91-040-23241885; 8801463260. E-mail: rkbenhur@aoyhyd.org
Worship with us at Maranatha Prayer Fellowship, 63 Spl ‘C’, Old Malakpet, Hyderabad,500036, India.
Fridays: 6 pm-8 pm; Saturdays: 3 pm-5 pm.