• Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About
Sunny Slope Church of Christ
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About

Choices...

9/9/2018

 
by: Gary L. Hutchens
​   We are faced with choices everyday.  After the Israelites had crossed the Jordan river, had fought the battles and taken possession of the promised land, Joshua called the people together and told them to make a decision of commitment: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh. 24:15).  They needed to choose, one way or the other.
​   We become our choices.  When Joshua called the people of Israel to “choose” whom they would serve, he was calling for them to decide what they would be.  Steadfast, faithful followers of God, or idle worshippers?  Their choice would determine who, and what, they would become.
   Many people do not fully realize the seriousness of the choices they make.  Choices have consequences.  When a person signs a contract to buy a new car for $40,000, unless he can pay cash he instantly becomes indebted for the next five to eight years.  He’s committed to make that payment every month.  If his current job does not provide that kind of income, he has to either change jobs or get a second job.  His choice also means that he and his family have less disposable income to do some things they might want to do.  You become your choices.  Choices…
   Trying illegal drugs is a choice with more serious consequences.  First, such a person becomes a criminal dealing with other criminals who sell him his illegal drugs.  That indebtedness will be unending, as long as he continues to use the drugs.  He also opens the door to potential addiction which will make him a slave to the drugs.  That reality will likely ruin his life, destroy relationships with others, especially those with family, and result in either his death or incarceration.  You become your choices.  Choices…
   A teenager chooses to go to a rather wild party with friends.  Alcohol flows freely.  Everybody’s drinking, it’s the cool thing to do.  The peer pressure is intense.  He gives in and starts drinking himself; he feels the buzz.  He goes to more such parties, and he drinks more and more.  Before long, he doesn’t have to be at a party to drink; he drinks on a regular basis.  Without realizing it he slips into the nightmare of alcoholism.  Nobody decides to become an alcoholic.  It begins with an initial choice, and choices have consequences.  You become your choices.  Choices…
   A teenage girl begins to experiment with sex.  She wants to be liked, wants to be accepted.  Then, in shock she learns that she’s pregnant.  The boy immediately drops her.  She’s devastated, and her parents are heartbroken.  She’s not even finished with High School, and she’s about to be a mother.  Her whole life has changed.  You become your choices.  Choices…
   As did the Israelites, YOU must choose whom you will serve, God or Satan.  To not live in obedience to God is to choose to live in sin and serve the devil.  That choice has the worst of all consequences, for “The wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:3).  You determine your eternal destiny by how you choose to live your life.  Heaven, or Hell?  “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8).  Saved, or lost; which will you choose?  Remember, you become your choices…

Comments are closed.

    Author

    Gary L. Hutchens

    Categories

    All
    Dennis Stackhouse
    Gary Hutchens

    Archive

    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    January 2007

Member Login
SUBMIT PRAYER REQUEST
© 2019 Sunny Slope Church of Christ | All Rights Reserved
3606 N. 108th St., Omaha, NE 68164 | (402) 498-8397 | Contact Us
  • Watch
  • Listen
  • Study
  • Articles
  • Links
  • About