Online Christian Network
choice
CHOICE
Lesson 1:The ability to say NO is part of our God given gift of choice.
Choice is a glorious gift that God placed at the feet of every person. The Lord gives Adam the choice of eating the tree of life or that of knowledge that leads to death. (Genesis 2: 16-17). In Deuteronomy chapter 28 & chapter 30:15-19, he gives us the choice over life and death. Every choice we make leads to life or death, blessings or curses, everlasting life or the pit of fire. If God had wanted to create man the same as robots and without free will, He would have. We would have existed to just live doing nothing. He CHOOSE to give us freedom to decide when to say Yes or No.
Lesson 2: God’s Plan is for us to be in charge and never feel guilty when we say NO to evil.
Our Lord’s plan is seen in the book of Genesis 1: 26-27 where he says, ‘let us make man in our image according to our likeness, let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps over the earth’. After creating man God said to him, ‘fill the earth, subdue it; have dominion over fish, birds, and every living creature that moves. Every herb and tree that bears fruit was for food’. {Gen: 2:28.
Adam and Eve were not even ashamed of not having clothes on because they had dominion and complete control of their thoughts and feelings. The moment they made the wrong choice, they lost control and guilt entered their hearts. Guilt is always the result of what we think are our wrong choices. The devil uses guilt to oppress us, keep us miserable and torture our minds. {Gen. 2:25,3:10)
Eve exercised her freedom and CHOOSE to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit. Adam chose to agree with his wife's choice by eating without thinking on the word of God. This tested the word. Many people have been injured or killed for touching an electric wire or taken poison to see if it works. God showed not be tried in this way because he acts according to his word. Death was released into the world as a result of Adam’s choice because God is not man that He should lie. {Gen: 3:19, Num 23:19}
Lesson 3:We have the power to say No to evil (use it)
The Bible gives us several methods by which to overcome and say NO. We must remember that God does not change. (Mal 3:7). The same God who gave Adam dominion has given the same to each and every one of us. The Bible says no man can receive anything unless it is given to him from above (John 3:27). Not even satan has power over us because power over the earth and over mankind was never given
to him. Power and authority belong to God and God alone. God has in turn created us in his image and likeness and given us his power and authority over all He created through Jesus Christ. The ability to say Yes or No is vested in that power. We fail when we allow other people to choose for us like Adam did or let things that we have power and control over to control overcome our minds and our bodies. It does not matter the reasons people give for doing wrong, if it is wrong, we should say NO, if right and within God’s word, YES.
Some of the choices we face are listed below.
To steal and bribe or not .
To beg or not to beg.
To cry or not cry.
To do good or not.
To do evil or not.
To marry or remain single.
To go to work or sleep late.
To worship God or not.
To get saved or be born again or not
To give to the needy, friends, relatives or the church or not.
To travel or remain in one place.
To visit friends, relative or not.
To use drugs or not.
To have sex outside marriage or not
Lesson 4: It is good to take some time and think before acting .Our choices should not be based on selfishness.
The question is, what are the reasons for saying Yes or No? Eve took time to think before making a choice. We should also look at what would happen because of our decision before saying Yes or No. Eve made the mistake we always make; by lookng at her choices from the advantages to herself and how she would benefit, progress, enjoy and get better. She ignored the disadvantages and also the warnings from God or Adam about death. She said Yes to the corrupted world.
We should always think of the effects of saying Yes to evil deeds on other people. She did not think of the impact on her husband and family or the community. (neighbors).
Lesson 5: God’s word should be the final deciding factor when faced with choice.
We should most of all think about God’s reaction before acting. She did not think of God’s word or reaction. Her choice hurt the Lord and made him angry, brought death to her husband and all mankind and destroyed the lives of millions who are still being affected today. Her choice gave the devil power which he uses to tempt, steal, kill and destroy because she said Yes to him. The devil uses deceases like aids and STD’s acquired from illicit sex, he uses drugs and alcohol for those who chose to use them to destroy families inflict poverty and kill. He also turns productive people into thieves and robbers by tempting them with wealth. What a sad thing it is to say yes to evil.
Lesson 6: Obedience to God’s word brings favour
The Bible talks of Good Choices by people who received blessings because they choose to obey God’s word.
Abraham said yes to God and obeyed the word of God. He moved to a far country and because of this, inherited the blessings, his prayers were answered and he became a blessing to the whole world. He could have refused to obey and say no if he wanted. If he had refused, he would have remained the way he was and lived and died in his home country. I am sure he would have had no children or wealth to boast about. HE BECAME THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS through obedience. {Gen 11-25}
Lesson 7: Run away when unable to fight.
Joseph said no to sex out of marriage and ran away from adultery when the wife of his master Potiphar tempted him. The Bible says he fled from her even living his coat behind. Though he got into trouble and was put in jail by human beings, God rewarded him for saying no to sin. We should not let our friends, relatives or anybody make us do the wrong things that can lead to drug addiction, sex before or outside marriage, stealing to make us appear rich, lie to get things, con or sell our bodies for money or favors. We should run away like Joseph if we are weak and easily misled. The bible says run away. {1 Co 6:18, 10:14, 1 Tim 6:11).
Anything we get by being pushed by people is bound to fail. Look at the many single parents. Have you ever noticed that they are all almost all women (except for widowers)? Do they get children alone?. Look at drug addicts, they end up alone in prison or a coffin, look at people who can not control their bodies, if not Aids then they abort children only to regret or end up frustrated. Joseph received the crown of Egypt and control of the world from God for rejecting sex outside marriage, sex for favors, revenge on his brothers and portiphars family or pride for being ruler. (Genesis 29-50)
Esau said no to revenge and forgave his brother Jacob. Although he had vowed to kill him, the Bible says that he hugged his brother. He became the founder of a nation and God in turn protected his inheritance from destruction. When we say NO to revenge, we allow God to fight our wars. He says the battle is mine to Jehoshaphat and “not by might or by strength but by my spirit says the Lord” to zerubabel. Say no to vengeance and allow him to protect and fight for us. (Gen 33, 2Chron 20:15, Zech.4:6)
The widow said yes and cooked for Elijah even though all she had was a little flour and oil. We should say no to selfishness but also be careful when asked for favors. Only be generous to worthy causes and with things that God has blessed us with.
It is foolish to agree to help people with things that are not ours or things they obviously do not need. A fellow student does not need money for cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. I will help with bus fare when sure that is necessary. We should not help someone whom we know spends money on the wrong things. Say NO to those who try your faith and help only those genuinely in need. (1 Kings17:1-16)
The Rechabites said NO to alcohol and obeyed their parents when asked by the prophet of God to drink. For sure our parents have asked us to do many things that we find do not go with the fashion of the day. Their father had forbidden them to drink wine. They stuck to God’s commandment that says “obey your father and mother that your days may be many.
God uses them as an example and promises that they would “always have a man to stand before him” meaning they had permanent favor because they obeyed their parents. We should say NO to things that go against our parents instructions so long as they are in agreement with the word of God and explain to them lovingly when their instructions are contrary to the word. The Apostle Paul says rebuke not an elder but entreat him as a father. (1 Tim 5:11). You are to entreat not argue, quarrel and fight parents as we often do. (Exodus 20:12), (Jer 35:1-19).
Today's fashion of disobedience and rebellion for the sake of it is a sure recipe for an early death. Never forget that all parents passed through teenage and most probably made the same mistakes being made by teenagers today.
When a drunk, or former drug taking father/mother or a male/female prostitute parent asks us not to do the same, they know the outcome because they have been there. Most have knowledge and a testimony. Better listen and say Yes to their instructions than end up regretting and in tears. The phrase, “I wish I had listened” never changes things.
Don’t wait to regret, say No to evil.
Lesson 8: “Without me you can do nothing” Jesus said. (John 15:5)
We need salvation in Jesus and God’s power to say No in today’s sinful world. The world seems crazy.
Every thing from nakedness, to abusive language’ (e.g language used in rap music and soap operas), big time robberies and murders taking place all over the world and also shown in movies and videos and even open sex is seen as macho or “wonderfully wicked.” None sees it as evil or immoral. Even witchcraft is slowly changing through movies and TV shows that show “good witches and good demons saving people.” Nakedness is seen as fashionable as people compete to come up with new fashions.
Jesus overcame the devil by saying No when the devil corrupted the word of God and tempted Him. After corrupting the word to get Eve, he tried Jesus. Jesus overcame him by quoting the verses correctly. Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit was tempted and won (Luke 4:1-14)
The Bible has a formula for those who want to get the power to be over comers. It says to us, “repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). This has nothing to do with religion. Religious groups are large families with members who are bound through a common belief, doctrine or idea, even when wrong.
Some have unfortunately been born into these groups without any knowledge of what they believe in through parents.
Repentance is when a member goes to the Father (God) and says sorry for having made the wrong choices and sinned by going against His word. God forgives each member as an individual and releases His Spirit into them. With the power of God’s Spirit, no temptation can overcome the believer. (1 Corinthians 10). God becomes his/her father, the Spirit his guide and Jesus his saviour. Repentance is saying yes to Jesus, receiving a new birth and everlasting life (John 3:16) while saying No to the devil who in turn flees from us (James 4:7)
Lesson 9: Jesus died on the cross that we may be over comers in His name.
Finally, Jesus death on the cross brought us overall victory. He overcame the things that disturb us most when we face choices. These are our physical needs, fear of hunger and poverty as He became poor for our sakes, rejected worldly wealth and inheriting a name that makes every challenge bow (Philippians 2:9-10). He overcame infections and deceases that could have been brought about through his stripes and by those stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3). He descended into hell and defeated the power of hell that so terrifies us (Ephesians 4:9). He overcame demonic attacks and finally death. Jesus concluded that all power was given to him and he in turn delegated it to us. He says this
The bible concludes that all who are in Christ are new creations. They have power to say No to all things that can ruin their live IT IS UP TO US TO SAY YES TO JESUS WHO IN TURN GIVES US THE POWER TO BE CHILDREN (John 1:12) AND OVERCOMMERS THROUGH FAITH (1 John 5:4)
If you have been blessed, send us feed back:
A. K. ONDEGO - 2008
EUMIN Gospel Outreach Mission BOX 89988-80100 Mombasa/Kenya
MOBILE: (+254) 0722-471033
Note: All scriptures from King James Version
Lesson 1:The ability to say NO is part of our God given gift of choice.
Choice is a glorious gift that God placed at the feet of every person. The Lord gives Adam the choice of eating the tree of life or that of knowledge that leads to death. (Genesis 2: 16-17). In Deuteronomy chapter 28 & chapter 30:15-19, he gives us the choice over life and death. Every choice we make leads to life or death, blessings or curses, everlasting life or the pit of fire. If God had wanted to create man the same as robots and without free will, He would have. We would have existed to just live doing nothing. He CHOOSE to give us freedom to decide when to say Yes or No.
Lesson 2: God’s Plan is for us to be in charge and never feel guilty when we say NO to evil.
Our Lord’s plan is seen in the book of Genesis 1: 26-27 where he says, ‘let us make man in our image according to our likeness, let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps over the earth’. After creating man God said to him, ‘fill the earth, subdue it; have dominion over fish, birds, and every living creature that moves. Every herb and tree that bears fruit was for food’. {Gen: 2:28.
Adam and Eve were not even ashamed of not having clothes on because they had dominion and complete control of their thoughts and feelings. The moment they made the wrong choice, they lost control and guilt entered their hearts. Guilt is always the result of what we think are our wrong choices. The devil uses guilt to oppress us, keep us miserable and torture our minds. {Gen. 2:25,3:10)
Eve exercised her freedom and CHOOSE to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit. Adam chose to agree with his wife's choice by eating without thinking on the word of God. This tested the word. Many people have been injured or killed for touching an electric wire or taken poison to see if it works. God showed not be tried in this way because he acts according to his word. Death was released into the world as a result of Adam’s choice because God is not man that He should lie. {Gen: 3:19, Num 23:19}
Lesson 3:We have the power to say No to evil (use it)
The Bible gives us several methods by which to overcome and say NO. We must remember that God does not change. (Mal 3:7). The same God who gave Adam dominion has given the same to each and every one of us. The Bible says no man can receive anything unless it is given to him from above (John 3:27). Not even satan has power over us because power over the earth and over mankind was never given
to him. Power and authority belong to God and God alone. God has in turn created us in his image and likeness and given us his power and authority over all He created through Jesus Christ. The ability to say Yes or No is vested in that power. We fail when we allow other people to choose for us like Adam did or let things that we have power and control over to control overcome our minds and our bodies. It does not matter the reasons people give for doing wrong, if it is wrong, we should say NO, if right and within God’s word, YES.
Some of the choices we face are listed below.
To steal and bribe or not .
To beg or not to beg.
To cry or not cry.
To do good or not.
To do evil or not.
To marry or remain single.
To go to work or sleep late.
To worship God or not.
To get saved or be born again or not
To give to the needy, friends, relatives or the church or not.
To travel or remain in one place.
To visit friends, relative or not.
To use drugs or not.
To have sex outside marriage or not
Lesson 4: It is good to take some time and think before acting .Our choices should not be based on selfishness.
The question is, what are the reasons for saying Yes or No? Eve took time to think before making a choice. We should also look at what would happen because of our decision before saying Yes or No. Eve made the mistake we always make; by lookng at her choices from the advantages to herself and how she would benefit, progress, enjoy and get better. She ignored the disadvantages and also the warnings from God or Adam about death. She said Yes to the corrupted world.
We should always think of the effects of saying Yes to evil deeds on other people. She did not think of the impact on her husband and family or the community. (neighbors).
Lesson 5: God’s word should be the final deciding factor when faced with choice.
We should most of all think about God’s reaction before acting. She did not think of God’s word or reaction. Her choice hurt the Lord and made him angry, brought death to her husband and all mankind and destroyed the lives of millions who are still being affected today. Her choice gave the devil power which he uses to tempt, steal, kill and destroy because she said Yes to him. The devil uses deceases like aids and STD’s acquired from illicit sex, he uses drugs and alcohol for those who chose to use them to destroy families inflict poverty and kill. He also turns productive people into thieves and robbers by tempting them with wealth. What a sad thing it is to say yes to evil.
Lesson 6: Obedience to God’s word brings favour
The Bible talks of Good Choices by people who received blessings because they choose to obey God’s word.
Abraham said yes to God and obeyed the word of God. He moved to a far country and because of this, inherited the blessings, his prayers were answered and he became a blessing to the whole world. He could have refused to obey and say no if he wanted. If he had refused, he would have remained the way he was and lived and died in his home country. I am sure he would have had no children or wealth to boast about. HE BECAME THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS through obedience. {Gen 11-25}
Lesson 7: Run away when unable to fight.
Joseph said no to sex out of marriage and ran away from adultery when the wife of his master Potiphar tempted him. The Bible says he fled from her even living his coat behind. Though he got into trouble and was put in jail by human beings, God rewarded him for saying no to sin. We should not let our friends, relatives or anybody make us do the wrong things that can lead to drug addiction, sex before or outside marriage, stealing to make us appear rich, lie to get things, con or sell our bodies for money or favors. We should run away like Joseph if we are weak and easily misled. The bible says run away. {1 Co 6:18, 10:14, 1 Tim 6:11).
Anything we get by being pushed by people is bound to fail. Look at the many single parents. Have you ever noticed that they are all almost all women (except for widowers)? Do they get children alone?. Look at drug addicts, they end up alone in prison or a coffin, look at people who can not control their bodies, if not Aids then they abort children only to regret or end up frustrated. Joseph received the crown of Egypt and control of the world from God for rejecting sex outside marriage, sex for favors, revenge on his brothers and portiphars family or pride for being ruler. (Genesis 29-50)
Esau said no to revenge and forgave his brother Jacob. Although he had vowed to kill him, the Bible says that he hugged his brother. He became the founder of a nation and God in turn protected his inheritance from destruction. When we say NO to revenge, we allow God to fight our wars. He says the battle is mine to Jehoshaphat and “not by might or by strength but by my spirit says the Lord” to zerubabel. Say no to vengeance and allow him to protect and fight for us. (Gen 33, 2Chron 20:15, Zech.4:6)
The widow said yes and cooked for Elijah even though all she had was a little flour and oil. We should say no to selfishness but also be careful when asked for favors. Only be generous to worthy causes and with things that God has blessed us with.
It is foolish to agree to help people with things that are not ours or things they obviously do not need. A fellow student does not need money for cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. I will help with bus fare when sure that is necessary. We should not help someone whom we know spends money on the wrong things. Say NO to those who try your faith and help only those genuinely in need. (1 Kings17:1-16)
The Rechabites said NO to alcohol and obeyed their parents when asked by the prophet of God to drink. For sure our parents have asked us to do many things that we find do not go with the fashion of the day. Their father had forbidden them to drink wine. They stuck to God’s commandment that says “obey your father and mother that your days may be many.
God uses them as an example and promises that they would “always have a man to stand before him” meaning they had permanent favor because they obeyed their parents. We should say NO to things that go against our parents instructions so long as they are in agreement with the word of God and explain to them lovingly when their instructions are contrary to the word. The Apostle Paul says rebuke not an elder but entreat him as a father. (1 Tim 5:11). You are to entreat not argue, quarrel and fight parents as we often do. (Exodus 20:12), (Jer 35:1-19).
Today's fashion of disobedience and rebellion for the sake of it is a sure recipe for an early death. Never forget that all parents passed through teenage and most probably made the same mistakes being made by teenagers today.
When a drunk, or former drug taking father/mother or a male/female prostitute parent asks us not to do the same, they know the outcome because they have been there. Most have knowledge and a testimony. Better listen and say Yes to their instructions than end up regretting and in tears. The phrase, “I wish I had listened” never changes things.
Don’t wait to regret, say No to evil.
Lesson 8: “Without me you can do nothing” Jesus said. (John 15:5)
We need salvation in Jesus and God’s power to say No in today’s sinful world. The world seems crazy.
Every thing from nakedness, to abusive language’ (e.g language used in rap music and soap operas), big time robberies and murders taking place all over the world and also shown in movies and videos and even open sex is seen as macho or “wonderfully wicked.” None sees it as evil or immoral. Even witchcraft is slowly changing through movies and TV shows that show “good witches and good demons saving people.” Nakedness is seen as fashionable as people compete to come up with new fashions.
Jesus overcame the devil by saying No when the devil corrupted the word of God and tempted Him. After corrupting the word to get Eve, he tried Jesus. Jesus overcame him by quoting the verses correctly. Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit was tempted and won (Luke 4:1-14)
The Bible has a formula for those who want to get the power to be over comers. It says to us, “repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). This has nothing to do with religion. Religious groups are large families with members who are bound through a common belief, doctrine or idea, even when wrong.
Some have unfortunately been born into these groups without any knowledge of what they believe in through parents.
Repentance is when a member goes to the Father (God) and says sorry for having made the wrong choices and sinned by going against His word. God forgives each member as an individual and releases His Spirit into them. With the power of God’s Spirit, no temptation can overcome the believer. (1 Corinthians 10). God becomes his/her father, the Spirit his guide and Jesus his saviour. Repentance is saying yes to Jesus, receiving a new birth and everlasting life (John 3:16) while saying No to the devil who in turn flees from us (James 4:7)
Lesson 9: Jesus died on the cross that we may be over comers in His name.
Finally, Jesus death on the cross brought us overall victory. He overcame the things that disturb us most when we face choices. These are our physical needs, fear of hunger and poverty as He became poor for our sakes, rejected worldly wealth and inheriting a name that makes every challenge bow (Philippians 2:9-10). He overcame infections and deceases that could have been brought about through his stripes and by those stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3). He descended into hell and defeated the power of hell that so terrifies us (Ephesians 4:9). He overcame demonic attacks and finally death. Jesus concluded that all power was given to him and he in turn delegated it to us. He says this
The bible concludes that all who are in Christ are new creations. They have power to say No to all things that can ruin their live IT IS UP TO US TO SAY YES TO JESUS WHO IN TURN GIVES US THE POWER TO BE CHILDREN (John 1:12) AND OVERCOMMERS THROUGH FAITH (1 John 5:4)
If you have been blessed, send us feed back:
A. K. ONDEGO - 2008
EUMIN Gospel Outreach Mission BOX 89988-80100 Mombasa/Kenya
MOBILE: (+254) 0722-471033
Note: All scriptures from King James Version
1 Comment
Add a Comment
You need to be a member of Faith-Space.com to add comments!
Minstry Credentials
TECH SUPPORT
For more in depth computer help, you can go to my site by clicking here.
In Christ,
Jim
For more in depth computer help, you can go to my site by clicking here.
In Christ,
Jim
© 2008 Created by Pastor Vince & Laura Rizzo
the latest blog I have posted was in responce to question from a christian union lady student. Should you feel like helping or using the same if the circumstances are similar then be blessed in the Lord. Perharps you have something you have material that can help in advising the teenegers (age 13- 18) post the same in word, adobe or publisher. that is the software we currently have installed.
Be blessed, Alex