Choosing God: The Impact of Our Daily Decisions
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound theme of choice and its impact on our spiritual journey. We began by acknowledging God's unwavering faithfulness and the new mercies He provides each day. This foundation of divine reliability sets the stage for the choices we make in our lives. We explored the staggering number of decisions we face daily—35,000 on average—and how these choices can lead to decision fatigue. Yet, amidst the overwhelming options, the most crucial decision remains: choosing to walk with God.
Throughout scripture, God has consistently given humanity the power of choice. From Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the Israelites in the wilderness, the narrative of choice is evident. Walking with God is a deliberate decision, one that requires us to prioritize Him above all else. We examined how our choices not only affect our lives but also the lives of future generations. The decisions we make today can set a spiritual legacy for our descendants.
We also discussed the importance of training our children in the ways of the Lord, emphasizing that while parents can guide and influence, ultimately, each individual must choose God for themselves. The myriad of options in life can distract us, but we must remain steadfast in choosing God over worldly pursuits.
Moreover, we delved into the reality that accepting or rejecting Christ is a choice. God's desire is for all to be saved, yet many choose otherwise. This decision is not just about salvation but extends to daily obedience and living a life that honors God. Every action, from what we consume to how we spend our time, is a choice to either obey or disobey God.
Finally, we acknowledged that returning to God after straying is also a choice. God continually offers us the opportunity to come back to Him, to choose life and blessing over death and curse. As we concluded, we were reminded that our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, not on human leaders, as we make the daily choice to follow Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Faithfulness and Our Choices: God's faithfulness is the foundation upon which we make our choices. Despite the overwhelming number of decisions we face daily, the most significant choice is to walk with God, acknowledging His steadfast love and new mercies each day. [39:08]
2. Legacy of Choices: Our choices have a profound impact not only on our lives but also on future generations. By choosing to follow God, we set a spiritual legacy that can influence our descendants, much like the choices of our forebears have shaped us. [01:00:38]
3. Training the Next Generation: While parents are responsible for guiding their children in the ways of the Lord, each individual must ultimately choose God for themselves. This requires intentional training and modeling of a life that prioritizes God above all else. [01:03:07]
4. Accepting or Rejecting Christ: Accepting Christ is a personal choice that each person must make. God's desire is for all to be saved, but many choose otherwise. This decision extends beyond salvation to daily obedience and living a life that honors God. [01:07:22]
5. Returning to God: God continually offers us the opportunity to return to Him after straying. Choosing to come back to God is a decision that leads to life and blessing, reminding us that our eyes should be fixed on Jesus as we make the daily choice to follow Him. [01:19:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:08] - God's Faithfulness and New Mercies
- [50:15] - The Overwhelming Number of Choices
- [53:26] - Walking with God is a Choice
- [56:32] - The Story of Moses and Choices
- [01:00:38] - Legacy of Choices
- [01:03:07] - Training the Next Generation
- [01:05:08] - The Importance of Prioritizing God
- [01:07:22] - Accepting or Rejecting Christ
- [01:12:14] - Every Decision is a Spiritual Choice
- [01:19:25] - Returning to God
- [01:26:55] - Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
- [01:30:00] - Making the Choice to Follow God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 30:11-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how many decisions does an average adult make in a day, and what impact does this have on our spiritual journey? [50:15]
2. What choice did God give to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and how does this relate to the theme of choice in the sermon? [53:26]
3. How does the story of Moses illustrate the concept of choice, particularly in his initial response to God's call? [56:32]
4. What does Deuteronomy 30:19 say about the choices set before us, and how do these choices affect future generations? [01:00:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of decision fatigue relate to our spiritual lives, and what can be done to prioritize choosing God amidst overwhelming options? [50:15]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our choices can create a spiritual legacy for future generations? How does this align with the passage in Deuteronomy? [01:00:38]
3. The sermon mentions that accepting or rejecting Christ is a choice. How does this decision extend beyond salvation to daily obedience? [01:07:22]
4. How does the sermon describe the process of returning to God after straying, and what role does choice play in this process? [01:19:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the choices you make daily. Are there specific areas where you feel decision fatigue? How can you prioritize choosing God in those moments? [50:15]
2. Consider the legacy you are creating with your choices. What steps can you take to ensure that your decisions positively impact future generations? [01:00:38]
3. How are you currently training the next generation in the ways of the Lord? What intentional actions can you take to model a life that prioritizes God? [01:03:07]
4. Have you ever found yourself rejecting Christ in daily decisions, even unintentionally? What changes can you make to ensure your choices align with obedience to God? [01:07:22]
5. Think of a time when you strayed from God. What helped you return, and how can you use that experience to help others make the choice to come back to God? [01:19:25]
6. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? [01:26:55]
7. Reflect on the influence of others in your spiritual journey. How can you be a positive influence on someone else’s choice to follow God? [01:26:55]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Faithfulness as Our Foundation
God's faithfulness is the bedrock upon which we build our lives. Each day, He offers new mercies, providing us with the strength and grace to face the multitude of decisions that come our way. With an average of 35,000 choices to make daily, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Yet, the most significant decision remains: choosing to walk with God. This choice is not just a one-time event but a daily commitment to prioritize Him above all else. By acknowledging His steadfast love, we find the courage to navigate life's complexities with a heart aligned to His will. [39:08]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects your commitment to walk with God, acknowledging His faithfulness in your life?
Day 2: Choices That Shape Generations
The choices we make today have the power to influence not only our lives but also the lives of future generations. Just as the decisions of our ancestors have shaped us, our choices can set a spiritual legacy for our descendants. By choosing to follow God, we create a foundation of faith that can guide and inspire those who come after us. This legacy is not just about grand gestures but is built through daily acts of obedience and love. Consider how your choices today can impact the spiritual journey of those who will follow in your footsteps. [01:00:38]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days."
Reflection: What is one choice you can make today that will positively impact the spiritual legacy you leave for future generations?
Day 3: Guiding the Next Generation
While parents have the responsibility to guide their children in the ways of the Lord, each individual must ultimately choose God for themselves. This requires intentional training and modeling of a life that prioritizes God above all else. As parents and mentors, we are called to create an environment where the next generation can see the value of a life lived in obedience to God. This involves not only teaching biblical principles but also demonstrating them through our actions and decisions. Reflect on how you can be a living example of faith to those you are guiding. [01:03:07]
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: How can you intentionally model a life that prioritizes God to the next generation today?
Day 4: The Choice of Accepting Christ
Accepting Christ is a personal decision that each person must make. God's desire is for all to be saved, yet many choose otherwise. This decision extends beyond the moment of salvation to daily obedience and living a life that honors God. Every action, from what we consume to how we spend our time, is a choice to either obey or disobey God. Reflect on the choices you make each day and consider how they align with your commitment to follow Christ. [01:07:22]
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond 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."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to make a conscious choice to align your actions with your commitment to Christ today?
Day 5: Returning to God
God continually offers us the opportunity to return to Him after straying. Choosing to come back to God is a decision that leads to life and blessing. It is a reminder that our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, not on human leaders, as we make the daily choice to follow Him. No matter how far we may have wandered, God's arms are always open, inviting us to return and experience His grace anew. Reflect on any areas of your life where you need to return to God and choose life and blessing over death and curse. [01:19:25]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have strayed from God? How can you choose to return to Him today and experience His grace anew?
Quotes
God, for every single one of your promises is yes and amen. Yes. And, God, we thank you for your goodness. We thank you, God, for your mercy. And we thank you, God, for they chase after us. Yes. God, this morning we thank you for no matter how far we've strayed or no matter what we're going through at this moment, we know that you're just as merciful. [00:34:32] (25 seconds)
And so God this morning we thank you for your grace God, we thank you for your grace God, we thank you for your grace God, we thank you for never ever ever giving up on us. And so lord this morning we tell you god we love you god we acknowledge you we trust you god we lean on you god we're here for you and god we thank you for even in those moments where we weren't walking right you who are still faithful and god we thank you for your goodness and your mercy. [00:41:20] (42 seconds)
And we have decision overload. So many different choices. And the more options available, the harder it is to make a decision, isn't it? Watch. I love statistics. I love things like this. In the 1970s, you know how many cereal options there were? Guess, guess. Five? No, it was more than five. Guess how many cereal options? It's about 170 in the 70s. Okay? [00:49:50] (25 seconds)
Since the dawn of creation, God has given man choice. See, God created heavens and the earth. He created Adam and Eve. And what did he look at them and say? You can eat whatever you want. Except this one. And of course, which one did they want? This one. And we see throughout all of scripture, God giving man choice and sometimes man choosing and sometimes man choosing not to obey God. [00:52:37] (34 seconds)
Throughout all of scripture, we see God giving man the choice. He tells Abraham what? Leave your father's land to the place that I will show you. Abraham had to make the choice to obey God without a map and without the next word. And what happened? As he went, God spoke. We see time and time again, men and women in scripture having to choose God. [00:53:52] (30 seconds)
Parents are responsible for training their children, but they must choose. Let me talk to the parents for a minute. And I don't want you to disconnect if you're not a parent yet, because one day you're going to get married and one day you're going to have kids and you're dealing with different people. Our responsibility, according to the book of Proverbs, as a parent is to train up a child in the way that they should go. [01:01:08] (21 seconds)
It's hard to make the right choice when there's so many options, aren't there? And that's one of the things the enemy wants to do. He wants to flood us with choices. Do I choose this or do I choose that or I choose this or I choose that? I'm not against sports. If anybody knows me, I love sports. My kids are into sports from basketball and cross country to dance and cheer. I mean, my kids are in sports, but here's one thing that they know. [01:04:22] (27 seconds)
It's our choice to accept Christ or reject him. Did you know that it is God's desire for all man to be saved? Yet people go to hell every day. Not because God didn't make a way, but because they chose to reject Jesus. Jesus himself in John 3:16. I mean, all of y'all know that verse probably by memory. It's like the most Googled verse, John 3:16. [01:07:22] (30 seconds)
When we start looking at every decision and every choice as a choice to obey God or disobey God it's going to help us live a life that honors God. I got these like 10 pesky pounds on me right now that just refuse to leave but it's not their fault it's mine because of the choices I make and some days I make good choices and some days not so much. [01:11:59] (39 seconds)
It's a choice and we make choices every single day on average thirty five thousand twenty seven hundred a minute if we're awake for 16 hours it's a choice what are we choosing who are we choosing to follow are we choosing to add fire to the fuel church it is our choice to return to him or stay away go back to Deuteronomy chapter 30 Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 15 I've set before you today life and good death and evil I command you today to love the Lord your God to walk in his ways to keep his commandments his statutes his judgments verse 17 actually says if your heart turns away so that you do not hear and are drawn away right it's a choice and what do we see throughout scripture is that God gives us the opportunity to say I want to come back to you God second Chronicles 7 14 if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven and heal their land worship team as you come up to the altar it's a choice to say I choose you God every day throughout the day I choose to obey you God. [01:21:39] (102 seconds)
Our eyes we choose keep them on him listen we're seeing it like never before men and women fall pastors and leaders and authority figures and often of all these great Christian books and this, that, or the other. Our eyes can't be on them. We choose. My eyes are on Jesus. It's time to choose. So all around this sanctuary right now, head bows, eye closed. This is a personal choice. Accept Jesus or reject Him. Choice. Obey Him or disobey Him. Choice. Feed the fire. Or let it die. Choice. Follow Him or go astray. It's a choice to return to Him or stay away. [01:29:22] (61 seconds)
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