Choosing God's Path: The Power of Our Decisions
Summary
God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives, but it is not automatic. We have the freedom to choose whether to follow His path or not. This freedom is both a blessing and a responsibility. The story of Moses illustrates this choice vividly. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt towards the Promised Land, a metaphor for salvation and freedom in Christ. However, God made it clear that entering the Promised Land was not automatic; it required obedience and love for God. Similarly, we are given the choice between life and success or death and disaster. God commands us to love Him, live according to His ways, and obey His teachings. These choices determine our success and fulfillment in life.
Moses' life exemplifies the power of choice. Despite being raised as Egyptian royalty, he chose to identify with his Hebrew roots and God's people, even if it meant suffering. This decision was rooted in integrity and a refusal to live a lie. Moses valued God's purpose over the temporary pleasures and treasures of Egypt. He chose short-term pain for long-term gain, understanding that true reward lies in eternal values, not worldly ones. Moses' faith in God allowed him to overcome fear, even when facing the powerful Pharaoh. His life teaches us that our choices, not our circumstances, shape our destiny. We must choose wisely, aligning our values with God's, and live by faith, not fear.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Choice: God gives us the freedom to choose our path, which is both a blessing and a responsibility. Our choices, not our circumstances, shape our lives. We must choose wisely, aligning our decisions with God's will to experience true success and fulfillment. [04:19]
2. Identity and Integrity: Moses refused to be defined by others, choosing instead to embrace his true identity as one of God's people. This decision required integrity and courage, teaching us the importance of living authentically and not allowing others to dictate who we are. [12:21]
3. Short-term Pain for Long-term Gain: Moses chose to endure temporary suffering for the sake of eternal rewards. This principle reminds us that the right choices often involve sacrifice and discomfort, but they lead to lasting fulfillment and growth. [15:05]
4. Valuing God's Purpose Over Worldly Pleasures: Moses valued God's purpose and eternal rewards over the temporary pleasures and treasures of Egypt. We are called to prioritize God's values over cultural ones, focusing on what truly matters in the long run. [22:22]
5. Living by Faith, Not Fear: Moses' faith in God allowed him to overcome fear, even when facing the powerful Pharaoh. We are encouraged to live by faith, trusting in God's higher authority and plan for our lives, rather than succumbing to fear. [28:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - God's Plan and Our Choices
- [00:40] - The Journey to the Promised Land
- [01:36] - Choosing Life and Success
- [02:21] - The Promise of Success
- [03:15] - Consequences of Disobedience
- [04:19] - The Gift of Choice
- [05:28] - Responding to Life's Circumstances
- [06:16] - Moses' Leadership and Choices
- [07:01] - The Story of Moses
- [08:30] - Moses' Identity Crisis
- [11:46] - Refusing to Be Defined by Others
- [15:05] - Choosing Short-term Pain for Long-term Gain
- [22:22] - Valuing God's Purpose Over Worldly Pleasures
- [28:19] - Living by Faith, Not Fear
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him."
2. Hebrews 11:24-27 - "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."
#### Observation Questions
1. What choices did God present to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, and what were the consequences of those choices?
2. How did Moses' upbringing influence his identity crisis, and what decision did he ultimately make regarding his identity? [12:21]
3. According to Hebrews 11:24-27, what were the key decisions Moses made by faith, and what motivated these decisions?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our choices and our circumstances? [05:13]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "choose life" as described in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, and how does this choice relate to loving and obeying God?
2. How does Moses' decision to refuse the identity of Pharaoh's grandson reflect the importance of integrity and authenticity in one's faith journey? [12:21]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that short-term pain can lead to long-term gain, and how does this principle apply to Moses' life? [15:05]
4. How does the concept of living by faith, not fear, manifest in Moses' actions, and what can this teach us about facing our own fears? [28:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did your faith influence that decision, and what was the outcome? [04:19]
2. Consider a situation where you might be living a lie or allowing others to define your identity. What steps can you take to embrace your true identity in Christ? [12:21]
3. Identify a current challenge where you are tempted to choose short-term comfort over long-term spiritual growth. How can you choose differently this week? [15:05]
4. Think about a time when fear held you back from making a faith-based decision. How can you rely on God's strength to overcome similar fears in the future? [28:19]
5. Evaluate your current values. Are they aligned with God's values, or are they influenced by cultural pressures? What changes can you make to prioritize God's values? [22:22]
6. How can you actively choose life and success in your daily walk with God, and what practical steps can you take to ensure your choices align with His will? [01:51]
7. Reflect on a past experience where you faced pain or discomfort. How did God use that situation to help you grow, and how can you apply that lesson to future challenges? [20:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Choice
God grants us the freedom to choose our path, a gift that comes with both blessing and responsibility. Our choices, rather than our circumstances, shape our lives. This freedom allows us to align our decisions with God's will, leading to true success and fulfillment. The story of Moses exemplifies this, as he chose to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, a decision that required obedience and love for God. Just as entering the Promised Land required the Israelites to follow God's commands, our choices today determine our success and fulfillment in life. We are encouraged to choose wisely, aligning our values with God's, and living by faith, not fear. [04:19]
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, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today where you need to align your choice with God's will? How can you seek His guidance in making this decision?
Day 2: Identity and Integrity
Moses' life teaches us the importance of embracing our true identity and living with integrity. Despite being raised as Egyptian royalty, Moses chose to identify with his Hebrew roots and God's people, even if it meant suffering. This decision required integrity and courage, as he refused to be defined by others or live a lie. Moses valued God's purpose over the temporary pleasures and treasures of Egypt, choosing to live authentically. We are reminded to embrace our true identity as God's people, living with integrity and not allowing others to dictate who we are. [12:21]
Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV): "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise your integrity? How can you embrace your true identity in Christ today?
Day 3: Short-term Pain for Long-term Gain
Moses' decision to endure temporary suffering for the sake of eternal rewards teaches us the value of choosing short-term pain for long-term gain. This principle reminds us that the right choices often involve sacrifice and discomfort, but they lead to lasting fulfillment and growth. Moses understood that true reward lies in eternal values, not worldly ones, and his faith in God allowed him to overcome fear, even when facing the powerful Pharaoh. We are encouraged to prioritize eternal rewards over temporary pleasures, trusting that God will honor our sacrifices. [15:05]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are experiencing short-term pain? How can you focus on the eternal rewards that God promises?
Day 4: Valuing God's Purpose Over Worldly Pleasures
Moses valued God's purpose and eternal rewards over the temporary pleasures and treasures of Egypt. This choice required him to prioritize God's values over cultural ones, focusing on what truly matters in the long run. We are called to do the same, valuing God's purpose for our lives over the fleeting pleasures of the world. By aligning our values with God's, we can experience true fulfillment and success, trusting that His purpose is greater than any worldly gain. [22:22]
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Reflection: What worldly pleasures are you tempted to prioritize over God's purpose for your life? How can you realign your values with His today?
Day 5: Living by Faith, Not Fear
Moses' faith in God allowed him to overcome fear, even when facing the powerful Pharaoh. His life teaches us to live by faith, trusting in God's higher authority and plan for our lives, rather than succumbing to fear. By placing our trust in God, we can face challenges with confidence, knowing that He is in control. We are encouraged to live by faith, not fear, allowing God's promises to guide our decisions and actions. [28:19]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What fears are holding you back from fully trusting God? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting in His promises and plan for your life?
Quotes
God has a plan and a purpose for your life but you can miss it it is not automatic friends most people are missing the purpose of their life God is not going to force himself on you God is not going to force you to enjoy the plan he created you for he gives you the choice to accept or reject his will he gives you the choice to obey or disobey his directions he gives you the choice to follow or ignore the purpose that you were created for and most people honestly miss the purpose of their life because of their poor choices. [00:00:11]
Today I'm giving you a choice you can choose life and success or you can choose death and disaster I am commanding you God is and he says I'm commanding you to do three things to love the Lord your God to live the way he has told you and to obey his laws and teaching those are choices you you can choose to accept or reject he says now you're about to cross the Jordan River and take the land that he is giving you if you obey him you will live and you will become successful and powerful. [00:01:51]
One of the greatest gifts that God has given you is the ability to choose you are not a puppet God could have made us all like marionet where he pulls all the strings and we pray five times a day we always do the right thing and if he had made us without a choice guess what there'd be no evil in the world but he gave us the freedom to to choose that is your greatest blessing and it is your greatest responsibility and if you choose wrongly it's your greatest curse. [00:04:19]
What happens to you in life I'm sorry for all the bad things that happened to you because we're in a broken Planet you don't always choose right other people don't choose right we all get hurt but what happens to you in life is not nearly as important as the way you choose to respond to it your choices are far more important in shaping your life than your circumstances you cannot control the circumstances in your life but you can control your choices and you can't control how you respond to it. [00:05:28]
Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter he chose to be mistreated with the people of God that's to be a slave he regarded uh you know the sake of Christ greater value than the treasures of Egypt and he persevered that's the fourth choice that he did now I want to look at these uh in detail because these are the exact same four choices you have to make if you want your future to be different than it is right now. [00:11:01]
Moses is having an identity crisis and every teenager has an identity crisis and every young adult has an identity crisis and a lot of people through life have an identity crisis and Moses is born a Hebrew slave but he's raised as Egyptian royalty the son of Pharaoh's daughter he's raised as the grandson of the most P powerful person in the world he's actually a slave but he's raised as Egyptian royalty and so at some point Point Moses has to decide who Am I who am I and that's going that decision is going to affect the rest of his life. [00:12:30]
Moses refused to live a lie this is called Integrity the B the word there refused and M actually means to to reflect on and disown means I think about it and go uhuh not for me that what it means to refuse he insisted on being what God made him to be now let me ask a very important question who are you letting determine your identity Moses refused to live a lie now here's what the Bible says Romans 12:2 don't let the world around you squeeze you into its mold but let God remold your mind from within. [00:13:34]
Moses chose to be mistreated that's short-term pain along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time in this story of Moses verse 23 God chooses Moses but in verse 25 Moses had to choose God have you done that in verse 24 we see Moses refusing that's the identity and in verse 25 we see Moses choosing the negative is always followed by positive okay let me ask you a very important question where do you need to accept responsibility. [00:15:53]
You're free to choose and you can choose good or bad right or wrong success or failure you you're free to choose anything but you are not free from the circumstances of your choices the consequences I am free to make any choice I want to in my life what I eat what I drink who I hang out with what I do how I use my time but I am not free from the consequences and the moment I make those choices certain consequences go into H action and if I make bad choices in any area of my life then I'm going to reap those bad choices. [00:18:38]
Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ in other words I'm going to be put down as a slave as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt all of the possessions and the wealth of the world were centered in Egypt at this time and he's going to inherit it all and he says you know what it's more important for me to be with God's people in their pain than it is for me to be with the devil's people in their pleasure it says Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater value than Treasure of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward. [00:22:40]
Moses had every reason to be scared to death he had every reason to be to be afraid he's going up against the most powerful man in the world pharaoh at the height of the Egyptian Empire the most powerful man on the planet in Egypt Pharaoh is considered a God you're going up against a God and and and the truth is Pharaoh in Egypt he could command you to do anything and you had to do it I command you to cut off your right hand you had to cut it off Moses looks at pharaoh and goes I report to a higher authority. [00:28:46]
Here's the key the key to Faith is not just faith in anything because you can put Faith in all kinds of bad stuff and not be where you need to be in 10 years you got to put your faith in the right thing you got to put your faith in God. [00:29:36]
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