Choosing Life: The Power of Faithful Decisions

Devotional

Day 1: Every Day Is a Decision Point: Choose Life

Life is filled with decision points, both big and small, and each choice we make has the potential to shape not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. God sets before us the path of life and the path of death, blessing and curse, and calls us to intentionally choose life by loving Him, obeying His voice, and clinging to Him. Our daily decisions—whether seemingly insignificant or monumental—are opportunities to align ourselves with God’s will and experience His blessings for ourselves and our descendants. [01:10]

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 face today—big or small—where you can intentionally choose the path that honors God and brings life to you and those around you?

Day 2: Trusting God at the Crossroads

There are moments when our faith is tested, and we must decide whom we will serve—whether we will trust in ourselves or in the living God. Like Joshua challenged Israel, we are called to make a conscious, daily choice to serve the Lord rather than the fleeting gods of this world or our own desires. These crossroads are not just about belief but about active trust, surrender, and commitment to God’s ways, even when it’s difficult or countercultural. [03:13]

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: In what area of your life are you tempted to trust your own understanding or the world’s wisdom instead of God? What would it look like to choose to serve and trust Him today?

Day 3: Decisions Shape Destinies

The choices we make today can change the trajectory of our lives and even impact generations to come. Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi and serve her God transformed her future and placed her in the lineage of Jesus. Our willingness to step out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain, can open doors to God’s greater purposes and blessings that we cannot yet see. [04:37]

Ruth 1:16-17 (ESV)
“But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.’”

Reflection: Is there a step of faith or a difficult decision you sense God calling you to make that could change your future? What is holding you back from saying “yes” to Him?

Day 4: God’s Invitation: “Where Are You?”

When we stray, hide in shame, or feel distant from God, He does not come in anger but with a longing heart, gently calling us back into relationship. The question “Where are you?” is not about condemnation but about invitation—an expression of God’s desire for restored closeness and open fellowship. No matter how far we’ve wandered, God’s voice is always inviting us to return, to come home, and to experience His love and acceptance. [23:58]

Genesis 3:9 (ESV)
“But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”

Reflection: If you sense distance between you and God today, what is one step you can take to respond to His gentle invitation to draw near again?

Day 5: Pursue the Giver, Not Just the Gifts

It is easy to become self-absorbed, chasing after what is not ours or what we think will satisfy, while forgetting that we already have access to the One who created all things. True fulfillment comes not from grasping for knowledge, possessions, or experiences outside of God’s will, but from deepening our relationship with Him—the Giver of every good thing. When we focus on obedience and intimacy with God, we find clarity, peace, and the fullness of life He intends for us. [18:53]

James 4:8 (ESV)
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Reflection: Are you seeking something today that is outside of God’s will for you? How can you shift your focus from what you want to a deeper pursuit of God Himself?

Sermon Summary

Life is a series of decision points—moments where we must choose which path to take, and these choices shape not only our own lives but the lives of those around us. From the very beginning, God has set before us the opportunity to choose between life and death, blessing and cursing, urging us to choose life so that we and our descendants may live. The stories of Joshua, Ruth, and Esther remind us that our decisions are not just about us; they are about faith, about our future, and about the impact we have on others. Joshua called Israel to choose whom they would serve, Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi changed her destiny and the lineage of Christ, and Esther’s courage saved a nation. Each of these moments was a crossroads, a decision point that required trust in God rather than self-reliance.

Critical decisions should never be made apart from God’s guidance. Proverbs teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. When we seek God in prayer and through His Word, He directs our paths. The story of Adam and Eve in the garden illustrates the importance of obedience and the danger of being tempted by what does not belong to us. God’s instructions were simple: enjoy everything except for the one tree that was His. Yet, the temptation to reach for what was not ours led to separation from God. The closer we are to God, the simpler and clearer His voice becomes. Obedience draws us near, while self-absorption and selfishness pull us away.

Even when we fail, God’s heart is not to condemn but to restore. When Adam and Eve hid in shame, God’s question, “Where are you?” was not about location but about relationship—a longing for restored fellowship. God’s invitation is always open, no matter how far we’ve wandered. The enemy may try to convince us that God is angry or distant, but the truth is that God is calling us back, longing for us to return. Every decision point is an opportunity to respond to His voice, to come home, and to experience His love and restoration. No matter where we find ourselves today, God is asking, “Where are you?”—not to shame us, but to invite us back into His presence.

Key Takeaways

1. Every decision point is a crossroads of faith, not just a matter of preference or convenience. The choices we make—whether to trust God or ourselves, to obey or to go our own way—determine the direction of our lives and the legacy we leave. These moments are invitations to align our hearts with God’s purposes, knowing that our decisions echo into eternity. [03:13]
2. The impact of our choices extends far beyond ourselves. Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi and Esther’s courage to act for her people show that personal decisions are never truly private. When we walk in obedience, God can use our faithfulness to shape destinies, bless generations, and bring about deliverance for others. [05:45]
3. God’s commands are not arbitrary restrictions but invitations to relationship and trust. The tree in the garden was not a trap, but a means for Adam and Eve to exercise free will and demonstrate love through obedience. The closer we draw to God, the clearer and simpler His guidance becomes, and the less we are tempted by what does not belong to us. [12:00]
4. When we fall, God’s response is not condemnation but longing. His question, “Where are you?” is a call to relationship, not a demand for explanation. God seeks us out in our shame and hiding, inviting us to return, assuring us that His heart is always to restore, not to reject. [23:58]
5. The enemy’s greatest deception is to distort our view of the Father, convincing us to run from Him when we stumble. But God’s invitation is persistent and gentle, making space for us to come home. No matter how far we’ve wandered, the Father’s voice calls us back, longing for restored fellowship and offering grace for every decision point. [29:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to Decision Points
[02:01] - The Power of Choices in Life
[03:13] - Joshua: Choosing Whom to Serve
[04:37] - Ruth: Decisions That Shape Destiny
[05:45] - Esther: Decisions That Impact Others
[07:28] - Seeking God’s Guidance in Critical Decisions
[08:35] - The Garden of Eden: Obedience and Temptation
[12:00] - Why Are We Tempted by What’s Not Ours?
[15:30] - Free Will and the Purpose of the Tree
[18:16] - The Tree, the Seed, and Access to God
[21:57] - God’s Question: “Where Are You?”
[23:58] - The Heart of the Father: Invitation, Not Condemnation
[27:34] - God’s Persistent Call to Return
[31:06] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[35:43] - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

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.”

Genesis 3:8-9 (ESV) — > “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”

Observation Questions

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, what two options does God set before His people, and what does He urge them to choose?
According to Joshua 24:15, what decision does Joshua challenge the people of Israel to make?
In Genesis 3:8-9, what is Adam and Eve’s response when they hear God walking in the garden, and what question does God ask them?
The sermon mentions that the question “Where are you?” is not about location but about relationship. How does the pastor describe the meaning of this question? [[23:58]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does God give people the freedom to choose between life and death, blessing and curse, instead of forcing them to obey? How does this relate to the idea of relationship with God? [[15:30]]
The sermon says that our decisions are not just personal but impact others. How do the stories of Ruth and Esther show the ripple effect of one person’s choice? [[05:45]]
What does the pastor mean when he says that God’s commands are not arbitrary restrictions but invitations to relationship and trust? [[12:00]]
When Adam and Eve hid from God, the pastor says God’s question “Where are you?” was filled with longing, not anger. What does this reveal about God’s heart toward us when we fail? [[23:58]]

Application Questions

Think about a recent decision point in your life. Did you seek God’s guidance, or did you rely on your own understanding? What was the outcome, and what would you do differently next time? [[07:28]]
The sermon says that the choices we make can affect our families, friends, and even future generations. Is there a decision you’re facing now that could impact others? How can you invite God into that process? [[05:45]]
The pastor talks about being tempted by what is not ours and how obedience draws us closer to God. Is there something in your life right now that you’re tempted to reach for, even though you know it’s not God’s best for you? What would it look like to choose obedience instead? [[12:00]]
When you mess up or feel distant from God, do you tend to run from Him or toward Him? What lies might the enemy be telling you about God’s character in those moments? [[29:42]]
The sermon says God’s question “Where are you?” is an invitation, not a condemnation. How can you respond to God’s invitation this week, especially if you’ve been hiding or feeling ashamed? [[23:58]]
The pastor mentions that the closer we are to God, the simpler and clearer His voice becomes. What is one practical step you can take this week to draw closer to God and hear His voice more clearly? [[12:00]]
Is there someone in your life who needs to be reminded that God is inviting them back, not pushing them away? How can you encourage them this week? [[31:06]]

Sermon Clips

That's a decision that she made. And because Ruth made that decision, one decision changed the trajectory of her entire life. Hey, I think I'll follow you. I'll follow your God. And because that, the descendant there of Boaz became her and she went from just being a a Moabite just woman that had the husband had died, widow woman to being out of the limit, out of her come the lineage of Jesus Christ based on a decision. The choices we make today determines the harvests that we reap tomorrow. [00:04:49] (44 seconds) #OneDecisionChangesAll

Critical decisions require God's guidance. That's why Proverbs 3, 5, and 6 says, trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not into your own understandings, and all your way, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Because we don't want to make a decision. This is decisions we have to make. Ah, it's just something we do all the time. Yeah, the enemy's always trying to trip you up, but we're trusting the Lord. [00:07:32] (23 seconds) #TrustAndDirection

The closer we get to God, the simpler he relays his messages to us. If you don't learn anything else, I want you to get this. The closer you are to God, the simpler he relays his message. How do I hear from the Lord? How do I understand to navigate through my business, to navigate through my family, to navigate through the situation I am? Get closer to God. Because God has proven time and time and time and time again through his word that the closer you are to him, the easier he is to hear and understand. [00:09:26] (39 seconds) #CloserToHear

Can you imagine how holy? Can you imagine how righteous? Can you imagine how clear and pristine we could hear from the Lord if we could get closer to him? And how do we get closer to him? Being obedient to him. How do we be obedient to him? Quit wanting what does not belong to us and just dwell on that which does belong to us and our relationship. Quit worrying about what we...want and realize what he wants. [00:13:33] (27 seconds) #ObedienceBringsCloseness

We don't need the tree. We want the one who created the seed. Don't fall for the knowledge that you have for yourself. Fall for the access or continue or keep the access of the one who placed the seed. I don't know if he just said tree appear or if he planted it with a seed.and watched it go up. I mean, he always has been and so he always will be. Maybe he took his time. He said, I'm going to place this tree. I'm going to put a seed in there. He didn't start with a sprout. He just put a seed in there and watched it. It doesn't matter how he did it. We have access to the God of the tree. We don't need our own tree. We need God. That's how we failed. [00:19:24] (48 seconds) #AccessNotTree

What we're after is more access and to Him. And we lose our access to Him because we get self -absorbed and we get selfish and we decide we're going to make it on our own instead of saying God, I have access I need more access to you Holy Spirit today than I did yesterday. I need more of you today than I was yesterday. I'm not I'm not satisfied with where I'm at. I just need more access to you. I need more of you. [00:21:10] (31 seconds) #MoreAccessDaily

``What did the serpent tell you about me for you to think that I'm the kind of father that you can't run to when you mess up, that you have to run away? What is it that the devil is telling you about God that because you messed up, because you stumbled, because you fall, that he is the kind of father that you run away from him and say, what did he say to you? And now he turns into fee -fi -fo -fun because I'm getting ready to take him out. I'm the kind of father that loves you. I'm the kind of father that always has prepared a table for you in the presence of your enemy. I want you to know I'm that father. [00:28:16] (51 seconds) #RejectLiesAboutGod

When he came looking for them, he didn't come to take them out. He came to bring them in. Where are you? Where are you going? Why will you run from me? The question was not for information. It was for invitation. Where are you? Where are you? I mean, we got it. It's still in the oven. I mean, it's still on there. but where are you? I want you to know this morning that this is a critical decision point that we have to make sure we understand that God is speaking to us and he's asking us, where are we? Why aren't we coming to him? The question is making space for you to return. It's making space. It's a question he still asks. [00:29:07] (49 seconds) #InvitationToReturn

If you ever find yourself running, hiding, covering yourself in shame, if you ever stop praying, if you ever stop hoping, if you ever stop believing, if you ever want to get closer to him, listen for the gentle breeze of the voice of Achaia because it's saying, where are you? Because if we're not praying like we ought to pray, if we're not believing like we used to believe, if we don't have the hope that we used to have, then the enemy will creak in and he'll start telling you something about the Father that is not true. You need to run away from him. You quit praying. You quit believing. You quit being consistent. You quit doing the things you're supposed to do. You need to run away from him. And the Father is saying, why would you run away from me? I'm not that kind of Father. Don't listen to him. [00:29:56] (49 seconds) #ReturnFromShame

They ran away from him. He came where they were supposed to be. You were not there. We preached it. But what did he do? He got looking for them. Where are you? Where are you? I want you to come home. I want you to come back. I'm here. I'm here. Yeah, but I'm not praying like I'm praying. I'm not coming to church. I just messed up. I'm going to get it together. I know you are. Come on. We got this. We got this. We got this. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. Critical decision points. [00:31:36] (38 seconds) #GodSearchesForYou

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