Choose

Called to Choose (1 Kings 18:20-21, 30-39) Eleanor Roosevelt once said: One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility. We all make a lot of choices in our lives. Some are minor, like what we will wear on a particular day, what we will eat for lunch, which movie will rent at the video store. Others are major, like what college to attend, what career to pursue or whom to marry. The Process Look back at some of the major choices you have made in your life? What caused you to choose as you did? The importance of proper priorities (Haggai 1:5-10) God is willing to help us make choices (Psalm 25:12, John 16:13) An example of a bad choice (Gen. 13:7-13) a. Lot chose the land that LOOKED best to him. b. Lot never considered his godly uncle, just himself. c. Lot never consulted God in Prayer. It is always a bad idea to leave God out of our major choices. Consequences Whether major or minor, the choice is ours, as are the consequences (Deut. 28:1-14, blessings, Deut. 28:15-68), curses, see also Exodus 20:4-5) The consequences are sometimes obvious and sometimes not. They may vary according to our circumstances. For example, a person who chooses to openly worship Christ in Mt. Olive will probably experience significantly different short-term consequences than someone who makes the same choice in Sudan, Afghanistan or China. The Most Important Choice The most important choice that we have to make, that are spouses and children, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. have to make, is the same choice presented by Elijah to the people of Israel in today’s scripture, whether or not to worship/follow/serve God. We are all called to make a choice (Deut. 30:19,20, Moses just before his death, Joshua 24:15, at age 95). To get off the fence, not to waver (1 Kings 18:21, the Hebrew word translated as waver here literally means to be lame or limp), not to remain lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16). God is not a fan of deferred decisions. "Choose you this day..." The time element often has a bearing upon our opportunity of choice. Sometimes the passage of time closes doors. (2 Cor. 6;2; Hebrews 4:7, Psalm 95:7-8. Ecc. 12:1)

What do you feel is your role in helping others, like your children, to make major choices, and in particular, the most important choice? How can you help them? (Study of scripture, games like chess, etc.) Baal In ancient times in the Canaanite religion, Baal was the chief male god and the head of the Canaanite pantheon. Baal was the god of life who replenished the earth with crops in the rainy season. Baal is depicted on the various stone images that have been found brandishing a club in one hand and a lightning bolt in the other. On his head he wears a helmet with horns, suggesting his association with the bull, a symbol of fertility. Baal was the great storm god who drove the clouds across the sky and let his voice be heard in the crash of thunder. He brought rain and fertility to the land. Baal determined when the rain would fall: "Lo, it is the time of his rain; Baal sets the season, and gives forth his voice in the clouds. He flashes lightning to the earth." (Vgaritic51:V:68-71.) He was referred to as the "rider of the clouds through the heaven as though they were horses hitched to his chariot." Who or what is your Baal? What idol(s) threaten(s) your exclusive devotion to God? (Matt:6:24)