Choices

I. God gave man a freewill. The power to choose between right and wrong. Good and evil.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I will call earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

* God is saying I give you the power to choose things that will bring you blessings or curses and I give you the power to choose things that will bring you life or bring you death.

* People don't understand why God allows evil but this is the very reason. He gave people the power to choose for themselves to do either right or wrong. God does not agree with the evil that happens and he wants us to choose good but he will allow us to choose bad.

II. Life is full of choices.
Every day you will make many choices. You do it without even thinking about it many times. Some choices your parents or teachers will make for you but other decisions you will have to make yourself because your parents or teachers are not always with you.

III. All choices have consequences.
* good or bad
* some consequences are not serious and others may cost you your life.
jail, or bodily injury of yourself or someone else, death
* When you make good choices, good things result when you make poor choices bad things
Result.

IV. Example of poor choices and their consequences
* hanging out with a kid that gets into trouble, that makes poor choices
* taking a cigarette that someone offers you.
* Taking something that don't belong to you.
* Saying mean things to someone, making fun of someone
* being a bully
* doing anything your parents or teacher told you not to do
* not doing something your parents or teacher told you to do.
* Cheating in school and getting caught
* watching a scary movie that your mom told you not to watch and you get nightmares
* listening to bad music that causes you to talk, think and act in the wrong ways

IV. How can you make right choices?
1. Think before you act. Think about the consequences of your actions.
2. Look to Gods word: His word teaches us how to choose right. It teaches us right from wrong.
3. Pray and ask God what you should do when you are in doubt. Ask for wisdom.
4. Talk to Godly adults and ask for advice. Talk to your parents.
5. Ask yourself what would God have me to do.
6. Try never to make a decision in anger. Calm down first. You cannot think right when angry.
7. Avoid spending time with others that make a lot of poor choices. They will lead you astray as Proverbs 112:26 says. Hang with people that are good for you not those that will get you into trouble.
8. Use wisdom. Ask God for wisdom to make right decisions and read the book of proverbs. It will make you wise way beyond your years and is an easy book of the bible to understand.
9. Let love be your guide. Treat others the way you want to be treated
10. Avoid trouble. Don't go anywhere where trouble might be.

V. Ending thoughts

* You must be responsible for the choices you make. Mom and dad are not always around. Even God wont control you. It is up to you to choose right.

* Nobody really controls your future but you. Mom and dad will help, God will help but you are ultimately responsible for your life. Mom and dad are there to guide you and help you and they will make many of your decisions for you but there will be times you will have to make your own and more and more so as you grow older. Get into practice now choosing right.

* Good choices will bring you peace, happiness, freedom, self esteem, love, money, etc.
* bad choices can land you in jail and steal your future, they can break important relationships, they will bring depression, anxiety, fear, bandages, even sickness and diseases or other bodily injury even death.

*Your choices are very important!

*Always think about the consequences of your actions before you act and choose wisely God will help you.

We brought a little gift for everyone. I am sure you all have heard the phrase what would Jesus do. We made you a WWJD bracelet. It will remind you when you are making choices to make the ones that Jesus would have you to make. I will give you one after the alter service

The most important choice you will ever make is the choice to serve Jesus. To make Him the lord or your life. If you do he will be your closest friend and will help you in everything you do. Not only will He help you here but you will be able to spend eternity in heaven with Him. He love you and want to save you today.