Every Decision Matters

Submitted by "Mike"

Met a friend in the store the other day. He is older than I am and was once my boss. He talked about knowing me before I was saved and how I was changed after I was saved. I told him to come to church with me. I told him Jesus was real and we each have a decision whether we follow him or we're against him.

He said, "I should could…", "I might come…", "I oughta come…" I need to decide what I want to do.
I told my friend that every decision he or I make has a consequence.
Every decision brings a outcome.
Every decision matters!

When Eve was in the garden of Eden and came across Satan in the form of a snake and Satan suggested that eve eat of the tree that God told her not to I wish I could have been there.
Maybe I could have let Eve know that the decision she makes will affect every single person ever born after her.

I wish Eve would have understood that "Every Decision Matters".

I wish someone would have been there when jealousy flowed through the heart of Cain toward his brother Abel. So much that he killed Abel and then God banished him away. I wish Cain would have understood that…"Every Decision Matters".

I wish the people in Noah's time would have helped him build the ark instead of laugh and made fun of him. I wish those people knew that "Every Decision Matters".

I wish Sampson would have decided not to tell Delilah that his strength came from his long hair. I wish that Sampson knew that "Every Decision Matters".

I wish Jonah would have been obedient to God and went to the people of Nineveh instead of running from God and then being swallowed by a large fish. If only Jonah would have known that… "Every Decision Matters".

I wish King Herod and Pontius Pilate would have understood who Jesus was instead of trying to kill him.

I wish that Judas would have understood there is more to life than money. I wish he hadn't sold out Jesus for a few pieces of silver. If only Judas would have understood that…"Every decision matters".


The Rich young ruler:

A Rich young ruler came to Jesus and said, "I have seen all these people following you. Wanting to be with you. I have watched them love you and I want to be a part of it. I don't lie, I don't cheat, I honor my mom and dad. I'm a good person. I want to be a Christian too. Jesus looked to him and said, "Ok, great. Sell all everything you have and follow me." The rich boy loved the stuff more than anything and he decided he couldn't do it… so he just walked away. I wish he would have truly understood that…"Every decision Matters".

I wish Saul would have understood about Jesus so he wouldn't have went out a killed people for just being a Christian. I wish Saul would have known that "Every decision matters."

Before each of us make a decision we should ask ourselves a few questions:

1. Is it good? (Is it not only good for me, but is it good for others)
2. What will my parents say? (Will it honor my parents like the Bible has told me to do)
3. Will I feel good about my decision tomorrow? (Will I regret what I have done)
4. Will it make God happy? (Is what I'm doing pleasing God)
5. Is it right? (Is it the right thing to do)
6. Is it helpful? (Is it helpful to others or does it hurt them)

Always remember…"Every Decision Matters"

Examples:

1. What do people see when they see you?
Do they know you're a Christian?
If yes, how do they perceive Christian?

2. Gossip

3. Cheating on tests

4. Lying to Parents

5. Too much boyfriend/girl friend

6. Putting stuff ahead of God.


Doing all the wrong things and then saying I'm a Christian is like saying…

I'm a fireman…
I'm a policeman…
I'm a doctor…
I'm a Christian…


Whenever we come to a point in our life where a decision needs to be made, remember it not only effects us, but others too.

So how do we know what is good and what is not? What do we go by?
The Bible - It's like a owners manual for our lives.
Show car owners manual

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Bible is our guiding light. Talk about camping in the woods, etc

Follow the tape trail.

Again, remember to ask ourselves:

1. Is it good?
2. What will my parents say?
3. Will I feel good about my decision tomorrow?
4. Will it make God happy?
5. Is it right?
6. Is it helpful?