Life or Death: The Choice is Yours

April 16

Deuteronomy 29-30

Psalm 46

Proverbs 11:12-13

Luke 11:29-54

Life or Death: The Choice is Yours

“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. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV

“He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10-11 NIV

The choice is clear: life or death. He is God. Whether or not we acknowledge Him and submit to Him does not change the fact that He is God. He is sovereign and His will is going to be done. He will be exalted. He has set before us the choice. If we choose to love Him and listen to His voice and hold fast to Him, we will experience life and peace. He has a very specific plan and purpose for us. When we choose to follow His leading, we can expect Him to take care of us, protect us, provide for us, and give us an abundant, full life. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10b (NIV) If we choose to ignore Him and follow our own path, we cannot expect to experience His blessing. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV) There is no middle ground. The choice is between God’s way and any other way. It doesn’t matter what other path we may choose, if it is not God’s way, it will lead to destruction. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.