One Decsion - Dec 2002

Life is a dangerous place generally. Daily we risk our lives in the shower (more home accidents occur there then anywhere else). We are at risk in our cars or on the train going to and coming from work or school or recreation. We participate in dangerous activities daily like using power tools, lawn tools, exercising with weights and machines, using sharp objects, and probably use badly maintained machines daily. Our lives are full of all sorts of risks that we choose, however there is even more danger/risk added by associating with people that we do not know a lot about or ones we know about and know that are not good for us to be around.

At some point in everyone’s life we have done something dangerous. We have all driven too fast, participated in a risking activity, or made a decision to enjoy a bit of a short lived physical rush. Sometimes these decisions can really cause us a lifetime of ongoing pain. People are killed, maimed and permanently injured everyday for making one bad decision. Almost everyone knows someone that has been killed or severely injured for doing one stupid thing. Every year is seems several local teenage lives are lost to stupid mistakes. Lives that were cut down before they barely began can be found in graveyards throughout the world.

Sometimes bad decisions do not have physical implications, at times they have implications to our emotional and spiritual lives, as well as our relationships. Some date or marry the wrong person and they spend years paying the price for the mistakes of their heart. Sometimes we say things that we should not and destroy friendships over minor disagreements or minor points that really are meaningless. Marriages are destroyed everyday for just a bit of a thrill or for something new. People spend years, which lead to decades, suffering from the results of a single bad personal decision.

Our mistakes cascade into pain and work for those around us. Rarely do our mistakes only impact us, they impact our friends, our parents, our children, and our co-workers. They are the ones that have to nurse the hurting and care for the wounded. Our selfish actions cause others to have to act selflessly. We tell ourselves we are mature enough to handle the consciences and that others views/opinions are not relevant because they are not involved. The reality is that they are involved in the outcome, they are just not involved in the action.

Merely living is a risky proposal. There are new diseases that seem to arise all the time, old diseases that we can not cure, and the effects of age are felt by all that survive each day. Violent crime is rampant in our cities, families are less and less connected and more and more dangerous, jobs are stressful, drugs (legal and illegal) addict and destroy people daily.

When you think about it, that amazing thing is that we survive another day at all. With all the risk in the world it would be easy to live a life of fear and to hide away from the world. However, that is really not the answer. A life of fear and hiding does not really reduce the risk of life. Bad things happen to people when they are alone and at home everyday as well.

The real truth is life is risky and that to live a full life it going to require some risk on your part. That does not mean we have to or need to make bad decisions. It is risky to take a new job, it is risky to marry, it is risky to drive a car, but they all have potential rewards that out way the risk. The question is are you taking risk where the rewards are worthwhile. Risking any part of your life is only smart if the potential reward will outweigh the possible result of failure. Is getting to work three minutes earlier worth the risk of passing a stopped school bus? Is the fun of jumping off a rock into a lake without knowing the water depth really worth the risk? Why take a risk for something that the reward is not as valuable as the cost of the risk. Business deals are not done when the cost to the investor is greater then any potential reward that they will receive. Intelligent people take risks that are worthwhile and offer great rewards.

The daily decision of what you will do with your life today, and what risks you are going to take, determine how you will live in the future. Will you make decisions that have no impact on anything or anyone or will you decide to live a life that has an impact on those around you by risking a bit of yourself, your time, your money, your work, and your comfort where you are happier and/or others are benefitted? A question to ask yourself daily is are you risking anything where others will get to know Christ or where you will gain a better relationship with Him?

Christ took a great risk in going to the cross for you, but it was a risk that He was willing to take. Christ knew that His risk and His suffering held a great reward for you, He also knew that the reward was one that you would want. His greatest risk was not dying for you, He knew that He would rise again victourious. Christ’s greatest risk was giving you the right to ignore His gift and continue to suffer a meaningless life of woe. Unfortunately, many still choose to ignore His risk and their reward and die with nothing to show for living.

All that Christ ask in return for His risk is that you trust Him enough to risk your life in His hands. He wants your life that is destined to end so that He can turn it into a life that allows you to live with Him forever. To do that requires risking your life and trusting Him with the outcome. The risks that Christ ask for is not always a physical one either. Sometimes it is the risk of being a social outcast, or the risk of being the sole voice of decent when others are taking undo risks. One great Christian risk is setting your life up as a example for others to follow, as well as the risk of being responsible for your own decisions. In addition to these there are numerous other risks that appear along life’s way. They all require you to risk your days here, while trusting in your eternity in heaven.

God does not call us to a risk free life. All the kings in the Old Testament took risks to follow his lead. Risk was what He called them to do from the beginning, but He promised them a reward for those risks. The apostles, church leaders and teachers of the new testament took risks daily to be sure that others heard the great story of Christ. Throughout time people have risked great wealth, great time, and even their lives to be sure God’s work was done, and was done in the way He would want it done. Truthfully when one looks at a relationship with Christ it is a life full of risks, however He promises that risks taken for Him will be repaid with rewards beyond our understanding. He also promises that anything we risk and/or loose for Him, He will more then restore. His word also tells us that He is with us in our risks and our challenges, and that He is sufficient to meet and exceed them all. A important question for today is are you making decisions that are what God would have for you or are you making decisions that you know are wrong and against God, but are what you want for yourself.

Of all the decisions you make in your life there is one that is far more important then all the others. That is, do you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Meaning do you believe He came, lived, died and rose from the grave to pay the price for you sins, which allow you to enter heaven not on your own works or successes, but on only the grace and love that Christ has for you. It is not praying a prayer, it is not getting wet, it is not going to church, it is having Christ in your heart daily and letting Him rule you. Some have Him in their mind, they know the stories, they know the works, but they do not know God. Do you really know God or do you just know about Him like you know about your favorite celebrity or athlete? He is calling for a relationship with you, not a occasional interest or a part-time hobby on your part. He wants you to personally know Him and to not rely on what others tell you about Him. Make the decision today to follow Him in all that you do and then you will truly have a life of reward that exceeds your risk. That is one decision that will never be regretted or have a negative outcome.

Risk Taker

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Leviticus 26:40 " `But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers--their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, 41 which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies--then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. 43 For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. 44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the LORD their God. 45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the LORD.' "

Romans 2:7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

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	Life is a dangerous place generally. Daily we risk our lives in the shower (more home accidents occur there then anywhere else). We are at risk in our cars or on the train going to and coming from work or school or recreation. We participate in dangerous activities daily like using power tools, lawn tools, exercising with weights and machines, using sharp objects, and probably use badly maintained machines daily. Our lives are full of all sorts of risks that we choose, however there is even more danger/risk added by associating with people that we do not know a lot about or ones we know about and know that are not good for us to be around. At some point in everyone’s life we have done something dangerous. We have all driven too fast, participated in a risking activity, or made a decision to enjoy a bit of a short lived physical rush. Sometimes these decisions can really cause us a lifetime of ongoing pain. People are killed, maimed and permanently injured everyday for making one bad decision. Almost everyone knows someone that has been killed or severely injured for doing one stupid thing. Every year is seems several local teenage lives are lost to stupid mistakes. Lives that were cut down before they barely began can be found in graveyards throughout the world. Sometimes bad decisions do not have physical implications, at times they have implications to our emotional and spiritual lives, as well as our relationships. Some date or marry the wrong person and they spend years paying the price for the mistakes of their heart. Sometimes we say things that we should not and destroy friendships over minor disagreements or minor points that really are meaningless. Marriages are destroyed everyday for just a bit of a thrill or for something new. People spend years, which lead to decades, suffering from the results of a single bad personal decision. Our mistakes cascade into pain and work for those around us. Rarely do our mistakes only impact us, they impact our friends, our parents, our children, and our co-workers. They are the ones that have to nurse the hurting and care for the wounded. Our selfish actions cause others to have to act selflessly. We tell ourselves we are mature enough to handle the consciences and that others views/opinions are not relevant because they are not involved. The reality is that they are involved in the outcome, they are just not involved in the action. Merely living is a risky proposal. There are new diseases that seem to arise all the time, old diseases that we can not cure, and the effects of age are felt by all that survive each day. Violent crime is rampant in our cities, families are less and less connected and more and more dangerous, jobs are stressful, drugs (legal and illegal) addict and destroy people daily. When you think about it, that amazing thing is that we survive another day at all. With all the risk in the world it would be easy to live a life of fear and to hide away from the world. However, that is really not the answer. A life of fear and hiding does not really reduce the risk of life. Bad things happen to people when they are alone and at home everyday as well. The real truth is life is risky and that to live a full life it going to require some risk on your part. That does not mean we have to or need to make bad decisions. It is risky to take a new job, it is risky to marry, it is risky to drive a car, but they all have potential rewards that out way the risk. The question is are you taking risk where the rewards are worthwhile. Risking any part of your life is only smart if the potential reward will outweigh the possible result of failure. Is getting to work three minutes earlier worth the risk of passing a stopped school bus? Is the fun of jumping off a rock into a lake without knowing the water depth really worth the risk? Why take a risk for something that the reward is not as valuable as the cost of the risk. Business deals are not done when the cost to the investor is greater then any potential reward that they will receive. Intelligent people take risks that are worthwhile and offer great rewards. The daily decision of what you will do with your life today, and what risks you are going to take, determine how you will live in the future. Will you make decisions that have no impact on anything or anyone or will you decide to live a life that has an impact on those around you by risking a bit of yourself, your time, your money, your work, and your comfort where you are happier and/or others are benefitted? A question to ask yourself daily is are you risking anything where others will get to know Christ or where you will gain a better relationship with Him? Christ took a great risk in going to the cross for you, but it was a risk that He was willing to take. Christ knew that His risk and His suffering held a great reward for you, He also knew that the reward was one that you would want. His greatest risk was not dying for you, He knew that He would rise again victourious. Christ’s greatest risk was giving you the right to ignore His gift and continue to suffer a meaningless life of woe. Unfortunately, many still choose to ignore His risk and their reward and die with nothing to show for living. All that Christ ask in return for His risk is that you trust Him enough to risk your life in His hands. He wants your life that is destined to end so that He can turn it into a life that allows you to live with Him forever. To do that requires risking your life and trusting Him with the outcome. The risks that Christ ask for is not always a physical one either. Sometimes it is the risk of being a social outcast, or the risk of being the sole voice of decent when others are taking undo risks. One great Christian risk is setting your life up as a example for others to follow, as well as the risk of being responsible for your own decisions. In addition to these there are numerous other risks that appear along life’s way. They all require you to risk your days here, while trusting in your eternity in heaven. God does not call us to a risk free life. All the kings in the Old Testament took risks to follow his lead. Risk was what He called them to do from the beginning, but He promised them a reward for those risks. The apostles, church leaders and teachers of the new testament took risks daily to be sure that others heard the great story of Christ. Throughout time people have risked great wealth, great time, and even their lives to be sure God’s work was done, and was done in the way He would want it done. Truthfully when one looks at a relationship with Christ it is a life full of risks, however He promises that risks taken for Him will be repaid with rewards beyond our understanding. He also promises that anything we risk and/or loose for Him, He will more then restore. His word also tells us that He is with us in our risks and our challenges, and that He is sufficient to meet and exceed them all. A important question for today is are you making decisions that are what God would have for you or are you making decisions that you know are wrong and against God, but are what you want for yourself. Of all the decisions you make in your life there is one that is far more important then all the others. That is, do you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Meaning do you believe He came, lived, died and rose from the grave to pay the price for you sins, which allow you to enter heaven not on your own works or successes, but on only the grace and love that Christ has for you. It is not praying a prayer, it is not getting wet, it is not going to church, it is having Christ in your heart daily and letting Him rule you. Some have Him in their mind, they know the stories, they know the works, but they do not know God. Do you really know God or do you just know about Him like you know about your favorite celebrity or athlete? He is calling for a relationship with you, not a occasional interest or a part-time hobby on your part. He wants you to personally know Him and to not rely on what others tell you about Him. Make the decision today to follow Him in all that you do and then you will truly have a life of reward that exceeds your risk. That is one decision that will never be regretted or have a negative outcome. *Risk Taker* John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. Leviticus 26:40 " `But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers--their treachery against me and their hostility toward me, 41 which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies--then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, 42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. 43 For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. 44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the LORD their God. 45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the LORD.' " Romans 2:7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.