CONTENTS

Pastor H. Al Sims, Jr.

SENIOR PASTOR OF BETHESDA CHURCH OF GOD, SUMTER, SC

CHOICES

-------------------- In the New York Times, Barnaby and what job is the one for us? J. Feder reports that in 1994, the Choices are also much easier if Quaker Oats Company, which had we are telling somebody else posted strong Financial earnings what they should do, because for several years, purchased the more than likely we will not have to Snapple Drinks business. Although live with the consequence of a bad in late 1994, Snapple had been the choice. That is why we must seek God Leader in beverages like fruit drinks earnestly to find His plan and will for and iced teas, the Purchase turned our lives, so as to avoid failure. out to be a debacle for quaker oats In Joshua 24:15, Joshua made a stand and for numerous executives in in front of all Israel. He left no doubt the company. In late 1994, quaker or question what his choice was. He paid $1.7 billion to buy Snapple. A boldly declared, “and if it seem evil few years later, they could sell the unto you to serve the Lord, choose company for only $300Million — a you this day whom ye will serve, loss of $1.4 billion owing to its sale. whether the gods which your fathers In April 1997, the chairman and served that were on the other side of chief executive of quaker, who had the flood, or the gods of the Amorites promoted the purchase of Snapple, in whose land ye dwell: but as for resigned. Like large corporations me and my house, we will serve the choosing what businesses to buy, lord.“ Joshua made the choice public, we Christians need to be prayerful not knowing how the people would and wise in our choices. The fact is react, but it is apparent that he had that we are constantly faced with made a choice that would please God. situations that require choices. Now, In our present day, we are going to that might not seem to be such a big have to decide if we are going to be deal if we are choosing if we want men pleasers or God’s pleasers. The to eat Italian, Mexican, Chinese, or Bible has to be our road map, our American cuisine, but what about book of guidance, and our source of the deep choices in life? What about strength to make the decisions of who we will marry, whether to buy a life. In proverbs 3:5-6, it says “trust in house or not, what car is the right one

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the lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.“ We need men and women of God to rise up and be as Joshua proudly proclaim solid Godly choices to a world that needs good Godly leadership. So, now I ask you to ponder; am I that kind of person? Am I the Godly leader or the go with the flow follower? The choice is yours! Choose you this day!