April 24 & 28, 2019
Vivid comes from the Latin vivere, which means “to live.”
“Go in through the narrow door. The door is wide and the road is easy that leads to hell. Many people are going through that door. But the door is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life that lasts forever. Few people are finding it. —Matthew 7:13-14 NLV
Most choices result in significant and eternal consequences!
As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)
“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.”
“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”
But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn. —Genesis 25:27-34 NLT
The substance of our choices is found in whether we choose God’s promise or our immediate pleasure.
I must
the good things God has for me.
“He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.” —Genesis 25:34 NLT
I must understand the
of a choice.
But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. —Genesis 25:33 NLT
Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. —Hebrews 12:16-17 NLT
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. —Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NIV
I must have a life of
to guard my destiny.
One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” —Genesis 25:29-30 NLT
FILL OUT THIS WEEK’S CONNECTION CARD HERE
- Today, I accept Jesus in my life for the first time.
- I will make a choice to be in community.
- I desire to make choices that lead me to life.
- I need prayer for choices that I regret.