15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines

have tender grapes. (NIV) 15 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes

that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.

Deut 30:19-20

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have

set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,

that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the

LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou

mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:

that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy f

athers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Prov 1:28-33

28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall

seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated

knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would

none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall

they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity

of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkens unto me (obeys me )

shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Matt 7:13-14

13 "Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway

to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes

who choose its easy way. 14 But the Gateway to Life is small,

and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.

Rom 6:16-17

16 Don't you realize that you can choose your own master? You can

choose sin (with death) or else obedience (with acquittal). The one to

whom you offer yourself-- he will take you and be your master, and

you will be his slave. 17 Thank God that though you once chose

to be slaves of sin, now you have chosen to obey with all your

heart the teaching to which God has committed you.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE POWER OF YOUR DECISIONS AND CHOICES. WEBSTER DEFINES CHOICE AS THE RIGHT, THE POWER AND THE CHANCE TO CHOOSE, IT MEANS THE RIGHT TO PICK OUT BY PREFERENCE FROM WHAT IS AVAILABLE, TO TAKE AS A CHOICE. AREN’T YOU GLAD GOD CREATED YOU IN HIS OWN IMAGE AND LIKENESS WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF SOVEREIGNTY. HE CREATED YOU WITH FREE WILL, SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE LIFE WITH THE FREEDOM OF YOUR PERSONAL CHOICES AND DECISIONS. A FEW WEEKS AGO I MADE THIS STATEMENT TO SOMEONE IN OUR CHURCH: THE SUCCESS AND FAILURE OF OUR LIFE IS MADE UP OF THE LITTLE CHOICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES. WE ARE COMMANDED IN SCRIPTURE TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO SO WE MUST BE CONSISTENT IN MAKING RIGHT CHOICES AND DECISIONS IN OUR LIVES BECAUSE THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES TO OUR DECISIONS AND CHOICES. WE READ IN DEUT. THAT WE SHOULD CHOOSE LIFE BECAUSE THE ONLY OTHER CONSEQUENCE IS DEATH. IN PROV. WE READ THAT WE SHOULD CHOOSE THE FEAR OF GOD OR BE READY TO EAT THE FRUIT OF OUR CHOICES TO REJECT GOD. IN MATT. WE READ ABOUT 2 GATES ONE IS STRAIGHT AND NARROW AND LEADS TO LIFE AND THE OTHER IS BROAD AND WIDE AND REPRESENTS CHOOSING THE EASY WAY THAT LEADS TO DEATH. AND IN RM.6 WE CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE SIN OUR MASTER AND REAP THE CONSEQUENCE OF DEATH OR WE CAN MAKE OBEDIENCE OUR CHOICE AND LIVE. THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF OUR LIFE IS MADE UP OF THE DECISIONS AND CHOICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY OF OUR LIFE.

LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING THIS MORNING: CAN YOU DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN? SOMETIMES I CALL THAT - ENVISIONING! I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU TO 'ENVISION' WITH ME FOR A MOMENT RIGHT NOW. IN OTHER WORDS, DO A 'FAST FORWARD' ON YOUR LIFE 25 YEARS INTO TOMORROW. HERE ARE THE KINDS OF QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT THINK ABOUT:

• IF YOU CONTINUE LIVING JUST AS YOU ARE RIGHT NOW, WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME?
• IF YOU KEEP ON BEING THE KIND OF FATHER THAT YOU ARE BEING TODAY, WILL YOUR ADULT CHILDREN LOVE AND RESPECT YOU OR WILL THEY CALL A COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR OUT OF POLITENESS?
• IF YOU KEEP ON BEING THE SAME KIND OF SPOUSE, WILL YOUR PARTNER STILL BE WITH YOU? WILL YOU ENJOY DEEP INTIMACY OR JUST BE TWO PEOPLE SHARING A HOUSE?
• IF YOU KEEP ON DOING BUSINESS WITH THE SAME ETHICS, WILL YOU HAVE BURNED THROUGH SEVERAL MORE CAREERS OR WILL YOU REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL AND DESTINY IN CHRIST AND BE A LEADER IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD?
• IF YOU CONTINUE TO THINK THE SAME THOUGHTS, WILL YOU HAVE GROWN INTO A BEAUTIFUL PERSON OR BECOME A SELFISH AND LONELY PERSON?

NOW PUT A LITTLE DIFFERENT SPIN ON YOUR VISION.

• AS YOU ENVISION YOURSELF IN THE FALL OF 2025, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE TRUE ABOUT YOUR LIFE?
• ARE YOU MAKING CHOICES TODAY THAT ARE PLANTING THE SEEDS THAT WILL PRODUCE THE HARVEST YOU DESIRE?

ONE OF THE GREAT GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US IS THE GIFT OF CHOICE. WE DON'T ALWAYS GET TO CHOOSE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE THE CHOICE OF OUR RESPONSES TO THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS MORNING, HOW ARE YOU USING THE POWER OF CHOICE? MANY AMERICANS ARE TOO LAZY AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO EVEN UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE A CHOICE. IN OUR CURRENT CRAZE OF 'VICTIMHOOD', WE SEARCH FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME FOR OUR PRESENT STATE ON AND SEARCH FOR A RESCUER TO CHANGE THAT SITUATION FOR US. GOD AND GOVERNMENT ARE CALLED ON CONSTANTLY TO INTERVENE IN OUR LIVES TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF OUR THOUGHTLESS, IRRESPONSIBLE DECISIONS.

Gal 6:7-10

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

ONE OF THE CLEAREST ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE IRRESPONSIBILITY OF OUR TIME ARE THE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE TOBACCO COMPANIES. FOR ALL OF MY LIFE, IT HAS BEEN MADE PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT SMOKING DAMAGES HEALTH. ANY 10 YEAR OLD CAN TELL YOU THAT SMOKING WILL SHORTEN YOUR LIFE AND CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH COMPLICATIONS. YET, LAWYERS ARE GROWING RICH BY SUING CIGARETTE MAKERS ON BEHALF OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SUFFERED BECAUSE OF SMOKING. WHY DO WE REWARD THOSE WHO MAKE THE CHOICE TO SMOKE CIGARETTES FOR 30 YEARS WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SETTLEMENTS? SURE THE TOBACCO COMPANIES HAVE CREATED AN ADDICTIVE PRODUCT, BUT EVERYONE WHO CHOOSES TO SMOKE TODAY, KNOWS THAT. IN MY OPINION, THEY TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RESULTS EVERY TIME THEY LIGHT UP. NO ONE SHOULD FEEL COMPELLED TO RESCUE THEM FROM THEIR OWN CHOICE NOR SHOULD A SMOKER EXPECT TO BE 'RESCUED' FROM HIS OR HER DECISIONS THAT THEY FREELY MADE. YOU SEE, THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE TO OUR CHOICES, LIFE OR DEATH, SUCCESS OR FAILURE, THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

Rom 8:5-8

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

MANY CHRISTIANS BRING THAT SAME KIND OF VICTIM MENTALITY TO THEIR CHRISTIANITY. THEY WANT TO DO WHATEVER PLEASES THEM WHENEVER THEY CHOOSE. THEY INDULGE IN SINFUL WHIMS. THEY DON'T PRACTICE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES. THEY DON’T READ THEIR BIBLE AND PRAY. THEY DON’T GO TO CHURCH ON A REGULAR BASIS. THEN, WHEN LIFE BLOWS UP - THEIR SPOUSE WALKS OFF - THEIR KIDS TURN AGAINST THEM - THEIR HEALTH FAILS -- THEY PRAY FOR GOD TO STEP IN AND CHANGE THE HARVEST. HAVING PLANTED WEEDS OF IRRESPONSIBILITY, THEY SOMEHOW HOPE TO HARVEST ABUNDANT CROPS OF EXCELLENCE AND SUCCESS! NOW WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT HE IS A GRACIOUS GOD WHO FORGIVES US AND THE SINS WE’VE COMMITTED IN IGNORANCE. HE PROMISES THAT HE WILL ERASE THE REBELLION OF OUR YOUTH, BUT HE ALSO TELLS US THAT WE ARE PLANTING THE SEEDS TODAY THAT PRODUCE TOMORROW'S HARVEST. HIS CALL TO US IS THAT WE WOULD UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF CHOICE. HOW ARE YOU USING THIS BLESSING? THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT LIES BEHIND JESUS' WORDS IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW.

Matt 7:13-27 (TLB)

13 "Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. 14 But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. 15 "Beware of false teachers who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are wolves and will tear you apart. 16 You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You need never confuse grapevines with thorn bushes or figs with thistles. 17 Different kinds of fruit trees can quickly be identified by examining their fruit. 18 A variety that produces delicious fruit never produces an inedible kind. And a tree producing an inedible kind can't produce what is good. 19 So the trees having the inedible fruit are chopped down and thrown on the fire. 20 Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit produced. 21 "Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but still won't get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. 22 At the Judgment many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.' 23 But I will reply, 'You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.' 24 "All who listen to my instructions and follow them are wise, like a man who builds his house on solid rock.

25 Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floods rise and the storm

winds beat against his house, it won't collapse, for it is built on rock.

26 "But those who hear my instructions and ignore them are foolish,

like a man who builds his house on sand. 27 For when the rains and floods come, and storm winds beat against his house, it will fall with a mighty crash."

HERE IN MATT. 7 WE SEE THREE METAPHORS OF CHOICE, THAT JESUS SETS BEFORE US. HE ASKS US TO CONSIDER: TWO ROADS, TWO TREES, AND TWO BUILDERS.

THE LORD IS REMINDING US THAT IN SEVERAL WAYS THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ONE OF OBEDIENCE, ONE IN WHICH OUR CHOICE IS TO OFFER OURSELVES TO HIS WILL AND PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE. WE CAN EITHER LIVE OUR LIFE BY DEFAULT OR BY HIS DESIGN. IF WE CHOOSE TO LIVE OUR LIFE BY HIS DESIGN THEN WE MUST CHOOSE TO OBEY HIM AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE. HE TELLS US THAT THIS CHOICE TO DO WHAT HE SAYS AND TO LIVE LIFE WITH HIS DESIGN WILL LEAD US TO WHAT IS BEST FOR US. WHEN WE STOP AND THINK ABOUT THAT, MANY OF US INSTANTLY RESIST. MANY OF US ARE SURE THAT OBEDIENCE TO JESUS' WORDS WILL BE GOOD ONCE WE GET TO HEAVEN, BUT WE HAVE OUR RESERVATIONS WHILE HERE ON EARTH. OUR SELFISH NATURES FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS BEST TO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK TO THOSE WHO ASSAULT OUR DIGNITY, TO GIVE UP ANGER AS A MANIPULATIVE TOOL IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS, TO DEFEAT LUST SINCE IT IS SUCH A SWEET TREAT, OR TO BEGIN TO VALUE LOVE OF OTHERS ABOVE ALL OTHER TREASURES. WHO AMONG US HASN'T THOUGHT, "IF I SERIOUSLY COMMIT MYSELF TO CHRIST, THE GOOD LIFE WILL PASS ME BY!" LISTEN, YOU'RE NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO THINK IN THIS WAY. IN PSALM 73, WHICH WAS PENNED 3000 YEARS AGO, ASAPH WROTE OF HIS MUSINGS ABOUT THOSE WHO LIVED WITH NO FEAR OF GOD. HE ENVIES THEIR PRIDE, THEIR PROSPERITY, THEIR SENSUALITY. HE WISHES THAT HE COULD COMMAND THE KIND OF RESPECT THAT THE FAT CATS WHO CARED NOTHING FOR GOD OR HIS WAYS ENJOYED AMONG PEOPLE.

Ps 73:1-16

1 How good God is to Israel-- to those whose hearts are pure.

2 But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping and I was almost gone. 3 For I was envious of the prosperity of the proud and wicked. 4 Yes, all through life their road is smooth! They grow sleek and fat. 5 They aren't always in trouble and plagued with problems like everyone else, 6 so their pride sparkles like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty! 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff at God and threaten his people. How proudly they speak! 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut

through the earth. 10 And so God's people are dismayed and confused

and drink it all in. 11 "Does God realize what is going on?" they ask.

12 "Look at these men of arrogance; they never have to lift a finger-- theirs

is a life of ease; and all the time their riches multiply." 13 Have I been

wasting my time? Why take the trouble to be pure? 14 All I get out

of it is trouble and woe-- every day and all day long! 15 If I had

really said that, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 Yet it

is so hard to explain it-- this prosperity of those who hate the Lord.

Ps 73:17-28

17 Then one day I went into God's sanctuary to meditate and thought

about the future of these evil men. 18 What a slippery path they are on-- suddenly God will send them sliding over the edge of the cliff and down to their destruction: 19 an instant end to all their happiness, an eternity of

terror. 20 Their present life is only a dream! They will awaken to the

truth as one awakens from a dream of things that never really were! 21 When I saw this, what turmoil filled my heart! 22 I saw myself so stupid and so ignorant; I must seem like an animal to you, O God. 23 But even so, you

love me! You are holding my right hand! 24 You will keep on guiding

me all my life with your wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive

me into the glories of heaven! 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And I desire no one on earth as much as you! 26 My health fails; my spirits

droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever! 27 But those refusing to worship God will perish, for he destroys those serving other gods. 28 But as for me, I get as close to him as I can! I have chosen him, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways he rescues me.