CHOOSING YOUR FUTURE
Preparing for the New Year 2024
RESOLVE: to decide, settle, determine, purpose.
RESOLUTION: a firm determination to do something.
MOSES’ FOUR LIFE-SHAPING CHOICES — HEBREWS 11:23-27
1. REFUSE TO BE DEFINED BY OTHERS.
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Hebrews 11:24 (NIV)
“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good…” Romans 12:2 (PHILLIPS)
“Don’t follow the crowd in doing wrong!” Exodus 23:2
“… Our purpose is to please God, not people. He [is the one who] examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)
2. CHOOSE SHORT-TERM PAIN FOR LONG-TERM GAIN.
“[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the… pleasures of sin [for a short time].” Hebrews 11:25 (NIV)
“We [can have joy in] our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (NCV)
“[These] present troubles are [quite] small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us [an immeasurably great] glory that will last forever!” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)
3. CHOOSE GOD’S VALUES, NOT THE WORLD’S.
“[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Hebrews 11:26 (NIV)
WHAT THE WORLD VALUES
Popularity (Prestige & Power) (vs. 24).
Pleasure “the pleasures of sin” (vs. 25).
Possessions “the treasures of Egypt” (vs. 26).
“The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.” 1 John 2:17 (GNT)
WHAT GOD VALUES
• GOD’S PURPOSE is more valuable than popularity. (vs. 24).
• PEOPLE are more valuable than pleasure. (vs. 25).
• PEACE OF MIND is more valuable than possessions. (vs. 26).
4. CHOOSE TO LIVE BY FAITH RATHER THAN BY FEAR.
“By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27 (NIV)
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
“… According to your faith it will be done unto you.” Matthew 9:29
HOW DO I KEEP MY RESOLUTIONS?
GET SUPPORT
“Let us be concerned for one another, [and] help one another show love and do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage [each] other…” Hebrews 10:24-25 (GNT)
ASK AND EXPECT GOD TO HELP
“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be [dismayed]. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will [triumph!]” Isaiah 50:7 (NLT)