Text: 2 Peter 2:9 "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished."

Introduction: Today's message, "Use Your Greatest Power", is inspired by Your Life Support System, a free newsletter sharing life, love and laughter, published by Steve Goodier.

USE YOUR GREATEST POWER

"Becoming aware of my character defects leads me naturally to the next step of blaming my parents," one woman quips.

Benjamin Franklin didn't feel that way. Becoming aware of his character defects led him to something quite remarkable. He exercised what author J. Martin Kohe calls YOUR GREATEST POWER (1955 & 2005)--your power to choose.

Franklin noticed that he had difficulty getting along with people. He tended to argue too much. He had trouble making and keeping friends. So he made a choice. He chose to examine his own personality and make a list of what he considered undesirable personality traits. (It's not known if other people helped him make this list.)

It was New Year's Day. Franklin finished his list of personality traits he wanted to change. He identified 13 character flaws and determined to work on each one for a week. He did this for an entire year and finally checked each trait off his list.

Benjamin Franklin developed one of the finest personalities in America. People looked up to him and admired him. When the colonies needed help from France, they sent Franklin. The French liked him and gave him what he wanted.

Suppose Franklin had chosen to go through life without using his greatest power--his power to choose. Suppose he reasoned that there was really nothing he could do about himself. Would France have supported the colonies? The history of the world may have been significantly different.

One good wish changes nothing. But one good decision changes everything. Your power to choose, to make a good decision, spells the difference between wishing and making those wishes come true.

Do you need to exercise your greatest power? Your power to choose can never be taken from you. It can be neglected. It can be ignored. But if used, it can make all the difference. Use your greatest power and, whether or not you change history, you will certainly change your future.

YOUR POWER TO CHOOSE IS IN YOUR FREE WILL!

One of the Greatest Powers You Have Is Your Free Will To Choose.

(This has also been called one of the most dangerous things God has given us.)

1. What do I choose?
   1. This depends on my character.
   2. Are my choices governed by my Christian principles or my self-desires?
   3. Is consideration of others included in my choices?
   4. Do I factor in how my choice will affect others?
2. When do I choose?

   Choosing is normally a long process. The results of my choosing will usually appear suddenly, but the process has been at work long before I reveal the results of my choices.

   Illustration: A person who has a weight problem is told by their doctor to go on a rigid diet. Since the doctor does not eat with them the person is free to choose to eat healthy things or non healthy foods. The person decides to eat a big portion of candy each day. At first there are no noticeable results from this poor choice, but after two weeks when the person gets on the scales they have gained five kilo. They kick the scales, and swear that they need to buy a new scale as this one is not working right.

   In two more weeks they go to the doctor and he is dismayed at their weight gain, but even more disturbed because they now have the start of diabetes which showed up in a high blood sugar test. Poor choices always catch up with us eventually.

3. Where do I choose?
   

   Pick your spot. One place is as good as another. We make choices everywhere. (Illustration of missionary traveling alone from Pacific Island to Pacific Island. Temptation knocks on his door.)
   

4. How do I choose?
   
   1. We usually choose from our reserves. Illustration: When we are home late at night, and suddenly begin to cough and our nose runs. Where do we turn, yes, to the medicines in the reserve cabinet.
      
   2. The Psalmist tells us, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." The word of God we memorize and hide in our hearts is instantly available to help us make the right choices.
      
   3. How I choose depends on my spiritual well being at the time of my choosing. In the realm of choosing there are no vacation periods or holiday periods. We do no leave our protection tools at home when we go vacationing.
   
   
5. Why do I choose?
   

   Because I have no other choice. Every day choices are arranged before me like a full table of food. It is my job to choose the good healthy ones, and leave the rest alone. You probably have all ready made some choices today. Stick to the good ones.

Conclusion: Stories from Storytellers What Size Is the Bible in Your Heart?

When Howard Rutledge's plane was shot down over Vietnam, he parachuted into a little village and was immediately attacked, stripped naked, and imprisoned. For the next seven years he endured brutal treatment. His food was little more than a bowl of rotting soup with a glob of pig fatskin, hair, and all. Rats the size of cats and spiders as big as fists scurried around him. He was frequently cold, alone, and tortured. He was sometimes shackled in excruciating positions and left for days in his own waste with carnivorous insects boring through his oozing sores. How did he keep his sanity?

In his book, In the Presence of Mine Enemies, Rutledge gives a powerful testimony as to the importance of Scripture memory.