Quote from Forum Archives on May 2, 2011, 7:48 pm

Posted by: edwrather <edwrather@...>

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The Burning Bush Devotional
Welcome to the 7159 new subscribers since January 1, 2011!!
There were 4010 new subscribers during 2010!!
Classic from 2003

05.02.11

A Radical Choice

You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit
adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes
you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for
you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast
into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it
from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell. - Matthew 5:27-30.

Aron Ralston is a mountain climber who has faced adversity in the past. Just
a few months before his latest test from nature (In 2003), he survived an
avalanche that buried him and two friends on a Colorado mountain. Aron, on a
Saturday, went hiking into Blue John Canyon in Shadowlands National Park in
Utah. As Aron was descending into the canyon, an 800 to 1000 pound boulder
fell, crushing his arm and pinning him. By Tuesday, he had run out of water,
and by Thursday he decided the only way to escape was to amputate his own
arm. Aron cut off his arm below the elbow with a pocketknife. He then
rappelled down a cliff, and walked a few miles before flagging down a
vacationing Dutch couple, who called for help. Aron is expected to recover
from his ordeal. Sgt Mitch Vetere of the Emery County Sheriff's Office in
Green River, Utah said, "He's pretty darn tough. He wanted to live. He saved
himself."

Jesus talks of cutting off your hand, or plucking out your eye, if they
cause you to succumb to temptation. Most commentators do not believe Jesus
was speaking in literal terms. Most Christians and churches have not
interpreted this as being literal either, because we do not have eye
plucking services, or right hand removal services. But Jesus, in these vivid
statements, relates very powerfully the need to protect ourselves from the
ravages of sin; even when there is great personal cost involved.

Aron Ralston did save his life, but it was at a great cost. However, it was
the only choice Aron could see that he had, if he wanted to continue living.
If you are addicted to the use of illegal substances, it may be that to save
your life you will have to make a radical choice. You may need to ask
someone to help you, and then enter a treatment program for a substantial
length of time. To do such a thing may be like cutting off your arm, but if
you want to have life, it must be done. If you have other addictions, the
only way to be free of them will be through a radical change in your life.
It just depends on whether or not you want to really have life, or just go
through the motions of living.

If you decide that you are going to make that radical change in your life,
you will not be alone. Jesus will be with you, and will empower you, to make
the right choices that are needed. As the apostle Paul said, "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)." Through the
power of God, you will be able to make the radical decisions and changes
necessary to be free of your addiction. Aron Ralston wanted to live - do
you?

Copyright © 2003-2011. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush
website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email
version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent. Ed Wrather began
writing devotionals in the early 1990s. The distribution of these first
devotionals was primarily through the Burning Bush Newsletter sent to prison
facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

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