Think of some major crossroads that happened in the Bible?

Eve taking the apple? Genesis 3(Eve took it)

Eve saw the tree was good for food, great to look at, and it had wisdom for the taking.

Moses crossing the Red Sea? Exodus 14: 19-22

God was protecting the Israelites from Pharoah and his mighty army. Moses streched out his hand over the sea and the Lord parted the seas so that Israel could pass through on dry ground. We see God always cares for us even when the enemy is nipping at our heels. God will do as he promises. As he lead them out of Egypt he was present with them on their journey in a pillar of cloud.

Joshua crossing the Jordan? Joshua 3: 14-17

God protected the ark of covenant, priests, and Israel when the Jordan was at its flood stage. As the priests feet touched the rivers edge the water stood still rising up in a mass downstream and not only the priest with the ark of covenant crossed the Jordan but all Israel crossed on dry ground. God dried the water on a flooding Jordan.

The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary? Luke 1:26-38

Mary was approached by the angel Gabriel with the greatest birth announcement to mankind. She would bring forth the Son of the Most High. He also told her Elizabeth her cousin has conceived for nothing is impossible with God. Mary responded with: "I am the Lord's slave/servant; may it be according to thy word."

The women at the Well? John 4:4-30

Jesus comes to rest at Jacob's Well in which he confronts a Samaritan woman. He promised her he had living water if she would believe in him.

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-39

Jesus has asked his 3 disciples who went with him to go to Gethsemane and pray with him. He told them to remain and stay awake with him. Then he fell face down and prayed to God the Father.

Paul’s conversion? Acts 9:3-20

Saul was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. He asked Saul why is he persecuting Him? Saul fell to the ground and said "who are you Lord?" Jesus told Saul who he was and then told Saul to go into the city and he would be told what to do. As Saul got up he could see no one. So they took Saul by the hand and led him into Damascus. For 3 days he could not see or eat or drink. Ananias was told by the Lord to go to Saul and lay hands on him and he would see. After that Saul got up and was baptized, ate, regained his strength, and then began to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God.

In all but one case, what were they required to do?

Step out in faith. Obey what the Lord God has said.

Let's get back to Eve, What was she listening to?

Eve was listening to the tempter, the serpent. But in all fairness Eve listened to her own heart and its desires.

What was she looking at?

She had her eyes off her husband, her God and she put them on the temptation and took what she saw thinking she would become like God and wiser.

Read Jonah 1-2 Did he go the way God asked Him ?

Not at all, Jonah went to Joppa got on a ship heading to Tarshish. Instead of going to Nineveh as God had instructed him to do. He deliberately disobeyed God. He fled from the presence of God.

What was his consequence?

The Lord hurled a violent storm on the sea and Jonah went down in the lowest part of the ship and fell into a deep sleep. The captain came to him and said: Call on your God and ask if he would not let us perish. But the crew on the ship cast lots to see who had brought down this storm on them and the lots fell on Jonah. They finally knew Jonah was a Hebrew who worshipped God so they asked him what have you done to bring this on us? Jonah told them to throw him in the sea so it would quiet for him. Jonah told them he was the blame for this storm. God caused a great fish to swallow Jonah and he stayed in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights. As he wallowed in the belly of this fish, he cried out to God and prayed and repented of his disobedience. He also recommited to fulfill the vow he was given and the fish vomited Jonah out into dry land.

What was his crossroad?

Disobedience has a price and it can cost a man his life.

What do we learn from this?

Be always listening to God, be ready to obey his Word, and share that He is almighty and can save any man who desires to confess and repent.

Think of one time you disobyed God and went off the path.

What did you learn from the experience?

I do not like being left on my own or do I like being in the wilderness. I feel so abandoned when I have walked off the path from God. God has called me with specific tasks and I want to obey him so that I don't wind up in the belly of life that is frustrating and sickening. I would rather seek God and His righteousness and have peace then my own path which leads to loneliness and abandonment.