FAITH-DRIVEN DECISIONS
Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Proverbs 2:2-4 (NLT)
We make thousands of decisions a day. Our lives are based on the choices we make today. We make many of our decisions out of habit, without much thought, or simply because we think we know what's best. While God gives us free will to choose which path to follow, He also wants us to come to Him whenever we need wisdom. If you are like me, you probably think you already come to God often enough with your requests. God is the perfect Father, which means we can come to Him one time or one thousand times, and He remains eager and willing to help us. Coming to God shows humility and trust that He will give us wisdom to make the right decision.
Decisions can be overwhelming, but the good news is that we don't have to make them alone. The Bible points us to God's truth. Praise God for His Word! Community comes alongside us and provides wise counsel. Pick a few trusted, wise people who can help you discern what the Lord could be leading you to do. The Holy Spirit gives us insight into which path we should take. Be still and quiet and allow Him to speak to you. We won't always choose wisely or see how our choices will affect us and future generations. But even when we lose our way, God is more than able to guide us back.
Many of our troubles occur because we base our choices on unreliable authorities: culture ("everyone is doing it"), tradition ("we've always done it"), reason ("it seems logical"), or emotion ("it just felt right").
Rick Warren
APPLICATION: Ask God for the wisdom to make any decision you need to make, both big and small. Ask Him to help you not follow unreliable authorities, but to trust His good and perfect will for you.
PRAYER: Father, as I step into this new day, guide my thoughts, attitudes and choices. May Your Spirit lead me in my choices and help me clearly know where and when You are guiding me. May my choices honor You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?