Pressed on everyside to make decisions?
Phil 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Step One - Pray
the above passage gives you the starting point for every decision and every endeavor -- PRAY for God's help and guidance.
Step Two – Analyze
While you await God's guidance, you should remember that it is by God's will that you are endowed with the ability to reason and evaluate.
It is quite evident that God wants you to use the mind He blessed you with, because He has provided you with Bible verses to guide you in that effort.
Prov 3.5-6
Then the Lord said to Moses, ``Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!"
Ex 14.15
Aftermath - Bumps in the Road
Okay, you did all the right things. You prayed often and hard for God's will. You asked God to grant you wisdom. You dug out the facts, and listened carefully to good advice. Then you reached a decision and stepped out in faith. Does this mean that the results of your decision will hum along as smooth as clockwork? you might at times answer "No."
Daniel was right in the middle of God's will, but he still spent the night in a den of hungry lions (Dan 6.16-24).
The Lord's disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, fully in obedience to the Lord's will, yet they were confronted with a violent storm (Mk 4.35-41).
Why would God say things are going just fine when you are waist high in alligators? Romans 8.28-29. God will make all things "work together for good." Thus God ensures that even the *bad things* will work for your ultimate good - in God's good time.
Phil 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Step One - Pray
the above passage gives you the starting point for every decision and every endeavor -- PRAY for God's help and guidance.
Step Two – Analyze
While you await God's guidance, you should remember that it is by God's will that you are endowed with the ability to reason and evaluate.
- God gave you a mind to THINK with.
- It is God's will that you trust in Him, but it is equally God's will that you think and reason things out.
It is quite evident that God wants you to use the mind He blessed you with, because He has provided you with Bible verses to guide you in that effort.
- James 1.5 enjoins you to ask God for wisdom, quite clearly showing that God does expect you to apply your mind as well as your prayers in making decisions.
- Proverbs 15.22 encourages you to dig out facts and advice from many counselors.
- A decision always involves more than one course of action. Otherwise, there would not be any decision to make.
- Thus, another part of your thinking process should be directed toward discerning the value that God might place on each possible course of action. 1 Corinthians 10.31 says, "WHATEVER you do, do all to the glory of God."
- First step is pray.
- Second step is analyze, all the while seeking counsel from God's people & God's word.
- Third step is Step Out in Faith. Decide! Do it! Don't get stuck in gridlock awaiting signs. Trust in the Lord. Get moving!
Prov 3.5-6
Then the Lord said to Moses, ``Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!"
Ex 14.15
Aftermath - Bumps in the Road
Okay, you did all the right things. You prayed often and hard for God's will. You asked God to grant you wisdom. You dug out the facts, and listened carefully to good advice. Then you reached a decision and stepped out in faith. Does this mean that the results of your decision will hum along as smooth as clockwork? you might at times answer "No."
Daniel was right in the middle of God's will, but he still spent the night in a den of hungry lions (Dan 6.16-24).
The Lord's disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, fully in obedience to the Lord's will, yet they were confronted with a violent storm (Mk 4.35-41).
Why would God say things are going just fine when you are waist high in alligators? Romans 8.28-29. God will make all things "work together for good." Thus God ensures that even the *bad things* will work for your ultimate good - in God's good time.
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