Category: Deciding rightly

Psalm 25:12-13 (NIV)
12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.

“By sharing God’s outlook I mean that you must adopt God’s priorities. In doing so you will become more concerned about making an upright decision rather than a right decision; you will be more concerned about righteousness than about geography and about sanctity more than salary.” [John White, The Fight, p159]

There is a direct correlation between the “fear of the LORD” and how well we navigate decision making in life. When we adopt God’s priorities, our agendas become less about prospering ourselves and more about glorifying God. This change in focus does not mean that we are shortchanged in any way. On the contrary, God’s blessing is released, for those who live this way “will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.” May we delight in God’s ways more than anything.

Let’s worship to “No One But You” (click here) by Hillsong.

Let’s pray: Father in heaven, let me adopt your priorities over my own. As I yield my agendas for yours, may I be led into decisions that give life to my family and those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-ES

Luke 6:12-13 (NIV)
12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

“Take courage, then, when you have a tough decision to make. Someone who cares deeply for you already knows what he wants you to do. He takes delight in having fellowship with you and wants the very circumstances you face to draw you closer to him.” [John White, The Fight, p162]

All of us face tough decisions to make in life. How do we handle those times? We read in the Scriptures that Jesus often separated himself at night to pray during those occasions. Our difficult decisions are not meant to be times of paralyzing fear and anxiety. Rather, they can be opportunities to draw near to God in a unique way. May we powerfully experience God’s love and care for us as we surrender every difficult decision in prayer before him.

Let’s worship to “One Thing” (click here) by Hillsong.

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, you know the tough decisions for me ahead. Let me not fear such times. Instead, let me be drawn into your love and care like never before as I surrender to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-ES

Galatians 5:25 (NLT)
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

“As you mature, both the kind of relationship you have with God and the type of guidance you will require of him will change. You will grow more loving and trusting. You will more often know, without needing to ask, what he would have you do, because you will know him and the manner of his thoughts.” [John White, The Fight, p. 143]

Life is a constant stream of decision making. Of course, there are the big decisions we make that require weeks or months of prayerful consideration. But there are also many small decisions that demand an immediate response. We may not have the luxury of hours of prayer. Living by the Spirit is essential to guiding us at every decision point, big and small. As we grow in relationship with God, the more aligned we are in our immediate decision making. Let’s grow deeper in God that we may live well.

Let’s worship to “Holy Spirit” (click here) by Jesus Culture.

Let’s pray: Father, let me grow in relationship with you. May I know your thoughts and follow the leading of your Spirit in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-ES

Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
4 Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

“The more you understand of him, the more real the companionship will be and the more likely you are to keep in step with him in the direction he is taking you.” [John White, The Fight, p. 147]

Have you ever driven as a group of cars to get somewhere together? There are times we get separated because the traffic lights turn on at the wrong time. Sometimes other cars get between us. However, we always find each other once again because we have a common destination. When we’ve adopted the will of God, we will find ourselves in his presence because we’re traveling to the same direction. Our personal decisions begin to naturally align with his will. Let’s be renewed in God’s ways once again.

Let’s worship to “In Over My Head” (click here) by Bethel Music.

Let’s pray: Father, show me your ways. Let me delight in your plans and your will once again, that I may find myself walking with you today in every decision. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-ES

John 10:10, 11, 14-15 (NIV)
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
“I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,  just as my Father knows me and I know the Father.

While we may be fixated on asking what is the “right” decision for me, God is focused on who we are becoming and leading us to spiritual maturity. He cares about the whole of our lives being right, and us making an upright decision more than the outcome/result of the decision itself, which we tend to focus on so much more.

Our God is the good shepherd. He sacrificed his life for us. He cares for us, protects us and leads us to the places of blessing. He goes ahead of us. He knows his own sheep. He knows our fears, tendencies, our needs, our gifts, and purpose. He wants to give us a rich and satisfying life – a life full of eternal purpose and significance, a life blessed by God. Today, let’s decide to stay close to our good shepherd and follow him closely.

Let’s pray: Father, thank you that you are our good shepherd who goes before us. I want to stay close to you. Help me to hear your voice and be ready to obey and follow you today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to “Psalm 23 – Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy” (click here) by Shane & Shane.

– ES