Decisions & God's Will Pt 1

Decision Making and God’s Will part 1

(adapted from Life Application note)

- Life is the TOTAL of all my decisions and their corresponding actions. (Can’t overestimate value)

- This week I am going to look at some preliminary principles to GOOD decision making.

Some major consessions must be made.

1. The Most Attractive Choices Lead To Me To the Most Unattractive RESULTS.

PROV 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (NIV)

PROV 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. (NIV)

1- Sin is seductive (enticing) because it offers me a QUICK route to success.

HEB 11:25 He (Moses) chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. (NIV)

2- If I follow the easy path, eventually, my desire will become my MASTER.

ROM 6:16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (NIV)

3- Even if sin is appealing, it is DEADLY. (Hate sin worst than Satan!)

ROM 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

2. RIGHT Choices Are Not Always Easy To Make.

MAT 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (NIV)

1- A decision to follow Jesus COSTS something.

LUKE 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (NIV)

LUKE 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. (NIV)

2- A decision to follow Jesus is also WORTH something.

3- I must LEAVE behind those things which would keep me from following Jesus.

LUKE 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. :27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (NIV)

LUKE 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. (NIV)

3. Most Of My Choices Have LONG-TERM Effects.

PROV 13:6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

1- Every choice sets into effect the law of sowing and REAPING.

GAL 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (NIV)

2- The course a decision sets into effect.

(1) THOUGHTS create ACTIONS,

(2) Actions create HABITS,

(3) Habits create CHARACTER,

(4) and Character creates DESTINY.

3- Living right through right choices is like posting a GUARD on my life.

The decision you make about Jesus will have greater long-term effects than any other decision I will ever make.

Don’’t forget to check out the message -

Decisions & God’s Will part 2