Making Choices With God's Help Lesson 5 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Begin by realizing God has a plan/purpose for your life. “I have a plan for your life for good and not evil” (Jeremiah 29:11, ELT).

2. Then realize God has right choices for you. “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and how ... perfect His will really is” (Romans 12:2, NLT).

3. God is concerned about every big and little choice.

a. Big choices determine your destiny.

b. Many little choices make up big things that reflect your character.

c. There are no little choices in eternity.

4. Live a yielded life so God is your primary concern.

5. But still, many don’t know what to do. “What to choose, I know not” (Philippians 1:22, ELT).

B. HELP TO FIND AND MAKE GOD’S CHOICES

“Who are those who fear the Lord, He will show them the path they should choose” (Psalm 25:12, NLT).

1. Good choices are consistent with the Word of God.

a. Don’t make choices contrary to what you know is right. “To choose what is right and reject what is wrong” (Isaiah 7:16, NLT).

b. Follow positive principles, i.e., obey, pray, etc.

c. The Bible may not tell you what to do but will give you a context to make choices.

d. Gives you guidelines for living. “I am determined to obey you until I die” (Psalm 119:112, TLB).

2. Prayer guides you into right choices.

a. Pray early each day about all choices. “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).

b. Pray constantly about big choices, i.e., mate, job, etc.

c. In prayer you are slowly conformed into God’s likeness.

d. To wait and pray gives God a chance to work. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs, 16:9, NLT).

3. Make all choices in view of God’s work for your life. “Not my will but thine be done” (Matthew 26:34).

a. If you fight God, what you don’t want to do, may be His will.

b. If you are yielded to God, what you want to do may be His will.

4. Make choices in view of your strengths or spiritual giftedness.

a. God doesn’t want everyone in full-time service.

b. God wants everyone full time wherever you work. “Everyone has his own particular gift from God” (1 Corinthians 7:7, Phillips).

5. Listen to counsel from mature family and friends when making choices. “Plans go wrong for lack of advice” (Proverbs 15:22, NLT). “In the multitude of counselors, there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

a. Ask, “What would _____________ do?” (WWJD).

b. You see the issues objectively when you explain to another.

c. Your counselor makes you think of consequences and the other side.

6. The right choice may be found by common sense. Definition: practical shrewdness, normal intelligence, grandpa’s advice.

a. Only seldom does God lead contrary to common sense.

b. Check your decision with scriptures.

7. The right choice can be found through circumstances.

a. Take opportunities of open door. “There is a wide-open door for a great work here” (1 Corinthians 16:9, NLT).

b. Closed doors can be wonderful.

c. Accept positive assurance from bad choices.

8. God shows His will to those who are actively serving Him. Illustration: sailboat.

C. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE?

1. A blueprint.

a. All choices are made for you.

b. If you make wrong choices, you have God’s permissive will.

c. Very few find the center but spend their life on the periphery.

2. A Compass.

a. Guides you from your present location.

b. Always points to right choices, no matter how many times you get lost.

c. Never assume you are in the wrong place.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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