Decision Making

Making choices in life can sometimes be stressful. Some may be due to time-whether pressed for it or given too much. Some may be due to our desires, instead of God's will. Some may really be not knowing what to do. Decisions can vary between picking a movie to watch, settling on a job, or picking a spouse. Here are some practical steps to take when that time comes in your life when decisions are needed to be made.

COMMUNICATION
God communicates to us through His word. He is pretty blunt in most of what He has to say in the Bible. He didn't make it where it is hard for the average person to understand. Now, there may be times when the answer isn't black and white, but I guarantee that you can find guidelines that will help aid you in this process.

We communicate to Him through prayer. Before making your decision, make sure you are praying for it...diligently....without ceasing. Be energetic in this! (James 5:16b)

COUNSEL
Another good step is to seek counsel from Christian examples in your life. It could be your parents, the elders, the evangelist, or someone you look up to within the body. Take what they have to say, listen to it, and ponder on it. Maybe there is someone who has had to make a decision similar to yours and they can add beneficial input. This isn't a good example of "seeking counsel," but King Ahasuerus did when Vashti went against him in Esther 1. It wasn't necessarily the "best" advice, so make sure when you seek it, you trust that person has a good head on their shoulders.

CONSCIENCE
If it bothers your conscience, then it probably isn't something you need to do. Don't you agree? We need to make sure that Satan doesn't sneak up on any of our decision making!

Here is a start to some questions you can ask yourself before you make your choices:

• Does it glorify God?
• Does it go against God's Word?
• If someone were to see me doing this, would my impression be hypocritical?
• Does this help me reach my goal of obtaining citizenship in heaven?

A rainbow painted across the sky and the hairs on your head...

I easily get wrapped up in the world that I forget God's promises. Sometimes though, a rainbow appears in the sky. The same rainbow that he sent after the flood to Noah and his family promising to never destroy the earth by flood again. Here are some quick verses for you to reflect on.

When you feel alone.....

• Note that our creator knows the very number of hairs on top of your head (Matthew 10:30).
• The Lord is your helper (Hebrews 13:6, Psalm 27:1)

When you are in trouble.....

• He is your refuge and your strength (Psalm 46:1)
• He will preserve you from all evil (Psalm 121:7-8)

When you don't have anywhere else to turn....

• Look at the Prodigal son...he was in that same place AND he came back (Luke 15:11-32)
• We all have sin, but if we confess them, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:8-9)

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord because He WILL lift you up! (James 4:10)

Bravery-The story of Jehosheba

You hear of soldiers who display bravery through acts of saving their friends in war, or see our firefighters or policemen risk their lives daily for the safety of others. Bible examples include Esther, Paul, David...and the list could continue to go on.

Today we are going to talk about someone who displayed bravery and ended up helping preserve the lineage of Christ.

2 Kings 11 shows the wickedness of people through idol worshipping to how powerful and in control God is. You have someone in reign, Athaliah, who destroyed all the royal heirs so she could be in control after her son Ahaziah was dead. Little did she know that Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba, had carefully hidden one of Ahaziah's sons, Joash, safely away into the temple of the Lord. 7 years later with specific directions, Joash was placed as king and Athaliah faced her fate with death, and not a pretty one at that.

When I read this story, a big question came to my mind. Do I fully believe that God is in control? No matter how bad things may seem in my life, or in the world, who is ultimately going to win? Who has already won? Can God move mountains? Can God change lives? ABSOLUTELY! These people in the story never lost faith in God, even when the world around them was so WICKED.

God is in control, but He does expect us to be "brave" and stand up for what is right, whatever the case may be.

• Do you know what is right? If not, study the WORD.
• Feeling scared? PRAY!

There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the Lord's counsel-that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of food cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

I love the saying, "Do what is right, change what isn't." We, as Christians, have that duty. Make a change and know that God WILL WIN!

Sticks and Stones....

Sticks and stones can break my bones,

but words can never hurt me.

Do you believe that little statement? If someone has said something to you that was hurtful, I can guarantee that you don't agree.

The GIVER

I remember the little girl who lived behind me. I was in elementary school and she was known to be a little "different." And....I remember EVERY hateful thing I said about her to my friends, and to her face. It wasn't pretty. She moved, and I never apologized to her. I can't even imagine what she thinks of me now, especially with how mean I treated her. I know she hasn't forgotten....

The RECEIVER

On the flip side of that, my 7th grade year was the WORST school year I ever endured. One of my best friends from the time we were little turned on me. She accused me of talking about her (in which I didn't), went and told all sorts of people lies about me, as well as had 8th graders threaten me EVERY DAY. I have never felt so rotten, and even today when I run into her in my hometown, those feelings come back again.

WHAT GOD SAYS

• Treat others how you want to be treated. Matthew 7:12

• Be imitators of God. Ephesians 5:1

• Do not gossip. Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 11:13

This is something that women struggle with at EVERY AGE. Unfortunately, the older you get, it is still there. It is up to you now to make the decision that you will not treat others unfairly, especially with your tongue. If someone around you is doing it...STOP THEM. Don't listen to it! It is poison.

Who are you?

Whether you want it to be or not, the truth of the matter is that school is here for most of you (or quickly approaching). Some of you will be walking new halls for all sorts of reasons (entering high school, changing schools, moved, ect.) and others will be doing the same ol', same ol'.



Here are a few tips to help your year be successful...

1. Let your light shine.....You are an influence. You have no choice here. Someone is ALWAYS watching. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.


2. Surround yourself with those of same moral values...immodest dressing, drinking/partying, inappropriate language, ect. Does a bad apple really spoil the bunch?? It does....and what about evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33)?? If you surround yourself with sin, you are going to fall....This is a trick I think Satan uses to deceive you...He makes you think that you are strong enough to surround yourself with "friends" who do these types of things...but you aren't. (If you have connections from previous years that you don't think are healthy--get rid of them!!)


3. Keep your priorities in check....Believe me, from personal experience I know how easy it is to allow school activities to interfere with your relationship to God...homework, basketball practice, and choir, as well as others take commitment, but you need to decide right now when you are going to study God's Word and take time for prayer EVERY DAY. On top of that note...don't allow it to take you away from worship either.....

Who are you going to choose to be this year?