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Making the Hard Decisions Easier

Making the Hard Decisions Easier. If you want wisdom…….

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Making the Hard Decisions Easier

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  1. Making the Hard Decisions Easier

  2. If you want wisdom…… But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 NASB)

  3. Why are decisions so hard? But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 NASB)

  4. What is the most important decision? "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NASB)

  5. This is what Joshua said …. "Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. "And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15 NASB)

  6. This is what Elijah asked … And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word. (1 Kings 18:21 NASB)

  7. This is what Jesus said …. "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33 NASB)

  8. Making the Hard Decisions Easier Make your decision now to serve God – it makes all other decisions easier

  9. The Bible gives some lists of sins:So we know these things are wrong Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB) However, even in this lists of sins, you have to define words and apply them properly

  10. Lying Cheating Stealing Murder Adultery Reading Bible Prayer Sharing Christ Giving to the needy Singing Some things are easily determined to be right or wrong Are they really that easy? What if you want to read your Bible but someone needs to be taught the gospel?

  11. Many things are not inherently sinful –yet they may not be the right thing or the best thing to do • Which university should I choose? • Should I take this job offer? • Am I eating too much? • Should I take part in this event or hobby? • Should I watch this movie? • What should I wear? What is modest? • How do we make decisions about such things?

  12. Bible PrinciplesFor Making Good Decisions • Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit?

  13. Is it EXPEDIENT for my spiritual benefit?Is it profitable? All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB) “All things” means those things that are not inherently sinful. Just because a thing is not a listed sin, does not mean it is expedient or to my advantage to do it.

  14. (1) Is it EXPEDIENT for my spiritual benefit? • Sleep is not sinful – but it can be if it leads to slothfulness and unfruitfulness? What if we get too little and can’t function well? • Physical exercise is not sinful – but it can be if it is emphasized over the spiritual or we neglect our physical health

  15. Bible PrinciplesFor Making Good Decisions • Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? • Does it Enslave me?

  16. (2) Does it Enslave me?Do I allow it to become my master? All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB) We should never let something that is not immoral, not sinful, become our master

  17. Many things are not inherently sinful – But do I become their slave? • God has given man the power to control and subdue the earth When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty! Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:3-6 NASB)

  18. Many things are not inherently sinful – But do I become their slave? • Many become a slave to God’s created things! • The Grape – the alcoholic • Food – just because we can afford it does not mean we need it • Drug addiction

  19. Many things are not inherently sinful – But do I become their slave? • Many become a slave to man’s inventions • Just because it is put on film or tape does not mean I need to watch it or listen to it • Some people’s lives are totally consumed by TV • Just because we have 24 hour news – does not mean we need to watch it for 24 hours • Others lives are controlled by sports – either playing or watching • Some addicted by computer games and social networks • Some are slaves to their cell phone – can not have an “in the flesh” conversation because of interruptions

  20. Many things are not inherently sinful – But do I become their slave? And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:23-27 NASB)

  21. Bible PrinciplesFor Making Good Decisions • Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? • Does itEnslaveme? • Next week …….. • Does it Edify, does it build me up?

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