DECISIONS DECISIONS

What to do when we get out of school? Where to live? Who to marry? Where to go to church? What to have for supper? We want instant answers.

God has given every Christian the resources to make good decisions. Here are some decision-making principles:

Psalm 119:106 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdome of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

When making decisions, talk to God, listen to Him, and believe as you wait for His answer. Make God your priority and everything else will fall into place.

Good or bad, you live with your decisions.

LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

What a privilege it is as a Christian to be led by the Holy Spirit. As we grow spiritually, we develop the ability to discern the voice of the Spirit of God.

Romans 8;14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The Holy Spirit leads us through our prayer life, through our time in the Scriptures, through teaching and preaching, through the voices of people, and through circumstances, situations, and experiences.

Three ways to "try the Spirits" or put it to the test:

1. The voice of the Holy Spirit will be consistent with the message at God's Holy Word.
2. It will be consistent with His fruit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance).
3. The voice of the Holy Spirit will be consistent with the Character of Jesus Christ -- His spirit of love, humility, meekness, service, obedience, submission and forgiveness.

We must constantly be aware and sensitive to the leading of God's Holy Spirit.

THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH

Unless we have the Spirit of the Living God within us, we will be defeated by the trials of life. You and I, with our natural abilities and our own strength, are no match for the problems we will face. We must have faith and trust in God.

Are you trusting your job, college degree, savings account, investments, pensions, health or intellect instead of God? God is the only source we can trust.

1 Peter 1:6,7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations;

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found into praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes God has to unsettle us to reveal sin in our lives or for us to grow in grace. We grow more in grace in the valley than on the mountain top.

THOUGH GOD SLAY ME YET I'LL TRUST HIM

Lest you think life couldn't get any worse, consider this man.

1. His great riches and glory were stripped from him.
2. His kinsfolk, friends, and brethren forgot him
3. Even the servants in his house and his wife ignored him -- treating him like a stranger
4. Young children dispised and mocked him
5. His best friends abhorred him, even those he loved, unjustly judging him for his sins.
6. His bones cleaved to his skin as he begged for pity
7. He can't understand why his loving God would persecute him.

Through it all, this pitiful man never lost the faith.

Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God;

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Growing up, I remember the Lawson Family singing a song about Job in my church.

Though God slay me yet I'll trust Him

And I'll then come forth as gold

For I know that He still liveth

I can feel Him in my soul