Six Steps for Biblical Decision-making

G SERIES God's Dream For Your Life

Six Steps for Biblical Decision-making By Rick Warren — Apr 30, 2015 “A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe.” (Proverbs 28:26 TLB) God gave Moses the dream of leading the children of Israel out of 400 years of slavery, but Moses had to make the decision to confront Pharaoh. God gave Noah the dream of saving the world from the flood, but Noah had to make the decision to build the ark. God gave Abraham the dream of building a new nation, but Abraham had to make the decision to leave everything he had and go out into the unknown. Just like these men, you will never realize God’s dream for your life until you come to the stage of decision-making and step out in faith. Whether it’s about your career, marriage, finances, health, or children, there is a simple, workable plan for making biblical decisions that will keep you on track toward pursuing God’s dream for your life. Pray for guidance. Before you do anything else, get God’s perspective on the issue. “A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe” (Proverbs 28:26 TLB). Get the facts. There is no contradiction between faith and fact. Find out everything you can before you make a decision. Proverbs 13:16 says, “All who are prudent act with knowledge”(NIV). Ask for advice. Talk to somebody who’s made a similar decision and friends who know your weaknesses. “The more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win” (Proverbs 24:6b GNT). Calculate the cost. Every decision has a price tag; it will cost you time, money, energy, reputation, talents, and resources. Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” (NIV). When people pressure you to make a decision, it’s OK to say, “I’ll get back to you.” It’s more important to make a wise decision than a quick decision. Prepare for problems. In faith, expect the best. Expect God to work in your life. But also prepare for the problems that are part of every decision. Solomon said in Proverbs 22:3, “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (TLB). Face your fears. Perfectionism paralyzes potential. God has always used imperfect people in imperfect situations to get his will done. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” You have to trust God and start moving in spite of your problems, fears, and doubts. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick. Talk It Over Why do you think we are so often hesitant to pray and ask God for direction about big decisions? What is the difference in taking a leap of faith and taking biblical steps to make wise decisions? Which one of these steps is the most difficult for you? Pray, and ask God to help you trust him for every step of your journey of faith.

Overflow with Thankfulness

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colossians 2:6-7, NIV

TODAY'S WORD:

Have you ever thought about what it means to be overflowing with thankfulness? Don't just think your thanks, show it! In other words, you shouldn't let the kindness of others go unnoticed. Sometimes it’s easy to take the people closest to us for granted. But your family, your friends, the ones who love and support you are the ones who should feel your gratitude the most. 

Notice this verse also says to live in Christ and be built up in Him. When you keep yourself built up spiritually by studying the Word and praying in the Spirit, then the second part of the verse will just come naturally — you will be strengthened in your faith, and your heart will be filled with thankfulness! 

Today, look for new ways to show your thankfulness to those around you. Let it overflow. Sow seeds of gratitude and blessing. Keep yourself built up in faith and reap the abundant harvest God has for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father, thank You for strengthening me with Your love today. Help me to be a blessing to those around me and show me creative ways to let my life overflow with thankfulness in Jesus’ name. Amen.

​PS. ​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V9ypGcMt3M