Aligning Decisions with God's Will: A Path to Wisdom
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound topic of making good decisions, emphasizing the importance of aligning our choices with God's will. Life is a series of decisions, some monumental and others seemingly insignificant, yet the process of decision-making should remain consistent. We delved into biblical principles, highlighting the necessity of seeking God's guidance and equipping ourselves with practical steps to ensure our decisions align with His will.
We began by examining the story of Solomon, who, when given the opportunity to ask God for anything, chose wisdom over wealth. This choice not only granted him wisdom but also riches, illustrating the importance of prioritizing spiritual understanding over material gain. However, Solomon's story also serves as a reminder that possessing wisdom is not enough; we must actively use it in our decision-making.
The narrative of Joshua was another focal point, showcasing the importance of choosing to follow God amidst challenges. Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," underscores the power of making a conscious decision to align with God's path, even when faced with societal pressures.
We also discussed the story of Abraham and Lot, where Abraham's decision to trust God over worldly appearances led to a blessed outcome. This narrative teaches us to rely on God's vision rather than our own limited perspective.
In the New Testament, we reflected on Christ's decision-making process, particularly His choice of disciples after a night of prayer. This example emphasizes the importance of prayerful consideration in our decisions. Similarly, Paul's redirection by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia instead of Asia highlights the necessity of being attuned to God's guidance, even when it contradicts our plans.
Finally, we touched on the story of Ruth, whose decision to stay with Naomi led to her becoming part of Christ's lineage. This illustrates how seemingly small decisions, made out of love and faithfulness, can have significant, unforeseen impacts.
Key Takeaways:
- Seek Wisdom Over Wealth: Solomon's request for wisdom over riches teaches us to prioritize spiritual understanding. True wisdom aligns us with God's will and often brings blessings beyond our expectations. [07:30]
- Align Decisions with God's Will: Joshua's choice to serve the Lord despite external pressures reminds us that aligning our decisions with God's will is crucial, even when it seems countercultural. [11:21]
- Trust in God's Vision: Abraham's trust in God's plan over worldly appearances shows us the importance of relying on divine guidance rather than our limited understanding. [17:12]
- Pray Before Deciding: Jesus' example of praying before choosing His disciples underscores the necessity of seeking God's guidance through prayer in all our decisions. [19:14]
- Small Decisions Matter: Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi, driven by love and faithfulness, highlights how small, faithful choices can lead to significant, divine outcomes. [23:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [03:28] - Introduction to Decision Making
- [05:16] - Aligning with God's Will
- [07:30] - Solomon's Request for Wisdom
- [09:31] - Using Wisdom in Decisions
- [11:21] - Joshua's Choice
- [13:55] - Abraham and Lot's Decision
- [17:12] - Trusting God's Vision
- [19:14] - Christ's Prayerful Decision
- [20:50] - Paul's Redirection
- [22:26] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [23:56] - Ruth's Faithful Choice
- [27:21] - David's Obedience
- [30:12] - Importance of Small Decisions
- [36:04] - Using Scripture as a Guide
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Making Good Decisions
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6
2. 1 Kings 3:5-12
3. Joshua 24:15
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Observation Questions:
1. What did Solomon request from God when given the opportunity to ask for anything, and what was the outcome of his request? (1 Kings 3:5-12)
2. How did Joshua demonstrate his commitment to serving the Lord, and what choice did he present to the people of Israel? (Joshua 24:15)
3. In the sermon, what was highlighted as the key difference between Abraham's and Lot's decision-making processes? [13:55]
4. How did Jesus prepare for choosing His disciples, and what does this reveal about His approach to decision-making? [19:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it significant that Solomon asked for wisdom instead of wealth, and how does this reflect on the priorities we should have in our decision-making? (1 Kings 3:5-12)
2. What does Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," teach us about making decisions in the face of societal pressures? (Joshua 24:15)
3. How does Abraham's trust in God's vision over worldly appearances challenge our own perspectives when making decisions? [17:12]
4. What can we learn from Jesus' example of praying before making significant decisions, and how can this practice be applied in our lives? [19:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you prioritize seeking wisdom over immediate gain? How might Solomon's example influence your future decisions? (1 Kings 3:5-12)
2. Consider a situation where you felt pressured to conform to societal norms. How can Joshua's commitment to serving the Lord inspire you to make choices aligned with your faith? (Joshua 24:15)
3. Think about a time when you relied on your own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance. How can Abraham's trust in God's vision encourage you to change your approach? [17:12]
4. Identify a decision you are currently facing. How can you incorporate prayer into your decision-making process, following Jesus' example? [19:14]
5. Reflect on a small decision you made recently that had a significant impact. How does Ruth's story encourage you to be mindful of the seemingly minor choices you make? [23:56]
6. How can you ensure that your decisions reflect your Christian values, especially when interacting with non-believers? [45:12]
7. What steps can you take to surround yourself with godly counsel, and how might this influence your decision-making process? [39:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing Spiritual Understanding Over Material Gain
In the story of Solomon, we see a profound example of choosing spiritual wisdom over material wealth. When given the opportunity to ask God for anything, Solomon chose wisdom, which not only granted him the insight he desired but also brought him riches and honor. This decision highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual understanding and aligning our desires with God's will. True wisdom, as demonstrated by Solomon, often leads to blessings that exceed our expectations. However, possessing wisdom is not enough; it must be actively applied in our decision-making processes to ensure that our choices reflect God's guidance and purpose. [07:30]
"For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize material gain over spiritual growth? How can you seek God's wisdom in these areas today?
Day 2: Choosing God's Path Amidst Societal Pressures
Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of aligning our decisions with God's will, even when faced with societal pressures. Joshua's choice to follow God amidst challenges underscores the necessity of making conscious decisions to stay true to God's path. In a world where external influences often sway our choices, it is crucial to remain steadfast in our commitment to serve the Lord. By aligning our decisions with God's will, we not only honor Him but also find strength and guidance to navigate life's challenges. [11:21]
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:14, ESV)
Reflection: What societal pressures are currently influencing your decisions? How can you consciously choose to align your actions with God's will today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Vision Over Our Own
The story of Abraham and Lot illustrates the importance of trusting in God's vision rather than relying on our limited understanding. Abraham's decision to trust God over worldly appearances led to a blessed outcome, teaching us to rely on divine guidance. Often, our perspective is limited by what we can see and understand, but God's vision encompasses a greater plan for our lives. By trusting in His guidance, we can make decisions that align with His purpose and experience the blessings that come from following His path. [17:12]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own understanding rather than trusting in God's vision? How can you begin to trust Him more fully today?
Day 4: The Power of Prayerful Decision-Making
Jesus' example of praying before choosing His disciples emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance through prayer in all our decisions. Before making significant choices, Jesus spent time in prayer, demonstrating the necessity of aligning our decisions with God's will. Prayerful consideration allows us to attune our hearts to God's guidance and ensures that our choices reflect His purpose. By prioritizing prayer in our decision-making processes, we invite God's wisdom and direction into our lives, leading to outcomes that honor Him. [19:14]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: How often do you seek God's guidance through prayer before making decisions? What steps can you take to incorporate prayer more intentionally into your decision-making process?
Day 5: The Significance of Small, Faithful Choices
Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi, driven by love and faithfulness, highlights how seemingly small decisions can lead to significant, divine outcomes. Her choice to remain loyal to Naomi ultimately led to her becoming part of Christ's lineage, illustrating the profound impact of faithful decisions. Often, we underestimate the significance of small choices, but God uses these moments to shape our lives and fulfill His greater purpose. By making decisions rooted in love and faithfulness, we align ourselves with God's plan and open the door to unexpected blessings. [23:56]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: What small, faithful choices can you make today that align with God's purpose for your life? How can you trust God to use these decisions for His greater plan?
Quotes
1) "Life is a series of decisions. That's what life is. Life is a series of decisions. Some decisions can be very monumental and others appear not to have a lot of importance or impact. And hopefully, we're going to, if there is a difference, we should understand that the process that we use in making the decisions should be the same regardless of whether it's a monumental decision or what we call a nominal decision. Any questions there? See, so I'm not here to teach you or tell you what to do. I'm here to talk about how you do it, okay, how you make a good decision and then you use that and apply however you choose to." [07:30] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Solomon was considered to be the wisest man in the world. Why? Because God asked him, what do you want? What do you want? And Solomon didn't say, I want money. Solomon says, I want wisdom. I want understanding. And because Solomon asked for that, God gave it to Solomon. Our God also gave him riches as well. But he gave him the riches only after he had asked for wisdom. So because the story says that a fool and his money will soon separate, and that's true. All right, so you got to have the wisdom. You got to have the wisdom." [09:31] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Joshua had a monumental decision to make. He came out of the children out of Egypt. He was into the promised land or the beginning edges of the promised land and he's beginning to worry about wars with the other people there and the children of Israel not always thankful for what God has done and sometimes they start murmuring or complaining and Joshua said what? He said now you have a choice. You can follow everybody else or you can follow God. But Joshua said that but for me and my house, we're going to worship God." [11:21] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Abraham appeared to allow Lot to make decisions and Lot looked, he looked, he says, okay, what's the best, what's the best land? And he chose it, what he thought was the best land. Problem was that he used the wrong way to make a decision. He used the wrong method, the wrong process to make a decision. Okay, so let's look and see what happened. It says when faithful, the trust of land, Lot chose based upon what appeared to be better, what appeared to be better. Okay, but it wasn't better. Why wasn't it better? Because he was living next to sinners. He chose to live next to sinners." [17:12] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Christ chose the disciples. What did Christ do? Christ prayed all night. Isn't that something? Christ is Christ, you know, no, he's not gonna make a mistake, right? But what did he do? He prayed all night before he made the decision of who he's going to choose. What does that tell us? When we got to make a decision, we need to stop and pray. We need to stop and pray before we do anything. The first thing we should do is stop and pray." [19:14] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Ruth says, no, I'm staying with you. Did Ruth have any idea what the decision was that she was making at that time? No. Had no idea. She had no idea. If someone had told Ruth what that decision was, Ruth probably would have been afraid. Because she didn't know. She wanted to go with her mother-in-law. But because she made the decision to go with her mother-in-law, she became what? She became Christ's great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. Okay? All right. She was in the lineage, okay, of Christ. Because she made that little, small decision to stick with mother." [23:56] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "David was obedient. David was obedient. What was David's big decision? His father says, son, here is food for your brothers. Take it to them. David said, son, here is food for your brothers. He could have said no. David said, yes, sir. And what happened? Because David said, yes, sir, he had a confrontation with Goliath. He would not have had that confrontation with Goliath if he had not obeyed. And because he was obedient to his father and he was obedient to God, David became king of Israel. Little small decisions. Little small decisions." [28:08] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "A friend of mine says that you're going to be. Today, you're going to be the same five years from now as you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet. There's a lot of truth to that. And the thing about it is that most of us are outside of our community. So we don't get the chance to meet different people that you can't read. Find things to read that are worthwhile reading. Find things to read that are worthwhile reading. Things to listen to that are worthwhile. Makes sense. Make a good decision." [33:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "Put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in motion. Because sometimes we talk too quickly. Sometimes we talk too quickly. Okay. That's what he's saying. He says, you know, and pray before you start doing something. Stop and pray before you start doing something. Okay. All right. All Use scripture as a guide and principle. There is nothing new in this world. Nothing new in this world. And you say, well, yeah, it is. They didn't have computers during the Bible time. No, they didn't have computers during Bible time." [35:25] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "Consider the consequences. Okay, uh someone read Galatians 6 7 8 please amen think about the consequences when I counsel people I never tell them what to do I learned a long time ago what I will say is you have these options here's a here's b and here's c think about if you choose a what can happen and think about if we choose b what can happen and think about if we choose c what will happen and then tell me which one you can live with which consequence you can live with if you can't live with any of those three then you need to find a d and an e and an f okay bottom line if you can't then choose it and choose it if you're willing to do that but never make a decision without thinking about what the consequences there there are in making that decision." [39:06] (107 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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