Pre-Deciding Values for a Determined Life
Summary
In this new series titled "Determined," we explore the concept of pre-deciding our values and purpose to live a life of determination and abundance. To be truly determined, one must first understand their capabilities and values. Just as one wouldn't attempt to carry a heavy table without first assessing their strength, we must know who we are and what we stand for before we can be determined in our actions. This series is about taking back our lives from the chaos and indecision that often plague us, and instead, living with purpose and resolve.
Jesus serves as the ultimate example of determination. He pre-decided His mission and values long before He walked the earth, as evidenced by the prophecies in the Old Testament. Despite the challenges and temptations He faced, Jesus remained unwavering in His purpose. He knew who He was and what He was sent to do, and He followed through with determination, even to the point of death on the cross. His life teaches us that when we pre-decide our values and purpose, we can withstand the circumstances that try to sway us.
The series will delve into various aspects of living a determined life, such as resisting temptation, developing consistent habits, drawing closer to God, and overcoming the urge to give up. We will learn to make decisions based on predetermined values rather than emotions or circumstances. By aligning our decisions with Jesus' values and purposes, we can live a life of abundance and fulfillment.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Determination: True determination requires knowing your capabilities and values. Before embarking on any endeavor, assess your strengths and what you stand for. This self-awareness allows you to make decisions with confidence and follow through with resolve. [17:07]
- Jesus as Our Model: Jesus exemplified determination by pre-deciding His mission and values. Despite facing immense challenges, He remained steadfast in His purpose. His life teaches us that when we align our decisions with predetermined values, we can overcome any circumstance. [24:28]
- The Power of Pre-Deciding: Pre-deciding our values and purpose helps us make better decisions. Instead of reacting to circumstances, we can act with intention and resolve. This approach leads to a life of abundance and fulfillment, as we align our actions with our core beliefs. [27:39]
- Overcoming Indecision: Indecision is often rooted in fear and overwhelm. By pre-deciding our values, we can make decisions with clarity and confidence. This reduces the influence of emotions and circumstances, allowing us to live with purpose and determination. [30:28]
- Living with Purpose: Our values and purpose should be aligned with Jesus' teachings. By adopting His values as our own, we can live a life of integrity, faithfulness, and generosity. This alignment leads to powerful outcomes and a life that reflects the abundant life Jesus promised. [45:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to Determination
- [05:30] - Knowing Your Capabilities
- [08:45] - The Importance of Pre-Deciding
- [12:00] - Jesus' Example of Determination
- [17:07] - Aligning with Jesus' Values
- [20:30] - Overcoming Indecision
- [24:28] - The Power of Pre-Deciding
- [27:39] - Living with Purpose
- [30:28] - Resisting Temptation
- [35:00] - Developing Consistent Habits
- [40:00] - Drawing Closer to God
- [43:05] - Overcoming the Urge to Give Up
- [45:25] - Aligning with Jesus' Teachings
- [50:47] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Determined" Series
Bible Reading:
1. John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
2. Isaiah 61:1-3 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
3. Luke 4:1-14 - Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
Observation Questions:
1. What does John 10:10 reveal about the contrasting purposes of Jesus and the thief? How does this relate to the concept of living a life of abundance? [10:00]
2. In Isaiah 61:1-3, what are the specific actions that the Spirit of the Lord anointed Jesus to perform? How do these actions reflect Jesus' predetermined mission? [24:28]
3. How did Jesus demonstrate determination and resolve during his temptation in the wilderness as described in Luke 4:1-14? What role did the Holy Spirit play in this account? [30:28]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding one's capabilities and values contribute to living a life of determination, as discussed in the sermon? [17:07]
2. In what ways does Jesus' example of pre-deciding his mission and values challenge believers to align their decisions with predetermined values? [24:28]
3. How can the practice of pre-deciding values and purpose help believers overcome indecision and live with clarity and confidence? [30:28]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you rely more on predetermined values or emotions in the moment? How might pre-deciding your values have changed the outcome? [35:59]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel overwhelmed by choices. How can you apply the principle of pre-deciding to simplify decision-making in that area? [32:52]
3. Consider a situation where you felt tempted to compromise your values. How can Jesus' example of resisting temptation guide you in similar situations? [30:28]
4. What are some specific values you want to pre-decide to live by? How can these values help you live a life of abundance and fulfillment? [45:25]
5. Think of a time when indecision held you back. How can pre-deciding your purpose help you move forward with determination and resolve? [43:05]
6. How can aligning your values and purpose with Jesus' teachings lead to a life of integrity, faithfulness, and generosity? [45:25]
7. What steps can you take this week to draw closer to God and develop consistent habits that reflect your predetermined values? [40:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Self-Awareness as the Foundation of Determination
Understanding one's capabilities and values is crucial for living a determined life. Just as one would assess their strength before lifting a heavy object, knowing who you are and what you stand for allows you to make decisions with confidence and resolve. This self-awareness is the foundation of true determination, enabling you to navigate life's challenges with clarity and purpose. By pre-deciding your values, you can act with intention rather than reacting to circumstances, leading to a life of abundance and fulfillment. [17:07]
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (Romans 12:3, ESV)
Reflection: What are your core values, and how do they influence your daily decisions? Take a moment to assess your strengths and how they align with your values.
Day 2: Jesus' Unwavering Purpose
Jesus serves as the ultimate model of determination, having pre-decided His mission and values long before His earthly ministry. Despite facing immense challenges and temptations, He remained steadfast in His purpose, demonstrating that aligning decisions with predetermined values allows one to overcome any circumstance. His life teaches us the power of living with purpose and resolve, even in the face of adversity. By following His example, we can align our decisions with our core beliefs and live a life of integrity and faithfulness. [24:28]
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to remain steadfast in your purpose? How can Jesus' example inspire you to stay true to your values?
Day 3: The Power of Pre-Deciding
Pre-deciding your values and purpose is a powerful tool for making better decisions. Instead of being swayed by emotions or circumstances, you can act with intention and resolve, leading to a life of abundance and fulfillment. This approach allows you to align your actions with your core beliefs, reducing the influence of fear and indecision. By pre-deciding, you can live with clarity and confidence, knowing that your decisions are rooted in your values rather than external pressures. [27:39]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can pre-decide today to align more closely with your values? How will this decision impact your life in the long term?
Day 4: Overcoming Indecision with Clarity
Indecision often stems from fear and overwhelm, but by pre-deciding your values, you can make decisions with clarity and confidence. This reduces the influence of emotions and circumstances, allowing you to live with purpose and determination. By aligning your decisions with Jesus' teachings, you can overcome the urge to give up and live a life of integrity, faithfulness, and generosity. This alignment leads to powerful outcomes and a life that reflects the abundant life Jesus promised. [30:28]
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where indecision holds you back? How can pre-deciding your values help you overcome this indecision?
Day 5: Living with Purpose and Integrity
Living with purpose means aligning your values with Jesus' teachings, leading to a life of integrity, faithfulness, and generosity. By adopting His values as your own, you can live a life that reflects the abundant life Jesus promised. This alignment allows you to make decisions with confidence and resolve, knowing that your actions are rooted in your core beliefs. By living with purpose, you can overcome the challenges and temptations that try to sway you, leading to a life of abundance and fulfillment. [45:25]
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you align your daily actions with Jesus' teachings to live a life of purpose and integrity? What changes can you make today to reflect this alignment?
Quotes
"Jesus knew who he was and what he was set to do. When he made a decision, he remained resolved to follow through with it. Jesus made that firm decision. It cost him his life. It was the most painful experience of everything. He had to give up heavenly places to come down and be amongst us. He had to get tired. He had to put up with his disciples whining and moaning and complaining and issues. And he had to put up with Judas's complete turning his back on Jesus and stabbing him in the back almost." [00:10:00] (32 seconds)
"Making Jesus, making decisions like Jesus involves predetermining our values and our purpose. Here's the deal. Our values and our purpose, we don't even have to come up with. We just have to go to Jesus' voice and say, hang on, what values you have, let me make those my values. What purpose you have, let me make that my purpose. What was Jesus' purpose? He told us what his purpose was, to come and make disciples." [00:27:21] (28 seconds)
"We don't live life discovering what we believe. We decide what we believe and then live accordingly. Does that make sense? We don't live life trying to discover, is God real? Did Jesus exist? Did he die for me? Is the Bible even a real thing? We don't meander through life discovering what we believe. We decide what we believe and then we live life accordingly." [00:28:21] (30 seconds)
"Making value-based decisions, parents, is what we should be helping our children do. Not making rule-based decisions, because all we're doing is we're turning people into religious freaks. Why should I not? Because the Bible says so. That's not a decision. That's not a value. A value is because Jesus loves you and wants a better circumstance for you." [00:52:00] (26 seconds)
"When your values are clear, your decisions are even easier. And just like Isaiah 61, when we take value-based, Jesus-directed decisions, our powerful outcomes are true. Powerful outcomes will be true. Will come from the fact that we have taken and backed Jesus-based decisions. Remember, when the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, I will be able to open up brokenheartedness." [00:45:03] (30 seconds)
"Decisions won't be based on emotions in the moment anymore in your life, but on the value that God has placed on your heart. Because when your values are clear, decisions are easy and determination can be set. But isn't it amazing that we're not saved by the quality of our decisions? We're saved by the quality of Jesus's. We're saved by the grace of God, which was a predetermined decision." [00:47:58] (35 seconds)
"In your worst possible moment of decision-making, Jesus has predetermined to step alongside, not run away from you. It's His grace. You could have made the most stupid decisions in life up until this point. And today I need you to realize that Jesus has taken a predetermined decision to work with you and grow with you." [00:49:23] (25 seconds)
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