Wise Choices for a Better Tomorrow
Summary
In our new series, "You'll Be Glad You Did: Timeless Advice for Troubled Times," we explore the profound impact of our decisions on our lives and the lives of those around us. Life is a series of interconnected decisions, and the choices we make today shape our tomorrows. This isn't just a religious concept; it's a universal truth that transcends faith and belief systems. We've all experienced the joy of good decisions and the regret of poor ones. The essence of wisdom is understanding that life is connected, and today's actions have far-reaching consequences.
As parents, we often emphasize to our children that their current choices, like their academic performance, will determine their future opportunities. This principle extends beyond academics to every aspect of life, including relationships, finances, and personal growth. Our happiness is often tied to the health of our relationships, and our decisions play a crucial role in shaping them.
The advice we'll explore in this series isn't about following rules or moral imperatives. Instead, it's about wisdom—insights informed by the knowledge that life is connected. Wisdom guides us in making decisions that align with our long-term goals and values. It helps us avoid trading what we want most for what we desire in the moment. Wisdom also encourages us to fear being wrong more than admitting we're wrong, fostering growth and progress.
Wisdom serves as both a guide and a protective guardrail, helping us navigate life's complexities and avoid unnecessary regrets. Our greatest regrets often stem from a series of unwise decisions, not necessarily immoral or illegal ones. By inviting wisdom into our decision-making process, we can steer clear of the danger zones that lead to disaster.
Jesus' teachings offer a path to wisdom, inviting us to follow a lifestyle characterized by wise choices. His invitation to follow is not about taking something from us but about offering a better life. Knowing and doing are distinct experiences, and it's the application of wisdom that makes a difference. So, what do you know you need to do but haven't done yet? Take that step today, and you'll be glad you did.
Key Takeaways:
- Life is interconnected, and our decisions today shape our tomorrows. Understanding this connection helps us make choices that align with our long-term goals and values. [00:49]
- Wisdom is not about following rules but about making informed decisions that protect us from unnecessary regrets. It serves as a guide and a guardrail, helping us navigate life's complexities. [09:10]
- Our greatest regrets often stem from a series of unwise decisions. By inviting wisdom into our decision-making process, we can avoid the danger zones that lead to disaster. [12:10]
- Jesus' teachings offer a path to wisdom, inviting us to follow a lifestyle characterized by wise choices. His invitation is about offering a better life, not taking something from us. [23:07]
- Knowing and doing are distinct experiences. It's the application of wisdom that makes a difference. What do you know you need to do but haven't done yet? Take that step today. [27:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the Series
[00:49] - The Connectedness of Life
[01:06] - The Impact of Decisions
[02:19] - Happiness and Relationships
[03:26] - Practical Advice
[04:55] - Wisdom Between the Rules
[05:26] - Good Advice Examples
[08:19] - The Role of Wisdom
[09:10] - Wisdom as a Guide
[10:19] - Guardrails for Life
[12:10] - Avoiding Regret
[15:37] - Why Discuss Wisdom in Church
[19:07] - Jesus and the Way of Wisdom
[23:07] - The Benefit of Jesus' Teachings
[27:20] - Knowing vs. Doing
[31:27] - Final Advice and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 7:24-27 - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart
3. James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God
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Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, what are the key differences between the two builders and their outcomes? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on wisdom? [19:21]
2. According to the sermon, how does wisdom serve as both a guide and a protective guardrail in our lives? [09:10]
3. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate the concept of interconnectedness in our decisions and their impact on our future? [01:06]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus' teachings in leading us to a life characterized by wise choices? [23:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrate the importance of applying wisdom in our daily decisions? What might be the consequences of ignoring this principle? [19:21]
2. The sermon suggests that wisdom is not about following rules but making informed decisions. How can this understanding of wisdom change the way one approaches decision-making in their personal life? [09:10]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our greatest regrets are often preceded by a series of unwise decisions? How can this insight help someone avoid future regrets? [12:10]
4. How does the sermon connect Jesus' invitation to follow Him with the pursuit of wisdom? What implications does this have for someone seeking to live a life aligned with Jesus' teachings? [23:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you consider the long-term impact of that decision on your future and the people around you? What might you do differently next time? [02:19]
2. The sermon encourages us to fear being wrong more than admitting we're wrong. Can you think of a situation where admitting you were wrong could have led to personal growth or improved relationships? [06:27]
3. Identify an area in your life where you might be making a series of unwise decisions. What steps can you take to invite wisdom into that decision-making process to avoid future regrets? [12:10]
4. Jesus' teachings are described as offering a better life rather than taking something from us. How can this perspective change the way you view following His teachings in your daily life? [23:07]
5. The sermon challenges us to consider what we know we need to do but haven't done yet. What is one specific action you can take this week to apply this wisdom in your life? [27:20]
6. Think about a relationship in your life that may need reconciliation. What practical steps can you take to begin that process, and how might wisdom guide you in this endeavor? [30:27]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of asking, "What is the wise thing to do?" into your daily routine? What impact do you anticipate this will have on your decision-making? [09:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Interconnectedness of Decisions
Our lives are a tapestry woven from the threads of our decisions. Each choice we make today influences the fabric of our future, impacting not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. This interconnectedness is a universal truth that transcends religious beliefs, reminding us that our actions have far-reaching consequences. By recognizing this, we can align our decisions with our long-term goals and values, ensuring that we build a future we can be proud of. Understanding the weight of our choices encourages us to be intentional and thoughtful, avoiding the pitfalls of impulsive decisions that may lead to regret. [00:49]
"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." (Romans 14:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did it affect not only your life but also the lives of those around you? What might you do differently next time to align more closely with your long-term values?
Day 2: Wisdom as a Guide and Guardrail
Wisdom is not merely about adhering to a set of rules; it is about making informed decisions that protect us from unnecessary regrets. It acts as both a guide and a guardrail, helping us navigate the complexities of life. By inviting wisdom into our decision-making process, we can avoid the danger zones that often lead to disaster. Wisdom encourages us to prioritize long-term fulfillment over short-term desires, helping us to fear being wrong more than admitting we're wrong. This mindset fosters growth and progress, steering us away from the series of unwise decisions that often lead to our greatest regrets. [09:10]
"Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word." (Psalm 119:66-67, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you often act impulsively. How can you invite wisdom to guide your decisions in this area, serving as a protective guardrail against future regrets?
Day 3: Avoiding the Danger Zones of Regret
Our greatest regrets often stem from a series of unwise decisions rather than immoral or illegal ones. By understanding the interconnectedness of life and the role of wisdom, we can steer clear of the danger zones that lead to regret. Wisdom helps us to see beyond the immediate gratification of our desires, encouraging us to make choices that align with our long-term goals and values. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls that often lead to disaster, ensuring that our lives are characterized by fulfillment and purpose rather than regret. [12:10]
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a past regret. What series of decisions led you there, and how can you apply wisdom to avoid similar situations in the future?
Day 4: The Path to Wisdom Through Jesus' Teachings
Jesus' teachings offer a path to wisdom, inviting us to follow a lifestyle characterized by wise choices. His invitation is not about taking something from us but about offering a better life. By embracing His teachings, we can align our decisions with a higher purpose, ensuring that our lives are marked by fulfillment and joy. Jesus encourages us to apply wisdom in our daily lives, helping us to navigate the complexities of life with grace and understanding. By following His path, we can experience the abundant life He promises, free from the regrets that often accompany unwise decisions. [23:07]
"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles." (Proverbs 1:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to make wise choices. How can Jesus' teachings guide you toward a better path, offering you a more fulfilling life?
Day 5: The Distinction Between Knowing and Doing
Knowing and doing are distinct experiences, and it is the application of wisdom that makes a difference in our lives. While knowledge is important, it is the action we take based on that knowledge that truly shapes our future. Wisdom encourages us to take the steps we know we need to take, even when it is difficult. By doing so, we can align our lives with our long-term goals and values, ensuring that we build a future we can be proud of. What is it that you know you need to do but haven't done yet? Take that step today, and you'll be glad you did. [27:20]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one action you know you need to take but have been putting off. What is holding you back, and how can you overcome this barrier to align your actions with your knowledge?
Quotes
Life is connected, that today shapes tomorrow, that one thing leads to another. So, here's a couple examples of what we're talking about. Here's some good advice. Okay, here's some good advice. Don't trade what you want most for what you want in the moment. That's good advice, right? [00:05:14]
Fear being wrong more than you fear admitting you're wrong. None of us like to admit we're wrong, especially when we're talking to our spouse, especially when we're talking to our kids, or if you're an adult and you're talking to even your parents or a friend or somebody at work, nobody likes to say, "Oh yeah, I was completely wrong about that." [00:06:33]
Wisdom serves as a guide. If you think about it, the decisions that you make in your life, your decisions are like the steering wheel of your life. If you look back and you think about how you got to where you are, you steered your way there for good or for bad, and you steered your way where you are for the most part. [00:08:39]
Greatest regrets are often preceded by a series of unwise decisions, not immoral, not unethical, not illegal. Your greatest regret, probably, greatest regrets are generally preceded by a series, not of illegal, immoral, but simply unwise decisions. So let me meddle for just a minute, and we'll get back to this sermon. [00:11:18]
Jesus connected his invitation to follow, and that's the invitation of Jesus if this is one of your first times watching, or one of your first times with us. That's the invitation of Jesus. He didn't start with believe. He started with follow. And Jesus' invitation to follow him leads us into a life or a lifestyle that's characterized by wisdom. [00:15:53]
The implication is this, that Jesus' instructions, the teaching of Jesus is for our benefit, not our detriment, that Jesus taught for our benefit, that Jesus taught for your benefit. He taught for your benefit, not your detriment. If your interaction with Christians has always been as if somebody was trying to take something from you, and they didn't seem as if they were actually for you, I don't know what was going on in that church, and you might have even experienced some of that in one of our churches, I hope not, but I just want you to know and hear from me, and, again, read through the gospels, when Jesus taught, he was inviting people into a better life. [00:23:07]
Wisdom is sowing now, so we can reap later. Wisdom is giving up now, so I can have later. Wisdom is doing the hard thing now, so life may not be so hard later. Wisdom is investing now, so there's something to show for it later, whether it's investing in my marriage, investing in my kids, or even investing financially. [00:24:22]
Knowing and doing are two completely different experiences with two completely different outcomes. And unfortunately, one is often used as an excuse to ignore the other. In other words, we are quick to defend our refusal to do, because we know. Let me illustrate that for you. If you got kids or if you've ever been a kid, either category, if you've got kids or you've ever been a kid, you had this experience and you've maybe been on both sides of this experience, you know, "Honey, dad just wants you..." "I know, I know, I know. "I don't need you to tell me. "I know, I know. "I don't need you to tell me." "I know, I know honey, honey, I've heard that. "I know, I know." [00:27:20]
His heart's desire is that we would do and not just hear, that we would act on and not just listen to, because knowing, but not doing has the same outcome as not knowing. Knowing without doing, knowing, but not doing, it's as if you might as well not even known. In fact, it's worse than that, to know and not to do. [00:30:16]
What do you know you need to do, but you just aren't doing it? What do you know you need to do, but you just aren't doing it? In fact, you're watching or you're sitting with someone and they are trying really, really hard not to do this, because you talked about it on the way today. You talked about it last night. You finally said to them, "Honey or sweetheart or buddy or roommates, I know, look, look, look, don't bring that up again, I know." [00:28:38]
Knowing without doing doesn't make any difference. It makes a fool out of you. And if you know what you need to do and you refuse to do it, these are Jesus' words, not mine, you're like a foolish man who built this house on the sand, knowing that down the road, this may be a disaster, regret. [00:29:55]
I will help you build a life that can endure. I will help you lay a foundation that can endure the difficulties of adulthood and the cultural norms and the cultural exceptions and the things that come your way you don't even know are coming. And if you'll follow me and if you'll apply what I teach you," he says, "I promise you, you will be glad you did, but maybe more important than that, the people that you care for most, they'll be glad you did as well." [00:32:47]
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