How To Make A Decision

"They prayed: 'You know, Lord, what is in the hearts of all. Show us, therefore, which of the two you have chosen.'" - Acts of the Apostles 1:24

Do you always include God in the decisions you make? Sometimes we don't and then get angry with God when things don't go our way. I've learned that in everything we do, even in getting on the road to go somewhere, we need to ask the assistance of God. We need to get off this high horse we placed ourselves on from which we think we know all things, especially what's best for us. Humility before God is knowing that we know nothing, but that He knows it all. We make so many decisions in our lives… where to go to school, where to work, who to marry, where to live… all of these decisions are very, very big deals and they have a tremendous impact on our lives. Which of us can say we know enough to actually make a good decision? Recognize that we all need God to guide us in doing what's right for not only ourselves, but for the people that are involved in our lives and are so much affected by what we do.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the apostles lived so powerfully in the Spirit because they practiced this principle. They let God guide every little thing they did. They acknowledged that only He knew what was in the hearts of all men and what was in their best interests. From today on, include God in all of your plans if you want to be successful. Pray before you make any decision, big or small, so He can show you the way. A big door won't open directly in front of you, but God will make you feel in your heart what is best for you.

Today's Prayer:
My God, I want You to have an active role in all that I do. I ask You to be my guide in all decisions I make, so that with You, I can walk on the right path. With You, I no longer need to fear mistakes or making the wrong decisions for myself and those around me. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.

Perfection

"When what is perfect comes, everything imperfect will pass away." - 1st Corinthians 13:10

This one truth can tell us so much about our lives. How do we know if we've made the right decision about something? How do we know we're on the right path? I've been learning in the last couple of months that what we really want out of life is what God wants for us, because He was the one that put that desire in us. But so many times, especially when we're younger, we don't know what that is. It's as simple as how Paul puts it here: when what is perfect comes, everything imperfect will pass away. The moment that you make a decision about something, you should feel in your being if that decision has brought you peace or brought you anxiety. What is perfect brings you peace. What is perfect will light you on fire so that you shine and never look back on that darkness you have left behind, except to thank God for where He's taken you. When you find what is perfect, in terms of a relationship, a job, a new home, anything, all will fall into place for you. Of course, there are always struggles, but God helps you get to where you need to be. The imperfect bring us fruitless worry, strife, and continuing on that path is like going against the wind in a storm. It can only take you further back in life making a mess of everything else.

But how are you able to make the decision to choose what is perfect? By quietening yourself down, and giving God's voice the chance to break through the noise in your own head. The Spirit within you will feel drawn to what is perfect, without doubts or hesitations, to the will of God for you.

Today's Prayer:
My Lord Jesus, You are perfection in my life. You bring out the best in me and help rid me of all my hurtful imperfections. Help me be quiet to hear You and be able to see the perfect things You have planned for me ahead. In Your Name we pray, amen.

The New Self

"You must give up your former way of living, the old self, whose deceitful desires bring self-destruction. Renew yourselves spiritually, from inside, and put on the new self, or self according to God, which is created in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24

I bet you're waiting for a miracle in your life. You're waiting for God to speak to you in an amazing way or an angel to appear to you, touch you and instantly you're a saint, and you go around doing good to all you meet. You expect to be touched and instantly be converted, love going to church each week and reading the bible. That happens to about 1% of people, the rest have to keep trying to put on the new self.

I'm reading a really great book right now called An Invitation to a Journey, a roadmap for spiritual formation. It talks about how being spiritual is a hot thing right now. Madonna is rocking her red string bracelet and Tom Cruise is an ambassador for Scientology. We think we can get spirituality quickly and if nothing happens when we pray, God isn't in that religion so we try another. That isn't the way to true spirituality. True spirituality is a process which usually takes our whole lives to fulfill. It is the process of becoming more like God and if we really take a good look at ourselves, that is going to take a lot of time! Whether you see it right now or not, we are all on this journey. Every day we make decisions that either make us more self-centered, lonely people, spreading the shallowness of this world, or every day we take a step closer in trying to brighten someone's day or lending a hand to a friend or stranger in need. This is what Paul means by doing away with the old self - the part of us that tends towards self-destruction. Instead, we need to strive to put on the new self, using each and every day as a vehicle of light and not darkness. And if you think it's not that serious, think again… each day you live reaffirms either the good or bad in your life.

Your decision to use your journey is one that you need to make every day. There really are only two paths in life and your intentions in your decision making make all the difference as to which path you're walking. Each day is a brand new day in the journey of your spirituality, and if you choose to be light instead of darkness, every day you will be a little more like God. Remember, not even God created the world in a day, so don't expect a conversion overnight.


Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to each day leave my old self behind and be more like You. Remind me that my life is a journey and that one step back doesn't necessarily mean I am lost or a bad person. Help me learn from my mistakes to build my new self and actively choose to be light of the world each day. In Your Name we pray, amen.

The Dark, Unknown Path

"The priest answered them, 'Go in peace, the journey you make is under the eye of Yahweh.'" - Judges 18:6

Life is just so difficult sometimes. There are no road maps, we only get advice that we probably won't follow. Sometimes I feel like I know what I want and what to do with my life and other times I feel so lost, so confused. It feels like I have to make such permanent decisions so fast. When we're in our late teens and 20's, the choices we make have a profound effect on the rest of our lives. Do I take this job, or even this career? Do I marry this person? Should I move to another city? Will I want this 10 years from now, or 5 years or even 1? There are so many paths to take and some are easy but a lot are painful and we might not even have the reassurance that we are doing the right thing. Are we on the right path right now? Is this where we're supposed to be?

This is why it's so important to be in constant contact with God. This journey of life is hard enough by ourselves, we need His guidance. We need Him to tell us that we're on the right path, to be in peace because He is watching us as we walk through it. There so much fear in uncertainty and in facing an unknown, daunting future, but by knowing that the Lord is with me as I go, I am comforted that I am in His hands. How scary it must be for those that don't know God…those who who let their own whims guide them; its a shot in the dark. Without guidance from God they face the next 40 or 50 years taking an unknown, shaky path. One mistake for them could cost them dearly, but putting ourselves in the Lord's presence each day is like being given a flash light to make it through this dark, unknown journey…He illuminates the path as we go.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, I know You have plans for me and my future, but help me see today how I can follow You in getting there. Sometimes I am so afraid and don't know what to do and need Your guidance in making decisions. As scary as it is, just be with me as I go so that I know I am where I need to be. In Your Name we pray, Amen.