The key to making good choices is simple. Keep your eyes on God!
“Therefore, when Mary came where Yeshua was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Yeshua therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They *said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Yeshua wept.” John 11:32-35
God’s will is understood through a personal relationship with Him, He wants you to do well and succeed in life. God cares, He is lovingly pushing you forward and is grieved when you fail or are hurt, to the point that He weeps for us. Making good and wise decisions is based on keeping our eyes on Christ and not on our faulty desires. It is Christ that we are to seek, because our spiritual growth, our faith and our character development are the most important things above all else. When our focus is on the Lord, the details and specifics of life become more clear for us, such as what friends to have, what major to chose, what career is best, who we should marry, or how to invest in our church community.
It is all about connecting with Christ so we are growing in Him. Then we can connect with others better, be healthier and experience more content in our lives. We can lead lives of worth and distinction when we are in a healthy, loving, empowered state of being, in conjunction with His Way. Then the bumps in the road that come, such as disappointments, frustrations, set backs, disease, sickness, trials, and tribulations will make us stronger and better. We will see life not as a series of personal attacks and hurdles that are against us, but rather a way we can learn, grow, and be better to others.
“examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” I Thessalonians 5:21
Be willing to test your decisions and options! Be willing to wait upon the Lord. A constant theme in the Psalms is that God sometimes keeps us waiting, do not be in a hurry; relax and enjoy the ride of life. Do not be in a hurry to get anywhere; all it does is causes stress and strife. God does not contradict His law; that is, He will not call you to drop out of school or later in life leave your spouse or marry a non-believer.
God asks us to receive His fruit and make more of it (Galatians 5). The fruit He calls us to produce is the fruit of holiness. This means we are to be separated unto God for His purpose and glory, as Israel was (Jos. 24:19; Hab. 1:13; 1 Pet. 1:15). The fruit of the Spirit comes as a result of our relationship with Christ, it produces faith, commitment, trust and obedience. These are the seeds that produce a loving Church and a prosperous society, affluence in character and care, the real true wealth. We have to ask what holds us back in this? Yes, it is sin; but what sins, what influences or what means will keep you from your spiritual growth? Why do we not do as we are called in holiness and care? Unless we find this out, how can we continue our development into maturity and faith, be introspective! The book of 1st Peter is all about pursuing holiness, with encouragements and instructions on this much-needed Christian endeavor. Make a commitment to read it fully and carefully! Then make the commitment to apply it to your life and church!
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:19-22
Questions:
- Why do we not do as we are called in holiness and care?
- What holds us back in making good decisions? Yes, it is sin; but what sins, what influences are upon us? How do these things keep you from your spiritual growth?
- What would the fruit of holiness be like? What would it mean to your friends, your community, school, family and/or church if you sought holiness more? How will you make this so?
- We must be praising God for His grace; so, how can you do this?
- What do you need to do so your will is under His and not left to yourself?
- How can you be a person who is committed to a life that bears fruit (Galatians 5)?
- His grace plays (or will play) what role in you life and relationships? Consider all the possibilities.
Spend time in PRAYER
Be heavily aware of the dangers of pride and egotism. Nothing gets in the way of God working in us more than our own selfish desires, that is when we are imitating satan. How foolish are we to look to ourselves with our limited intellect and experience. We should draw upon the Creator and King of the Universe, with His unlimited intellect, overwhelming love, His irresistible grace and His perfect plan.