A Pattern for Making Decisions
January 10, 2021
A Pattern for Making Decisions
With Bishop Ronald K. Powell
Key Verses:
PROVERBS 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.”
Galatians 5:25 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Psalm 25:12-13
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence(the selfish human desire for an object, person, or experience), and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
The following steps will help you discern God’s directions for you no matter what situation you’re facing.
- In order to hear the Lord’s voice, you must remove all obstacles by: Confessing and repenting of sin.
- Any sinful attitude or habit must be removed before you can proceed. Sin clouds the mind.
- Ask God if there’s anything in your life that doesn’t fit your identity as a follower of Christ. If He reveals a specific sin, immediately confess and repent of it.
- Bringing your desires to the point of neutrality.
- There will be times when what you want in a situation is not in line with what the Lord desires.
- The only way you’ll receive His guidance is by submitting to Him.
- When you can honestly say that you desire His will be done more than your own, He’ll give you clear
direction.
- Exercise patience.
- Some decisions are urgent-at least from a human perspective.
- However, demanding an immediate answer from God is a sign of distrust.
- Patience requires a willingness to trust the Lord and submit to His timing.
- Examine the situation from God’s perspective and remember that those who wait for the Lord will not be ashamed.
PS. 25:3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
- Be alert to pressure.
- When seeking the Lord’s direction, be careful not to let anyone or anything persuade you to choose a path other than God’s.
Be cautious of:
- External pressure.
- Sometimes people don’t understand why you’re waiting,and they may offer advice or push you to make a decision.Instead of giving in and jumping ahead of God’s will, fill your mind with His Word. That way, you’ll be able to discern if the advice aligns with His desires.
- Internal pressure.
- Other times, the pressure to make a decision comes from within.
- Fear of losing an opportunity may cause you to enter into a situation or relationship instead of waiting for God’s guidance.
- He may lead you to a decision nobody else will understand, but if you take the first step of obedience, His blessings will follow.
- Persist in prayer.
- Just because you don’t receive an immediate answer from the Lord, it doesn’t mean He isn’t listening.
- The point of persistent prayer is not to force God to do what you want but to see the situation from His perspective.
- As you wait, He deepens your relationship with Him and deals with issues in your lives that are preventing you from growing spiritually.
Philippians 1:6 New King James Version
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
- Rest in God’s promise.
- In order to find out what the Lord wants you to do in a situation, you must believe His promises.
- He assures us He’ll answer the prayers of those who ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7:7), and if you’ll faithfully read the Word each day, the Holy Spirit will lead you to passages with the guidance you need for any situation.
- Wait for Christ’s peace.
- The last step in the decision-making process is to let the peace of Christ act as the “umpire” for your choice.
- Col. 3:15 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
- When the direction is from God, His peace will enter your heart and mind.
- This is the final proof that you are following His path.
- There are no more doubts, just confident assurance.
Conclusion:
- When you’re faced with decisions and don’t know what to do, remember that God’s Word is His primary method of speaking to His people.
- You can also receive guidance by humbly seeking the Lord in prayer and asking the Holy Spirit to help you apply Scriptural principles to your particular circumstance.
- When you patiently wait to hear His voice and heed His instructions, you can make a confident decision knowing that God has given you clear direction.
- Let’s Pray
- Bishop Ronald K. Powell
- Direction without Doubt
- Col. 3:15
- Colossians 3:3-7
- Galatians 5:25
- Philippians 1:6
- PS. 25:3
- Psalm 25:12-13
- A Pattern for Making Decisions
- Crosswinds International