Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Decisions, Decisions!

Picture from www.Landscape-Photo.net (CC BY-NC-ND)
 
 
 
There are many decisions to make in life. I often wonder which choice is the best and right one for my life. I suppose I should seek God's wisdom and direction more earnestly than I do. Often times I tend to rely upon my own wisdom and intelligence in decision making. This does not always lead to the best outcome. It is easy to let my mind be most focused on the decisions which would affect my life here on earth, while not giving consideration to that which is eternal. For example, should I replace my older car with a new one? Should I learn skills which could result in new career opportunities? What should I do to secure my financial future, especially if the economy goes into a depression?

These are all worthy and important decisions to make. Yes, it is wise to seek God's wisdom and direction in these and other areas in life. However, this brings me to another question, "What is God's will for my life? Can I find the answer in the Bible?"

While God leads some people do certain things, for example, to be a pastor or a missionary. However, this is not God’s call on everyone. We each have our own unique set of skills, likes and dislikes leading each in different directions. However, there is one thing which applies to every believer in Christ. We are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Out of this everything else in life should flow. Through Adam's disobedience, mankind became disobedient, ungodly and self centered leaving us dead in our trespasses and sins. Through one man's obedience many will be made righteous. (See Romans 5:19) We were originally created in the image of God, but sin corrupted us and the offspring of Adam was born into the image of man. However, when one is saved, God begins to transform them into the image of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 15:49), “We have borne the image of the earthly Adam, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Christ." We are born again, the new birth, through "repentance toward God and faith toward Christ. (See Acts 20:21) We were born into Him, He became our life. (see Col. 3:3-4) We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17)

When we fill our lives with earthly things, we will become more like the world. When we fill our lives with Godly things, we will become more Christ like. We must allow Christ to work in and through us molding us into His image. Through letting Christ work in us and through us, everything else in life should flow. Remember Jesus' words "See ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." What is the primary purpose God has for each our lives? That is, to seek the kingdom of God first. When we seek the kingdom of God first, I believe our decision making will be easier and we will make wiser choices. The beautiful thing is, we will glorify God in the way we live our lives.

24 comments:

  1. You clarified a few things for me...Thank You.

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  2. Hi Ken,
    This evening the on edge pre-exam university daughter and forever teasing grade 12 son, finally hit the boiling point and boiled over. Emotions were flying and profanities were coming out of their mouths. I yelled over the two bickering kids and said, "What comes out of your mouth is what lies in your heart. I seriously question your walk with the Lord." That did stop them but for only a mega second before the emotional roller coaster took off again and both of them were sent down to their rooms.

    What you say here is so true! When we fill our lives with earthly things, we will become more like the world. When we fill our lives with Godly things, we will become more Christ like. We must allow Christ to work in and through us molding us into His image. It is when the trials come and our reaction will tells us if we are sanctified with Jesus. Jesus tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him.

    This was a great post for me to read during the explosion that went on in my home.

    Blessings,
    <><

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  3. You are welcome Dee. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. God bless

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  4. Child of God, Kids and fighting...I have had some of them explosions in my home before. It sure can be challenging, huh...

    I am glad this post was a help and thank you for visiting and commenting. God bless,

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  5. Thanks Ken for another reminder of Godly standards.I can relate to what COG shared and I'm thinking that I'm going to get my kids to read this post, esp the last paragraph! Thanks again, Ken. :)

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  6. Excellent post Ken! We have to remember that life is full of choices, judgments, and decisions and we must constantly be aware of the choices we make. God allows us to do what we want and has designed us with a heart and wisdom to make decisions and right choices, however there are consequences when we stray from His plan!

    Blessings and love my friend; enjoy the rest of your week!
    Denise

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  7. You are welcome Vilisi. I pray that your kids are blessed by God as they read this and are encouraged to follow the Lord in all they do. Thank you for visiting and God bless,

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  8. Thank you Denise. You are correct in saying there will be consequences when we stray from His plan. We will either reap rewards or pay consequences for the choices we make. When we disobey God, His grace does not mean there will be no consequences. Blessings to you also my friend and I hope you likewise enjoy the rest of your week.

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  9. Right you are Ken! I catch myself getting all caught up in what really doesn't matter a hill of beans....guess we all do. Good reminder here!

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  10. Lori, I agree, I think we all get caught up in that what doesn't matter. I know I have wasted a lot of time on junk. Thank you for visiting and commenting. God bless

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  11. When we fill our lives with earthly things, we will become more like the world. When we fill our lives with Godly things, we will become more Christ like...

    Thanks Ken, I needed to be reminded of this today!
    God bless you~ Lisa

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  12. This is a great post Ken : ) Thanks for sharing it. It's such a good reminder of where our heart is determines how much God can guide and bless us. It also brought peace. One of my Pastors really likes my blog and every now and then makes a point to remind me to write more. It bothers me because I want to focus on God's will and allow Him to inspire me. I am His servant, and appreciate that my Pastor likes my blog. It might be different if the Church sponsored me. But it needs to be between me and the Lord.

    The Lord knows I need to earn some money for my family too. I prayed for opportunities and He supplied, turns out there's lots of work to do. Now I gotta get busy! God is amazing isn't He?

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  13. You are welcome Lisa. Thank you for visiting and your comment. God bless

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  14. Thank you Karen for visiting and your comment. I agree with you fully, the amount you blog is between you and God. I think it is most critical to blog, (or any other area of service) according to the Lord's leading. We are His servant, and a servant does as his master instructs. I am sure your pastor means well, but don't let anyone pressure you into biting off more that what you can handle. God bless

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  15. In experiencing the Christmas season, we have a new chance to keep our focus on Jesus, always.

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  16. Thank you Peggy for stopping by and your comment. Yes, may we all keep our focus on Jesus this Christmas season. God bless

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  17. I have been listening to some CDs by Pastor Francis Frangipane on Christlikeness. Praise God! This is a wonderful post.

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  18. Thank you Karen for visiting and your comment. Amen! Praise God for making us more like Christ. God bless

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  19. I was struggling with a decision and cornered my priest and begged him for help...he said, sure, I'll help...did you pray about it? I was so embarrassed! That lesson stuck with me...I was trying to figure out what to do myself....hahaha
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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  20. Hi Ken

    I hope to republish this article at my Living Water devotional blog (livwater.blogspot.com).

    Please let me know how to get in touch with you.

    God bless.


    Edmond
    write4christ
    Living Water
    livwater.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Edmond,
      I give you permission to republish this on your blog. Thank you for visiting and your interest in republishing.
      May God bless,
      Ken

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  21. Hi Ken ... thanks for the permission to republish. In order for me to link back to your blog at the end of the devotional, I will need your last name as well. Please drop a comment or an email at my blog.

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  22. Hi Ken ...

    Your article 'Decisions, Decisions!" has been scheduled for publish on April 12, 2013 at the Living Water (livwater.blogspot.com) blog.

    Thank you for letting me share your article with other readers.

    God bless.

    Regards
    Edmond @ Living Water

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  23. Hi Ken ...

    Your article 'Decisions, Decisions!' is now published at the Living Water blog:

    http://livwater.blogspot.com/2013/04/decisions-decisions.html

    Thanks!

    Regards
    Edmond
    Living Water
    http://livwater.blogspot.com

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