Tools to make wise decisions

Each of us make hundreds, if not thousands of decisions everyday. 

Some are minuscule, "I'll wear these socks rather than those", others can be life changing, "I can make it though that yellow light". God's word gives us the wisdom, insight, and most importantly an understanding of the heart, and character of God. It is this understanding that will enable us to have the "mind of Christ" (Philippians 2:4 - 5a - "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,") Having this mind enables us to make decisions that will bring great success, joy, and fruitfulness in our lives and keep us from frustration and heart ache! 

Take time to read at least a verse or two every day and watch your life change, one decision at a time.

If you are an artist of any kind allow me to recommend reading the Psalms and the book of John. If you are a business person, I recommend Proverbs and James. If you are just like most of us allow me to recommend, Genesis, Judges, and Luke.  If you simply need a quick read of the Gospels I recommend, Mark. 

The Bible was written by so many different personalities but one Spirit led and guided every word. The above list are simply places to start. To understand fully how much God loves you and His plan for you and this world please take time to read the entire Bible. It will open up a world of wonder and possibilities as the Lord reveals to you more of who He is and how much He loves you!

The Power of what we say!

Being raised a charismatic or Pentecostal there are certain theologies that have been taught that are not always correct. One of those theologies has to do with the power of our words.

I have been taught to be careful of your profession for it will happen. In many ways that may be true. Proverbs tells us “so a man thinks in his heart so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). I believe what we say, in this case, is a direct result of the way we see ourselves, the world, or any situation around us, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. If we are feeling sad and we begin to talk about it, focus on it, then it will not be long until we are in a depressed state. If someone has hurt our feelings and the anger and unforgiveness are welling up inside of us then it will not belong until we fulfill a prophecy of anger in our lives. Likewise we have the power to be destructive to the lives of others because of our words or how someone takes those words. James writes this in chapter 3

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Our words have the power to curse men and to bless God. We curse men by speaking evil over their lives. Many have come into my office because they believed harmful words that some authority figure in their lives spoke over them. It could have been a parent, coach, teacher, or boss it doesn’t matter who it is simply the idea that someone said something derogatory to someone and they believed it. There is the key. These “curses” do not have an effect on our lives until we begin to believe them. The power it possesses is not in the words that are spoken but the faith we place in those words for either good or evil.

I have always been told to be careful of my profession but I believe an honest heart is what the Lord is looking for. We need to take care to not get caught up in a lack of trust in the Lord but our hearts should always line up with His heart. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not to your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all of your ways and he will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5,6). God’s word for us is far higher than any word of man. What He says will always be true regardless of what man says. We don’t need to be afraid of our confession, profession or any words any man should say. What we need to do is draw closer to the Lord, know Him, understand Him, and learn to hear his voice. What God says is true, in fact….

Psalm 138:2

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

God holds His word above even his own integrity. That is a promise you can take to the bank. Draw closer to the Lord and watch what He does! He will never let you down. Listen to Him and you will always be walking on the right path. He will not fail you and no human word can stop the plans or purposes of God. Spend time being proactive, use your words today to encourage someone, to help them see themselves the way the Lord sees them. Help some one today to know how valuable they are to you and to the Lord. Bless someone today with your words and then help them to believe it.