January 24, 2011

“Should…?”

Blessings Folk!

We all encounter the same questions of life continually.

Should I?
Should I not?

Now?
Later?

Right?
Left?

Wait?
Proceed?

We make these decisions on a daily basis...many small ones each day.

Larger decisions from time to time.

Marriage?
Job?
School?

As to issues of good vs. evil, righteousness vs. sin, etc. the decision is easy.

Choose good.
Choose righteousness.

Reject evil.
Reject sin.

Here are some truths of which I keep reminding myself.

First and primary, seek first the Kingdom of God...

Second, trust the Lord. He knows what we need...

Matthew 6
31 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Third, do not worry about tomorrow. The Lord knows our tomorrow. Press on. Fear not.

Fourth, wait patiently…
Fifth, rest in the rescue of the Lord...
Sixth, praise Him...

Psalm 40
 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

I could go on with the “number list”...you get the idea.

Also, we have comfort in the Word from the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. Here is one of my favorite examples...from Paul...

Acts 16
 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Paul and his entourage had come from one direction.
They were forbidden by the Spirit to go another way.
They sought to go another direction (they are running short of options...only 4 directions )...the Spirit suffered them not...would not allow.
Paul received direction via a vision.

Note that Paul did not know without doubt exactly which way to go!

God guided.
God guarded.

We desire to know the “will of God.”
This is good.

Here is the will of God…

1 Thessalonians 5
16 Rejoice always;
 17 pray without ceasing;
 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

So, as we face the decisions…

Seek the Lord and His Kingdom...
Rejoice always…
Pray without ceasing…
Give thanks in everything...

Blessings!