God, I WANT to KNOW What to DO!

No one has all the answers and most of us have few of the answers and only those we’ve worked out the hard way. 

First, it occurs to me that there are sizes to decisions. 

• ·        So deciding to have coffee or tea or to go out and get groceries when it is raining or wait till it stops.  These seem little decisions.
• ·        Buying a car or going on a holiday may be a medium-sized decision.
• ·        Then there are the humongous, significant, life-changing decisions, like getting married or moving to a new place or quitting a job.

As for making decisions, some just stumble into decisions because they think not deciding is better than to decide and miss all the options and potential.  So, they put off making decisions, however, that IS making a decision!  It is about avoiding responsibility for the decision, as I see it.  “If the world rolls over me, then it is not my fault and I don’t have to take responsibility for what is happening to and with me.”  Not true!

For me, I do a little of that when I am particularly afraid because I hope someone will help me and make everything all better…but no one does.

How I Made the Decision to Come to Australia

There are, however, some things I have learned over my lifetime to make significant decisions.  Such as my decision to leave America and come to Australia.  Perhaps they may help you.

Most of all I spent a lot of time reading my Bible and praying -- because if Psalm 139 is true -- and I KNOW it is -- then my heavenly Father knows best. 

When I came to Australia, it was the most unlikely of times and it was the most outlandish of possibilities.  I had a proper career and what was a promising future.  I sometimes still wonder what would have happened if I had stayed working at the bank. 

I was successful at my work, had a wonderful social network, was very busy teaching Scripture and was involved in some amazing discipleship opportunities (my being discipled).  Then there was my family.  My Mom was not getting younger and I could not imagine being far from my brother and his wife.

Then one morning as I was having my devotions, there was a Scripture passage that let me know beyond doubt.  I was sure, puzzled as to why, but sure that God wanted me to quit my job and go to Australia…the “mission field God has called me to”. 

Fulfilling that decision, by the way, was not one bit easy.  Oh, leaving my job was easy, but bittersweet as I had enjoyed working with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, many of whom are still dear and close friends -- even from so far away. 

All the Reasons NOT to Go!

But there was a YEAR delay in moving to Australia due to paperwork problems.  Since I’d stepped out on faith and the word of those in Australia, I had given my month’s notice and then was unemployed. 

I had to move my Mom back to Atlanta and while there was pressed to get another job with a marketing organisation.  They had to understand that at some point my paperwork would be finalised, and I would leave. 

But it was probably the best job I EVER had.  I simply loved the people, most of whom were Christians who shared my love of Scripture! I then became convinced God would not want me to leave this amazing company and His people in a country that LOVED the Lord and where I had family, friends, discipleship and fellowship with His people. 

To give ALL this up to be in a strange country where so few seemed to have a faith.  I knew no one there.  I would be thousands of miles away, a dozen hours different in time zones and going home would be a day of travel!  What COULD God be thinking! 

The passage in Acts, however, haunted me (if I can use that term).  It stayed in my thoughts and when I rested in it, it was so comforting I’m unsure how to describe the peace as I began to know I would go.  The passage?  Acts 8:26-40

And it did NOT make ANY sense…why would He ever want to send me into a desert land to speak with people who weren’t interested!  So my “wisdom” was pretty useless in the long run.  Logic and common sense was overridden by God’s perfect wisdom and omniscience! 

I went, and it has been both the best of times and the worst of times, to borrow a phrase, yet God has grown to be so much more significant in my daily walk.  Oh, I am still only a sinner saved by grace, desiring to please Him each day and disappointing Him regularly, but my LOVE and TRUST is continually developing. 

Practical Application of Christian Decision-Making

·        You check to see if you are "healthy" in the Lord, meaning you have used "Spiritual Soap" which is I John 1:9

·        You check to see if whatever you are wondering about is written about clearly in God's Word.

·        You check to see if there are basic underlying principles clearly written about in God's Word

·        If there is nothing clearly written (such as “Do not murder.  Do not steal.”)

·        Then seek the wisdom of wise counsellors who also believe God is the focus of wisdom and truth.  If they do not advise against what you are seeking God's will about, then...step forward.

·        Keep stepping forward, while you ask the Lord to close any doors He does not want you to walk through.

·        Then keep stepping forward/taking action as if it is the right thing to do.

·        When a door closes, thank Him for helping you.

·        When a door is open, walk through it and thank Him for helping you.

·        Sometimes as you are stepping forward it seems there is no floor out there, but if you follow the steps above, there is a floor there...or you are meant to fall. Trusting Him also means you are willing to fall because He can and will catch you or He will send another to catch you.

12 Helpful Decision-Making Questions for Christians

None of these should be considered in isolation or seen as a set of iron-fast rules.  They are just some areas (elements of our decision-making process) to look at, and some questions to ask when trying to work out what God wants you to do. 

The overriding rule is, if we put Jesus first in our thoughts, desires, and actions, then His will will just happen!  Remember God will probably not make His will known in only one way and at only one time.  Be open. 

Interestingly enough, nowhere in the Bible does it say for us to KNOW God’s will, it just says to trust in Him and do it.  You could use these questions as a helpful guide with all things you do. 

	Element	Question	Guidance
1.	Scriptural Consistency	Is it consistent with the Bible?	Everything we do should be consistent with the Bible, and nothing should contradict it.
2.	Personal Potential	Do I have the ability to do it?	God equips us for what He wants us to do.  And we will probably have an ability in the area.
3.	Personal Desire	Have I got a desire to do it?	God wants our desires.  He can and does use our desires to direct us if they are directed to him.
4.	Personal Consistency	Is it consistent with my life so far?	God usually directs us to things that develop logically from where we are and have come from.
5.	Christian Life	How close to Jesus am I am this moment?	We should be in a close relationship with Jesus if we want God’s guidance and leading.
6.	Wise Counsel	What is the opinion of those I regard?	Always take into consideration, the wisdom of some Christians who are really “switched on.”
7.	Personal Conviction	What is my “gut feeling” on it?	Quite often God will use our instinct, common sense and conscience to direct us.
8	Sign Posts	Have there been any indications or signs?	God may make it obvious to us by opening up specific opportunities / doors for us.
9	Timing	Do I need God’s guidance NOW?	Make decisions only when they need to be made.  Don’t worry about future decisions.
10	Post Decision	What are the consequences of doing it?	If we do something, will the consequences be acceptable or desirable and clearly God’s Will.
11	Don’t Do It Scenario	What happens if I don’t do it?	If nothing happens as a result of my not doing it, then it probably wasn’t that critical.
12	Glorify God	Will it bring glory to God?	Everything we do should glorify God.  If by doing something we can’t, then we shouldn’t do it.

What more....

Thank you Father

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBcqria2wmg 

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Who Am I?

by Casting Crowns

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. 

“But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now, at last, you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 

“I know how to get along with humble means, and I know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-13, 19

Learned.

Received.

Heard and seen.

Do practice.

Rejoice.

Revive.

Look for opportunity.

Be content.

Be content!

Be strong.

The Lord is always there waiting to supply ALL your needs from His abundance in omniscient love, but most of all for His glory.  This passage has always reminded of the shared responsibility I have to learn from those the Lord brings into my life

It might be a good time this week to consider and pray for those who support you in the Lord, who have discipled you as you built your strength and resolve to follow Christ and helped you keep focused on growing.

For me, the list is long and dynamic...  

It begins with my Mom and Dad and my little brother, Tim and his wife Barbara.  Billy Graham.  Doris and Owen Smith.  David.  Tim Crater, Doug McIntosh.  Don and Elaine Lanier, Kay Arthur, Bill Gothard, Larry Burkette, Sid Abraham, Audley McLean, Barb Bennett-Rey, Buddy and Susan Smith, Geoff and Robyn Smith, Jay Bacik, Geoff and Liz Payne, Brian and Anne Gibbon, Peter Atherden. Elaine and Jim Pounder.  Adrian Stokes, Carla and Paul Kossally.  Careena and Adam Street, Simon Flinders and Kathy Notley ... and God willing, there will be more.

Of course, there are many others the Lord has brought into my life, but these 36 faithful people have had a direct, prayerful and active hand in growing me up in the Lord and I will never be able to thank them enough for their patience and love.  What a wonderful thought that God knows how much they mean to me and how much they have laboured for His glory and my good.

If your name isn’t here, please forgive me for not realising how the Lord has called you to contribute to my life.  Maybe it’s time to remind me!

I encourage you to consider a thanksgiving list of those who have contributed to your salvation and discipleship as you continue to grow in the Lord.  

Remembering Adrian Stokes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zhf2mqEMI 

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Come As You Are by Crowder

Adrian loved the Lord! 

What a blessing to have known him since 1989 when I first came to Australia.  He was one of many who made me feel welcome in this new and strange country.  We met at church and when I opened the doors of my small apartment to offer Bible study to the young adults, he rarely missed it. 

He would sit in one of the rattan chairs opposite me and nearest the windows.  He was someone who understood Acts 17:11, and enjoyed asking for proof texts if something did not make sense…and therefore kept me on my toes. 

He had a warm and sweet sense of humour and when we did a special study on God’s gift of love, he shared his tender heart for one of the Elder’s daughters.  She did not even know he existed and even when she did, she was not a bit interested.  But like a true knight, he worked hard to convince her and eventually had to give up -- but always held her in his heart. 

He helped me embrace Australia and took time to show me places I would have missed.  One weekend, the young adult’s group had a sort of scavenger’s hunt/ road rally.  He was in the back seat sharing navigator responsibilities with another passenger as I negotiated my first ever roundabout, thinking it was ‘first-in-best-dressed’.  We almost crashed, and I abandoned the rest of the rally to the skilled and SAFE driving of Adrian.

When a surprising hurricane screamed up the harbour and tore a path up the Pacific Highway in 1991, Adrian called me to see if I was alright.  Then asked if I wanted to go visit Pastor Norris and Edith Brooks and see if they needed help. 

Their place was right in the path of the storm.  It took over two hours, driving through all the downed trees and heavy traffic along the way.  Adrian could be very patient.  When we arrived, there was so much work to do and lots of thanksgiving that no trees crashed through their house.

Years later, he moved to live with an uncle in Queensland.  He had a small room in the back of his house and shared it with his family of Chihuahuas.   A year later he had a near-fatal stroke.  Oh, the stroke was not that bad, but he fell into a door jamb when it happened and cracked open his head. 

He was a long time in hospital and when he returned he faced the loss of everything he owned (except his dogs) from the 2011 floods, then lived in temporary shelters far too long. 

Not long after, they discovered the multiple myeloma cancer and horrific treatments began as he struggled to maintain some semblance of a real life.  Eventually, and thankfully, he found a home in the back of Phil’s house with his last companion dog, Toby.  It was not perfect, but it was his sanctuary from the pain and suffering that had become an everyday part of his life. 

We talked nearly every other day for the last fifteen years.  I heard jokes, anger, confusion, stories, fears and tears.  He would call me almost every Wednesday, while in the dialysis chair and after his cancer infusion to share his walk with Toby with me. 

Sometimes, he would call right after exercising on his cardio-twister (exercise machine) that he insisted was necessary to keep some strength in his post-tri-athlete’s body.  Perhaps, Toby and that cardio-twister were the two secrets to his endurance through so much. 

The last year has been very difficult for Adrian as he knew he needed more help.  Then Carol and Shane stepped up to bring him relief -- and most of all -- God’s love and compassion.  I thank God for Carol and Shane … and for Phil … who gave so much to Adrian, even when it was not easy.

I thought it would be good to consider two of the many favourite Bible passages Adrian loved and then end with a little story that sums up his humility and wonder. 

   

==========Two versions, whichever is best for you ==========

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes.  Fear the Lord and turn away from evil, It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

“If you want favour with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.  In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (TLB)

And...

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB)

“Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ.  And even trusting is not of yourselves, it too is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.  It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” (TLB)

====================

And here is a story to consider: 

One day a poor boy saw a man selling ripe cherries and when he looked at the beautiful fruit, his eyes filled with longing.  But he had no money to buy cherries.  The kindly vendor noticed him and asked the boy, ‘Do you want some cherries?’  And the little boy said that he did. 

The man said to the boy, ‘Hold out your hands and I will give you some.’  But the little boy did not hold out his hands.  The man said again, ‘Hold out your hands,’ but again the little boy would not.  The man reached down, took the child’s hands, and filled them with two big handfuls of cherries. 

Later the boy’s mother heard about what happened and asked, ‘Why didn’t you hold out your hands when he asked you to?”  And the little boy answered, ‘His hands were so much bigger than mine I knew I could not hold them all!”

==============

Oh, God’s hands are so much bigger than we can imagine!  They have now filled Adrian’s hands with more blessings than we can ever understand.  You see, through it all, God was holding Adrian and would not let go. 

If you do not have this assurance, please ask someone who does know what led Adrian to Heaven for all Eternity. 

I will miss hearing Adrian’s voice but know Someone is holding him with true love; and that Adrian is finally pouring all that stored up love he had, on Jesus.