Making decisions can be immensely problematic for various people and it is an area where help guidance and encouragement may be necessary.
Deciding or choosing regarding important matters is often underestimated.
The importance of decision must never be minimised.
Some think it so decisions depend upon emotion - how I am feeling - the mood I am in - the way I look at things at present - but that is not true, and can be a dangerous way to live.
Emotion certainly has a part to play but it is not the decisive part.
What decides is the will.
It is the will that enable us to make the decisions for us.
The Psalmist in the Old Testament knew some vital truths which we tend to overlook or even ignore today.
In Psalm 103, David speaks about how Almighty God forgives - heals - redeems - crowns - satisfies - and renews.
He heals and we hear a lot about healing today and even what has been called 'alternative healing'.
We each need to know that Almighty God heals, that Jesus Christ is still in the business of healing, but when we reach a certain age we need to know too that He renews.
I know I need to know that He renews me when I become worn out, weary or tired.
Many today are motivated by - I want - I think - I feel.
These are very human and natural characteristics.
Making important decisions almost brings us into a different realm.
If we don't make decisions, we can be like a leaf in stream, just getting carried along wherever it goes - into an eddy or into some backwater just going round and round - or more serious - over rocks and rapids and out of your control.
One of the crucial areas about which I have written elsewhere is that of "Repentance" - a topic we hear so little about - and in certain places it is almost deliberately avoided.
I wonder why? In the seven letters which Jesus Christ wrote to seven church - you can read these Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 - to five out of the seven he said, "Repent".
There can be that moment in life when God draws so very close.
Am I going to come to Him or resist? I think of one man who experienced such a moment some years ago and he said, "I do not want to go this far" and then he sensed these words coming to him - "If you stop now you may never get this far again".
Almighty God draws you and draws close to you at certain times - and if you don't respond He may never speak to you again.
To decide at such a moment can affect the whole of your life.
I know what this involves because I have been there! Another topic which involves a decision is "Forgiving".
I do not feel like forgiving - we are not supposed to feel like it - we are to forgive.
It is the Will and the decision we make that affects what follows in life.
Jesus Christ taught quite clearly in Mark Chapter 11 that whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that you Father in heaven may forgive you.
If we hold onto unforgiveness, our prayers can be hindered.
That verse, where Jesus speaks about praying, leaves out nothing and leaves out no-one.
This is so relevant in a day of being inclusive.
Do not let anyone say that we in the Christian Faith are exclusive - or that we exclude people.
No - and especially, not when it comes to forgiveness.
Decisions are vitally important and in certain areas of life to make no decision is to make the wrong decision!Now, that is something upon which it is worth taking time to meditate and contemplate.
These are serious issues regarding our future well-being, welfare and wholeness.
Sandy Shaw
Deciding or choosing regarding important matters is often underestimated.
The importance of decision must never be minimised.
Some think it so decisions depend upon emotion - how I am feeling - the mood I am in - the way I look at things at present - but that is not true, and can be a dangerous way to live.
Emotion certainly has a part to play but it is not the decisive part.
What decides is the will.
It is the will that enable us to make the decisions for us.
The Psalmist in the Old Testament knew some vital truths which we tend to overlook or even ignore today.
In Psalm 103, David speaks about how Almighty God forgives - heals - redeems - crowns - satisfies - and renews.
He heals and we hear a lot about healing today and even what has been called 'alternative healing'.
We each need to know that Almighty God heals, that Jesus Christ is still in the business of healing, but when we reach a certain age we need to know too that He renews.
I know I need to know that He renews me when I become worn out, weary or tired.
Many today are motivated by - I want - I think - I feel.
These are very human and natural characteristics.
Making important decisions almost brings us into a different realm.
If we don't make decisions, we can be like a leaf in stream, just getting carried along wherever it goes - into an eddy or into some backwater just going round and round - or more serious - over rocks and rapids and out of your control.
One of the crucial areas about which I have written elsewhere is that of "Repentance" - a topic we hear so little about - and in certain places it is almost deliberately avoided.
I wonder why? In the seven letters which Jesus Christ wrote to seven church - you can read these Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 - to five out of the seven he said, "Repent".
There can be that moment in life when God draws so very close.
Am I going to come to Him or resist? I think of one man who experienced such a moment some years ago and he said, "I do not want to go this far" and then he sensed these words coming to him - "If you stop now you may never get this far again".
Almighty God draws you and draws close to you at certain times - and if you don't respond He may never speak to you again.
To decide at such a moment can affect the whole of your life.
I know what this involves because I have been there! Another topic which involves a decision is "Forgiving".
I do not feel like forgiving - we are not supposed to feel like it - we are to forgive.
It is the Will and the decision we make that affects what follows in life.
Jesus Christ taught quite clearly in Mark Chapter 11 that whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that you Father in heaven may forgive you.
If we hold onto unforgiveness, our prayers can be hindered.
That verse, where Jesus speaks about praying, leaves out nothing and leaves out no-one.
This is so relevant in a day of being inclusive.
Do not let anyone say that we in the Christian Faith are exclusive - or that we exclude people.
No - and especially, not when it comes to forgiveness.
Decisions are vitally important and in certain areas of life to make no decision is to make the wrong decision!Now, that is something upon which it is worth taking time to meditate and contemplate.
These are serious issues regarding our future well-being, welfare and wholeness.
Sandy Shaw
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