Make up your mind
James chapter 1:5-8
This morning I have a Christmas thought, not necessarily a Christmas message. Next Sunday, we will look at the Christmas story. Looking at Matthew 1 and Luke 2.
I want to look for a moment at the earthly parents of the Christ child.
I want you to see the decisions that they had to make.
How the decisions they made individually affected many people in the future.
You have a young Joseph pledged to be married to the love of his life Mary who according to Mary was about to give birth to a child by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.
Matthew records the event in chapter 1:18-
“This how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
(20) “But after he had considered this…(he had already made up his mind to divorce her quietly) “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
Decision time- over load!
He made up his mind and God was intervening! God had ordained what is happening! You don’t see the big picture! But God is in this!
About the same time- recorded in Luke, the text that Gina read for us gives the account of Mary.
(26) “In the sixth month, God sent a angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgins name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, greeting, you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled by his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, do not be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”
(34) “How can this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin.
After the angel explains that this will be done by the power of the Holy Spirit overshadowing her.
(38) “I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered, may it be to me as you have said.”
Now, thank God we don’t have to face decisions like those! Right!
That would be a hard sell, that is unimaginable!
Without God, how do you make the right decision?
Without God, how do you know what to do?
Life is full of decisions- a series of choices we make everyday.
We evaluate, decide, draw conclusions.
Frank Borham-
“We make our decisions and then our decisions make us.”
The decisions we make today can have consequences later.
The decisions we make can affect not only ourselves, but others close to us.
On Wednesday, we started a new small group course called “circle makers.” It is about praying circles around things that are important to you and things that you want to see God do something with.
We shared great testimonies of things that God has done in people’s lives and the amazing ways that he did them. A lot of times, logically, they do not fit, they do not make sense, but then, if we could do them ourselves, we would not need God.
Illustration-
A young business man went to an executive and asked for his wisdom. What is the secret of business wisdom? The man answered wise decisions. How do you make wise decisions? Experience the man answered. How do I get experience? “Dumb decisions.”
How do you make decisions?
How do you make up your mind?
Do you use common sense? Experience?
Or do you see how it lines up with God’s word.
We are only human. We have a great possibility to make mistakes or make bad choices.
Say the wrong thing
Pay too much, be deceived by someone
Let our emotions dictate our decision.
How would you like to make Mary or Joseph’s decision?
Your ordinary day just got extra-ordinary.
Just made your decisions seem easier didn’t I
James talks about decision making in James 1:5-8 (read)
James tells us if we lack wisdom to ask God.
God who is no respecter of person will give to each one of us if we ask.
He says that if we are going to ask God, we should believe that He will give us the right answer, not doubt, we should not be double-minded and unstable.
That is a sermon right there!
(8) double-minded person is a unstable person.
Double-minded is two souled-
pulled apart in different directions
divided loyalties
divided priorities.
The problem with walking on the fence is you cannot do it very long and a lot of times you fall off on the wrong side (repeat) like it use it.
Wishy- washy doesn’t make a person strong.
We have all been to the fork in the road and had to decide which direction we will go. That is why it is so important to hear from God and make the right choice.
Double-minded in some Bibles is translated “confused.”
Confused in relationships.
Confused because of fear of the unknown.
Confused because it will involve change.
Illustration-
Like the drunk who is staggering around telling his friends that he is capable of making wise decisions and able to drive. He/she may think so, but medically proven, our senses are numbed by alcohol and we cannot function properly or make good decisions.
Here it is –
The problem- indecision, unstable, double-mindedness.
The cure- Asking God for wisdom.
Heard it said that we will pick up the phone and call someone and ask what we need to do. But we don’t ask God for His help! Hang up the phone and go to the throne!
Christmas time is an exciting time for me. It causes me to think about two things.
(1) miracles- Christmas reaffirms to me that God still is in the miracle business. That what seems impossible with man is possible with God. That God loves us enough to provide for us. That change is not only possible, but that God ordains it.
(2) The second is not so glamorous. Christmas is a time to reflect on our own lives and see where we are and look at decisions that we have made. It is a time that God usually speaks to me about what I need to do different.
So let me give you three quick suggestions from the word of God concerning decision making and developing a faith that works.
Remember the problem is indecision and bad choices-
The cure is Asking God
(1) Admit your need-
“If any of you lacks wisdom you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you.”
We all lack wisdom- we need God’s help.
Wisdom is different from knowledge-
Wisdom is knowledge put into practice.
Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view
Wisdom is making Godly decisions
The world is impressed with knowledge, God is impressed by wisdom
When is the last time you said that you were wrong? Thought so.
If we cannot do it with each other, we really have a hard time with God.
Admit to God that you don’t have all the answers. “I don’t know God” “What would you like me to do?” Admit your need.
(2) Ask. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask….”
Pray to God.
Talk to Him.
Ask God.
Dr. Phil will not give you personal answers to personal questions, but God will.
Proverbs 2:6-
“It is the Lord who gives wisdom, from Him comes knowledge and understanding.”
Illustration- THE WISDOM OF BABES
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Out of the mouth of babes?” Certainly you have. It comes from the simple truth that sometimes it takes a child to reveal lasting wisdom. It seems foolish but it isn’t!
For example:
• Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
• Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.”
• Michael, wise man that he was also said, “Never tell your mom her diet’s not working.”
• Naomi, 15 said, “If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.”
. Randy, 9 said, “Don’t eat prunes” wonder what happen for that conclusion?
If you only knew how many times a day I ask God for wisdom.
Before I pick up the phone
Before an appointment
Before church decisions
James 4:2-
“You have not because you ask not.”
20 times in the New Testament it says “Ask, and it shall be given.”
(3) Expect it.
“If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.
Anticipate and expect and believe that God wants to give you the answer you need.
If God asked you now, what do you want most in life, would it be wisdom?
If you had to make an important decision, would He be the first one you talk too?
Closing,
I am so thankful that I do not have to make decisions as drastic as Mary and Joseph. We do though make decisions that affect our lives and we need God’s help. First!
God, tell me what to do!
God, tell me what to say!
God show me your wisdom!
Teach me Lord your principals that will apply to this situation!
Bring to remembrance a scripture that will help.
Give me the peace that is found in your word and in our relationship!
Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Amen.
