Be Still

Be Still
Originally 2/15/08

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

We all have pressures. We are overwhelmed with school, work, church, friends and family. We find ourselves making hard decisions sometimes unpopular to those around us. We need time to think, to consult with our great counselor. We find it hard to be alone with God. It is true that the most wonderful way to get to know God is spending time with the Father. Distractions tug. We are tempted to choose another way. We become overwhelmed with other duties; we forget that God wants to spend time with us. We may even resist Him, thinking we can handle it all on our own.

When you take the time and be still, you can hear what God is saying. He will touch your heart and restore your spirit. He will listen to your pleas and concerns. He will comfort and direct. He will answer questions. He will rejoice with you.

Give yourself a time out. Find a place where there are no distractions. This may be hard to do at first, but soon you find you cannot live without it. Your anticipation will grow as you look forward to your spending time with your Father. Claim your time with God; your bond cannot be broken. Put up your DO NOT DISTURB sign as everything else takes a back seat. In the quiet place God will speak to you, if you are willing. If you really want to know Him, be silent and listen. He wants to have time with you so that you can know Him better.

Decision Making 101

Decision Making 101 Originally written 6/23/08 If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking.
James 1:5

How good are we at making decisions? Do we consider God’s plan in our life before taking that giant leap? Do we do our own research? Do we seek advice from a trusted follower of Christ? How about being reasonable and giving the idea careful thought? Do we listen to our conscience and when we do make a decision how long do we wait to finally act on it? As I began writing, I realize where I lack the skill or knowledge in making cautious and considerate decisions. Granted some decisions come easy. The outcome is generally harmless. Which salad dressing do I prefer on my salad? While other decisions may take more contemplation. What do we do to prepare ourselves for such an endeavor?

We must go to God with our concerns and questions. We must pray about what ever it is we are making a decision on. So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. Luke 11:9. When we go to God for guidance, He will give it to us.

Gather all the information that you can. It may be impossible to get all the information, yet getting all we can, greatly increases our knowledge. Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things. Proverbs 24:3-4

Go to a trusted friend or mentor; this can help us in making sensible and important decisions. A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5

Remember not to get too impulsive. Sometimes we get hasty and make a rash decision, leaving us with unwanted and unwelcome results. Take your time to make a decision. In that time, evaluate the pros and cons. Even zeal is not good without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily sins. Proverbs 19:2

Listen to your inner voice. What is it saying to you? Trust your concerns as you would a trusted advisor. No one will say, Look, here it is! Or, There it is!’ because the Kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21

And finally when the time comes to make that very important decision; do it. Don’t put it off. Procrastination becomes the enemy of progress. Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. James 1:22

Often when we cannot make up our minds, we become miserable. Focus your thoughts on God and His will for your life. Thank God for the sense of right and wrong, the ability to think, for giving us a course of action and aptitude to act on decisions. You belong to God and He wants what is best for you. Don’t leave Him out. Strive to make decisions that are pleasing to the Father.