sermon notes: INDECISION

From God to Captain Harwell to me
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Defeating Stress - Part 4

God's Antidote to Indecision

Stress can come from indecision. Out success in life is largely based on the way we make decisions. Should I hold on or let go? Should I get in or get out?

James 1 -- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways...
The Greek translation of "unstable" is to stagger like a drunk.

We tend to second guess ourselves.

Is there an antidote for our stress? Yes, LET GOD GUIDE YOU. He will guide you on the paths of righteousness. He will help you because it's so easy to get off the right path.

How to LET GOD GUIDE YOU:

1 -- Admit that we need a guide. Allow God to be our Guide.
For example, when we don't stop and ask for directions (mainly men). Sheep are naturally wanderers so they need good shepherds in order to stay in the right direction and be protected.
Isaiah 53 - We've left God's path to follow our own.
Isn't that the real problem? We don't want to follow Him.
Sheep have poor vision. They don't know if they'll be led over a cliff. We can't see the future. Seeing the present clearly can be difficult. God made us so that we don't see into the future so that we would trust Him.

Proverbs 14 -- There is a way that seems right to a man that leads to death.

We STUMBLE. David said that God guides the humble.

2 - We need to ASK in faith for directions.

James 1 says if anyone lacks wisdom...But when he asks he must believe and not doubt.

God wants us to ask. He wants to direct our lives. You must ask God. You must ask in faith expecting an answer because God works in our lives according to our faith. I want you to give me wisdom. It all depends on us!

Wisdom is seeing LIFE from GOD'S point of view. The ability to make decisions with wisdom.

3 - Listen for God's answer.

Radio waves are all around us. By their creator to pick up communication between cell phones, electronic equipment, etc.

We have been created by God to communicate so that he may receive from him guidance and direction. JOB 33:14 We don't understand because we're not tuned in. Doesn't always speak the same way. A lot of the direction is all right here. His spirit is our growth. It's nice to have a compass and roadmap (the BIBLE). Read God's word every day, every day. If you don't, it's like having the phone off the hook. If you don't learn or memorize scripture, HOW DOES IT COME TO MIND IN CHALLENGING TIMES. Have you ever felt like teachers or preachers are speaking directly to you? You could be missing out on being God's voice for someone else.

Our time of devotions are important. Communing with him alone. If you don't spend time with him, we're not serious about listening to God. TUNE IN! Are you listening? If you don't, you're going to miss God's path. When you're out of touch for a day, two days, two weeks, you can get off course. If you listen, you can stay with HIM.

4 -- TRUST God when you don't understand.
Psalm 77
Sometimes you see a dead end or a wall BUT when you trust God it could turn into a door.

to be continued...