“I must have an immense quantity of mind. It takes so long to make it up.”-Mark Twain-

The personnel manager had advertised a job opening, and a large group of applicants was waiting in the waiting room. The first young man was ushered into her office, and she began explaining the job to him.
“We need someone in this job who can make fast decisions,” she said, “someone who can really think on his feet. Can you show me that you’re capable of doing that?”
Without a word, the young man got to his feet, stuck his head out the door, and announced to all the other waiting applicants, “Okay, you guys. You can all go home – this job’s just been filled.”

This lesson deals with the daily decision-making process in the life of a Christian. A look at the life of Christ will help you develop a game plan for the continued decisions you must make in life.

Decision-making Principles in the Life of Christ
The Lord always dealt with stressful situations in the same way, whether it was temptation in the wilderness or the hour of decision at Gethsemane. He made the right choice and obeyed. Why, and how?

He held to His objectives. It is impossible to make difficult decisions without a sense of personal destiny. Jesus knew His divinely-appointed assignment and would not be side-tracked or seduced. His heart was fixed on the cross. Every decision He made was tested against His calling.
In order to hold to my God-given objectives, I must wear blinders, like a racehorse, that remove potential distractions from my life, for “my heart is fixed.”

He heeded God’s Word. Jesus didn’t make decisions based on human reason, but stood firmly on the sure Word of God saying, “It is written.” God’s Word answers questions and clears away the fog of confusion that comes from listening to too many voices.
Life can be simpler when we live in accordance with His Word. Most of the struggles in our lives are the result of not doing what we know is right. My dad’s spankings certainly taught me that. If we heed God’s Word, He will fight for us, not against us.

He helped others before Himself. Many people feel used at times, but being used is different than LETTING yourself be used. Serving means unselfishly choosing to put others first without harboring bitterness, anger, or resentment. Jesus said, “No one takes My life; I give it.” When you truly live for others, decisions are much easier to make. You’ve already decided to put others first. J.H. Jewett said, “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”

He honored God’s will. Jesus said, “I only say what I hear my Father say, and I only do what I see Him do.” He restricted His decisions to the will of God. When He spoke to people, He was only saying to them what God the Father had already been saying to them.
Life can be simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If I resist His will, my destiny rests solely in my hands, but if I am obedient to His will, my future rests with Him.

He humbly prayed. Jesus prayed all the time. That was His custom. His faithful example is a constant reminder that the weapons of warfare at our disposal are heavenly, not worldly.
On the night before He named His 12 disciples, He climbed up onto a mountainside and talked to His Father through the night.
In Gethsemane, the night before He went to the cross, He wrestled in prayer through the long dark hours, while the disciples slept.
Scripture says, “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). We understand it by coming before Him and saying, “Well, Father, I want Your will in this situation, but it’s not clear to me what it is You want me to do.”

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time
“Rather than viewing our circumstances as God-caused, we should view them as a point on a continuum. Our vocation as human beings is to make decisions, and God’s part in our lives is to work with us. He plants His Holy Spirit in our heart and He begins to change the kind of person we are. When we change, our values change, then our decisions change. Our relationship with God is a process of changing our values to agree with His so that the decisions we make will be godly ones.”

-John Boykin, author of “The Gospel of Coincidence”-

Prayer: “God, change me into the person of your desires. May my heart beat as Yours, so that my thoughts will be Your thoughts, Amen.”

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any wrong motive in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything that I need to know as I enter this day?”

3. Confession Time
Confess the areas where your heart is NOT like God’s. Right decisions are a result of a right heart.

4.) Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Proverbs 3:1-12 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes and allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

5.) Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.

Name Request

7.) Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests

8.) Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to Take in my Obedience to God:

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank God by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse: (Proverbs 3:5-6)

This Week’s Time Alone With God
Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday – Memorize the 5 decision-making principles in the life of Christ.

Wednesday – Go to the Preparation Time: How is God changing you? Is it making a difference in your values? What decisions are different today than the ones you would have made a year ago?

Thursday – Go to the memory verse; circle the 4 verbs. What are your responsibilities? What are God’s responsibilities?

Friday – The memory verse has 3 applications:
God will do His part, but we must do our part…
God wants our total trust…no games…
God can handle every area of our life…