1. Decision Making and God’s will The Life: Practical Insights to Christian Living MIT Asian Christian Fellowship February 15, 2002

2. Many decisions to make Easy everyday decisions to… the prime rib or the lobster? Moral decisions to… to cheat or not to cheat? Decisions which need guidance an engineer or an artist? Is he/she the One?

3. The promise of guidance “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” -- God (Ps 32.8)

4. Hot or not? Rank ‘em… Personal desires Inner peace Common sense Scripture Mature Counsel Results Circumstances Special Revelation (visions, or prophecies)

5. Five ways to decide 1. Scripture 2. Prayer & special revelation 3. Personal desires & vision 4. Circumstances: “Open doors” 5. Community & mature counsel

6. 1. Scripture: God’s Word God’s will? Know God’s Word! In Scripture, God speaks most directly Knowing how God speaks directly will help you understand how God speaks indirectly His love letter: read it! Combined with special revelation The hunch factor: Scripture which is alive!

7. 2. Prayer & Special Revelation Asking gives wisdom “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (Ja 1.5) Asking gives courage: “Your will be done.” (Mt. 22.36-46) The obedience factor: no shortcuts (Jn 15.10)

8. 3. Personal Desires & Vision A God-given vision can be helpful in determining which steps to take My career? The One? The hunch factor, pt. 2: don’t ignore them, but don’t serve them Inner peace can be a good result… But, inner conviction is better!

9. 4. Circumstances Circumstances are descriptive, not prescriptive: open doors In English: just because you have an open door doesn’t mean God wants you to walk through it. But a door closed might let you know that you’re on the wrong track.

10. 5. Community & Counsel Making decisions only on our own dooms us to repeating the same mistakes “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” (Pr. 11.4) Much wisdom in getting different and older perspectives, particularly from people who know you

11. Combine all five ways 1. Scripture 2. Prayer & special revelation 3. Personal desires & vision 4. “Open doors” 5. Community & mature counsel

12. Jesus’ advice: first things first “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” -- Jesus (Mt. 6.33)