Best Question Ever - Part 2

(Background) –

·         Just because it is morally and culturally permissible does not mean it is what’s best for us.

·         We should not be trying to make a decision right but the right decision.

·         If we are going to make our life fool proof the question we should be asking is;

“In light of my past experiences, current circumstances, and future desires, is this the wisest thing to do?”

 

Not – “is this the right thing to do?”  or “is there anything wrong with doing this”

                For this places us back to comparing it with the social and moral law, our culture and what it allows.  This question gives us wiggle room when we know really what is going to be the wisest thing to do.  Remember Shelly, she deceived herself by thinking a small drink was not going to be a problem.  Deceiving herself with the “I can handle this, or It‘s just one drink”.  This means of trying to justify what you are doing typically only leads to greater problems.  It lead to an internet chat then coffee together then and affair.  She kept deceiving herself by asking the wrong question. 

 

Scripture – Ephesians 5:15-17; “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

 

But do not forget what Paul said first and that is to make the most of your time.  Do not spend your time on things that when you look back added NO VALUE to your life or the lives of others.  Ron blew this one for sure!!!!  God wants for you to have an “Abundant life”, not a life of regret or bare-get-by one either.

Are you making the most of your time? 

Watch Video:  1^st Choice Oprah

You see how our choices are so important. 

Matthew 6: 25- 34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,  ….. “ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?.... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

 

If you take the two points here in this scripture you can see Jesus is referring to making wise choices.  The wise choice is to seek the kingdom and his righteousness first!!!

Wasn’t this what Nick did!!  

In one of the lows in his life he had to make a decision,  a wise one.  HE chose to listen to his parents.  He chose to listen to Christ..  If you are at the cross roads in having to make a decision are you asking “What is the wisest thing I should do?”  Have you someone that you know will be honest and godly that will give you guidance?

Nick had his parents.

The idea of the disciple journey is to be that person Christ wants us to be and help each other make those wise decisions.  To help us seek the kingdom and his righteousness first and foremost.

If you are feeling alone today, without purpose, not knowing how to make the wisest decision, come and give it to God. Let us pray with you, Ask the Lord for guidance and wisdom.  Make the decision if you have not already to give your life completely to Christ to be his disciple.  It’s a choice you have to make we cannot make it for you but we want to be there with you.

The Best Question Ever....

 

One of the biggest things we do is Self deception.  That is why we need to know the Best Question Ever.  We deceiving oruselves with the “I can handle this, or It‘s just one drink”.  This means of trying to justify what you are doing typically only leads to greater problems.  This is because we like to ask ourselves  “How close to the line of committing adultery can I go?”,  “I just want to be happy is that wrong?” 

We go into decision making asking the wrong question.  We ask ourselves “Is there anything wrong with it? 

“The assumption is that IF there is nothing wrong with what we’re doing then it must be okay.”

Quote:

Andy Stanley stated- “Biblically speaking, if there is not a “Thou shalt not” associated with it, then it’s safe to assume it qualifies as a “Thou certainly shalt if thou please.”

 

Scripture – Ephesians 5:15-17; “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

You can see from these verses that Paul is trying to tell us something very important!  

Be careful how you walk, is not referring to how you actually walk…  He is saying be careful how you behave, how you live your life, how to live out your faith.  

How am I supposed to do this?  He gives us the answer, “not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” 

 You see what Paul wrote and what God is saying is “we need to ask ourselves “is it the wisest thing to do?”  The question is not “Is there anything wrong with it?” 

Look back at that point in time you wish you could change in your life.  The time you would ask for a redo.  Can you see how asking the right question would most likely had changed the outcome. 

Paul warns the church at Ephesus that they need to make the most of their time for the days are evil.  Temptation was running rampid in that city, nothing different really from today’s times.  Just watch TV.  Shelly knows all about temptation.  But do not forget what Paul said first and that is to make the most of your time.  Do not spend your time on things that when you look back added NO VALUE to your life or the lives of others.  Ron blew this one for sure!!!!  God wants for you to have an “Abundant life”, not a life of regret or bare-get-by one either.

Are you making the most of your time? 

Paul then grabs us by the shoulders and looks us in the eyes and say’s

“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

 Paul is saying pay attention, this world is full of temptations.  The culture norms can easily drag you back to the place you were.  You have to see your surrounding’s for what they are.  Do not be foolish.  Then Paul tells us to do the impossible by saying we are to understand the will of the Lord.  How can we understand the Lord’s will?  Well we can’t always, but he is really saying is; Stop deceiving yourself!  Quit playing games, Quit rationalizing the situation, you know generally already in our heart what God would have us do. 

You see it usually takes something that scars us to face up to what we knew already in our hearts that needed to change before we actually do it.  So instead of asking ourselves; “Is there anything wrong with it?”

The Question would be - “Is this….. whatever it maybe..  the wisest thing to do, based on my past experience, my present circumstances, and my future desires?”

The question we are always asking is “is there anything wrong with it?” followed up by if it is not against the law then it is okay to do.  And the list of self deceiving answers follow. 

You see so many of our decisions are in regards to things that are not against the Law but they are surely not necessary in our best interest.  The smallest of the decisions can and do have long lasting consequences. 

So you see just because there is nothing wrong with it, does not mean it is the best thing for you to do or have or want.  We have to begin making our decisions based on asking ourselves the ‘Best Question”    

“Is this….. whatever it maybe..  the wisest thing to do, based on my past experience, my present circumstances, and my future desires?”