My Daily Bread

continued from part 3…

Will this affect others and would I want this done to me?

Romans 13:8-10 – Verse 10 says love your neighbors as yourself. Its first denying oneself and surrendering. There should be love, kindness, graciousness and humility immersed into your decision.
John 1:14 – The glory of God is grace and truth.

Will this appear wrong?

Don’t do anything in front of people that’s right to you but appears wrong to them. As not to stumble them. Consider others first and make the wise decision according to truth of God’s Word.
Romans 14:20-22 – 20. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
Romans 14:13. Make sure your decisions will not injure or wound the faith of another person.

Internal Considerations:

1 Corinthians 6:12 – Could this lead me to bondage? You do not have to make the decision yourself. The Holy Spirit will help, lead and guide you in those decisions. I don’t want my freedom to be the source of someone else’s failure.
Romans 14:22 – for whatever in not from faith is sin. If I can’t do it with a clear conscious, but it’s right for me to do, then it’s wrong for me to do it even though it may be right.

Am I breaking any previous commitments? Think about the commitments you already have before you decide, you don’t want to break your promises.
Commitment to what you decide, God’s will is that you keep the promises you make – Matthew 5:37, Psalm 15:4
Read Ecclesiastes 3

The ways of wisdom:

God gives wisdom to whoever asks, generously. James 1:5,6

1 Corinthians 3:19 – wisdom of the world is foolish (Psalm 1:1). Wisdom is to rightly order my priorities, to see the danger in what may seem safe on the surface. How this will effect my life, seeing how things are all connected. I must keep away the things that will enslave or put me in bondage. I must yield to the Holy spirits leading and get away from all foolishness and seek for God’s wisdom. Romans 8:14 – everyone of his children are to be led of the Spirit.

John 16:13,14 – 13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. KJV

John 14:26 – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV

Finally I must way heavily the consciences of godly counsel. – Proverbs 20:18
Trust God’s sovereignty in all decisions it’s for my good. For God holds the heavens and the earth in His hands. Amazing

Philippians 2:13 – For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

continued from part 2…

Central theme of the Universe:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 The unsaved will glorify God at the Judgment seat of Christ but will be thrown in to the Lake of Fire for denying the free gift of Jesus Christ and how he died for their sins. Thats why our hearts desire should be to spread the Gospel according to the truth of the Word of God and not according to some paraphrases, traditions or experiences. The result of living according to the Word of God and of letting our light shine will result in people being saved. This is what brings the glory to God.

Isaiah 43:7 we were created for this purpose.
Ephesians 1:4,12 He chose us before the foundations of the world, to be the praise of his glory. God saved us to glorify him.

Our salvation should be glorifying to God. If people can look at the way we live and glorify God because of the way we let our light shine, what a difference that would make in the world.

Is this the Decision that Jesus would make:

1 Peter 2:21 tells us that Jesus left us an example for our lives.

Humbleness, obedience, blameless, passionate, servant. Jesus was passionate in every aspect and area of his life. Not only in the big things but in all things. He had diligence and obedience even to the very end, ultimately the cross. Jesus’ examples were based upon his perfect character. Our true examples, our true Father. All this because he first loved us. God is love.

Will I be proud of the decisions on earth at the judgment seat of Christ:

Decisions in finances, marriage, children, family, friends and worship. What will have an effect on your decisions in those areas? If we rely upon God and His promises we will produce fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, contentment, and integrity. The characteristics of God will be made manifest in your life for other to see.

Matthew 6:33 – seek first the kingdom of God.

Make a decision that you will be proud at judgment time. Trust in God for your salvation. Trust in God to meet the needs of your life, if God is the first priority of your life then God will fill up what is truly lacking in your life. He will give you the tools you’ll need to live your life as an example and live your life more abundantly.

continued from part 1…

What does God think of these decisions and who will it glorify:

Will this bring glory to God – 1 Corinthians 10:23-28

23. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. 25. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26. for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27. If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28. But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” KJV

The Heavens declare the glory of God, The design shouts designer. It’s God’s desire that those who know the Lord are to be the most obvious demonstration of his glory. When people look at us they should say there must be a God, its God’s glory (John 8:12) that the light is showing through us. That’s what He desires for us. People look at our lives and they have to say there is a God. We are called to be witnesses, Christ like. The Holy Spirit does the same thing, The Holy Spirit points us to Christ and doesn’t take any credit. We are not to take any credit for anything God does in our lives, he wants all the glory, he deserves all the glory.

Who are you giving glory too? 1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. NIV

Does God care about the decisions you and I make? The right or wrong decisions? The yes and no decisions? He cares about our heart’s desire and the wisdom we use (Psalm 1:1) in pleasing him, each one of our steps should be of obedience and should move in the same direction, toward Christ. We are made for God’s glory. We have to consider the decisions we make and how they affect the people around us. Would it be a blessing and a source of strength for others? Does it edify them?

God’s will is about today. Find out what pleases the lord.

Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17 8. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9. (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10. finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. – 15. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16. redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. KJV

Check out 2 Timothy 2:15 – study, its a big decision; eliminate unbiblical options that will be harmful to your faith. Pray and ask for God’s wisdom and get back to the Word of God. – James 1:5, 3:17

Christian Booksellers Association was in Atlanta this year on July 8-12, 2007. This was my first year going to CBA. The experience was amazing. I went with three other guys from The Berean Call. I’m not a very outgoing guy, I like to be the one just doing my own business and working by myself. Well, this year that changed, My job was passing out free preview books. I probably passed out a 1000 books in 4 days. I wasn’t just passing them out and not saying anything, I was ministering to these people. I was able inform, encourage, pray, meet, instruct and share the gospel. So, for me it was a blessing to go. The Lord really taught me to get out of my comfort zone of being “shy”. If I didn’t go I wouldn’t have had that experience and learning. Despite all the unbiblical, profit only, and love-self books it was great. I was able to meet some great, great people that love the Lord. There was one person around my age that I really liked getting to know. It was encouraging for me and can’t wait till next year for CBA in Orlando.