Decision = Change

 

The hot topic of the day is gun control. What are we going to do about it? There’re Vice President Joe Biden’s recommendations. There’re the recommendations of the NRA. Everyone has an opinion. In view of the recent shooting tragedies in our country most feel something has to be done. In the coming days a decision will be made. Something’s going to change.

Decision always means change.

I don’t know what your life is like right now, but maybe you could use some change. Whether to connect with God is a decision. It’s a decision that could change your life. If you choose to follow God, you’ll want to check out his plan for your life. That plan is found in the Bible; that plan is found in prayer (your personal conversations with God). Decision does mean change, but change can be good.

The Bible says God has a plan for you…and it’s a good one. Check it out.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29

 

First and 10/10/10

Do you spend your Sundays watching NFL football? I am constantly amazed at the speed of the game. A quarterback has literally seconds to decide who to pass to. Some of the rookies with bad offensive lines have to just take the ball and heave it…get rid of it as fast as possible, or they end up getting sacked.

Life is like that sometimes. You have to make decisions so quickly you barely have time to think. How do you go about making those decisions? The fast ones. You might try running every decision through the 10/10/10 test. What’s that you ask? It’s taking a minute to consider: How will I feel about this choice in 10 minutes, 10 days, and 10 years from now? In other words, what are the immediate consequences, the near future consequences, and the long term consequences of what I’m about to do.

God can help you there. He knows your future. Pray about that decision. One of those arrow prayers that you just shoot up to God quickly because the decision has to be made now. He’ll still honor that prayer. He’ll let you know if you’ll be at peace with the choice in 10 minutes…in 10 days…in 10 years.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29

Making those quick decisions is not easy, but by praying and using the 10/10/10 test, you can be more at peace about what you choose to do. Try it.

QUICK! KILL THAT FLAT SCREEN!!!

KILL YOUR TV!!! That was one of the suggestions listed in a blog entry I read called “Incredibly Simple Steps to Living a Truly Great Life.” The author said, even though he occasionally watches tv, you should get rid of the tv in your home. He said it’s easy “to get stuck there like you’ve accidentally sat in a pool of superglue.” Then, you become mindless and passive. In a different blog about ways to find more hours in your day, the author suggested limiting tv watching. She said it’s easy to spend hours “slumped on the sofa” just watching anything that comes on. I watch lots and lots of tv. And I know it can be a mindless activity (and what’s wrong with that sometimes!!!).

God believes in using discretion. That means paying attention to what you do, keeping your mind focused on sound judgment, giving decisions serious attention. Discretion is being aware, carefully choosing words, actions, attitudes that are right for any given situation. This protects us from consequences we don’t want. Does that mean you never watch tv? Not for me. Some days mindless activity is all I’m capable of.

Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 1 Timothy 4

Decisions,decisions. You can’t avoid them, can you. That’s life. There’ll be lots of them today. Little ones and big ones. In each one you have a chance to use your discretion, making the chances for good consequences better.