Decisions, decisions.....
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
Making decisions is an integral part of our daily lives.
Every day, we are faced with various choices and have to make decisions based on them, whether big or small.
Some decisions might be straightforward,
get out of bed
brush your teeth
eat breakfast
while others might be complex and require a lot of thought and consideration.
health
financial
career
However, making the right decision can be challenging, and the consequences of making the wrong one can be significant.
Therefore, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of a decision-making process and techniques to help us make informed and effective decisions.
if you cant decide how to decide then you can even google, “how to make decisions”
you will get anything from 2 to 12 steps of how to’s.
Today, we will explore some essential principles and strategies that can guide us in making decisions that align with our values, goals, and aspirations.
last week we looked at the burdens we carry, they could be noble and they could also be too much for us. what do we do with them.
remember.....
but lets just take a look at the scripture found in nehemiah 1:5-11
5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.
8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples,
9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.
11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
This passage tells us about Nehemiah's decision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Firstly, Nehemiah made a decision based on his heart. He heard about the state of Jerusalem and was deeply moved. He wept, fasted, and prayed to God. He didn't rush into making a decision, but rather took time to discern the right path forward.
HE WAS THE KINGS CUP BEARER
HE HAD A GOOD JOB BUT THESE KINGS WERE UNSTABLE PARANOID PEOPLE
REMEMBER ARTAXEXES’ FATHER WAS KILLED BY ONE OF HIS COURTIERS, SOTHIS KING WILL BE EXTRA VIGILANT.
Humanly speaking only one person could make it possible for Nehemiah to help the Jews in Jerusalem—the king he served
ALSO WE READ IN EZRA 4
THAT THIS VERY KING PUT A STOP TO THE PROGRESS IN JERUSALEM BECAUSE HIS ADVISORS REMINDED HIM THAT THESE WERE THE PEOPLE THAT DEFEATED MANY KINGS AND KINGDOMS IN THE PAST. IF THEY ARE ALLOWED TO REBUILD IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS FOR HIS KINGDOM.
Secondly, Nehemiah made a decision based on his faith. He acknowledged God's sovereignty over his life and over the situation in Jerusalem. He also remembered God's promises to His people and trusted in God's faithfulness.
NEHEMIAH DOES NOT START TO POINT FINGERS AND SAY OH GOD HELP THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN RUIN
HE STANDS IN THE GAP FOR THE PEOPLE AND INCLUDES HIMSELF IN THIS.
LAST WEEK WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY AND WERE REMINDED THAT THE PEOPLE HAD DISOBEYED GOD AND GONE THIER OWN WAY AND EVEN THOUGH WARNED THEY CONTINUED ON THE RESULT
- EXILE -
-SEPERATION FROM GOD.
NEHEMIAHS HEART WAS BROKEN
GOD PUT IT INTO HIS HEART TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM
Thirdly, Nehemiah made a decision based on his actions. He didn't just pray and fast, but he also took action.
As Nehemiah was going about his usual duties the king noticed something different about Nehemiah’s countenance. He was sad. The king was immediately curious about Nehemiah’s state of depression, since this was the first time he had seen his cupbearer dejected. The king asked a pointed question, Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill?
Nehemiah was careful in replying. In fact he was even afraid. A servant was never to let his negative emotions show before the king, for it might suggest dissatisfaction with the king. To do so might jeopardize his position or even his life
He made plans, assembled a team, and started rebuilding the walls. He was not afraid to take risks and work hard to achieve his goal.
Finally, Nehemiah made a decision based on his attitude. He faced opposition and challenges along the way, but he remained steadfast and focused on his goal. He didn't let fear or discouragement stop him from completing the task.
YOU MUST KNOW THAT THESE CONVERSATIONS WERE NOT NECESSARILY CONFIDENTIAL. THEY WERE ALSO HAD IN THE PRESENCE OF OTHER PEOPLE IN SERVICE TO THE KING.
In Nehemiah’s response he avoided naming Jerusalem, perhaps so that he would not touch a sensitive “political nerve” in the king. He appealed to the king’s sense of respect—his sense of “rightness” regarding proper respect for the dead. Nehemiah said the city where his ancestors were buried was in ruins and the gates had been burned (cf. 1:3). This was a sad state of affairs for the Jewish city. Seventy-one years before (in 515 B.C.), the temple had been rebuilt. The year was now 444; yet the city itself still needed much rebuilding
IN OUR CHURCH RENEWAL GROUP WE HAVE A STRATEGY THAT I BELEIVE ALIGNS REALLY WELL WITH WHAT NEHEMIAH DID.
S STOP DONT FIX THE PROBLEM, PERSON OR SITUATION
T TAKE A BREATHER AND CALM DOWN PS 46:10 BE STILL. PHYISICALLY AND MENTALY THEN (HAND IT TO JESUS)
A JAMES 1:17 EVERY GOOD GIFT COMES… APPRECIATE AND CONNECT TO JESUS
THINK OF SOMETHING YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR
ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO KNOW.
R RESPOND ASK HOW JESUS WANTS YOU TO RESPOND OR ACT.
OBEY THE DIRECTION GIVEN.
when we make decisions, let us follow Nehemiah's example. Let us make decisions based on our
heart, faith, actions, and attitude.
Let us take time to discern, trust in God's sovereignty, take action, and remain steadfast in the face of challenges. May God guide us in all our decisions and may we bring glory to Him in all that we do. Amen.
