As
Pastor Kyle continued in our new Sunday Sermon series on the book of Acts, we
see from the passage above that they did have cars in biblical times, since we
read that the Apostles continued with one
“Accord”. But seriously, there is a great message on the subject of
prayerful, careful decision-making in this week’s lesson. Sometimes, we make real
bonehead decisions. Sometimes, we so all the “right” things and then wonder if
we really did the right thing in our decision. Sometimes, we need to just learn
from our mistakes and move on.
Acts 1:15-20 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the
disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred
and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren,
this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the
mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested
Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in
this ministry.” (Now this
man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he
burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in
Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is,
Field of Blood.) “For it is
written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his
dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’
When making
decisions, we like to see all the facts, which form the conditions of our
decision. Sometimes, we do not get all the facts and figures for God’s will on
our decisions. Make sure that the plan of God gets out there. The couple facts
behind the decision to replace Judas with Matthias were: (1) the decision came
after an extensive amount of prayer. (2) they established a good criteria of a
few essentials for the decision. Time will tell if our decisions are right, but
always know that God’s plan will prevail. A sure-fire way to idiot-proof our
decisions are: (1) Pray and ask others to pray. Prayer is one of the most
uniting things out there. When we do not know what to do; Pray. Don’t keep it
inside. Big decisions are frustrating, even when going well. (2) Seek wise
counsel before making big decisions, not after. When you come to someone for advice
after the fact, then you are just seeking affirmation of your lone decision. Have
a godly circle of people in our lives to accomplish God’s will, family and
friends, to help make big decisions. (3) Avoid making decisions during particularly
emotional times. Emotional times are not good times for making big decisions.
Inopportune times happen in life and Christ will speak through them, and the
Holy Spirit will guide us through those occasions. We need to avoid times of
distractions, times of grieving, times of emotionally-charged arguments, times
of job stress, and those times when it feels like the weight of the whole world
is on our shoulders.
Acts 1:21-25 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all
the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when
He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His
resurrection.” And they
proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the
hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from
which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
Are you the type that of
person that “second-guesses” yourself on your decisions? Rest in the fact that
we cannot change our decisions in the past. As I said earlier, sometimes, we need to just learn from our mistakes and move
on. Lastly, Be aware and beware. If Satan cannot get you to make a bad
decision, then he will try to get you to doubt a good decision. Always
remember: God is in charge. Keep making prayerful, careful decisions.
In
Christ, Brian
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