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Still Rolling Stones • Turn to Stone – 4/18/21

In these confusing times, there’s a lot of discord and chaos. We see it in the political realm, corporate world, on social media and in people’s lives. It’s puzzling, and the inconsistencies and hypocrisy are glaring. You may feel like you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole! What is going on? There’s tension in the world and Satan loves conflict. He is stirring it up 24/7. He wants to cause confusion and division. He wants to fill the world with lies and confuse us in the decisions we make. He causes people to question what they know to be right. Culture often tells us that right is wrong and wrong is right! God’s word has always been, is now, and will always be the standard for decision making. Scripture is the authority, not culture. What would Jesus do? It matters!

Scriptures – Jn 8:44; 1 Co 14:33; Mt 4:4, 7, 10; Mt 22:37-29; Mk 10:17, 21; Lk 19:10

Verses – “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Jn 8:44) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Co 14:33)

Thought – Chaos ensues when there’s no standard for making decisions. Basing decisions on feelings is faulty and biased. By following Jesus’ example, we can make good decisions that lead to the abundant life God wants for us. So, what DID Jesus do? When Satan tempted Jesus after his 40 day fast in the desert (Matthew 4), Jesus replied to each temptation with, “It is written,…” and then quoted Scripture that supported his refusal to give in to the devil’s lies. Relying on God’s truth will guide you in making the right decision. (1) So, Jesus asked, “Is it written?” and so should we. Jesus also relied on the greatest commandment, which is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and then to love your neighbor as yourself. (2) He asked himself, “Is love the motivation?” When Jesus encountered a blind man on the Sabbath, he faced a decision of whether or not to heal the man. The Pharisees had created many laws restricting what could be done on the Sabbath, and healing a person did not fall under their guidelines. However, healing the man was an act of love, and God’s law always overrules the law of man. Jesus healed him. (3) Jesus also asked, “Is it on the agenda?” When Jesus was suffering the agony of the cross, it’s unimaginable the pain he bore. Being fully human and fully God is hard to comprehend, but Jesus felt the same pain we would feel in that situation. What would you want? I’d want an escape. Being fully God, he could have summoned all the angels of heaven to rescue him, but he knew that his agenda was to fulfill God’s purpose and to die for your sins and mine. He endured the pain of the cross and death because it was on the agenda. By asking these questions, “Is it written? Is love the motivation? and Is it on the agenda?” we can streamline our decision-making and make Godly decisions that will bless our lives.

Questions – How does God’s word guide your decisions? How does love motivate your decision-making process? Do you recognize what God’s agenda is for you? Are there decisions that fall outside this 3-question process? Discuss.

Response – If you have some decisions to make in the near future, write them down. Research God’s word and consider the questions discussed above. Follow Jesus’ example.

Prayer – Dear Lord, guide my heart so that I can make the decisions you want for me. I know that living in your truth is the only way I find joy. Keep me from being led astray by Satan’s lies. Thank you for your presence in my life. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.

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