Inspired Good

Encourage Love | Inspire Good

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. ~ Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV

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choices

WITHIN A LIfETIME, we make millions of decisions. Typically, we base our decisions on a variety of factors: the societal norms and family into which we are born; our up-bringing; our moral, ethical and religious beliefs; our career/employment and standard of living; our health; the influence of church, friends and family; our reading material and social media interactions and our leisure activities, to name but a few.

As followers of Christ, how do we discern good from evil; justice from injustice; a godly decision from a humanly “good” decision? What governs our choices? To which voices do we listen?

READ I Corinthians 2 In verses 1-4 Paul describes his demeanour and approach when he first came to speak to the new believers at Corinth. Name the approaches he did NOT use in speaking to the church:

Verses 4b and 5 describe Paul’s discernment of the approach needed in speaking to the church:

In verses 6-11 Paul lays out a clear delineation between “the wisdom

by Linda Ellsworth

Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada.

of man” and “the wisdom of God.” What do you grasp from the reading of these verses?

_________________________ Why is it crucial for us, in our dayto-day decision-making, to understand the distinction between the two sources of wisdom? (verses 10-11)

In verses 12-16, Paul clearly lays out the source of and basis for all Christian thought. Explain what God is telling you through Paul’s words:

How do we make Godly decisions? The Scriptures relate two excellent examples of a) an example of wise spiritual growth and b) a lack of spiritual discernment that led to disastrous outcomes . . . all based on what I call Present Principles.

a) LYDIA The woman who was diligent READ Acts 16:12-15,40 and Philippians 1:1-10

(Note: The following condensed summaries on Lydia are excerpts from Bible Gateway; Resources All the Women of the Bible Chapter 2. Alphabetical Exposition of Named Bible Women; © 1988 Zondervan and have been edited for brevity.)

Lydia, one of the prominent women of Thyatira, is presented to us in various ways, namely—

As a business woman Lydia was a well-known seller of (brilliantly dyed scarlet cloth) (Acts 16:14), and typified a successful businesswoman in a prosperous city. Ability, enthusiasm, singleness of purpose and mental acumen were hers, and she prospered greatly in an honorable and extensive calling of “selling purple.” That she became prosperous in business is seen in that she owned a spacious home, and had servants to care for her.

As a devout woman “She worshipped God,” we are told. Lydia, in spite of all her secular obligations, found time to worship according to the Jewish faith. Daily she made her way to the riverside where prayer was wont to be made. At that riverside prayer meeting perhaps she met other Jewish dyers, and with them eagerly waited upon the ministry of Paul and his companions.

As a seeking woman Although sincerely religious, Lydia was not a Christian. She did, however, have a hunger for a deeper spiritual experience. As she attended to the truth of Christ, which Paul spoke of in conversational style in that small seated Jewish gathering, the light dawned, and her heart opened to receive that Christ as her Saviour.

As a Christian woman As evidence of her surrender to the claims of Christ she was baptized. Her conversion was declared by a public confession, and such was her enthusiasm, that she immediately told her household. All within it likewise believed and were baptized as disciples of the same Saviour. Thus Lydia had the honour of being Paul’s first European convert.

PReSeNt PRINcIPleS

Present with God: Living daily in God’s presence, reading His Word, listening to the Spirit, worshipping Him with our life, carrying on constant conversation through an attitude of prayer Present In God’s Circumstances: Recognizing His placement of us in life’s circumstances moment by moment, and trusting the why of His will Present with God’s People: Surrounding ourselves with the people of God…fellowshipping together to hear and share wise counsel

As a hospitable woman Lydia’s transformation of life was evidenced by her eagerness to give missionaries the hospitality of her fine home. first came Lydia’s faith, then the winning of her servants to Christ, then her love in gracious hospitality, and finally her reception of Paul and Silas into her home after their discharge from prison. (see 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9)

As a consecrated woman Lydia always had “open house” for the saints of God and her home became a centre of Christian fellowship in Philippi with perhaps the first Christian church being formed therein. When Paul came to write his letter to the Philippians, we can rest assured that Lydia was included in all the saints at Philippi to whom he sent his salutations (Philippians 1:1-7).

How did Lydia’s life choices exemplify the Present Principles? Present With God:

_________________________ Present in God’s Circumstances:

_________________________ Present With God’s People:

b) DAvID and BATHsHEBA READ 2 Samuel 11 and 12 (Note: Excerpts in italics are taken from The Story of King David and Bathsheba, the Wife of Uriah; https://www.biblestudytools.com)

“The events begin with King David choosing to stay home in Jerusalem while he sent the rest of the Israelite army to fight other nations and kings.” (11:1)

Already we see a lack of discretion and obedience on the part of David in the process of godly decision-making. What is the initial problem?

In verse 2 we discover the following: “David is relaxing and walking on the palace roof when he sees a beautiful woman bathing on her roof. David was immediately drawn to her . . . ”

Issue?

“(He) called and sent messengers to find out who she was. The messengers returned and told David that her name was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah.”

Who was Uriah to David, and why do you think he lived so close to the palace?

Ignoring his Spirit-driven conscience, and the information brought to him by his people, David’s poor decision-making led to some hugely impactful consequences: (11:4-12)

Think of a time when you made a choice that led you away from the presence of God. Which of the three principles was absent from your decision-making process?

What was the result?

What major decisions are you facing today regarding family, career, community, and future? Record just one decision that needs to be made, and apply the three Present Principles to it: