## Decision Time

## Joshua 24:15

Read Text: Joshua 24:15

Recently I spoke with one of our missionaries, Bro. Mark Schladenhauffen. He and his family recently returned from spending 5 years in South Africa. He told me about the difficulty of making the readjustment to America. One of the biggest areas was in shopping. To choose between all of the different types of cereal was overwhelming to them. They arrived home just before Christmas and made the mistake of going to the mall. What an experience!

We live in a world of great variety. Everyday we are presented with choices. Many of the decisions we make are trivial, but what about the major decisions in our lives? The decisions we make have a lasting affect upon our lives and the lives of those around us. This morning I want to give you some thoughts about how to make the right decisions. Decisions that will honor the Lord and that will produce positive results in our lives and our families.

I. Decide To Decide

(James 1:8) "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

(Rev 3:15-16) "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

A. The first decision is to go ahead and make a decision.

1. A double-minded man is in the mode of indecision.

a. He's unstable, meaning he's rocking back and forth. He's swayed more by his circumstances.

b. This type of person usually makes decisions according to how they feel.

c. The moodier they are, the more indecisive they become.

2. God is not pleased with an indecisive person.

3. He wants us to make a choice one way or another.

a. No decision means no movement, no action.

b. It means stagnation.

c. Stagnation brings on death.

B. The New Year is a time when we often think about making some decisions.

1. If we are tired of being in the same place, spiritual or otherwise, we need to make a decision to change.

a. Procrastination will never take us where we want to go.

b. We can't act on a decision we never make, therefore, we've got to make a decision.

c. Joshua instructed the people to make a decision today with regard to whom they would serve as God.

d. He encouraged them to make the decision and not wait any longer.

e. That is his counsel to us as well, let's decide today to serve God.

1) That means salvation

2) That means a life-long commitment

3) That means obedience to His Word

2. There are two types of people in this world: Those who let their future happen and those who make their future happen.

a. The decisions we make in this life will impact us for eternity.

b. Not only will it affect us, but will affect others as well.

c. My decision to accept Christ: changed my life and the life of my family…even those who were yet unborn!

C. There are several reasons why people fail to make decisions in their lives.

1. Fear - afraid they'll make the wrong decision…you can never go wrong trusting God's Word.

2. Time - they don't take the time to make a decision because of being caught up in the business of each day…no business is more important that getting right with God!

3. Ignorance - they really don't know what they want...Jesus came to bring us the Truth, once confronted with it, we must choose to make a decision.

II. Never Make A Decision In Violation Of The Word Of God

(Psa 1:1-3) "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. {3} And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

A. Decisions made in accordance with the Word of God will be prosperous and blessed decisions.

1. From the beginning of time, decisions made in violation of God's Word brought destruction.

a. In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given a Word from God about the forbidden fruit.

b. They both made a decision in violation of God's Word.

c. The result was death.

2. God gives wisdom through His Word. (Psa 119:9) "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."

3. Paul reminds us that God's Word is profitable to us.

(2 Tim 3:16) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

B. As believers, we should never knowingly make a decision which is in violation of God's Word.

1. It's amazing how many people look at God's Word as just another option.

2. James 1:22 tells us to not just be a hearer of the Word, but a doer.

3. The Bible may not always speak directly to a decision we are making, but the key is to make sure we do not violate His Word by the decision we make.

III. Seek Godly Counsel In Decision Making

(Prov 12:15) "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

A. The Importance of counsel.

1. In our legal system a person can choose not to have legal counsel and to represent themselves.

2. "He who represents himself has a fool for a client."

3. The problem is that we think we are right and we cannot see beyond that. 4. A person with this type of attitude is destined to fail over and over again.

B. We need each other.

1. People who fail to seek the counsel of others lack humility.

2. They are full of pride, and pride takes people down the road of destruction.

3. Gaining wisdom for a decision comes by truly listening to counsel.

C. The principle of multiple counselors.

(Prov 11:14) "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."

(Prov 15:22) "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

1. Rehoboam chose counsel, but he only listened to those who thought like he did.

2. The result was a divided kingdom for over 400 years.

3. There is no limit to the number of counselors that are available today.

a. Dr. Joy Brown…Dr. Laura…Oprah

b. That isn't what the passage is talking about.

c. We need to seek godly counsel!

(Psa 119:63) "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."

This morning do you have decisions that need to be made? Go ahead and make them; make sure that they do not violate the Word of God; and Seek godly counsel to help. Joshua said, "…Choose you this day whom ye will serve…". Have you chosen to serve and follow Him? The first step is to trust His Word in the matter of salvation. Come today and choose Jesus. Other decisions? Let God give you the guidance today. Whatever the need will you come?