Good Morning,
Welcome to our daily scripture break.
Jeremiah 42:3:
“Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”
We will examine the importance of making correct, godly decisions. When I began to really explore my Christian journey, I still made decisions the way I always had. I prided myself on how deliberate, reasonable, and objective my thought process was.  I didn’t make emotional, rash decisions.  What I didn’t realize was “I" was still deciding my worldview, my values, my principles and all of those factors were heavily influenced by culture. It takes a concerted effort to change your thinking and weigh your opinions, thoughts, and values through the prism of God’s Word.  We all originate from different backgrounds and we all have had to emerge from a metamorphosis of Christian thinking into the members of the Body of Christ we are today. So today’s post we will begin with Jeremiah 42:3 and then examine what are the appropriate influences on Christian thinking.
Jeremiah 42:3 is really quite simple - it isn’t what we think but what God thinks and instructs us to do that matters. This is the second step of Christian decision making. Let’s take a closer look.
Here is a short description of the factors that influence our Christian decision making process.
1. Decide to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This is the first step - where you confess your sins, repent, ask for forgiveness and get baptized.  Once Jesus is your Lord and Savior, everything changes.  You are no longer in charge - “you were bought with a price.” (I Corinthians 6:20) Your priorities are different now, your behavior is different, you are now a member of a new family, there are new expectations of you and how you will use your talents, resources and gifts for the Kingdom of God, especially the Body of Christ.  We should dedicate a considerable amount of time intently perusing the history of Christianity and salvation history -  begin with the Gospels and go from there.
2. Decide to live and pursue a life of holiness. Most Christians through denominational Churches or non-denominational Churches have “new convert” training or bible study or formal educational/initiation program requirements to enter into said churches. Each one of us has lived a unique path to our current station. Of course there are nuances amongst the denominations but the Christian call to “holiness” is universal.  The epistles of Paul, Book of Psalms and Book of Proverbs are an excellent starting point.
3. Decide to serve and love the Body of Christ. Â Diligent pursuit of holiness with guidance by the Holy Spirit leads us to different assignments within the Body of Christ depending upon our gifts and talents. By living a faithful life of stewardship over our gifts and talents we are thereby benefitting the Body of Christ as God intended.
4. Decide to do the last thing Jesus told us before He ascended - spread the Good News. Â This must become a way of life. You love the Lord and His Church so much that you catch yourself sharing how good the Lord has been to you and your family without hesitation. Â People notice how you carry yourself, how you react to difficult times, the language you use. They may not say anything but they take note. Â Be an example of a faithful member of the Body of Christ as the Holy Spirit leads you to opportunities to spread the Good News.
5. Decide to love what God loves - align ourselves with His Will/Intent/Word. Â There are many people who identify as Christians but to practice loving what God loves is a great place to live out your life on earth and great preparation to live in our eternal home.
These factors should shape every decision you make until your last breath.  I think by now you know I believe whether we are aware or not, culture has too much influence in the Body of Christ.  That’s just our human nature unless we make a concerted effort to develop different habits like II Corinthians 10:5 which says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  Our culture sets itself up against God and the things of God that’s why this process I am describing must be deliberate, exact, and consistent.
How do I go about reordering my thinking?  Contemplate Who God is. The reason that is so important is because God's Nature/Character is what our comprehension of our existence is based upon. Also pray God Word/promises back to Him. Imitate Him. That is where you begin and the Holy Spirit will enlighten you. Psalm 143:8 says, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” This should be our outlook - this is the prism through which we prioritize the issues of life.
Here are some foundational scriptures you can review to assist you in renewing your mind, conscience, will, and emotions.
1. Proverbs 16:9 - “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
2. Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
3. II Timothy 3:14 - “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,…."
4. Joshua 24:15 - “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
5. Proverbs 4:5 - “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them."
6. Psalm 25:4 - “Show me your ways, Lord , teach me your paths."
Here are a few more references please review at your convenience.
1. II Peter 3:17
2. Revelations 2:10
3. Acts 14:22
4. Psalm 86:11
5. Proverbs 18:15
6. James 1:12
Many of you are doing all of this without a second thought but all I will say is I catch myself being pulled back into our cultural undertow of deadly thinking.  This process is deliberate and is what I like to call “Christian mulling”; it doesn’t make you weird but you are marked by the blood of Jesus.(I Peter 1:18-19)  You will look different to the world - that’s okay. With time and prayer it will become second nature to you.
Have a blessed day.
Peace and be prepared.