Weekly Devotion from Jesse Bradley

Friday, January 27     This Week
Week of:    Jan 22, 2012, Jan 15, 2012, Jan 8, 2012, Jan 1, 2012
Topics: GROWING IN YOUR FAITH, FINDING GOD'S TRUTH, SUPERNATURAL WISDOM, DISCOVERING GOD'S WILL

Finding Clarity in Gray Areas

Passage Of the Day:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (New King James Version)

Insight - Application & Encouragement

Insight:

The apostle concludes with this exhortation as the key principle for the decisions in our lives. Our highest motive, our focus, and our goal is glorifying God. We make so many decisions everyday, and we can find wisdom in these words. It is our North Star as we try to navigate through life.

Application:

Some topics have a clear right and wrong. The Bible is an absolute and relaible source of truth. Many situations in life, however, are gray,and it can be difficult to make decisions within those areas. Gray areas can be minor like what cereal to eat in the morning to something more major like how much of your income should you give to missions? Here are some questions to consider as you seek God in the gray areas:

1) Is it permissible? (1 Corinthians 10:23)
2) Is it beneficial? (Romans 14:17)
3) Does it cause someone else to stumble? (1 Corinthians 8:9-13)
4) Is it taking control of you? (1 Corinthians 6:12)
5) Is it done in faith and in step with the Holy Spirit? (Romans 14:23)

Key principles:

1) Don't look down upon someone with different convictions about gray areas. (Romans 14:3)
2) Use your freedom to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:12, 10:27)
3) Look beyond your own desires; choose what brings peace and builds up people (1 Corinthians 10:24)
4) Bringing glory to God is a solid indicator of a good decision.

Prayer:

Gracious God, I love you. I need your wisdom in my decisions. Guide me by your Holy Spirit and help me to know your will in gray areas too. I want to make choices that represent you well and help other people. Thank you for the freedom you give to me through Jesus. I want to walk in the love, joy, and peace of he Holy Spirit. I pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.

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