Help! I Don’t Know What To Do – Day 3

Today’s reading – 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, Psalm 90:12

Transformation Circumstance  – I don’t know what to do

Today we look at the second circumstance of transformation almost all of us experience.  Sometimes I just don’t know what to do.  It may be a job, marriage, or parenting decision.  Maybe you have prayed, consulted friends and wise people, but you just don’t know what to do. Depending on our different personalities and experiences some of us may be predisposed to indecision, but there is a way to deal with being perplexed.

 

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair.”  2 Corinthians 4:8b

 

A wise mentor once told me, “It’s less about the decision you make and more about how you make the decision.”  When I heard that phrase about twenty-five years ago as a young man, it stopped me dead in my tracks.  It doesn’t diminish the importance of the decision but emphasizes how we get to our answers.  I had never stopped to think God may be trying to teach me how to make the decision not just testing me to see if I made the right decision.  As a matter of fact in certain cases there may not be a wrong answer.  I believe if we are willing to take our time and be more deliberate in our decision making, it keeps us from being despaired.  So what is a good decision making filter?

-Did you ask God? – I don’t mean to be captain obvious, but sometimes we say all the right things, make some plans and then ask God to bless our plans.  If you haven’t asked God, you might want to start there.

-Did you seek Godly counsel? – The bigger the decision the longer it will take and the more trusted voices you need to help you.  We tend to get ourselves into trouble when our impulses deceive us.  Remember we all have blind spots and you have to be humble enough to invite people in to see what you don’t see.  One perspective is never enough.  One person usually isn’t that good.

-Did you get a CLEAR answer/confirmation?  What is the rush? If you don’t know you don’t know – It’s ok…Sometimes no decision is the best decision.  Remember not now doesn’t necessarily mean not ever, it just means wait.  Therein lies the tension.  Not having the answer means we must wait on the Lord.  Could it be in your perplexed state you are being transformed because God is drawing you in to deeper dependence on him?  Maybe not having the answer and not making a decision is protecting you from an irresponsible action that could ruin you and those under your influence.

-Let Him do it – Maybe during this fast you need to ask God for confirmation, or maybe you need a supernatural intervention.  Last September I was growing frustrated by some circumstances and while I was on a run I heard God whisper in my ear, “let me do it.”  At first I didn’t like it, but as every day passes I am growing more trusting in the timing and sovereignty of God  #thinkdifferently

 

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…”  
Psalm 90:12

Josh

The 40 Day Fasting Explanation

A season of fasting and prayer – Over the next 40 days leading up to our 9th anniversary, our church family will be in a season of fasting and prayer.  I invite you to come along with us and ask God for a transformation by the renewal of our minds.

A 40 Day Prayer and Fasting Guide for 217church

1. An Everyday Habit in the Word – Each day I will be sending out a short devotional based on some selected readings.  This begins through a simple prayer of asking God to renew us.

2. Continual Fasting  – A 40 Day Prayer and Fasting Guide for 217church

God has blessed us through incredibly unique circumstances over the last nine years as 217church.  We have baptized over 275 people and been given the unique calling to have a church planting and multiplication vision.  The past 18 months of ministry have led the pastors and elders to call us as a congregation to a season of prayer and fasting.  We want to use this time to understand the depth of God’s heart for us and the next steps he is calling us to.  I trust your heart will be open and God will bring us to a deeper understanding of what it means to “rebuild lives one person at a time.”

We believe God wants us to fast over a period of 40 days.  As a reminder, what you choose to fast is between you and Jesus. But you may want to include some natural encouragement and accountability over this 40 day period.  This may mean you are doing one of the following as an example:

  • Skipping a meal or a whole day of meals.
  • Eliminating something like sugar, coffee, or meat to remind you of your total dependence on God.
  • Encouraging one another in the church family as you pray together and sacrifice your physical sustenance for spiritual direction and focus.

What will God do? I am looking forward to see his direction.

Renewal is on the way – Join me along this process

 

Josh Conn is the founding pastor of 217church, a contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church meets Sundays at 9:30am & 11:00am at Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ.  Visit www.217church.com for more information, or watch a weekend message here.

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Categories: 2019, Fasting, Prayer

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