P. Kevin in Decision Making

Thank God for using Pastor Kevin in speaking to us about Decision Making, indeed everyone was able to relate and everyone was able to discern things clearly and on a biblical manner.




Here's the summary of the topic discussed:

Four kinds of Decision we make EVERYDAY

1. States will of God- pertaining to "good" and "evil", (ie. someone left his wallet on his seat, there in his wallet his name, contact info, address, etc., and you ask your self- isosoli ko ba?) the answer is always clear and that is the stated will of God.

2. Am moral decision- there's nothing good or bad about it, but we have to consider the moral decision behind it (ie. wearing spaghetti strap top on a Sunday service, how it affects others around you). It needs to be discerned when it's important or not.

3. Basic Life Decision- it will affect the whole course of your life. These are things you need to decide as the goal of your life (ie. what course will you take for college?)

4. Instrumental Decision- based on how convenient it is for you. Try and try until you succeed or try and try until you die.


Common Pattern on Decision Making

1. Fate- people always depend on fate or destiny. If you believe in destiny and you missed it, you missed one-in-a-lifetime chance! But the good thing about it is it will give you one-sided track mind-set (ie. Marcos was told when he was a kid that he would grew up to become the President of the Philippines)

2. Open Door Policy- when God opens a door and He opens a window not for you use the window to get in but rather to see and look on what is happening behind the closed door. Problem is, you're not taking responsibility on your decision and when it fails you run away.

3. Ultimatum approach- what is convenient, what are the moral implications, what does it make out of you?

4. Discernment- develop wisdom according to the Bible. Ability to discern between to same offer.



Basis to a correct Decision

- God is your father, if you do not approach Him, you will always have problems. God is good; he gives you "good dilemmas", while Satan makes you choose between good or evil, God will make you choose between good or good.

- Win-win solution; to develop a win-win approach will lead you to the best of both world result.

- If God has given it to you, you will not go wrong!

- Decision making is not a trial and error.

Blocks in Decision Making

- Physical block; are you physically capable?

- Intellectual block; most people stop studying after they graduate. It's not about getting there, it's about being there!

- Emotional block; are we emotionally prepared? We usually base it on "feelings" when it feels so right even if it's wrong, it's still wrong!

- Theological block; correct and incorrect notions about God.

- Closure; you close a door, you leave something behind, we realize that there are things unsettled we left behind when the door has already been closed. Never make a decision if you haven't make proper disclosure on the things that needs to be settled.

- Psychological block; identify your dysfunctional issues and take it to account, a major thing. Identify also you "pet passions" and take time to decide on it.

DO YOU WANT ALL YOUR DILEMMAS TO BE GOOD?

- consider the claims of Christ and save many years of wrong decision outcome.

WHEN TO KNOW IF IT'S RIGHT?

- Affirmation of your Family; consider what they have to say
- Affirmation of your Community; ask yourself if "do i have the right community?" or "what community do I belong?" "will my decision affect and move two communities?" because if you belong to a wrong community you might end up making wrong decisions too.
- Affirmation of the Word; what does the word of God says about it?
- Affirmation of Yourself; God will not compel you to something against your most basic aspiration.
- Affirmation of the Spirit; the Lord will always make a way to show you that "this is what I want for you!"
- Affirmation of Peace; everything that was mentioned should balance and it will give you peace. It will help you stand even in the toughest times.