How does it relate to decisions we make?


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The answer to this question, if understood, practiced, and widely accepted, will greatly effect an individal life, and the world. It can cleanse and enhance the effectiveness of the local Church.

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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE?
Lets start this study by looking at the historical record. In the book of Genesis, it appears that Adam's purpose was to have fellowship with God. (God walked in the Garden and talked to Adam.) Then... (Adam listened to the woman rather than God.) After the fall, it appears the purpose for Adam and Eve was to enjoy the Creation, and to multiply, and subdue the earth. Fellowship with God was still pre-eminent. We also see offerings to the Lord was practiced, example: Cain and Abel. We also see God continues to talk personally to His creation.

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Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Noah walked with God. Noah fellowshipped with God. Noah was obedient to the Lord and built the ark. It seems building the ark was a family project. What do you think his wife's attitude was during this project? What do you think his children's attitudes were during this project? What was the preeminent purpose for Noah's life? What about his family? Was it hard? Did it make sense? Who was Noah trying to please? Was it an inconvenience on his family? Who and what did Noah place first in his life?

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Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you; (Abram, went.) Abram took Sarai his wife. I wonder what her attitude was? Who did Abram place first? Genesis 15:4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir," Genesis 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
THEN... (Abram listened to His wife rather than God.)
Genesis 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children, please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. THEN GOD SAID... Genesis 17:21 "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year." (It happened.) THEN GOD SAID... Genesis 22:2 And He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."
Abraham went.
(I wonder if Sarah was in agreement?) Who did Abraham place first? Genesis 25:33 ... Jacob believed the promise of God while Esau was thinking of food, and sold his birthright,
Jacob placed God first.


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GOD TOLD MOSES TO GO AND MOSES WENT.
Exodus 4:20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt, Moses also took the staff of God in his hand. (His wife and sons went, never to see their home land again.) I wonder what their attitudes were like. Was it a family decision? Were all in agreement?

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God told Aaron to go, Aaron went.
Exodus 4:27 Now the LORD said to Aaron, "Go to meet Moses in the wilderness," So he went and met him at the mountain of God, and he kissed him.

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Numbers 14:32 But as for you, your corpses shall fall in this wilderness.
Caleb and Ooshua kept their faith in God. They went into the promise land. The rest died in the wilderness.
Public opinion said don't go. Public opinion was wrong.

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Isaiah did what God wanted Him to do. Jeremiah did what God wanted Him to do. Ezekiel did what God wanted Him to do. Daniel did what God wanted Him to do.

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SHADRACH...MESHACH...AND ABEDNEGO
Daniel 3:23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. They trusted God First! Over their own lives.

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IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Jesus said:
Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
But seek first your education...NO.
But seek first your hobbies.....NO.
But seek first your family...NO.
But seek first your job......NO.
But seek first money....NO.
But seek first sports...NO.
But seek first love.....NO.
But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; Matthew 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me,"

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WHAT IS THE PREEMINENT PURPOSE OF HUMAN LIFE?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. You shall love the LORD YOUR GOD. You shall love your neighbor. Do all to the GLORY OF GOD. Fellowship with God. Do His Will.

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ACTION IS INVOLVED.


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What does, "Go therefore and make disciples" mean? What does, "Seek His Kingdom and Righteousness" mean? What does, "Love the Lord your GOD" mean? What does, "Love your Neighbor" mean? What does, "Do all to the Glory of GOD" mean? What does, "Fellowship with God" mean? What does, "Do His Will" mean?

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What is the process by which you make your decisions? Do you take into consideration your pre-eminent purpose?

APPLICATION

One of the concerns I have is the process by which decisions are made. The process which seems to be advocated within modern Christianity is: God first; then wife and family; then ministry... etc. etc. When asked why the church places wife and family before ministry, a common reply is because of the people that have abused and neglected their families, as a result of an over emphasis on the ministry. We do not determine a truth as a result of an abuse. I don't believe you can make God first apart from the ministry. The Biblical examples that have already been used should be adequate to substantiate this truth.

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BALANCE IS THE GOAL
When you make God first you should be concerned about what is best for your family. The idea that no decision should be made without your wife or family's approval, is not Biblical. This concept places the man of God in such a position as to look to his wife and family as unto the Lord. It may force him to step away from God's direction for His life. The man of God should take into consideration the input from his wife and family, in determining God's will for his life. BUT GOD GETS THE LAST WORD DETERMINED BY THE MAN OF GOD. To accomplish God's pre-eminent purpose for your life you should follow the chain of command revealed within the scriptures. The wife and family attitude should be... What God wants for my husband, or father, is that's what I want.

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ROMANS 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. If you place God first, you will also want to place His Word first. The Word is the main way God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. So let's look to His Word. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself up for her; 1 Peter 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow-heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
The Holy Spirit lives within the wives also!


Yet we are still bound to the chain of command outlined in the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23) for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the Church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24) But as the Church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

In the perfect world both husband and wife are yielded to the Spirit of God. Therefore, they should be in agreement on the decisions that have to be made. Everyone says they believe in the Bible, but difficult problems arise with applying the Bible in real situations.

Making God first encompasses being in God's will as primary concern. It is not a case of making God first, second, or third. Husbands are to love their wives. That does not mean the wives will always get their way. The husband has the responsibility to discern what is best for his family, and in the will of God, for their lives.

Listen to God first....and listen to your wife cautiously. 1 Timothy 2:13-14 For it was Adam who was first created and then Eve. 14) And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. When a husband places God first with his ministry, he is also placing God first with his wife and family. All ARE PART OF HIM.