Decisions

I Can Change, If I Want To

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.  But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.   John 7:8-9

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And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.  Matt. 21:29

There was a Canadian television comedy show back in the 90’s that I would occasionally catch. The show would end with men gathered together at a lodge reciting what they called the Man’s Prayer. It would go something like this: “I’m a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess.” Then the lights would go out and the show was over.

It would make me chuckle. For there lied the challenge we all face. We all have the potential to change. Yet whether we do or not is dependent on our internal motivation and desire. Yes, you could make me do something against my natural disposition. But the end result is going to be minimal compliance. Compare that with the internal desire and commitment coming from your soul. We have all seen an idea in the heart and mind when planted grow into a passionate force. Of the two, which action is going to produce the greatest impact?

The other day I witness a couple of my associates battling over a similar situation. They both gave their word to fulfill a promise. They grew up where their word was their bond and they would do all in their power to live it out. Yet circumstances surrounding what they agreed to had change. Rather than renegotiate new terms, they felt obliged to honor their original agreement. In some sense, they wanted to act like God.

God can bring about whatever results HE desires. It does not matter what circumstances or events have changed. Whereas us mere mortals, don’t have the power to make events workout the way we want all the time. Thus, us humans must work through the circumstances as they are.

We have a situation in John’s gospel where Jesus changes HIS mind. His brothers asked him whether HE planned to attend the Feast in Jerusalem. At that time, Jesus said he was not going. But, afterwards Jesus changed his mind. He went. We don’t know what changed, but Jesus reversed HIS original statement and went.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gave a parable of two sons. The father asks the first one to help him in the vineyard. He answered that he will not go. But afterwards went. Dad also asked the second son for his help. The son said yes. But afterwards did not go. Jesus then asks the question, which one did the father’s will?

They both changed their mind. But what changed? What was the outcome?

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. Also circumstances change. You may have agreed to something in the beginning under specific conditions. But later discovered more information that wasn’t understood at the time. Or the goal or support changed from your original premise. In other words, the original agreement was built on certain parameters. If those parameters changed, you don’t have to play God. Let God be God, and us humans be human. God doesn’t change because HE is already perfect. Us humans though are still a work in process. We can all change our mind and plans. If we want to. If we have to. If God’s will is what we truly seek.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Cause and Effect

Dr. Mike 2024 , , , ,

“For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.” Proverbs 30.33

Every action produces a reaction. There are consequences for your actions. Every decision, every choice, and every response causes an outcome. Either you move toward a more favorable outcome or another dilemma to overcome. Doesn’t that make life more exciting or more scarier dependent on your worldview?

As the Proverb writer explained, if you want butter, you churn milk. If you strike the noise, blood is going to result. And if you want to find yourself in the middle of a quarrel, rile up the emotions. Yes, there is a cause for the effect you desire. When you know the outcome, you can put in place the process to produce the result.

But your worldview will determine the hierarchy of values to select from.

If your worldview is centered around you, than your choice will be solely to please you. If your view is to first please others, than your decision will be all about them. If your view is centered in Jesus Christ, than your choice will support HIS Will.

If you are a miserable and angry person, trouble will probably follow you wherever you go. You will have the natural inclination to press people with your temperament. Don’t be surprised if the outcome is strife, quarrels, and fights.

Yet if you are a person full of joy and peace, most people will find you pleasant to be with. You will bring happiness and calmness to every situation.

If you are insecure and indecisive of who you are, than others may bully you into submission to serve them. You will find yourself being used by others for their benefit. They will care less about your considerations.

Yes, your worldview and values will lead you down a selected path. You will either find freedom & flourishment or enslavement & poverty along the way. So the action steps you take today will determine the long-term outcome you desire. They begin with knowing HIM who is the central core of all life.

HE provides the road map to follow. HE set the example and standard. HE grants us access into HIS domain. HE shares HIS vision of a better world and invites us to take part with HIM. HE lays out the goal, process, and means. HE gives you the support you need. HE is the purpose and meaning for life.

Yes, Jesus Christ is the cause and effect of a better world for you. Get to know HIM and HIS ways will lead you to experience the richness of Kingdom living today. Whatever garbage is thrown your way, HE will provide you the support and strength. HE will hold you in HIS grip while you sort through the mess. HE will inspire you with solutions. HE will help you build the character you need to overcome the hurdles placed before you. HE wants what is best for you. Learn to trust HIM. HE may push your buttons harder than you want. But HE knows what you are capable of doing.

HE is the cause of the goodness in your life. His effect will come through you. You will also become HIS light to an upside-down world. One God-Man. One Worldview. One Choice.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Have Dice; Let’s Decide

Dr. Mike 2021 , , ,

Proverbs 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord.

Too many choices? Which way do we decide? Which option do we accept?

The other day I went shopping with my wife’s grocery list. One of the items was a small can of pizza sauce. The brand my wife preferred was sold out so I had to decide on an alternative. Since none of the other brands was a known commodity, and the ingredients were very similar in each, I resorted to the Biblical concept of throwing dice.

Now I didn’t have dice in hand, so I simply selected a number between 1 to 6, and then counted left to right until my number fell on the small jar. Selection done.

Though this is a simple example that doesn’t necessarily impact life’s major decisions, it gives you an example of how one is able to quickly reach a decision where one doesn’t really know which way is best.

The Bible illustrates many similar situations where people came to a fork in the road and had to decide. Rather than base their decision on political or monetary weight, they followed the principal of trusting God. Or in some cases, they didn’t trust God, but simply acted in a peaceful way to reach a decision. Generally, when you have two quarreling sides or powerful contenders, casting lots is a way to eliminate playing favorites, politics, or nepotism in a decision. It is a means which agreeable people can accept and move on with their lives.

We see from the beginning when Israel entered the promise land after wandering 40 years, they cast lots to decide which tribe gets which portion of the land (Joshua 18:10).

King David cast lots to decide between his musicians and leaders who would manage what responsibilities (I Chronicles 24-26). When Jonah fled from God, the crew on the ship cast lots to determine who was the cause of evil brought upon them. The lot fell on him (Johan 1:7). When Jesus was crucified, lots were thrown to divide his garments among the Roman soldiers (Luke 23:34). And when Judas was replaced by Matthias, the final decision was determined with lots (Acts 1:26).

So, if you are struggling to make a decision, and you are willing to accept the outcome no matter what it is, then maybe a roll of the dice or flipping a coin is your means to a quick solution.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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