Today on Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, we'll explore how to make decisions by faith rather than by sight.

Today on Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, we'll explore how to make decisions by faith rather than by sight.

You don't make major decisions in life through your natural eyes. You do it through the eyes of faith. Because what looks good in the natural eventually can end up biting you in the spiritual. And so I'm talking about how to make decisions the faith way.

You don't make major decisions in life through your natural eyes. You do it through the eyes of faith. Because what looks good in the natural eventually can end up biting you in the spiritual. And so I'm talking about how to make decisions the faith way.

Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. Mark is senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago and the president of Moody Bible Institute. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Today, we're going to be learning what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. And Mark, learning to live and make decisions spiritually can be kind of difficult for those who are A-type personalities, or those who feel like they need to control everything, right?

Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. Mark is senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago and the president of Moody Bible Institute. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Today, we're going to be learning what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. And Mark, learning to live and make decisions spiritually can be kind of difficult for those who are A-type personalities, or those who feel like they need to control everything, right?

Wayne, it's definitely been difficult for me to walk by faith and not by sight. My tendency is to see a problem and want to fix it, to tackle it, to not set back. But faith oftentimes forces us to turn to God and admit our own weakness, our own lack of control, our own inability, and really forces us to do something unnatural. For those of us that want to change things and make things happen, it causes us to rely on God. And you're going to see that in Abraham's story today. What a powerful message this is going to be. All right.

Wayne, it's definitely been difficult for me to walk by faith and not by sight. My tendency is to see a problem and want to fix it, to tackle it, to not set back. But faith oftentimes forces us to turn to God and admit our own weakness, our own lack of control, our own inability, and really forces us to do something unnatural. For those of us that want to change things and make things happen, it causes us to rely on God. And you're going to see that in Abraham's story today. What a powerful message this is going to be. All right.

It's found in Genesis chapter 13. And today's message is titled Making Decisions. The Faith way comes from our series called Don't Stop Believing. Here's Mark.

It's found in Genesis chapter 13. And today's message is titled Making Decisions. The Faith way comes from our series called Don't Stop Believing. Here's Mark.

So Abraham's coming out of the land of compromise. I mean, he's been down to Egypt. He lied. Imagine how Sarah's feeling after he kind of pawned her off his sister and didn't feel very bad about it. So he's been through the land of compromise. I think he feels bad about it. He goes back to the land where God has called him the land of Canaan. And the Bible says, from naked he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and AI, where his tent had been earlier. Verse four, and where he had first built an altar. And there Abraham called on the name of the Lord. The first thing I want you to understand and see is sometimes after bad decisions, after we've made bad decisions, we need to go back to the place where we heard God's voice last. Abraham has been to Egypt. He's been confused. It says he travels around from place to place. He doesn't really know what he's doing. He's a little bit disoriented. He's a little bit clouded. He's been through a dark period of life. And remember where Abraham heard the voice of God last in Bethel in chapter 12. It tells us that it was in Bethel that God appeared to him and spoke to him. It was in Bethel that he built an altar, and God spoke to him clearly. And sometimes in our life we need to go back to the place where we heard God's voice last. Here's what I've learned about God speaking to our heart. Oftentimes, we're looking for a new word, and God says, well, what was my last word to you? We say, oh God, I really need direction. I really need to hear from you. I really need to speak to my heart. God said, I spoke last time. You didn't listen. Why do you need a new word? And Abraham had to go back to Bethel. Bethel means the house of God. You had to go back to this place. This place where you had heard the voice of God. He goes back to that mountain, back to the altar. He still sees the rocks that he has built, and he's back at this place. And he says, now I go back to seeking God, and he goes back to this mountain where he heard the voice of God, and he calls up unto God, and it says. Abraham called on the name of the Lord. Now in understanding the basics of making decisions the faith way, the first thing in your notes that I want you to write down and Mark is this you need to know the difference between collateral blessing and direct blessing. Uh, when someone has an accident and they're not hit head on, but maybe, uh, a car is hit behind you and that car hits you. That's called collateral damage, right? Um, well, there's such a thing as direct blessing and collateral blessing. I want you to see what it says here in verse five. It says, now, lot, who is moving about with Abram also had flocks and herds and tents. Remember, lot is Abraham's nephew. Uh, but the land could not support them while they stayed Aid together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to. Stay together and quarreling arose between Abraham's herdsmen and the herdsmen. Of lot and the Canaanites and the parasites were also living in the land at. That time. You know, sometimes we think that famine is tough. And Abraham had. Been through famine. Right. If you a little while earlier he had left Egypt because he was in famine. But how many of you know that also blessing and prosperity has its struggles as well? Some of you say, I don't know, I wish I could experience some of those, but, you know, sometimes prospering and blessing and growth creates its challenges. Uh, sometimes we think, oh, if I just grew if if I just had a bigger paycheck or if this business just prospered, I would have no problems. It would be smooth sailing. But I want to tell you that just like famine has its struggles, so does prosperity have its struggles. And sometimes we pray for the blessing of God, the hand of God. And then when it comes to our life, we still have to tackle the challenges. And so as we grow and blessing comes to our life, we need to realize that challenges come through blessing as well. I want you to notice lot. It says in verse five. Now lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds. And so here's what was happening. Their flocks had begun to grow. They were prospering. And now pretty soon, the shepherds that were taking care of lot's flocks and the shepherds that were taking care of Abram's were starting to fight among each other. They were fighting over patches of grass. They were saying, we don't fit here. There's not enough space. You go over there, we go over here. Hey, that's my plot of land. Hey, that's my watering hole. And the Bible says that there was friction. They started to fight among each other, and it was creating friction between Abraham and lot. They're fighting among each other. Why? Because God had prospered them. So much so that it had created problems. But what I want you to notice about this is that lot's prosperity had come directly through his relationship with Abraham. Nowhere in Scripture does it says that lot called on the Lord. Nowhere in Scripture was lot given a covenant. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that lot sought. God, called on. God sought after God. You know why lot was prospering so much? Because he was hanging out with Abraham. And you know why his herds were growing so much? Not because he had a direct blessing. He was experiencing collateral blessing. You say, pastor, what? Does it work that way? Of course it works that way. Do you realize that sometimes you can experience the splash effect from someone else's life? In fact, the Bible tells us in first Corinthians chapter seven, if an unbelieving husband marries a believing wife, that that that unbelieving husband is sanctified and blessed by his believing wife. Now he may not even know it. He may not have anything to do with God, but suddenly he feels the hand of God upon his life. Why? He's married to a woman of faith, a woman of God. And God says, because you're married to him, I'm going to have my hand on him. The problem with collateral blessing is at times we think it's our own blessing. And look at lot. Lot thought that he somehow, um, could leave Abraham and that everything would stay the same. He thought, look, I got this thing going. I'm a smart businessman. My sheep are growing. My cattle are prospering, man, I am one savvy, cutting edge business guy. I mean, look at what I'm doing. Man, this is. I'm good. And so when they started to fight and they ran out of room, the Bible tells us they talked with each other. And Abraham said to lot, let's not quarrel anymore. Now, if lot was smart and understood that his blessing was not direct, but it was collateral, he wouldn't have been quarreling. He would have said, hey, you take whatever land. I'm going to hang out with you. I mean, I don't care if I get the pasture that's got a little bit less grass. I'm going to make it work between you and I. I'm not going to fight with you because I'm going to hang out with you. Because I know my life is being blessed by hanging out with you. But it says that Abraham said to lot, hey, let's not have any quarreling among you. And me, or between your herdsmen and mine. For we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you. Let's part company. If you go to the left, then I'll go to the right. If you go to the right, then I'll go to the left. What? I want you to notice. I want you to notice that it was Abraham taking initiative. And man, what a man of God. Abraham was the senior. Lot was. The lot was his nephew. Abraham had bigger herds, more experience. He was older. But notice what he says to lot. He looks at lot and says, I don't want to fight. That's maturity. I don't want to fight. He says to lot, hey, what? What do you want to go look around the land. You choose where you want to go. You choose the best and I'll take the rest. That's maturity, isn't it? I mean, think about a business partner. With a junior partner. Think of a guy has experience and he's. He's the older guy and he's got more prosperity and more think about telling a junior partner, hey, I know you're half my age and I know you don't have as much experience, but you know what? I'm going to let you take the best clients. I'm going to let you take the best clientele. I'm going to let you have first choice. Now, if lot would have been a man of God, he would have said, no, Abraham, you know you deserve that. You choose. I don't want to choose. You be the one that chooses. But you see, he had not understood that he was experiencing collateral blessing, and he did not understand the blessing of Abraham upon his life. And you need to look at your life for a second, and you need to ask yourself, am I generating my own blessing of God and favor of God upon my life? Or am I just walking in collateral blessing because someone else around me is really walking in God and living in God? This is Mark Jobe, and you're listening to Bold Steps. We're going to get right back to our message entitled Making Decisions the Faith way. But first, I wanted to share a comment with you that highlights the types of blessings we talked about today. This listener from Florida writes, I'm a wife and a mother of two young children, and I started to listen to Bold Steps through Moody Radio. I was driving one day and your program came on. The message was so powerful and energizing that I made a point to tune in again at the same time the following day. Eventually, I subscribed to your podcast as not to miss a single one. Thank you pastor Mark for providing such inspiring messages.

So Abraham's coming out of the land of compromise. I mean, he's been down to Egypt. He lied. Imagine how Sarah's feeling after he kind of pawned her off his sister and didn't feel very bad about it. So he's been through the land of compromise. I think he feels bad about it. He goes back to the land where God has called him the land of Canaan. And the Bible says, from naked he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and AI, where his tent had been earlier. Verse four, and where he had first built an altar. And there Abraham called on the name of the Lord. The first thing I want you to understand and see is sometimes after bad decisions, after we've made bad decisions, we need to go back to the place where we heard God's voice last. Abraham has been to Egypt. He's been confused. It says he travels around from place to place. He doesn't really know what he's doing. He's a little bit disoriented. He's a little bit clouded. He's been through a dark period of life. And remember where Abraham heard the voice of God last in Bethel in chapter 12. It tells us that it was in Bethel that God appeared to him and spoke to him. It was in Bethel that he built an altar, and God spoke to him clearly. And sometimes in our life we need to go back to the place where we heard God's voice last. Here's what I've learned about God speaking to our heart. Oftentimes, we're looking for a new word, and God says, well, what was my last word to you? We say, oh God, I really need direction. I really need to hear from you. I really need to speak to my heart. God said, I spoke last time. You didn't listen. Why do you need a new word? And Abraham had to go back to Bethel. Bethel means the house of God. You had to go back to this place. This place where you had heard the voice of God. He goes back to that mountain, back to the altar. He still sees the rocks that he has built, and he's back at this place. And he says, now I go back to seeking God, and he goes back to this mountain where he heard the voice of God, and he calls up unto God, and it says. Abraham called on the name of the Lord. Now in understanding the basics of making decisions the faith way, the first thing in your notes that I want you to write down and Mark is this you need to know the difference between collateral blessing and direct blessing. Uh, when someone has an accident and they're not hit head on, but maybe, uh, a car is hit behind you and that car hits you. That's called collateral damage, right? Um, well, there's such a thing as direct blessing and collateral blessing. I want you to see what it says here in verse five. It says, now, lot, who is moving about with Abram also had flocks and herds and tents. Remember, lot is Abraham's nephew. Uh, but the land could not support them while they stayed Aid together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to. Stay together and quarreling arose between Abraham's herdsmen and the herdsmen. Of lot and the Canaanites and the parasites were also living in the land at. That time. You know, sometimes we think that famine is tough. And Abraham had. Been through famine. Right. If you a little while earlier he had left Egypt because he was in famine. But how many of you know that also blessing and prosperity has its struggles as well? Some of you say, I don't know, I wish I could experience some of those, but, you know, sometimes prospering and blessing and growth creates its challenges. Uh, sometimes we think, oh, if I just grew if if I just had a bigger paycheck or if this business just prospered, I would have no problems. It would be smooth sailing. But I want to tell you that just like famine has its struggles, so does prosperity have its struggles. And sometimes we pray for the blessing of God, the hand of God. And then when it comes to our life, we still have to tackle the challenges. And so as we grow and blessing comes to our life, we need to realize that challenges come through blessing as well. I want you to notice lot. It says in verse five. Now lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds. And so here's what was happening. Their flocks had begun to grow. They were prospering. And now pretty soon, the shepherds that were taking care of lot's flocks and the shepherds that were taking care of Abram's were starting to fight among each other. They were fighting over patches of grass. They were saying, we don't fit here. There's not enough space. You go over there, we go over here. Hey, that's my plot of land. Hey, that's my watering hole. And the Bible says that there was friction. They started to fight among each other, and it was creating friction between Abraham and lot. They're fighting among each other. Why? Because God had prospered them. So much so that it had created problems. But what I want you to notice about this is that lot's prosperity had come directly through his relationship with Abraham. Nowhere in Scripture does it says that lot called on the Lord. Nowhere in Scripture was lot given a covenant. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that lot sought. God, called on. God sought after God. You know why lot was prospering so much? Because he was hanging out with Abraham. And you know why his herds were growing so much? Not because he had a direct blessing. He was experiencing collateral blessing. You say, pastor, what? Does it work that way? Of course it works that way. Do you realize that sometimes you can experience the splash effect from someone else's life? In fact, the Bible tells us in first Corinthians chapter seven, if an unbelieving husband marries a believing wife, that that that unbelieving husband is sanctified and blessed by his believing wife. Now he may not even know it. He may not have anything to do with God, but suddenly he feels the hand of God upon his life. Why? He's married to a woman of faith, a woman of God. And God says, because you're married to him, I'm going to have my hand on him. The problem with collateral blessing is at times we think it's our own blessing. And look at lot. Lot thought that he somehow, um, could leave Abraham and that everything would stay the same. He thought, look, I got this thing going. I'm a smart businessman. My sheep are growing. My cattle are prospering, man, I am one savvy, cutting edge business guy. I mean, look at what I'm doing. Man, this is. I'm good. And so when they started to fight and they ran out of room, the Bible tells us they talked with each other. And Abraham said to lot, let's not quarrel anymore. Now, if lot was smart and understood that his blessing was not direct, but it was collateral, he wouldn't have been quarreling. He would have said, hey, you take whatever land. I'm going to hang out with you. I mean, I don't care if I get the pasture that's got a little bit less grass. I'm going to make it work between you and I. I'm not going to fight with you because I'm going to hang out with you. Because I know my life is being blessed by hanging out with you. But it says that Abraham said to lot, hey, let's not have any quarreling among you. And me, or between your herdsmen and mine. For we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you. Let's part company. If you go to the left, then I'll go to the right. If you go to the right, then I'll go to the left. What? I want you to notice. I want you to notice that it was Abraham taking initiative. And man, what a man of God. Abraham was the senior. Lot was. The lot was his nephew. Abraham had bigger herds, more experience. He was older. But notice what he says to lot. He looks at lot and says, I don't want to fight. That's maturity. I don't want to fight. He says to lot, hey, what? What do you want to go look around the land. You choose where you want to go. You choose the best and I'll take the rest. That's maturity, isn't it? I mean, think about a business partner. With a junior partner. Think of a guy has experience and he's. He's the older guy and he's got more prosperity and more think about telling a junior partner, hey, I know you're half my age and I know you don't have as much experience, but you know what? I'm going to let you take the best clients. I'm going to let you take the best clientele. I'm going to let you have first choice. Now, if lot would have been a man of God, he would have said, no, Abraham, you know you deserve that. You choose. I don't want to choose. You be the one that chooses. But you see, he had not understood that he was experiencing collateral blessing, and he did not understand the blessing of Abraham upon his life. And you need to look at your life for a second, and you need to ask yourself, am I generating my own blessing of God and favor of God upon my life? Or am I just walking in collateral blessing because someone else around me is really walking in God and living in God? This is Mark Jobe, and you're listening to Bold Steps. We're going to get right back to our message entitled Making Decisions the Faith way. But first, I wanted to share a comment with you that highlights the types of blessings we talked about today. This listener from Florida writes, I'm a wife and a mother of two young children, and I started to listen to Bold Steps through Moody Radio. I was driving one day and your program came on. The message was so powerful and energizing that I made a point to tune in again at the same time the following day. Eventually, I subscribed to your podcast as not to miss a single one. Thank you pastor Mark for providing such inspiring messages.

Boy, a little of that will go a long way, won't it, Mark?

Boy, a little of that will go a long way, won't it, Mark?

Oh yeah, that was encouraging. Thank you so much. I know that as a mother of two young children, that energy can be overwhelming. And sometimes it's challenging. So I'm so glad that it's. This program has been a blessing to you and to many others. The indirect blessing is that our young children are hearing and learning about God's Word too.

Oh yeah, that was encouraging. Thank you so much. I know that as a mother of two young children, that energy can be overwhelming. And sometimes it's challenging. So I'm so glad that it's. This program has been a blessing to you and to many others. The indirect blessing is that our young children are hearing and learning about God's Word too.

Yes. Yeah. Listening over mom's shoulder. Huh?

Yes. Yeah. Listening over mom's shoulder. Huh?

You know, there's so many ways, actually, that have told me they grew up listening to Moody Radio, and even as children, they didn't know how much they were learning. But it was always on in the background. And I think that's a double or triple blessing to the children.

You know, there's so many ways, actually, that have told me they grew up listening to Moody Radio, and even as children, they didn't know how much they were learning. But it was always on in the background. And I think that's a double or triple blessing to the children.

Indeed it is. We'd love to hear from you too. You can contact us today by going online to Bold Steps. Org. You can also call us and leave your message on a recorded line by dialing 312329 2011. That's (312) 329-2011. And there are even more ways of reaching out. And a couple of other special announcements we'll be sharing at the end of today's program. So stay with us. But now let's hear Mark's second point in our message called Making Decisions the Faith way.

Indeed it is. We'd love to hear from you too. You can contact us today by going online to Bold Steps. Org. You can also call us and leave your message on a recorded line by dialing 312329 2011. That's (312) 329-2011. And there are even more ways of reaching out. And a couple of other special announcements we'll be sharing at the end of today's program. So stay with us. But now let's hear Mark's second point in our message called Making Decisions the Faith way.

The second thing I want you to understand. I'm talking about making decisions the faith way. Ask yourself, am I living in a way that brings about blessing upon my own life? Number two, you need to ask yourself. Understand this about making decisions the faith way. Never let your natural eyes determine your spiritual future. Look at what lot did. It tells us that Abraham said, choose whatever lands you want. Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, the garden of Eden, like the land of Egypt towards Zorah. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So lot chose for himself the whole plain of Jordan, and set out towards the east. The two men parted company. Abraham lived in the land of Cana, and lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tent near Sodom. Verse 13. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, and were sinning greatly against the Lord. Here's what I want you to understand about what lot did. Lot. Instead of saying, I'm going to seek God on this, I need to seek God. This is a big decision. I'm going to fast and pray. I'm going to set up an altar and say, Lord God Almighty, where do you want me to go? You know what lot did? Lot looked around and said, man, look. Look at that valley over there. Look at that grass that's growing high. There's watering holes. I mean, this is land. I mean, it's green. This is a lot better than what Abraham has to go. I mean, over here. This is a luscious valley. And. Hey. Hey, Abraham. I made my choice. I'm going there. And you say, well, what's wrong with that, pastor? I mean, that Sounds normal. Natural? I mean, he was being a good business guy. You go where the pastures greener. Here's the problem. You don't make major decisions in life through your natural eyes. You do it through the eyes of faith. Because what looks good in the natural eventually can end up biting you in the spiritual. What's a good decision in the natural is not always a good decision in the spiritual. How many of you are tracking with me? The Bible tells us that we walk by faith, not by sight. It tells us in Corinthians that if we're going to do things. In second Corinthians chapter five verse seven, we live by faith and not by sight. You see, I am convinced that there's a lot of people that make decisions in the natural. A young guy looks at a girl and man, she's the one. Well, what makes you think that? Well, have you seen her? Okay, well, how's your life? How's her heart? How's your spiritual life? How's how's your emotion? I don't know, just. I haven't thought about all that stuff. It makes a decision in the natural and then realize that she looks good on the outside. But, man, she's got a few problems on the inside. Or sometimes we make a decision in the natural, like, hey, you get a promotion and your job says, we're giving you a promotion, you're going to get a raise, we're going to relocate you to California because there's a lot better job raise, uh, a promotion to your job, and you don't even think about seeking God about it. Why? Because you just figure, hey, it's more money. It's a better position. What do I have to think about? You see, in the natural, that may look good, but have you asked yourself, what about my spiritual life? What about my family? Spiritual life? What consequences does this have on me? Have you sought God? Have you prayed? Have you come before God and said, is this a good decision? You see, I've been around too many people. That said, I got a promotion. I'm going to move to California or wherever. And they go. And then they call a year later and say, this is the worst decision of my life. Yeah, I have more money, but my family's falling apart. My spiritual life. I haven't found a church. I'm not plugged in. My life's in shambles spiritually because they looked at the natural, but not at the spiritual. Lot made a decision in the power of the natural. He was about to move outside of one of the most wicked cities on the face of this earth. Now it looked good because the mountains were green and so forth, but Sodom and Gomorrah was a place that God would would destroy later on, because there was an exceedingly great wickedness that existed there. I mean, if he would have been aware of the spiritual, he would have said, hey, I'm not taking my kids and my family to live by Sodom and Gomorrah, because this will be terrible for their life and their environment. But he didn't see the spiritual implications. He only looked at the material implications. You say, well, pastor, how do we make decisions then? Hey, if the if if it's something in the Bible that's not clear in the Bible, if it's just a decision that I have to make, should I take this job or that job or get this house or that house, or go to this school or that school, or choose this career or that career, how do I know? Well, I think it starts by seeking God and saying, God, I'm not going to make this decision on my own. I'm going to seek you. But I think there's there's four other tips I'm going to give you real quickly in making decisions that are big. Four questions that you need to ask yourself in making a major decision. Number one, does Scripture have anything to say about this decision? And there are certain things that scripture are really clear about. For example, you say, well, I'm not sure if to marry this Christian girl or this non-Christian girl. I don't know. It's a real toss up. Well, you know, no question about that. The Bible says something about that. The Bible says, don't be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. In other words, don't marry someone that's not a believer. It's clear what fellowship does a righteousness have with unrighteousness. You say, well, we're really compatible. Listen, if your spiritual life is not compatible, then the very center of your being will not be compatible with that individual and you will end up regretting that decision. Second question you need to ask yourself is this is this a persistent desire in my heart that I can't get rid of? You see, I believe that God gives us the desires of our heart. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. We all have an idea, right? But the question is is a persistent desire that you can't get rid of. I mean, is this not just a you're in the shower. You have a flash of thought, man, I could do this. Okay, but yeah, but do you have it over and over, or is it something that's got a hold of you? Is it something that you can't get out of your mind? You need to ask people around you. Is this the right decision for me? And how many of you know we can all choose people that we know are going to agree? So we'll ask people around you. I'm going to I'm going to find my 16 year old nephew. Hey, what do you think? Oh, yeah, I think it's a good idea. No, I'm talking about spiritually mature people. People that love you, that follow God, that know that are looking out for the best. Do they think this is a good decision for you? The Bible says that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom, so check it out.

The second thing I want you to understand. I'm talking about making decisions the faith way. Ask yourself, am I living in a way that brings about blessing upon my own life? Number two, you need to ask yourself. Understand this about making decisions the faith way. Never let your natural eyes determine your spiritual future. Look at what lot did. It tells us that Abraham said, choose whatever lands you want. Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, the garden of Eden, like the land of Egypt towards Zorah. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So lot chose for himself the whole plain of Jordan, and set out towards the east. The two men parted company. Abraham lived in the land of Cana, and lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tent near Sodom. Verse 13. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, and were sinning greatly against the Lord. Here's what I want you to understand about what lot did. Lot. Instead of saying, I'm going to seek God on this, I need to seek God. This is a big decision. I'm going to fast and pray. I'm going to set up an altar and say, Lord God Almighty, where do you want me to go? You know what lot did? Lot looked around and said, man, look. Look at that valley over there. Look at that grass that's growing high. There's watering holes. I mean, this is land. I mean, it's green. This is a lot better than what Abraham has to go. I mean, over here. This is a luscious valley. And. Hey. Hey, Abraham. I made my choice. I'm going there. And you say, well, what's wrong with that, pastor? I mean, that Sounds normal. Natural? I mean, he was being a good business guy. You go where the pastures greener. Here's the problem. You don't make major decisions in life through your natural eyes. You do it through the eyes of faith. Because what looks good in the natural eventually can end up biting you in the spiritual. What's a good decision in the natural is not always a good decision in the spiritual. How many of you are tracking with me? The Bible tells us that we walk by faith, not by sight. It tells us in Corinthians that if we're going to do things. In second Corinthians chapter five verse seven, we live by faith and not by sight. You see, I am convinced that there's a lot of people that make decisions in the natural. A young guy looks at a girl and man, she's the one. Well, what makes you think that? Well, have you seen her? Okay, well, how's your life? How's her heart? How's your spiritual life? How's how's your emotion? I don't know, just. I haven't thought about all that stuff. It makes a decision in the natural and then realize that she looks good on the outside. But, man, she's got a few problems on the inside. Or sometimes we make a decision in the natural, like, hey, you get a promotion and your job says, we're giving you a promotion, you're going to get a raise, we're going to relocate you to California because there's a lot better job raise, uh, a promotion to your job, and you don't even think about seeking God about it. Why? Because you just figure, hey, it's more money. It's a better position. What do I have to think about? You see, in the natural, that may look good, but have you asked yourself, what about my spiritual life? What about my family? Spiritual life? What consequences does this have on me? Have you sought God? Have you prayed? Have you come before God and said, is this a good decision? You see, I've been around too many people. That said, I got a promotion. I'm going to move to California or wherever. And they go. And then they call a year later and say, this is the worst decision of my life. Yeah, I have more money, but my family's falling apart. My spiritual life. I haven't found a church. I'm not plugged in. My life's in shambles spiritually because they looked at the natural, but not at the spiritual. Lot made a decision in the power of the natural. He was about to move outside of one of the most wicked cities on the face of this earth. Now it looked good because the mountains were green and so forth, but Sodom and Gomorrah was a place that God would would destroy later on, because there was an exceedingly great wickedness that existed there. I mean, if he would have been aware of the spiritual, he would have said, hey, I'm not taking my kids and my family to live by Sodom and Gomorrah, because this will be terrible for their life and their environment. But he didn't see the spiritual implications. He only looked at the material implications. You say, well, pastor, how do we make decisions then? Hey, if the if if it's something in the Bible that's not clear in the Bible, if it's just a decision that I have to make, should I take this job or that job or get this house or that house, or go to this school or that school, or choose this career or that career, how do I know? Well, I think it starts by seeking God and saying, God, I'm not going to make this decision on my own. I'm going to seek you. But I think there's there's four other tips I'm going to give you real quickly in making decisions that are big. Four questions that you need to ask yourself in making a major decision. Number one, does Scripture have anything to say about this decision? And there are certain things that scripture are really clear about. For example, you say, well, I'm not sure if to marry this Christian girl or this non-Christian girl. I don't know. It's a real toss up. Well, you know, no question about that. The Bible says something about that. The Bible says, don't be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. In other words, don't marry someone that's not a believer. It's clear what fellowship does a righteousness have with unrighteousness. You say, well, we're really compatible. Listen, if your spiritual life is not compatible, then the very center of your being will not be compatible with that individual and you will end up regretting that decision. Second question you need to ask yourself is this is this a persistent desire in my heart that I can't get rid of? You see, I believe that God gives us the desires of our heart. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. We all have an idea, right? But the question is is a persistent desire that you can't get rid of. I mean, is this not just a you're in the shower. You have a flash of thought, man, I could do this. Okay, but yeah, but do you have it over and over, or is it something that's got a hold of you? Is it something that you can't get out of your mind? You need to ask people around you. Is this the right decision for me? And how many of you know we can all choose people that we know are going to agree? So we'll ask people around you. I'm going to I'm going to find my 16 year old nephew. Hey, what do you think? Oh, yeah, I think it's a good idea. No, I'm talking about spiritually mature people. People that love you, that follow God, that know that are looking out for the best. Do they think this is a good decision for you? The Bible says that in the multitude of counselors there is wisdom, so check it out.

Rash natural decisions have tough spiritual consequences. You're listening to Bold Steps, a message from doctor Mark Jobe. We'll continue this on tomorrow's program. But remember, all of these daily programs can also be found online at bird-stamps.org or by listening through your podcast app right from your phone, by subscribing to the Bold Steps podcast, and even through the Moody Radio mobile app. You know, all of these efforts to share solid biblical teaching are made possible by the generous financial gifts of listeners like you. And when you give a gift of $30 or more each month, you'll become a member of a special group of people we call Bold Partners. These faithful listeners help us shoulder the financial responsibilities of this radio ministry so we can share the unfiltered truth of the Bible with people all across the country and even around the world. If you're not a part of this amazing team, take your next bold step today and join us. You can do that online at Bold Steps. Org or let us know you want to become a bold partner by calling 800 D.L. Moody. That's (800) 356-6639. Mark, we always try to provide resources for our listeners that really touch a point of need. And loneliness is a big need in our lives today. Let's talk about this. We have a book called loneliness. Don't hate it or waste it, redeem it. Written by our guest now, Steve DeWitt.

Rash natural decisions have tough spiritual consequences. You're listening to Bold Steps, a message from doctor Mark Jobe. We'll continue this on tomorrow's program. But remember, all of these daily programs can also be found online at bird-stamps.org or by listening through your podcast app right from your phone, by subscribing to the Bold Steps podcast, and even through the Moody Radio mobile app. You know, all of these efforts to share solid biblical teaching are made possible by the generous financial gifts of listeners like you. And when you give a gift of $30 or more each month, you'll become a member of a special group of people we call Bold Partners. These faithful listeners help us shoulder the financial responsibilities of this radio ministry so we can share the unfiltered truth of the Bible with people all across the country and even around the world. If you're not a part of this amazing team, take your next bold step today and join us. You can do that online at Bold Steps. Org or let us know you want to become a bold partner by calling 800 D.L. Moody. That's (800) 356-6639. Mark, we always try to provide resources for our listeners that really touch a point of need. And loneliness is a big need in our lives today. Let's talk about this. We have a book called loneliness. Don't hate it or waste it, redeem it. Written by our guest now, Steve DeWitt.

Yeah, we have Steve with us in the studio today. Steve, in your book, loneliness, you talk about how seasons of loneliness can actually be opportunities for spiritual growth, which I think is a novel idea for many of us. That's a really powerful perspective. Can you tell us more about what that looks like?

Yeah, we have Steve with us in the studio today. Steve, in your book, loneliness, you talk about how seasons of loneliness can actually be opportunities for spiritual growth, which I think is a novel idea for many of us. That's a really powerful perspective. Can you tell us more about what that looks like?

Sure. I'm happy to be with you, Mark. And loneliness, I think, is somewhat episodic. It comes and goes. If you're struggling with it, it sometimes will be like a wave that will overwhelm you. But not always. At least that's my experience with it over the years. So yes, it is a great opportunity for spiritual growth when we understand that loneliness itself is not a sin, it's a part. It's a result of the fall, but it's not sin itself. And when I can understand it as an indication from God through my image bearing something lacking in my life, like when I'm hungry, I'm lacking food. When I'm thirsty, I'm lacking something to drink when I'm lonely. It's an indication that I was made for something that's not there or someone. And that could be God in a vertical sense. Or it could be horizontally others. And when we leverage that loneliness and allow it to motivate us towards the things God made for us to live, for now it becomes a blessing and indeed we redeem it.

Sure. I'm happy to be with you, Mark. And loneliness, I think, is somewhat episodic. It comes and goes. If you're struggling with it, it sometimes will be like a wave that will overwhelm you. But not always. At least that's my experience with it over the years. So yes, it is a great opportunity for spiritual growth when we understand that loneliness itself is not a sin, it's a part. It's a result of the fall, but it's not sin itself. And when I can understand it as an indication from God through my image bearing something lacking in my life, like when I'm hungry, I'm lacking food. When I'm thirsty, I'm lacking something to drink when I'm lonely. It's an indication that I was made for something that's not there or someone. And that could be God in a vertical sense. Or it could be horizontally others. And when we leverage that loneliness and allow it to motivate us towards the things God made for us to live, for now it becomes a blessing and indeed we redeem it.

Great thought Steve. I love that that loneliness is an indicator that something needs to be put into our life, and it's found in God and our community around us. Thank you so much. Hey, I wish we had hours to talk about this topic. We don't, but in this book loneliness. Don't hate it or waste it, redeem it. Pastor Steve DeWitt delves deeply into this topic, and so we'd love to put this book into your hands. Yeah, it's such.

Great thought Steve. I love that that loneliness is an indicator that something needs to be put into our life, and it's found in God and our community around us. Thank you so much. Hey, I wish we had hours to talk about this topic. We don't, but in this book loneliness. Don't hate it or waste it, redeem it. Pastor Steve DeWitt delves deeply into this topic, and so we'd love to put this book into your hands. Yeah, it's such.

An important topic for believers, so let us know you want a copy of this bold step gift. When you send a donation of any amount to Bold Steps, just go online to Bold steps.org or call 800 D.L. Moody. You can also send your gift and request for the book in the mail. Address your envelope to bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 606 ten. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Join us again tomorrow when we'll hear part two of today's message titled Making Decisions the Faith way. The message comes your way from our latest series titled Don't Stop Believing the Power of Relentless Faith. You'll hear it Tuesday on Bold Steps with Mark John. Bold steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.

An important topic for believers, so let us know you want a copy of this bold step gift. When you send a donation of any amount to Bold Steps, just go online to Bold steps.org or call 800 D.L. Moody. You can also send your gift and request for the book in the mail. Address your envelope to bold steps. 820 North LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 606 ten. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Join us again tomorrow when we'll hear part two of today's message titled Making Decisions the Faith way. The message comes your way from our latest series titled Don't Stop Believing the Power of Relentless Faith. You'll hear it Tuesday on Bold Steps with Mark John. Bold steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.