Three Rules for Life Make a decision. Don’t take things into your own hands. Kill sin before it kills you. The best way to connect with us is the Connection Card in the bulletin. For the Digital Bulletin, visit myncc.info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Food for Thought for the week of August 14, 2022 Decision-making is one of the toughest things we may face in our walk with God. We want to make the “right” choice and just wish God would speak to us. Let’s look at some Scripture and see how we should approach decision-making. Read the following verses and write down anything that stands out to you on how God would want us to make decisions in our lives. James 1:5 New International Version (NIV) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Matthew 6:10 New International Version (NIV) 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Proverbs 15:22 New International Version (NIV) 22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Which of the above verses would you want to work on more this week? Sometimes we want a specific answer from God, but He wants to get a specific lifestyle from us. What do the following verses say about the lifestyle God wants from us? 2 Corinthians 5:20 New International Version (NIV) 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. Romans 12:9-21 New International Version (NIV) 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. In the Romans 12 passage, what two actions are you already doing well? What two actions would you want to improve in? What plan can you put in place this week to work on those? Mark mentioned that David was a coward in making a decision because he didn’t want to face the consequences. Sometimes doing what we know God wants is tough and brings persecution, such as relational fallout with those we care about. What comfort does Matthew 5:10 bring us in making a decision to obey Christ? Matthew 5:10 New International Version (NIV) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. A final note. Mark reminded us that God cares more about where we are in Christ than where we are in life. The biggest and most important decision we will ever make is whether to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If you want to make that decision or have questions about what that looks like, check out this video: northcoastchurch.com/visit/new-believer-info/christianity-101/