There are always decisions that have to be made. They range from, routine decisions to critical decisions. Sometimes we may decide to do something based on what we think is the best possible option for us, at the time. Whatever process we use to decide a matter, the outcome will always speak to whether it was the better thing to do or not.

As Christians, the Lord God never leaves us to figure things out on our own. He knows that's virtually impossible for us to to do. There are things that we could never anticipate or be prepared to for. Since He knows about everything concerning us, what we will need, and in what way we will need it, He should be the one making the final decision, not us.

It is absolutely necessary, and important to inquire of God on all matters, not some, but all! Don't take anything for granted. Whether it's a big decision or a little decision, they both require the right answer.

David inquires of God, and He gets an answer with direction. Surely, the outcome was victorious! There was another point in time where David didn't inquire of God and assumed that because God answered him a yes before, that He would undoubtedly do the same, and he, David, was wrong! They got slaughtered in battle simply because he thought that God's answer for the same situation would yield the same results as before. 

It doesn't matter how God may have answered us in the past, we must go to Him afresh and ask for His mind, His will, and His permission to do or not do something! This is crucial! Never assume anything where God is concerned. He sees the beginning, middle, and the end of a situation, we can't. He is there to protect us from unnecessary problems, and to make sure that we get the blessing.

Oftentimes, we fail to ask God for His permission or go ahead on a matter because we lack the faith to believe that He has our best at heart. We want what we want, and we don't want God to step in and possibly halt, stop, or say 'No' to us, so we proceed with what we want to do, and then pray afterwards for His blessing. It doesn't work that way, unfortunately. We cannot deal with God that way and expect to get His best for us.

One of the other things we do, at times, is to run a situation down to someone we trust to see what their take is on it. Now that is okay if the person is spiritual minded, but we still have to consult God. That individual may answer us according to their own prejudices, feelings, desires, or common sense. That's not god enough, because we could still make a bad decision. 

The answer God gives is tailor made just for you and me! His answer takes in every facet of our lives, present and future. God knows five years down the line, where that single decision would leave us or our family. 

Never trust what seems to be the obvious answer! Only trust God! Inquire of Him, and wait for His response. If it seems as if He is taking a long time, it means that He has the situation under His control and in the fullness of His time, He will answer. Remember, things aren't always what they seem. Our emergency, is usually not God's urgency. He knows exactly how long to let things go for. He knows the situation we're in. Sometimes the most obvious thing to do is the very thing we shouldn't do at the time. 

When we are walking in fellowship with God, (spending time in His presence, praying and reading) consistently, we are in tune with God. When we are in tune with Him, we are looking to see where He will lead, and where He will direct. The minute God answers, we will know what to do!

If we are living carnally, (worldly lifestyle), we won't hear from God. We won't have the direction and help we need from Him. The Scripture tells us that when there is sin in our lives, God won't answer us. Our prayers will not reach him at all! 

I have seen what one wrong decision can do to a man or woman. The rolling ball affect is a disastrous spill out. One bad choice can lead to 10 bad consequences. There are consequences that run the course of a person's life. There are things that one cannot un-do. Everyone in close proximity of the bad decision maker can suffer as well, especially in a family.

In the Bible, Naomi's husband made a bad decision by taking his family to Moab. Their sons married Moabitish women, and  they shouldn't have. Naomi's husband died there and her two sons. All three women became widows in Moab. Did hubby mean his family harm? No! Absolutely not! He took them there to avoid the famine that had hit their land. He figured that if he went there, they would have food and provisions and then he would go back to their land when things got better. They stayed there for years, in Moab. They settled in and didn't go back. Naomi eventually goes back, and because of God's mercy and grace, He blesses her and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. The other daughter-in-law didn't go with them. This was the result of one bad decision. They did the obvious thing which was to avoid the famine, but that was the wrong thing to do. Better they suffered through the famine staying right where God wanted them, than to go to Moab.

Let's make it a practice to Inquire of God for every little and big thing. Let us trust God because He has our best at heart! 

Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to the Apostle Paul. Paul committed him and the situation to God. He didn't take revenge, neither did he run and tell others.

Barnabas and Paul had a fierce disagreement. It was so bad that they had to cease from traveling together, and go their separate ways. Sometimes, we have to agree to disagree. Some things get settled in time. They eventually came back together.

Hindrances are not all bad. The Apostle Paul was hindered from visiting one of the assemblies. He states that Satan hindered him. Instead, he wrote a letter to them to address what he would have if he had seen them. If God had allowed Paul to make that visit, we would not have the Epistle of Paul, The Apostle To The Thessalonians. God sometimes allows us to be hindered and kept from executing something or going somewhere. Paul's hinderance not only benefitted the saints at that time, but us as well, many years later.

Don't share your ideas and dreams with just anyone! Not everyone will respect it. Not everyone wants to see you succeed. Not everyone is in your corner. Your Dreams and Spiritual Aspirations are from God! Is something gnawing at you that you can't seem to get away from? God plants desires within us for a reason. Joseph had a dream and he shared it with his family members. He was only a teenager at the time. His dream came true 17 years or so later. His brothers had no respect for him or his dreams, but they later realized that Joseph's dream came true, and was to the saving of their lives!

Mary of Bethany sat at the feet of Jesus on three occasions. 1. For learning. 2. For comfort. 3. For worship.

Dorcas used her talents to minister to others in their time of need. In doing so, she helped to relieve the burdens of many.

Lois was a grandmother who capitalized on the teachable moments she had with her grandson, Timothy.

Ruth had a positive influence on her daughter-in-law, Naomi. Ruth's advice to Naomi was well received and followed. It led to a great blessing in the end for them both.

Mary Magdalene knew what she had been saved from! Her affection and attachment to the Lord was steady and strong.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your heart and all your soul."  Ecc. 9:10 

There is so much that competes for our time and attention. Sometimes we are fooled into thinking that we need to attach ourselves to certain things or activities because on the surface, they appear to be necessary. The question we should always ask ourselves is this; will these things deter or hinder me from the goal I'm trying to reach?

It takes conscientious effort to achieve anything in life!  It takes vision, hard work, rising early each day, with determination. This requires discipline and knowing when to say, "NO" to a lot of other things that would divide your attention and get you off track.

When I think about the men and women who have managed to achieve great things, there is one thing they all had in common; they were focused individuals. They met every obstacle with courage, not wavering or giving up. There were lots of situations they encountered that threatened everything they were trying to do, but they endured as they remained focused.

There will be times when you will have to bypass what's seemingly, a 'good' opportunity, in order to succeed and accomplish your goal. Not every opportunity, or offer that comes your way is necessary to get involved in, unless it will enhance, enrich, or advance your vision. Some things are just a waste of time! 

Know when to graciously bow out of an invitation. Keep your focus! Don't get side tracked or bamboozled into thinking that you will gain anything valuable from getting involved with stuff that cannot grow you, develop you or increase your chances for upward mobility. Always remember, distractions come in nice little packages!

Keeping your focus may also involve a cost! You may loose a few people along the way, be talked about, negatively, while gaining a few enemies. Keep your focus regardless! Anyone worth a seat in the front row of your life will earn it by being supportive during your journey! The rest, you don't need!

Focused individuals are meticulous, and careful. Whatever they are working on, or working towards, shows the amount of time and attention they gave it. They are not sloppy, neither careless, or mediocre. They have high standards for themselves. They are always looking for ways to improve, and they are constantly learning and growing in their purpose. They take on challenges and tackle things that are difficult. They surround themselves with people who know more than they do, who have also achieved their goals in spite of obstacles.

God expects that His children will produce nothing less than their best! He has given us all of the resources we need to be successful. There is absolutely no reason why we should fall beneath His expectations or leave this world without making the mark we were born to make.

Whatever you put your hands to do, work it as if God, Himself, will put His stamp of approval on it before it even gets a chance to be seen by others. Work for His approval and His approval only! Set aside, or toss anything that will slow you down, keeping you from accomplishing your goal. By any means necessary, KEEP YOUR FOCUS!