Pastor David Koop Listen now
Five ways God guides us in making major decisions in our lives: - Through the Bible
Psalm 119:105
Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. (TLB) - Through the leading of the Holy Spirit
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. (TLB) - Through divine circumstances
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NKJV) - Through due diligence
Proverbs 18:13
What a shame-- yes, how stupid!-- to decide before knowing the facts! (TLB) - Through wise counsel from mature Christians
Proverbs 20:18
Don't go ahead with your plans without the advice of others; don't go to war until they agree. (TLB)
Remember God is never in a hurry. God’s guidance is often progressive - like a polaroid picture.
Questions for doing your due diligence: - Are they a real Christian?
- 2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith].
- Do you have compatibility in spiritual things?
- Are they responsible financially?
- Do you agree on how to spend your money and time?
- Can you trust this person? Have they given any reason not to trust them?
- How do they react under pressure? How do they handle adversity? How do they handle boundaries?
- Psalm 101:7
I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence. - 2 Timothy 2:3
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
- When conflict happens was forgiveness asked for and granted?
- Do you want your sons to be like him and your daughters to marry someone like him? Do you want your daughters to be like her and your sons to marry someone like her?
- Does the person have control over their sex drive? Do you feel pressured to have sex?
- Do they have a good relationship with their parents and family?
- How do they submit to authority? (Parents, employer, police officer, pastor, etc)
- Is there agape love in your lives. Substitute your name and the name of the person you're considering for marriage in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 wherever the word love occurs. See how you measure up to the biblical pattern.
________________ is patient.
________________ is kind.
________________ is not jealous.
________________ is not boastful.
________________ is not arrogant.
________________ is not rude.
________________ is not self-seeking.
________________ is not easily angered.
________________ does not hold grudges.
________________ does not delight in evil.
________________ rejoices in the truth.
________________ protects.
________________ trusts.
________________ hopes.
________________ perseveres.
Proverbs 3:6
In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. (TLB) Myths regarding dating: Myth #1 – God will choose the mate for me. (God will guide you but the responsibility is yours. He will give us the principles to live by.) Myth #2 – God has the perfect mate for me and only I should marry that person. Myth #3 – The more people I date, the better chance I have of meeting the right person. Myth #4 – If I get married my lonliness problem or other problems will be solved. Myth # 5 – If I get married I will feel complete. Myth #6 – If things don't click on the first date, we are probably not right for each other. Myth #7 – If we date longer, I can fix the character issues in the other person. Myth #8 – All the good men/women are taken. Myth #9 – It doesn't matter if most of my family and friends don't like the person I am crazy about. Myth #10 – If I get married I will loose my freedom. Myth #11 – Love means I never have to say sorry. Myth #12 – If we live together first we can go for a test drive to see if a life time marriage commitment will work. |
