Are You Making God's Thoughts Your Own? - Conclusion of GIVING ADVANCE THOUGHT TO FUTURE DECISIONS

Giving advance thought to the need to remain loyal can also prove helpful in the event of a medical emergency.  While we are firmly resolved to avoid the transfusion of whole blood or any of its four components, some procedures involving blood require making a personal decision based on Bible principles that indicate Jehovah's thinking. (Acts 15:28, 29)  Surely the best time to weigh such matters is not in a hospital, possibly when we are in pain and under pressure to make a quick decision.  Now would be the time to do research, complete with a medical document indicating your wishes, and speak with your doctor. 

Finally, consider Jesus' quick response to Peter's misguided advice:  "Be kind to yourself, Lord."  Jesus had apparently given much prior thought to God's will for him and to the Scriptures that applied to his life and death on earth.  This knowledge strengthened his decision to maintain his faithful, self-sacrificing course without wavering. Read Matthew 16:21-23. 

Today God's will for his people is to develop a friendship with him and have as full a share as possible in his work.  (Matthew 6:33, 18:19; James 4:8)   As in the case of Jesus' well-meaning people might try to sway us from that course.  For example, what if your employer offered you a promotion with a substantial increase in salary but the position would interfere with your spiritual activities?  Or If you are in school, suppose you were offered  an opportunity to move away from home to receive an  education. At that moment, would you need to do prayerful research, consult with your family and perhaps elders, and the make a decision?  Why not learn Jehovah's thinking on such matters now and endeavor to make his thoughts your own?  Then, if  you are ever presented with such an offer you may find that it hardly amounts to a 
temptation.  Your spiritual goals are set, your heart is resolved, and all that remains  for you is to carry out a decision that you have already made. 

You can probably think of other situations that could arise suddenly, unexpectedly. Of course, we cannot prepare for every conceivable possibility.  But if we meditate on Jehovah's thinking during personal study, we will be more likely  to recall what we have studied and be able to apply it to the specific situation at hand. Let us, then, be mindful of the need to note Jehovah's thinking on matters, make it our own, and consider how having God's view will affect our present and future actions.

Next time: Are You Making God's Thoughts Your Own? - JEHOVAH'S THOUGHTS AND YOUR FUTURE

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