10 Strategies For Keeping Your Decisions

Summer camp is by far my favorite week of the year as a youth pastor! I do what I do today because of decisions that God impressed on my heart while at summer camp. God moved in a mighty way in the hearts of our teenagers. Several of our teens even made comments about not really wanting to return to the regular routine due to worldly influences that they face on a daily basis. I thank God for the decisions that were made at camp, but I know that there is a battle at hand...and the enemy is not happy about the ground of our hearts and minds that we have given back over to God. He's coming to rebuild those strongholds in our life. Teens, lets be prepared to resist the Devil! Below, I have listed a practical guide on how to keep your decisions as given by a friend of our ministry, Pastor Mike Ray. I also took the liberty to add some application to these godly principles. I truly believe we need to revisit these helpful tactics on a regular basis in order to add spiritual discipline to our spiritual decisions. Truthfully, these Biblical principles would be good for everyone to keep and practice on a daily basis in our Christian life.

1. Expect resistance – keep in mind that the mountaintop is always worth the climb.

2. Schedule decisions – Institute some basic schedules into your life. If you have decided to spend more time developing your relationship with Christ rather than just going through religious motions, then calendar God in! Feel free to add variety, like taking a walk or a run while you pray, etc. Trust me…it works! If your schedule is incredibly busy throughout the week and your time with God limited, then make sure and give yourself a double dose on the weekends. Download podcasts of preaching or listen to the Bible on audio while you get ready in the morning. Practically work God into every schedule you can! 

3. Clean house – Get rid of anything and everything that poses a threat to following God with all your heart.

4. Use the philosophy of replacement – This is best illustrated with music. If you decided to get rid of some ungodly music, you MUST replace this with godly music. You simply can’t just stop listening to music altogether, or you will once again fall back into old habits. Out with the old, and in with the new!

5. Don’t miss church on Sunday – While this applies wholeheartedly to the Sunday after camp, it ought to be a principle that we strive to live by every week as Christians. Prove to God that you still want to hear from Him!

6. Plan initial confrontation – If you made a decision that concerns someone or something else, don’t wait until that person talks with you. Take the initiative. Follow through. If your decision involves others (i.e. parents, friends, etc.) confront them with the right spirit.

7. Tell a leader so you can be accountable – Tell your parents first and foremost! I am more than happy to help with any decision, but they are your parents. They know you better because they’ve known you longer. Trust them. Obey them. Love them. Your parents want to help you with this decision! Let them.

8. Realize you only have to keep your decision today – Little by little, inch by inch. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Don’t let the Devil trick you.

9. Don’t be overwhelmed – Trust in God!

10. If you made a major decision, make it public – Simply put, if you got saved, get baptized. If you were called to preach, tell the church, and then volunteer in any ministry opportunity you can. Make it public! Don’t be afraid to let others know about your decision. It will encourage them and you.