Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - How To Make Wise Decisions

September 15, 2025 | 29:0

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

#WordofGod #Heart #Hurting #LastDays #Blessing #Prayer #Worship #Truth #Forgiveness

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - How To Make Wise Decisions | September 15, 2025

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.356
♪♪♪
00:00:00.824 --> 00:00:06.729
Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
00:00:06.830 --> 00:00:09.065
Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
00:00:09.199 --> 00:00:11.901
Dr. robert jeffress.
00:00:12.035 --> 00:00:13.570
Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
00:00:14.804 --> 00:00:16.673
Again to "pathway to victory."
00:00:16.673 --> 00:00:18.641
Have you ever tried to talk to someone over the noise that's
00:00:18.641 --> 00:00:21.678
Blasting from a tv?
00:00:21.678 --> 00:00:23.780
It's frustrating to say the least.
00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:26.282
Yet many of us expect to hear god's voice over the
00:00:26.282 --> 00:00:29.619
Distractions that fill our lives.
00:00:29.619 --> 00:00:32.155
Today i'm going to show you how to escape the commotion in order
00:00:32.155 --> 00:00:35.959
To hear god's voice.
00:00:35.959 --> 00:00:37.594
My message is titled, "the god who speaks," on today's edition
00:00:37.594 --> 00:00:42.599
Of "pathway to victory."
00:00:42.599 --> 00:00:44.300
♪♪♪
00:00:45.268 --> 00:00:53.076
♪ when peace like a river, attendeth my way ♪
00:00:53.076 --> 00:01:03.086
♪ when peace like a river, attendeth my way ♪
00:01:03.086 --> 00:01:08.258
♪ when sorrows like sea billows roll ♪
00:01:08.258 --> 00:01:20.603
♪ whatever my lot ♪
00:01:18.268 --> 00:01:26.176
♪ thou hast taught me to say ♪
00:01:26.176 --> 00:01:32.448
♪ it is well, it is well with my soul ♪
00:01:32.448 --> 00:01:44.761
♪ it is well with my soul ♪
00:01:45.595 --> 00:01:58.241
♪ it is well, it is well with my soul ♪
00:01:55.605 --> 00:02:11.721
♪ and lord, haste the day ♪
00:02:08.251 --> 00:02:16.759
♪ when my faith shall be sight ♪
00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:23.433
♪ the clouds be rolled back as a scroll ♪
00:02:23.433 --> 00:02:35.545
♪ the trump shall resound ♪
00:02:33.443 --> 00:02:40.783
♪ and the lord shall descend ♪
00:02:40.783 --> 00:02:47.056
♪ even so, it is well with my soul ♪
00:02:47.056 --> 00:02:59.002
♪ it is well with my soul ♪
00:03:02.739 --> 00:03:18.421
♪ it is well, it is well ♪
00:03:12.749 --> 00:03:28.131
♪ with my soul ♪
00:03:28.131 --> 00:03:36.039
♪ amen ♪♪
00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:45.014
Announcer: how do you know which path god wants you to take?
00:03:49.185 --> 00:03:52.088
In "how to make wise decisions," trusted author and bible teacher
00:03:52.088 --> 00:03:55.758
Dr. robert jeffress cuts through the confusion with time-tested
00:03:55.758 --> 00:03:59.162
Biblical wisdom.
00:03:59.162 --> 00:04:00.496
Whether you're facing career changes, relationship questions,
00:04:00.496 --> 00:04:03.366
Or ministry decisions, this practical guide reveals how god
00:04:03.366 --> 00:04:07.203
Speaks to his children today.
00:04:07.203 --> 00:04:09.072
Don't let uncertainty paralyze you.
00:04:09.072 --> 00:04:11.474
Request your copy of "how to make wise decisions" when you
00:04:11.474 --> 00:04:14.577
Give a generous gift to support the ministry of "pathway
00:04:14.577 --> 00:04:17.447
To victory."
00:04:17.447 --> 00:04:19.482
♪♪♪
00:04:19.482 --> 00:04:26.789
Jeffress: "well, pastor, what sort of things does god want to
00:04:26.789 --> 00:04:29.192
Talk to me about?
00:04:29.192 --> 00:04:31.227
What kind of things does he communicate?
00:04:31.227 --> 00:04:32.862
What desires does he have?"
00:04:32.862 --> 00:04:35.164
Let me suggest three, just put them out to the side of
00:04:35.164 --> 00:04:37.834
Your outline.
00:04:37.834 --> 00:04:39.202
Sometimes god wants to speak to us about sins that we need
00:04:39.202 --> 00:04:42.939
To abandon.
00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:44.374
Sins that need to be abandoned.
00:04:44.374 --> 00:04:46.676
Is there anything in your life displeasing to the lord?
00:04:46.676 --> 00:04:51.280
Sometimes he'll want to talk to you about those things.
00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:53.716
In psalm 139, verses 23 and 24, david prayed, "search me, o god,
00:04:53.716 --> 00:05:00.089
And know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and
00:05:00.089 --> 00:05:04.494
See if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the
00:05:04.494 --> 00:05:09.265
Everlasting way."
00:05:09.265 --> 00:05:11.334
David was saying, "god, i want you to take the searchlight of
00:05:11.334 --> 00:05:14.737
Your holy spirit and i want you to shine that searchlight into
00:05:14.737 --> 00:05:18.574
My heart, look into the inner recesses of my heart and see if
00:05:18.574 --> 00:05:22.879
There is anything displeasing to you.
00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:26.482
And if you will show me what's displeasing to you, i'll
00:05:26.482 --> 00:05:28.985
Change it.
00:05:28.985 --> 00:05:30.353
Because i want to walk on the everlasting way.
00:05:30.353 --> 00:05:32.655
I want to experience your blessing in every area of
00:05:32.655 --> 00:05:36.025
My life."
00:05:36.025 --> 00:05:37.960
By the way, when you ask god to show you anything in your life
00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:41.764
Displeasing to him, that's one prayer he will always
00:05:41.764 --> 00:05:45.935
Answer, guaranteed.
00:05:45.935 --> 00:05:48.604
If you'll ask him to show you, he'll show you.
00:05:48.604 --> 00:05:51.707
Sometimes god wants to speak to us about sins that need to
00:05:51.707 --> 00:05:54.911
Be abandoned.
00:05:54.911 --> 00:05:56.245
Secondly, sometimes god communicates to us, speaks to
00:05:56.245 --> 00:05:58.781
Us, about relationships that need to be mended, relationships
00:05:58.781 --> 00:06:03.419
That need to be mended.
00:06:03.419 --> 00:06:04.787
Have you ever had this experience?
00:06:04.787 --> 00:06:06.355
You're in church, semi-listening to the pastor, or maybe you're
00:06:06.355 --> 00:06:10.993
At home trying to pray or reading the bible, when all of a
00:06:10.993 --> 00:06:14.030
Sudden the picture of somebody comes into your mind, somebody
00:06:14.030 --> 00:06:17.433
You're having a conflict with.
00:06:17.433 --> 00:06:19.635
And try as you may, you can't get that person or that conflict
00:06:19.635 --> 00:06:23.072
Out of your mind.
00:06:23.072 --> 00:06:24.874
I used to think when that happened that was satan trying
00:06:24.874 --> 00:06:27.710
To interrupt my worship time, satan trying to distract me from
00:06:27.710 --> 00:06:31.914
Worshiping god.
00:06:31.914 --> 00:06:33.783
But i realized more and more many times that's the voice of
00:06:33.783 --> 00:06:36.752
God speaking to me.
00:06:36.752 --> 00:06:39.422
God many times will speak to us about relationships, especially
00:06:39.422 --> 00:06:42.625
In the church, that need to be mended.
00:06:42.625 --> 00:06:45.628
Jesus had that truth in mind when he said in matthew 5,
00:06:45.628 --> 00:06:49.031
Verses 23 and 24: "if therefore you are presenting your offering
00:06:49.031 --> 00:06:54.337
At the altar, and there you remember that your brother has
00:06:54.337 --> 00:06:58.841
Something against you."
00:06:58.841 --> 00:07:01.644
By the way, will you notice, it doesn't say, you remember that
00:07:01.644 --> 00:07:05.481
You have something against your brother.
00:07:05.481 --> 00:07:09.018
Big difference.
00:07:09.018 --> 00:07:10.620
If you're worshiping, if you're driving along in the car and you
00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:14.490
Remember you have something against somebody, you know what
00:07:14.490 --> 00:07:16.959
You're supposed to do?
00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:19.095
Forgive right there on the spot.
00:07:19.095 --> 00:07:22.965
Let go of it.
00:07:22.965 --> 00:07:24.367
That other person doesn't have to be present.
00:07:24.367 --> 00:07:26.569
They don't have to ask for your forgiveness.
00:07:26.569 --> 00:07:28.604
You have the ability, jesus said in mark 11, right there while
00:07:28.604 --> 00:07:31.641
You're standing to forgive, to let go.
00:07:31.641 --> 00:07:34.210
That's not what he's talking about.
00:07:34.210 --> 00:07:35.545
He says in matthew 5, verse 23,
00:07:35.545 --> 00:07:37.446
"if therefore you are presenting
00:07:37.446 --> 00:07:39.048
Your offering at the altar, and you remember that your brother
00:07:39.048 --> 00:07:41.984
Has something against you, leave your offering there; go your
00:07:41.984 --> 00:07:46.489
Way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and
00:07:46.489 --> 00:07:51.193
Present your offering."
00:07:51.193 --> 00:07:54.564
If there is some damaged relationship in your life,
00:07:54.564 --> 00:07:59.001
Especially with another believer, god wants that
00:07:59.001 --> 00:08:01.971
Relationship to be mended.
00:08:01.971 --> 00:08:03.773
Many times he'll point that out to you.
00:08:03.773 --> 00:08:06.309
Number three, sometimes god speaks to us about commands that
00:08:06.309 --> 00:08:10.012
We need to obey.
00:08:10.012 --> 00:08:11.714
Commands to be obeyed.
00:08:11.714 --> 00:08:13.716
And in fact that's what god spoke to abram about in genesis
00:08:13.716 --> 00:08:16.619
Chapter 17.
00:08:16.619 --> 00:08:18.120
Abram fell before the lord and god began speaking to abram, and
00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:22.625
One of the things he said to abram was this.
00:08:22.625 --> 00:08:25.761
He said, "abram, i want you to be circumcised, you and all of
00:08:25.761 --> 00:08:31.734
Your family."
00:08:31.734 --> 00:08:34.437
Now, because there's a mixed crowd here today, and children
00:08:34.437 --> 00:08:38.040
In the audience, i won't go into the gory details
00:08:38.040 --> 00:08:41.110
Of circumcision.
00:08:41.110 --> 00:08:43.179
But let me just say to you: circumcision was a very
00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:46.949
Unpleasant experience, especially in the days before
00:08:46.949 --> 00:08:50.419
Anesthetics, okay?
00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:52.788
Very unpleasant.
00:08:52.788 --> 00:08:54.357
And yet god said, "abram, i want you to circumcise yourself and
00:08:54.357 --> 00:08:58.594
Then your family."
00:08:58.594 --> 00:09:00.896
How did abram respond to that?
00:09:00.896 --> 00:09:03.399
Did he look up at god and say, "now god, let me get
00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:06.135
This straight.
00:09:06.135 --> 00:09:07.503
You want me to take a knife and you want me to do what?
00:09:07.503 --> 00:09:12.475
You've got to be crazy."
00:09:12.475 --> 00:09:15.277
Or did he say, "god, you want me to do this.
00:09:15.277 --> 00:09:19.382
I tell you what, god, let me pray about
00:09:19.382 --> 00:09:20.883
That a little bit longer.
00:09:20.883 --> 00:09:22.251
I'll be getting back to you."
00:09:22.251 --> 00:09:23.919
It's not how he responded.
00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.287
Look at what he did in verse 26.
00:09:25.287 --> 00:09:26.822
It says: "in the very same day that god had spoken, abraham was
00:09:26.822 --> 00:09:32.495
Circumcised and ishmael, his son."
00:09:32.495 --> 00:09:36.532
Abram obeyed god immediately.
00:09:36.532 --> 00:09:40.469
As we'll see in the days ahead, that was one of the keys of
00:09:40.469 --> 00:09:42.772
Abraham's success in life: when god spoke, abraham obeyed
00:09:42.772 --> 00:09:47.476
Without question.
00:09:47.476 --> 00:09:49.545
Sometimes god will speak to us about specific commands in our
00:09:49.545 --> 00:09:52.848
Life that he wants us to obey.
00:09:52.848 --> 00:09:56.519
God communicates his direction for the dilemmas we face.
00:09:56.519 --> 00:10:00.389
He promises to give us his peace when we're facing turmoil.
00:10:00.389 --> 00:10:05.861
He promises to communicate his desire for our life, desires by
00:10:05.861 --> 00:10:09.665
The way, that are always good and always for our best.
00:10:09.665 --> 00:10:14.336
Now how many of you believe everything i just said that god
00:10:14.336 --> 00:10:17.339
Will communicate his direction, his peace, and his desires?
00:10:17.339 --> 00:10:21.277
How many of you believe that?
00:10:21.277 --> 00:10:22.611
Raise your hand.
00:10:22.611 --> 00:10:23.979
You really believe that?
00:10:23.979 --> 00:10:26.716
Then let me ask you the question: why don't you
00:10:26.716 --> 00:10:30.419
Pray more?
00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:33.389
Why don't you pray more?
00:10:33.389 --> 00:10:36.292
If the sovereign god of the
00:10:36.292 --> 00:10:37.960
Universe wants to talk to you
00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:40.563
About direction, he wants to give you his peace, he wants to
00:10:40.563 --> 00:10:43.833
Show you his good desires for you, why don't we spend more
00:10:43.833 --> 00:10:47.403
Time in prayer?
00:10:47.403 --> 00:10:50.473
I think author john piper might have the answer to
00:10:50.473 --> 00:10:53.476
That question.
00:10:53.476 --> 00:10:56.011
He says: "it's not so much that we don't want to pray."
00:10:56.011 --> 00:11:00.082
He says: "it's because we don't have a plan to pray."
00:11:00.082 --> 00:11:04.920
Listen to what he says.
00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:06.255
"unless i'm badly mistaken, one of the main reasons so many of
00:11:06.255 --> 00:11:10.559
God's children don't have a significant prayer life is not
00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:13.996
So much that we don't want to, we don't plan to.
00:11:13.996 --> 00:11:18.067
If you want to take a 4-week vacation, you just don't get up
00:11:18.067 --> 00:11:20.770
One summer morning and say, 'hey, let's go today.'
00:11:20.770 --> 00:11:24.173
You won't have anything ready.
00:11:24.173 --> 00:11:25.941
You won't know where to go.
00:11:25.941 --> 00:11:27.576
Nothing has been planned, but that's how many of us
00:11:27.576 --> 00:11:30.980
Treat prayer.
00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.348
We get up day after day and realize that significant times
00:11:32.348 --> 00:11:35.985
Of prayer should be a part of our life, but nothing's ever
00:11:35.985 --> 00:11:39.421
Ready: no time, no place, no procedure, and we know that the
00:11:39.421 --> 00:11:45.628
Opposite of planning is not some wonderful flow of deep
00:11:45.628 --> 00:11:50.199
Spontaneous experiences and prayer.
00:11:50.199 --> 00:11:53.602
The opposite of planning is the rut.
00:11:53.602 --> 00:11:57.773
If you don't plan a vacation, you'll probably stay home and
00:11:57.773 --> 00:12:00.976
Watch tv.
00:12:00.976 --> 00:12:02.778
The natural unplanned flow of the spiritual life sinks to the
00:12:02.778 --> 00:12:07.683
Lowest ebb of vitality.
00:12:07.683 --> 00:12:10.686
There is a race to be run and a fight to be fought.
00:12:10.686 --> 00:12:14.390
If you want renewal in your prayer life, you must plan
00:12:14.390 --> 00:12:19.528
For it."
00:12:19.528 --> 00:12:21.897
I want this message to be intensely practical.
00:12:21.897 --> 00:12:25.668
And so, let me suggest for you a plan for prayer where you can
00:12:25.668 --> 00:12:29.839
Really hear, listen to, the voice of god.
00:12:29.839 --> 00:12:33.676
In many ways this resembles a plan for reading the bible, but
00:12:33.676 --> 00:12:36.946
I believe there are three essential ingredients if you
00:12:36.946 --> 00:12:39.615
Really want to hear from god in your life.
00:12:39.615 --> 00:12:42.017
First of all, there has to be a period of time.
00:12:42.017 --> 00:12:45.654
A period of time.
00:12:45.654 --> 00:12:47.990
Now, the truth is, we ought to pray at all times.
00:12:47.990 --> 00:12:51.126
1 thessalonians 5:17 says: "pray without ceasing."
00:12:51.126 --> 00:12:55.831
And you know that phrase "without ceasing" in greek, it's
00:12:55.831 --> 00:12:58.400
A word that literally means to pray with the frequency of a
00:12:58.400 --> 00:13:03.038
Hacking cough.
00:13:03.038 --> 00:13:04.974
You know what a hacking cough is.
00:13:04.974 --> 00:13:06.308
I'm listening to some of you with it right now.
00:13:06.308 --> 00:13:09.445
You know, you've got this tickle in your throat and you try to
00:13:09.445 --> 00:13:12.548
Suppress it as long as you can, but finally you can't help
00:13:12.548 --> 00:13:15.251
Yourself, [coughing]
00:13:15.251 --> 00:13:16.619
And you clear your throat and you go along for ways with that
00:13:16.619 --> 00:13:20.055
And then all of a sudden there it comes again.
00:13:20.055 --> 00:13:21.590
[coughing]
00:13:21.590 --> 00:13:23.259
As hard as you try, you can't suppress it.
00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:25.895
And paul says our prayer life ought to be that way.
00:13:25.895 --> 00:13:28.697
Prayer ought to be like a hacking cough, or it ought to be
00:13:28.697 --> 00:13:32.234
As natural as breathing.
00:13:32.234 --> 00:13:35.104
It ought to be just a natural response for all of us.
00:13:35.104 --> 00:13:37.339
When we're driving along, "lord, protect me," or when we're
00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:40.910
Stopped at a red light, "lord, please take care of my
00:13:40.910 --> 00:13:43.512
Family today."
00:13:43.512 --> 00:13:45.114
Or before we go into an important meeting, "god, give me
00:13:45.114 --> 00:13:48.117
Direction, give me wisdom."
00:13:48.117 --> 00:13:50.419
We ought to pray frequently without ceasing, but there also
00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:54.690
Needs to be a period of time every day that we've set aside
00:13:54.690 --> 00:13:58.928
Not only to talk to but to listen to god.
00:13:58.928 --> 00:14:02.264
For jesus, it was in the early morning hours while it was
00:14:02.264 --> 00:14:05.100
Still dark.
00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:06.535
For some people it might be over the noon hour.
00:14:06.535 --> 00:14:08.504
For some people it might be at night, but there needs to be a
00:14:08.504 --> 00:14:11.707
Time that we set aside as holy, sacred, to listen
00:14:11.707 --> 00:14:16.412
To the voice of god.
00:14:16.412 --> 00:14:17.746
We need a period.
00:14:17.746 --> 00:14:19.081
Secondly, we need a place.
00:14:19.081 --> 00:14:21.050
We need a place.
00:14:21.050 --> 00:14:23.052
There needs to be a place that we meet with god to listen
00:14:23.052 --> 00:14:26.522
To god.
00:14:26.522 --> 00:14:28.590
A week ago friday night, i was driving to one of our sunday
00:14:28.590 --> 00:14:33.595
School parties and amy was at home working on her talk for the
00:14:33.595 --> 00:14:37.533
Women's meeting the next day and so i took my two daughters with
00:14:37.533 --> 00:14:42.204
Me, julia and dorothy, and we were driving to richardson and
00:14:42.204 --> 00:14:46.809
We were going down belt line road
00:14:46.809 --> 00:14:48.644
And i pointed out on the left our high school,
00:14:48.644 --> 00:14:51.113
Richardson high school, where her--their mother
00:14:51.113 --> 00:14:54.049
And i went to school, and they couldn't have cared less, but
00:14:54.049 --> 00:15:00.089
Then i pointed out over on the right, i said to them, "see this
00:15:00.089 --> 00:15:03.192
Park over here?
00:15:03.192 --> 00:15:04.560
Cottonwood park."
00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:06.295
And i said, "when i was in high school, the 4 years i was in
00:15:06.295 --> 00:15:09.031
High school, just about every morning of the week, i would
00:15:09.031 --> 00:15:13.902
Ride my bicycle, then later drive my little volkswagen
00:15:13.902 --> 00:15:17.406
Beetle down to that park, 7:30 in the morning, and i would sit
00:15:17.406 --> 00:15:22.544
On that park bench.
00:15:22.544 --> 00:15:23.946
I would open up my old green living bible," remember those?
00:15:23.946 --> 00:15:28.350
"and i would read from it and then i would pray and listen
00:15:28.350 --> 00:15:31.420
To god."
00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:32.788
I told my daughters it was in that park on that bench that god
00:15:32.788 --> 00:15:37.159
Spoke to me about some of the most important issues in
00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:40.095
My life.
00:15:40.095 --> 00:15:41.563
The choice of a mate, about the ministry god wanted to give me,
00:15:41.563 --> 00:15:46.168
And a dozen other things.
00:15:46.168 --> 00:15:49.271
That place is a very special place to me.
00:15:49.271 --> 00:15:52.541
And over the years, the place has changed, but the principle
00:15:52.541 --> 00:15:56.545
Has remained.
00:15:56.545 --> 00:15:58.013
There are places that i go to, to meet with god.
00:15:58.013 --> 00:16:01.450
And i would want to just suggest to you that you find a place
00:16:01.450 --> 00:16:04.753
Right now that you can meet with god.
00:16:04.753 --> 00:16:07.389
You know, for jesus at the beginning of his ministry, that
00:16:07.389 --> 00:16:09.792
Place was out in the wilderness where he went for 40 days of
00:16:09.792 --> 00:16:13.429
Spiritual testing.
00:16:13.429 --> 00:16:15.230
Later we saw in mark 1, he had some place, we don't know where
00:16:15.230 --> 00:16:17.866
It was, it was that solitary place that he went in the early
00:16:17.866 --> 00:16:21.036
Morning hours.
00:16:21.036 --> 00:16:22.704
Even as he faced the greatest trial of his life, he had a
00:16:22.704 --> 00:16:26.475
Place he went to, gethsemane.
00:16:26.475 --> 00:16:28.077
Many of us have been there before.
00:16:28.077 --> 00:16:29.845
By the way, i don't think that was the first time he went to
00:16:29.845 --> 00:16:31.713
Gethsemane that night.
00:16:31.713 --> 00:16:33.048
It was a special place for him.
00:16:33.048 --> 00:16:36.085
If we're gonna be serious about listening to god, we need to
00:16:36.085 --> 00:16:40.022
Have a pre-arranged place that we're gonna meet god at a
00:16:40.022 --> 00:16:43.759
Certain period.
00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.427
And then third, for an effective prayer life, we need a pad.
00:16:45.427 --> 00:16:51.333
And by that, i'm talking about a sheet of paper and a pencil
00:16:51.333 --> 00:16:56.205
Or pen.
00:16:56.205 --> 00:16:58.006
In fact, i've become more convinced that this is the
00:16:58.006 --> 00:17:00.909
Greatest essential to an effective prayer life than
00:17:00.909 --> 00:17:03.645
Anything else.
00:17:03.645 --> 00:17:05.380
What do i mean by a pencil and pad?
00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:07.015
Well, first of all, i mean a place where you can write down
00:17:07.015 --> 00:17:09.585
The things you're talking to god about, your prayer request.
00:17:09.585 --> 00:17:12.721
I started this practice a long time ago, maybe you've done it
00:17:12.721 --> 00:17:15.624
As well, where i'll take a legal pad.
00:17:15.624 --> 00:17:17.893
I'll draw a line right down the middle and at the top of the
00:17:17.893 --> 00:17:21.763
Page on the left-hand side, i'll write, "my requests."
00:17:21.763 --> 00:17:25.501
And then on the other side i put, "god's answer," and i'll
00:17:25.501 --> 00:17:29.371
Make a list of the different things i'm talking to god about,
00:17:29.371 --> 00:17:32.341
The things i'm asking him to do and i'll date it.
00:17:32.341 --> 00:17:35.444
And as god answers those requests, yes or no, i'll write
00:17:35.444 --> 00:17:38.580
The answer out beside it on the right-hand side.
00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:42.017
I've got dozens and dozens of pages i can go back and look at
00:17:42.017 --> 00:17:46.288
Through the years of requests that god has answered, sometimes
00:17:46.288 --> 00:17:49.858
Yes, sometimes no.
00:17:49.858 --> 00:17:54.730
The older i get, i'm more grateful sometimes for the no
00:17:54.730 --> 00:17:58.734
Answers than i am the yes answers.
00:17:58.734 --> 00:18:01.970
But it's a record of of god's faithfulness.
00:18:01.970 --> 00:18:06.108
And i think it's important to keep that as a way of being
00:18:06.108 --> 00:18:10.312
Effective and focused when you pray and talk to god.
00:18:10.312 --> 00:18:14.049
But a pad and a pen are also important for listening to god,
00:18:14.049 --> 00:18:18.887
Not only talking to god, but listening to god and recording
00:18:18.887 --> 00:18:22.291
What god says to you.
00:18:22.291 --> 00:18:25.561
Those of you who have employees, you've probably had
00:18:25.561 --> 00:18:28.230
This experience.
00:18:28.230 --> 00:18:29.565
You ask one of your employees to do something.
00:18:29.565 --> 00:18:31.133
They kind of have that blank stare.
00:18:31.133 --> 00:18:33.001
"mm-mm, okay, yeah, mhm."
00:18:33.001 --> 00:18:35.804
And you know the chances of that getting done are about slim
00:18:35.804 --> 00:18:38.307
To none.
00:18:38.307 --> 00:18:39.708
But when that employee will take out a pencil and write down what
00:18:39.708 --> 00:18:42.844
You're asking him or her to do, you know they have an intent.
00:18:42.844 --> 00:18:46.448
They're gonna be serious about that.
00:18:46.448 --> 00:18:47.983
They're taking your words seriously.
00:18:47.983 --> 00:18:51.253
I think it's important for us to let god know we're paying
00:18:51.253 --> 00:18:53.956
Attention when he talks to us.
00:18:53.956 --> 00:18:56.258
And when we write down the lessons he's teaching us, it's a
00:18:56.258 --> 00:18:59.895
Way of saying, god, we're really listening.
00:18:59.895 --> 00:19:02.664
And that's why one of the things i encourage you to do with a pen
00:19:02.664 --> 00:19:05.234
And a pad is to keep a spiritual journal.
00:19:05.234 --> 00:19:09.304
Now, a spiritual journal is simply a record of how god's
00:19:09.304 --> 00:19:11.840
Dealing in your life.
00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:13.809
It's not like a diary that you keep every day.
00:19:13.809 --> 00:19:16.645
You write, you know, "today, february 3rd, bowl of bran
00:19:16.645 --> 00:19:19.815
Flakes for breakfast," you know, and that kind of stuff.
00:19:19.815 --> 00:19:23.185
No, no, a spiritual journal is simply a way of recording the
00:19:23.185 --> 00:19:26.922
Things god's teaching you, the way he's working in your life.
00:19:26.922 --> 00:19:29.725
You may not write in it every day, you may just write in it
00:19:29.725 --> 00:19:31.893
Once or twice a week, but as you write those lessons down, it
00:19:31.893 --> 00:19:35.864
Will amaze you, as you go back over the months and years, to
00:19:35.864 --> 00:19:41.103
See the lessons god has taught you and the way he has dealt in
00:19:41.103 --> 00:19:44.673
Your life.
00:19:44.673 --> 00:19:46.275
I believe a pad and a pencil are essential for listening, hearing
00:19:46.275 --> 00:19:51.947
The voice of god in your life.
00:19:51.947 --> 00:19:55.617
Friday night, this past friday night, i was finishing up some
00:19:55.617 --> 00:19:59.288
Things in the office and i felt so relieved the desk was finally
00:19:59.288 --> 00:20:04.893
Cleared, at least till monday morning it was clear.
00:20:04.893 --> 00:20:08.363
So i had some time just sitting there and thinking about
00:20:08.363 --> 00:20:13.235
Our church.
00:20:13.235 --> 00:20:15.237
And i'm excited about our church.
00:20:15.237 --> 00:20:20.008
I'm excited about what god's doing in our congregation.
00:20:20.008 --> 00:20:23.278
I'm even more excited about what i believe he's going to do.
00:20:23.278 --> 00:20:29.184
But to be honest with you, for a moment while i sat there, i
00:20:29.184 --> 00:20:32.654
Started to feel overwhelmed as i thought about all that was ahead
00:20:32.654 --> 00:20:38.994
Of me, and all that was ahead of us as a church--not discouraged,
00:20:38.994 --> 00:20:43.899
But just kind of overwhelmed by the task.
00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:48.670
And so i went and i pulled out some of my spiritual journals
00:20:48.670 --> 00:20:53.709
From 20, 25 years ago.
00:20:53.709 --> 00:20:57.346
And i opened them up and just started reading.
00:20:57.346 --> 00:21:01.550
And i smiled at some of the things i read.
00:21:01.550 --> 00:21:06.321
'cause some of those things that seemed such a big deal 10
00:21:06.321 --> 00:21:09.491
Or 20 years ago, i mean, when i look at them now, i laugh.
00:21:09.491 --> 00:21:13.261
They weren't a big deal at all.
00:21:13.261 --> 00:21:14.596
God took care of them so quickly.
00:21:14.596 --> 00:21:18.133
But then i read about some of the things i had prayed about.
00:21:18.133 --> 00:21:21.970
I read about god who was doing exceeding abundantly beyond
00:21:21.970 --> 00:21:25.607
Anything i could have asked or thought, and tears started to
00:21:25.607 --> 00:21:30.912
Flow down my face as i saw once again the faithfulness of god in
00:21:30.912 --> 00:21:37.085
My life.
00:21:37.085 --> 00:21:38.453
And i wasn't planning to do it.
00:21:38.453 --> 00:21:40.389
I just fell on my knees right there at my chair and i started
00:21:40.389 --> 00:21:45.260
Praising god, saying, "god, thank you.
00:21:45.260 --> 00:21:48.663
Thank you for your faithfulness over these years."
00:21:48.663 --> 00:21:53.001
And it was as if god started speaking to me, and he said,
00:21:53.001 --> 00:21:56.805
"robert, don't worry about these things.
00:21:56.805 --> 00:21:59.708
Just as i have taken care of you in the past, just as i have
00:21:59.708 --> 00:22:03.812
Blessed the other churches you served, i am gonna take care of
00:22:03.812 --> 00:22:07.582
You now, and i'm gonna bless this church beyond anything you
00:22:07.582 --> 00:22:11.787
Can imagine."
00:22:11.787 --> 00:22:15.023
And the peace of god just flooded over myself.
00:22:15.023 --> 00:22:19.861
I got up, turned out the lights, went home with that assurance
00:22:19.861 --> 00:22:24.633
That god is in control.
00:22:24.633 --> 00:22:29.337
Francis schaeffer wrote a book years ago: "he is there and he
00:22:29.337 --> 00:22:35.844
Is not silent."
00:22:35.844 --> 00:22:38.814
God really is there.
00:22:38.814 --> 00:22:41.383
And he's not silent, he's speaking to you.
00:22:41.383 --> 00:22:45.620
The question is are you making time to listen?
00:22:45.620 --> 00:22:51.860
Jeffress: whether you're facing a big decision or a small one,
00:22:56.064 --> 00:22:59.301
God is standing by to navigate your way.
00:22:59.301 --> 00:23:02.604
Now, before our time is up for today, i'd like to thank you for
00:23:02.604 --> 00:23:05.474
Your ongoing commitment to the ministry of "pathway
00:23:05.474 --> 00:23:08.710
To victory."
00:23:08.710 --> 00:23:10.045
You are truly making an impact on people across the country,
00:23:10.045 --> 00:23:13.315
Like carmen in pennsylvania.
00:23:13.315 --> 00:23:15.517
She wrote: "thank you for all the great work you're doing for
00:23:15.517 --> 00:23:18.787
The lord!
00:23:18.787 --> 00:23:20.121
The resources you provide are a wonderful blessing especially
00:23:20.121 --> 00:23:23.592
For people like me, with limited financial resources.
00:23:23.592 --> 00:23:27.429
God bless you all for this ministry!"
00:23:27.429 --> 00:23:30.365
And thank you, friends, of "pathway to victory," for
00:23:30.365 --> 00:23:33.401
Touching lives like carmen's and countless others as well.
00:23:33.401 --> 00:23:37.873
Now stay right there.
00:23:37.873 --> 00:23:39.241
I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
00:23:39.241 --> 00:23:43.278
Announcer: life's most important crossroads often arrive
00:23:45.013 --> 00:23:47.782
Without warning.
00:23:47.782 --> 00:23:49.184
When the stakes are high and the path forward isn't clear, how
00:23:49.184 --> 00:23:52.687
Can you be confident you're following god's will?
00:23:52.687 --> 00:23:55.423
In "how to make wise decisions," trusted author and bible teacher
00:23:55.423 --> 00:23:59.628
Dr. robert jeffress offers you practical advice on how you can
00:23:59.628 --> 00:24:03.465
Know with certainty the will of god in any situation.
00:24:03.465 --> 00:24:07.102
Jeffress: one of the most frequently asked questions i
00:24:07.102 --> 00:24:09.638
Receive as a pastor is, how can i know god's will for my life?
00:24:09.638 --> 00:24:14.743
Too many believers are paralyzed by fear of making the wrong
00:24:14.743 --> 00:24:18.280
Choice, but god hasn't left us guessing.
00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:21.416
In my book, i reveal the biblical principles for
00:24:21.416 --> 00:24:24.553
Recognizing god's voice and discerning god's will.
00:24:24.553 --> 00:24:28.356
Announcer: request your copy of "how to make wise decisions"
00:24:28.356 --> 00:24:31.259
When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory"
00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:34.229
Or when you become a pathway partner.
00:24:34.229 --> 00:24:36.498
And with your ministry gift of $75 or more, we'll also include
00:24:36.498 --> 00:24:40.902
The complete "how to make wise decisions" teaching series on
00:24:40.902 --> 00:24:44.339
Both cd and dvd.
00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:46.274
Jeffress: when god speaks to us, he does so more than just to
00:24:46.274 --> 00:24:48.910
Give us courage and comfort to face our present situation.
00:24:48.910 --> 00:24:52.881
He actually promises guidance, direction,
00:24:52.881 --> 00:24:55.884
To those who trust in him.
00:24:55.884 --> 00:24:58.086
Announcer: thank you for partnering with us to share
00:24:58.086 --> 00:25:00.522
God's life-transforming word with a world in need.
00:25:00.522 --> 00:25:04.059
Your generosity will empower "pathway to victory" to speak
00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:07.395
Bold biblical truth into your life and the lives of millions
00:25:07.395 --> 00:25:11.166
Across the country and around the world.
00:25:11.166 --> 00:25:14.035
Jeffress: too often we assume that prayer is merely a channel
00:25:16.004 --> 00:25:18.974
To present our requests to god, but i hope today's message has
00:25:18.974 --> 00:25:23.044
Helped you see prayer is a conversation in which we take
00:25:23.044 --> 00:25:27.182
Time to listen as well.
00:25:27.182 --> 00:25:29.417
Well, when we're struggling to hear god's voice, it's tempting
00:25:29.417 --> 00:25:33.054
To ask him for an obvious sign.
00:25:33.054 --> 00:25:35.824
So does god ever use supernatural signs to guide us?
00:25:35.824 --> 00:25:40.128
Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
00:25:40.128 --> 00:25:42.597
Series, "how to make wise decisions."
00:25:42.597 --> 00:25:47.035
Jeffress: well, if bible study doesn't do it, if prayer doesn't
00:25:47.102 --> 00:25:50.271
Do it, why not ask god for a supernatural sign?
00:25:50.271 --> 00:25:55.343
After all, you look through the bible, god does reveal himself
00:25:55.343 --> 00:25:58.513
Through supernatural signs sometimes.
00:25:58.513 --> 00:26:00.649
Why not use a sign to determine god's will?
00:26:00.649 --> 00:26:04.853
That's the line of reasoning i used some years ago with very
00:26:04.853 --> 00:26:09.891
Disappointing results, i might add.
00:26:09.891 --> 00:26:13.194
Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
00:26:13.194 --> 00:26:16.264
"putting out the fleece, without getting fleeced," here on
00:26:16.264 --> 00:26:19.834
"pathway to victory."
00:26:19.834 --> 00:26:21.269
Announcer: experience the beauty of alaska with the "pathway to
00:26:23.838 --> 00:26:26.875
Victory" family, june 13 through 20, 2026.
00:26:26.875 --> 00:26:30.578
♪♪♪
00:26:30.578 --> 00:27:12.353
Announcer: don't wait, our best cabins are going fast.
00:26:40.588 --> 00:27:14.923
Secure your alaska adventure now.
00:27:14.923 --> 00:27:17.125
Call...
00:27:17.125 --> 00:27:20.261
Or visit ptv.org.
00:27:20.261 --> 00:27:20.261

Robert Jeffress - How To Make Wise Decisions

September 15, 2025 | 29:0

Closed captions

Share