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| Dr. Mike Murdock |
Decision # 3: Honor
the Scriptural Chain of Authority
The divine purpose of authority is provision, protection, and promotion.
Blessing doesn’t flow up—it flows down. It goes from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob.
That is why we are to honor those in authority over us. One
of the best decisions you will ever make comes down to who you choose to honor.
Mike Murdock said, “One of the greatest life-changing
revelations in my life came when I realized that when God wants to bless me, He
often uses a person to give me instructions and grant me favor. Blessing comes
through the chain of authority. There was only one person capable of promoting
Joseph, and that was Pharaoh.”
Joseph didn’t rebel against Pharaoh. He
acknowledged him as the leader of the country where he was imprisoned. As a
result, God used the young man mightily.
Honor is more than just an attitude. It is more than just
the way you posture yourself around others. It involves action.
You honor God with your life, not just your words. If you
want to honor Him, you obey. You tithe.
Then God gives favor because of our ongoing decision to
honor the scriptural chain of authority.
Decision # 4: Pursue
an Uncommon Mentor
Blessing flows when we make the choice to not only acknowledge and honor
authority in your life, but also to seek out the people who can help us grow in
wisdom.
Seek out a mentor.
Mentorship is the impartation of knowledge, information, and
favor. It means learning through the experience of another person.
That’s why Elisha accepted the mentorship of Elijah, even
though it meant years of washing the prophet’s hands and serving him before
moving into the double portion.
In the New Testament, Timothy pursued Paul as his mentor.
Reach for someone who can train and teach you, especially in
the midst of battle. Your future success depends on the mentor you choose to
pursue and honor!
Decision # 5: Look
for Divine Rewards in Every Battle
“Friends create your comfort,” Mike says,
“but your enemies decide your rewards. You see, battle is the seed for
territory, and without an enemy, you don’t have a future.”
David couldn’t get to the throne until there was a Goliath.
And he wouldn’t have been successful in overcoming Goliath if there hadn’t been
a bear and a lion preceding the giant.
There are divine rewards in every battle!
If you are facing your own Goliath, realize that that he is
a signpost that you are closer to your throne than you have ever been.
Don’t run from an enemy. Don’t panic.
There is a divine reward in the adversary as you choose to
follow God into battle!
Decision # 6: Listen
to God’s Voice
People often say, “God just never speaks to me.” I’ve found that God speaks
often. In fact, the Bible makes it clear He rules His universe through
conversation.
He made us for conversation: “Out of heaven he made thee to
hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his
great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire”
(Deuteronomy 4:36).
Instructions are the seed for success! In fact, the
difference between success and failure can be following instructions.
The difference in where you are and where you want to be is
listening to God’s voice.
Decision # 7: Sow
Seed with Expectation of a Specific Harvest
On This Is Your Day, Mike Murdock told this story:
“One time when I was in my thirties, I was driving around
Tulsa with Dr. Oral Roberts. I asked him, `What is the greatest secret of your
ministry?’ He said, `Sowing seeds into God’s work for a divine result, for a
specific response.’ It changed my world when he explained to me that everything
runs through the seed.”
That knowledge (and your decision to sow seed with an
expectation of a specific harvest) can change your life, too!
Impact Your Quality
of Life
In Scripture, God says 331 times, “If you do this, this is what will happen!”
The Bible is a book about decisions.
God rewards obedience and right decisions!
Do you need a miracle in your life? Do you
want something better for yourself and your family? Consider the decisions
you’re making. Are they right with God?
