Making decisions with God

 02/09/2024 – Chiang Mai, Thailand

In this blog I will tell a story of me preaching the gospel to a Jewish man, preaching to a man from Bangkok, sharing my growth and trust in God during decision making, and my passion for photography. This blog contains a lot of my photography and an important lesson from God. Possibly the most impactful experience with God I have had on my race regarding growing in maturity.

Lately I have been learning a lot about discerning God’s will, God’s plan, and following the direction of His Spirit in my through daily life. I have been learning to trust God, that He is alive in me, He is in the midst of my decision making, His Spirit is in the core of my being leading me to live the way I do.  James 1:8 speaks of the double minded man being unstable in all His ways and He ought to receive nothing from God. I don’t want to be that man.

I want to be so confident in the Father, I want to be so trusting in His plan that nothing will shake me, I want to be sure that the decisions I make are His will. Ultimately this means dying to fear, trusting in God’s sovereignty and love for my life. This sounds silly, but it looks like doubting your decision making, not believing your trusting God’s plan, thinking you’re going your own way and becoming afraid to make decisions. Its paralyzing, its fear, its not trust and faith in God. 

(read my previous blog to see a testimony of walking in pure gut faith and trusting Jesus will deliver I asked of God John 14:13-14)

I read about, and heard a teaching about Exodus 28 and Leviticus 8:8 where the High Priest would have two stones called Urim and Thummin that were a way of receiving revelation from God on decision making matters. (Joshua 7 Achan;s sin recounts similar story). The priests literally used stones for their yes and no’s when deciding God’s will and they had faith that God would meet them and reign righteously over these decisions as supreme. Lately I have been trying to apply this (Im not flipping coins haha), but making a decision and trusting God will meet me in it and reign righteously. It ha taught me a lot about trusting the instinct, decision making, and problem solving God has given me.

Here is an example

On my sabbath I wanted to go to a cafe, spend time with God, and get a haircut. In between I wanted to go shoot some photography but here came time to make a decision. Should I go? Its hot out, will this be restful? Will God meet me in this? 

But I decided yes, and that God would fellowship with me on my sabbath while I had fun shooting photos and spending time with Him. While out in the streets I saw this giant art compound with lots of graffiti, i thought it looked cool and had this gut feeling to check it out but decided not to. I walked a little further down the road and saw a secondary entrance, so i decided to go in. The compound was completely empty, no souls, so large and vast but I was alone. I thought to myself “what am i even doing here?”

The very next second a man walked in behind me in the art compound and we began talking. (instantly I knew why I got the hunch to come in here, it was God leading my decision making in my gut and here He was, bringing me a lost soul with a soft heart to hear the gospel ON my sabbath!) He was so inclined to my conversation and questions, I found out he was a 22 year old Jewish from Israel and recently left the Israeli navy after 3 years (what a time to leave the navy). 

We had great conversations, laughed, and talked about faith. I called Him to the commandments, the Pentateuch, and how we have all sinned and fallen short but He sent Jesus to save us from our sins and death to give us eternal life if we repent and trust Him. I led Him through the whole gospel and he was captivated. He had questions about Jesus and the gospel, it was amazing. He even let me pray for Him. He didn’t receive Jesus, but He sure had a soft heart and now has alot to think about concerning his faith in God.

So, God met me in my desire/decision to photograph the streets, He gave me gut feelings or “instinct” to go in this random building alone, and there I had a gospel encounter with a Jewish man. Praise Jesus. I can trust He is leading me, even in the random daily moments! He is the author of my faith and plan for my life, thank you Jesus!

(film photos from a market in chiang mai, thailand)

Ecclesiastes 11:4 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap“

(excerpt below from enduring word)

b. He who observes the wind will not sow: The farmer who is overly analytical about the wind or the clouds will never plant his fields, and thus he will not reap. The Preacher gently pushes us away from an overly analytical approach to life.

i. “If we are always waiting for favoring conditions, we shall resemble the farmer who is ever looking out for perfect weather, and lets the whole autumn pass without one handful of grain reaching the furrows.” (Meyer)

ii. “If we keep on observing circumstances, instead of trusting God, we shall be guilty of disobedience. God bids me sow: I do not sow, because the wind would blow some of my seed away. God bids me reap: I do not reap, because there is a black cloud there, and before I can house the harvest, some of it may be spoiled. I may say what I like; but I am guilty of disobedience.” (Spurgeon)

iii. Spurgeon went on in that sermon (Sowing in the Wind, Reaping Under Clouds) to describe other ways that this attitude sins against God and man. To observe circumstances instead of trusting God shows unbelief, rebellion, foolish fear, and idleness.

The next day, I went out to adventure and shoot more photos, along the way I had an amazing dinner, met with the film shop guy who I have told about the testimony of Jesus, BUT, along the way I was walking throughout alleys and streets doing photography this man appeared from nowhere. He said hey to me and began speaking perfect english, telling me he was from bangkok and his name meant mountain peak. (in my mind i said hmmm, thanks God, a perfect time to tell this man my name and preach Jesus) I told him my name is Noah, which means rest, and is symbolic not only of resting from work into the ark but resting in salvation in Christ (Hebrews 11:7). He listened to me preach the gospel with an open heart and I went on my way!

I am becoming purified and refined in holiness the more and more I trust God and His plan. To not be a double minded, doubtful, and anxious person, but rather a confident, faithful, and trusting man in His God. We always say “just trust God”, but it isn’t as always as easy as it seems. But I will continue to pursue Him and trust His divine and loving hand over my life.

Thank you for reading and praying for me always! I only have $500 more to raise for this trip! Thank you to all who have given!

To give: https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/jan-2024-world-race-expedition-11-months/participants/noah-weinstein