FINDING
GOD’S DIRECTION
Hasting Ladies’
Rally-2013
Marilyn Barber
www.biblelessonsbymarilyn.blogspot.com
Who would ever say that they have not
sought God’s direction in life’s problems?
Probably no one who is a Christian.
We want to look at several aspects of this subject by going to God’s
Word.
We are not here on earth because of our
choosing. God created us, loves us, and
wants our fellowship but since we belong to Him, He wants our obedience and
worship. 1 Jhn.3:1 If you grew up
with a loving father, you understand love with discipline. As a mother, love and discipline go hand in
hand as well. It stands to reason that
God desires to help us and direct us. Jhn.1:12
In the O.T. God spoke directly to godly
men as He conveyed His desires for them.
We remember how Noah, Abraham, and many others followed God as He
actually spoke to them. We also want to
note Jonah, Achan, and Ananias (N.T.) in their failure to follows God’s
leading. Moses spoke to the children of
Israel in Ex.19:4,5. Notice the “if” in verse 5. God has showered us with blessings
innumerable. Our obedience to Him is
crucial. How much do we hunger and
thirst for righteousness? Has my choice
already been made and we are seeking God’s approval or does God’s approval come
first. Blessings or dire repercussions follow our
choices. God is in control.
As we study God’s direction, it is
important that we realize that there is a continuum. At one end some decisions are non-moral. It does not matter if I choose to wear red or
black today. As this continuum moves to
the left, the choices become more complicated and morality is involved. Which job do I take? A young person chooses one college over
another. How do I spend my time and
money? With which congregation do I
fellowship? Who do I marry? Some of the choices today are extremely
involved with morality—abortion and lesbian involvement as two examples.
God did not leave us without
instructions. Every decision must be
made in the light of God’s Word. Ps.119:105
Everything we need is found here.
2 Tim.3:16,17 God’s
Word is powerful. Heb.4:12 Jesus is the way through the Scriptures. Jhn.14:6 Don’t just read—study.
As Christians we many times fail to use the
power of the Holy Spirit with which we’ve been gifted when we were
baptized. (Acts 2:38) Too often we know the fact by rote but we
don’t recognize the power that we have. 1 Jhn.4:4
We can pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit within us to be used for
His glory. Lk.11:13 We can expect to
receive nudges in our choices.
So far we have God’s Word and the Holy
Spirit. How seriously and consistently
do we pray for God’s direction with the decisions we face? Think of your parent. How often did you ask? God knows what we need and what our choice
should be. Our prayers indicate our
trust and dependence on Him. God talks
to us through His Word but we talk to Him through our prayers. A good relationship needs communication. Prayer is a big part of our decisions.
We are part of an “instant”
society. We know what we want and we
want it now! God doesn’t work on
our time. Ps.31:15 Big decisions take
time. Ps.27:14 Waiting on the
Lord may test our trust in Him. It takes
time to study, pray, consult Christian counseling, meditate, then consider.
Jam.1:5,6 Wisdom is our great need as we make
decisions. Don’t we all lack that? If we ask for it, God will give it to us if we ask in faith without
doubting. At the end of the incident
with the fig tree, Jesus also gave the same instruction. Matt.21:22 Jesus living within us with His words is
also important in receiving answers. Jhn.15:7
Obedience is crucial to our receiving that for which we ask. 1
Jhn.3:22
Sometimes we ask for God’s direction but
in reality we know what we want and do not really expect to follow God’s
direction. We may be hoping that God
directs us in the way we want to go. James
addresses this problem in Jam.4:15. Self gets in the way of God’s
direction. Jer.10:23 We may pray, but
instead of waiting for God’s answer, we go ahead with our own answer. Matt.26:41 Jesus asks us an important question in Lk.6:46.
It would be well to ponder a few
questions as we seek God’s direction. Will
this bring glory to me or to God? 1 Cor.10:31 Is this decision something for which I
can thank God? 1 Thess.5:18
After studying the Scripture and
praying, would this be something that my Lord would say that I “am doing right.” 1
Pet.2:15 If doubt exists—don’t! Rom.14:23 Does this decision show that my life is
set apart (sanctified) for my Lord? 1 Thess.4:3 By this decision, is my life proving the
good, acceptable, and perfect will of God?
Rom.12:2 Could I be causing someone to stumble by
this decision? 1 Cor.8:13 Am I glorifying
God with my body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit? 1
Cor.6:19,20 Does my life show godly
contentment or am I constantly desiring more?
1 Tim.6:6 Is this a gift I am to use to glorify
God? 1 Pet.4:10
We may know all of the answers, but
where is our willingness? Phil.2:13
The Word of God assures us of His willingness to help us and direct
us. Ps.25:9,12 We must be willing as well. Jhn.7:17,18 Humility
is important to follow. We must
acknowledge our Lord and He will make our paths straight. Prov.3:6 David enjoins us with wise words in Ps.143:10
How we need the counsel of our Lord!
Ps.32:8; Prov.3:5
God will be with us. Matt.28:20
The quality of our sincerity and desire
to find God’s direction will be found in our hearts as we follow these Scriptures:
Set
you minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Col.3:2
Seek
first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you. Matt.6:33
Whatever
you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
through Him to God the Father. Col.3:17
Whatever
you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. Col.3:23
Remember where we started. We belong to the Lord so—making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand
what the will of the Lord is. Eph.5:16
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