Guidance

A: Biblical Foundation

• God has a will for our lives! – Jer. 29:11
• God promises to guide us – Psalm 32:8; John 10:3-4, 27
• We can know God’s will – Col 1:9-10
• This guidance springs out of our relationship
• God’s plan for our life is good – Rom. 12:2
• We need to consult God on major decisions – Isaiah 30:1-2; Hosea 8:4
• Even Jesus sought guidance – John 5:19-20

 

B: God’s Universal Will

• God wants me to be saved – 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 18:14
• God wants me to submit to His Word and His Spirit – Eph 5:17-18; Col. 3:16-17
• God wants me to love Him and surrender to His will – Matt. 22:37; Rom. 12:1
• God’s Universal Will
• God wants me to live a holy life – 1 Thess 4:3-8
  • Sexual morality (v.3)
  • Honesty and integrity (v.6)
  • God wants me to obey legitimate authority – 1 Peter 2:13-15
  • God wants me to be thankful – 1 Thess 5:18

 

C: 8 Road Signs

1 – Surrender

• If we are open and willing to be obedient, God will guide us
• E.g. Luke 1:38; Psalm 37:4-5
• We must have this attitude daily – “Thy will be done!”
• Like Paul we must desire the Lord’s will  -Acts 9:6.
• Paul understood that surrender comes before the revelation of God’s will – Rom 12:1

2 – Prayer

• To know God’s will we have to ask God’s will – Col 1:9-10
• Even though God knows the situation already, place it clearly before God and then LISTEN … LISTEN … LISTEN!!

3 – Holy Spirit

• Guidance is part of the Spirit’s role – John 14:17, 26
• A child of God should expect to be led by the Spirit  – Rom 8:14
• As we pray God may speak (Acts 13:2) through:
  • A thought
  • A strong impression
  • Feelings
  • A strong desire to do something – Phil 2:13
  • He may use unusual means like prophecy, dreams, visions, angels, audible voices

4 – God’s Word

• “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”  -Ps. 109:105
• Hear the Word in sermons and teachings  – Luke 11:28
• Read the Word – Rev. 1:3 and journal:
  • Scriptures that leap out
  • Recurring themes
  • Insights and revelations
  • Study the Word – 2 Tim. 2:15
  • Memorize the Word – Ps 119:11
  • Meditate on the Word – Ps 1:1-2

5 – Circumstances

• When we have surrendered and asked for guidance God is more than capable of altering circumstances to speak to us!!
• God may open a door of opportunity – Rev.3:7-8; 1 Cor. 16:9
• Equally he may slam a door – Acts 16:7

6 – Common Sense

• “God gave you a lot of guidance when He gave you a brain.” – Trotman
• God has given us the gift of thinking things through and looking at pro’s and con’s – Ps 32:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:7
• God wants us to live sensibly – 1 Pet 4:7
• Ask God for wisdom – James 1:5-6

7 – Godly Counsel

• NB: We’re talking about Christian counsel. “The counsel we receive is as good as the person who gives it!” – La Haye
• Proverbs 11:14; 12:15
• Biblical example is Jethro and Moses (Exodus 18)
• I remain responsible … but counsel helps direct my decisions.

8 – Confirmation

• The above factors will begin to point to the same thing!
• Peace! – James 3:17
• God’s peace should rule – Col. 3:15
• An excitement begins to grow – Phil 2:13
• Apply a Biblical test:
  • Is it in line with God’s Word?
  • Is it loving? (1 John 4:16)
  • Is it a decision that will build? (1 Cor 14:3)