Guidance
- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin
“Your
ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it,"
whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 3-:21 NASU
We all need guidance in our life. The Lord promises to give
it to us, if we ask Him.
While some would choose to just keep walking in the way
that seems right to them, the Lord says that if we seek Him, He will show us
the right way. Whether that would be a decision we need to make in marriage,
buying a home, making a job change, or knowing what to do with one we ourselves
are giving care to, the Lord has promised that He has the answer if we but ask.
We can receive wisdom from the Lord.
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But
he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the
surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to
expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 NASU
Over the many years I have walked with the Lord, there are several
ways He has given me to help in my decision making, and to know if the answer
is His will or not. I would like to share them with you, as you seek Him for
guidance.
1.
Daily reading of God’s Word will bring guidance. There are
many directives in His Word that we can already know what His will is, as they have
been given as our daily life’s road map. With these already written down for us
in His Word, He has already spoken what is truth. We can base our decisions on
those standards, and not the world’s ways. At other times the Holy Spirit will
have a verse or two “jump out at you” while reading, quickening your spirit, to
give you an answer to your question.
2.
If the Lord has already blessed you with a mate (a wife in
my situation), ask them to pray along with you concerning the situation.
Discernment given to them can be an affirmation to what the Lord would speak to
you. A pastor or close friend can also pray and ask the Lord for a word for
you, as long as you don’t trust solely in them, but the Holy Spirit’s word.
There is wisdom in the counsel of many.
3.
A prophetic word has often been an encouragement to me when
received. Given by one who has the gift of prophecy has been very helpful, as
the Lord will use them to bring enlightenment. If you know someone who has the
gift of prophecy, ask them to seek the Lord on your behalf. Be mindful that you
will always need discernment in receiving any word given by another, so as not
to just go by what another would say. A word received is just another piece of
the puzzle to consider.
4.
Circumstances do play a role in discerning the will of the
Lord. Something may happen that seems to come “out of the blue”, or “it just
happens”. Consider that the Lord is using that circumstance to bring further
guidance. At times circumstances can also occur that will keep you from going a
certain way. The Lord is known to use those in directing your path.
5.
The Holy Spirit can speak a word to you quietly in your
thoughts. That sense of “Where did that come from?” thought may very well be
the Holy Spirit nudging you, sharing with you a message in regards to the
situation. It may just be a simple word, but that word can very well be just
what you need. He may also use a dream or vision to guide you. Don’t dismiss
those thoughts, but ponder them for further confirmation. Write them down so
you don’t forget them. The fulfillment of that dream or other supernatural
method of bringing you a directive may occur later,
6.
The timing of the Lord is vital to making the right
decision. He is not in a hurry to just lay out His will for you, giving you all
the steps at once. He delights when you take the proper time to seek Him. Often
He will give you one step at a time. If He delays in giving you an answer (or
what we many times deem as a delay), know that it is because He is lining up
other situations that may have to come about before your time is now.
7.
Once you believe you have received the answer, have
confidence in Him and make the move. Carry out what He has told you in
obedience. Faith is always necessary when walking in the right way. Do not let
the enemy bring doubt or try to make you second guess what you believe is
right. The peace of the Lord should be with and in your spirit.
Though the enemy may try to bring confusion and
double-mindedness along the way, the peace of the Lord will be present if you
have made the right decision. As one teacher would say, “You know in your
knower” that the decision you made is the one from the Lord. Carrying out that
decision may take you on a rough road, but it will be the right road to take.
There are many examples of taking the right road, even when the journey will
not be so pleasant. Jesus’ crucifixion is a prime example.
Many good books have been written by trusted
authors/teachers on how to seek the Lord’s guidance. One of the best ones I
ever read, simple but very instructive, was by Bible teacher Bob Mumford in the
1970’s It is called “Take Another Look At Guidance.” The 20th year
edition was printed again by Lifechangers in 1993, and can be found on
Amazon.com.
Another highly recommended Bible teacher is Derek Prince,
who has several spoken and written words on guidance. His material can be found
at www.derekprince.com,
or www.derekprince.org.
I myself have published two books that are helpful in
learning to walk in the Lord’s guidance. One is entitled The Promise – One Man’s Journey
To See God’s Word Revealed. I share my life’s journey and how the Lord
led me. It can be purchased at Amazon.com. Look
here.
Another one is Prophetic Stories: Signs Along The Way.
I share several chapters on how the Lord gave me words and dreams that gave
guidance to myself and others. Look
here.
The Lord Jesus does not want us to just let “whatever will
be will be” for us. He wants to continually have His Holy Spirit give us
instruction on how to walk in the way, and which way that is. Whether in making
a life changing decision or one that seems too little to bother Him with, He
has given us the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. He is always there for us. (John
14:26)
It is a journey of faith as we walk with the Lord. We must continually
seek the Lord for His will and way, trusting that our times are in His hands,
and that He wants the best for us and those we live amongst. As you learn to
seek Him in all your ways, He will bless you with goodness.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
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Now Think On This #172
“Guidance” by Steve
Martin
Date: In the year of
our Lord 2015 (05.31.15) Sunday at 8:30 am in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions
of Now Think On This can be found on this
Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
