Showing posts with label God's Word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Word. Show all posts

Monday, January 25, 2016

My Bible verse for 2016. What's Yours?



The Lord is with you! 2016 is going to be a great year for you and your family. This Bible verse will always be by your side in 2016, and will help you out in difficult situations. All you have to do is trust in God's word! Then you and those closest to you will remain happy and healthy. Share your results with your friends now, so they can find out their Bible verses for 2016 too!
Now for your turn! Look here: Find Your Bible Verse for 2016

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Bible Teacher Kay Arthur Offers Answer to America's Woes - LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CHARISMA NEWS

Kay Arthur speaks at the Liberty University Convocation.
Kay Arthur speaks at the Liberty University Convocation. (Photo courtesy of Chad Finnesand.)


Bible Teacher Kay Arthur Offers Answer to America's Woes


Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Renowned Bible teacher and Co-Founder of Precept Ministries International Kay Arthur used her time at Liberty University Convocation on Monday to challenge students to apply Scripture as they seek to impact the world around them.
Precept Ministries works in 185 countries and 70 languages, discipling Christians through Bible study, radio programs and student ministries. Arthur has reached more than 75 million people worldwide through the daily television, radio and online programs she hosts. She is the author of more than 100 books and spoke at Convocation in 2013, where she received a rousing ovation in response to her message.
Before Arthur spoke, worship artist Bethany Barr Phillips led students in singing popular Christian songs, including "You Make Me Brave" and "No Longer Slaves." Phillips also briefly shared her testimony of battling cancer and finding strength in her faith in God through that struggle.
Arthur then encouraged students to live outside the mold of societal expectations. She talked about her own life, which could easily have been defined by a failed marriage, moral compromise or tragedy, but instead was given purpose through Christ's forgiveness.
She said that knowing God's Word and applying it are the key to a truly successful life.
"This book is more important than any education at any time in any place," Arthur said, referring to the Bible. "These are the words of life."
Arthur pointed out that society is becoming more secularized and rejecting God. According to Arthur, the problem stems from Christians who are not prioritizing their spiritual lives. The answer to this, she said, is Scripture, which all believers should be studying regularly.
"If you're going to be used in this nation and for this time in this world, then the Word of God has to be priority in your life," she said. "I believe that this is your hour. ... I believe the way that you respond to (the) message that God has for you will determine the future of America."
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Monday, October 19, 2015

Why So Many Christians Are Deceived - Charisma News

Carnality destroys our relationship with Christ and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well.

Carnality destroys our relationship with Christ and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Why So Many Christians Are Deceived




"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (influence), how shall its saltiness be restored?" (Matthew 5:13-16).

Throughout history, Christians have vacillated between two extremes: compromising with the culture or removing themselves from it (isolation). Neither extreme is healthy. But the focus of this article is on carnality—being so ingrained in the culture that we no longer preserve those things that are noble and good.

Although we definitely want to relate to others, our lifestyle should reflect God's heart rather than the world's influence. The world will know that we are Christians by our love for one another and by our obedience, not by how well we imitate the world around us. Oswald Chambers once noted that a sinner, who is now saved by grace, "proves he is forgiven by being the opposite of who he was." He no longer resembles the sinful world that use to govern his heart.

Carnal Christians give God "His due" (a few hours on Sunday), but they forget His call to "come out from among them (the world) and be separate." Is the world influencing you? What does your mental media diet consist of? Who do you hang out with? What, and who, do you listen to? Is your heart set toward the things of God or the world's influence? A quick peruse of your LIKEs and posts on Facebook will reveal a great deal.

Compromise also deceives. James 1:22 reminds us that if we listen to God's Word without doing it that we are fooling ourselves ... we are deceived. The power of God's Word lies in the application. In addition to non-Christians, it is Christians who are moving sexually explicit and violent movies to the Top 10 by not applying purity to their lives. It is Christians who are addicted to porn and supplying the revenue to fuel the industry.

I often remind our congregation that we can make our homes be either a holy sanctuary that honors Christ or a breeding ground for Satan. That's a hard statement but it's true: we cannot love both Christ and this world. Carnality has a cost. As stated a few weeks ago: In times past, the hero was the father, not Edward (from Twilight). The greatest influence was the mother, not Bella. Kids once quoted Scriptures; now they are casting spells.

Don't get me wrong: We are to examine our own lives and motives first, and then we are to be moved primarily by love for God and others before critiquing. Jesus said in Matthew 7:5 that we must first remove the plank from our own eye, and then we will see clearly to remove the speck from our brother's eye. Avoiding compromise is a struggle for all of us. We are constantly swimming upstream against the cultural tide. The fact that there is a struggle demonstrates the importance of victory.

Are you being infected by the world? Being infected is the ultimate cost of carnality! Like any infection, it can destroy the body, and, in this case, the soul. When we are infected, we infect others. Parents, what influences are you allowing in to your home ... into the minds of your children? Things that are pure, noble, and true, or dark, demonic, and false?

Carnality destroys our relationship with Christ and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well. A carnal Christian does not pray, really pray and seek the heart of God. A deep prayer life exposes facades and crushes hypocrisy. Carnality also destroys spiritual power and hinders the infilling of the Spirit. In short, everything that God calls us to be is compromised.

When Jesus said that we are "the salt and light of the earth," He was saying that we should have a preserving and cleansing effect on the culture ... we should bring a purifying aspect to all areas of life. Light dispels darkness; it does not cater to it. The person who lives a compromised life is not drawn to holiness and purity ... these terms are repulsive to them. Does this article anger and upset? The old adage rings true, "When a rock is thrown into a pile of dogs, the one who yelps was struck." If this upsets, it applies. But the purpose isn't to upset; ultimately, it's to foster repentance and a deeper walk with God. There's nothing more important than a life set ablaze for God.

On a closing note, carnality not only affects the pew, but the pulpit as well. A carnal pastor still offers motivating sermons, but he will lose unction, boldness, and spiritual insight. The world, and carnal Christians, will love him, but Spirit-filled believers will leave the service starving for more of God. Pastors, if we would make it our goal to know Christ more personally we would preach Christ more powerfully. Are we calling people out of the cultural mindset or are we encouraging it by our silence?

At this point you may think, "Why try? This is hopeless! I've drifted too far." Let me reassure you: God doesn't let our relationship with Him hinge on "measuring up," or on "following rules." He wants us to come as we are, recognize our need for a Savior, and commit our life completely to Him. Simply repent of this destructive lifestyle, and begin making choices that promote holiness and purity. Change is God's job, but obedience is ours.


Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his seventh book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at:facebook.com/confusedchurch.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Another Denomination Slips Into the Great Falling Away - Jennifer LeClaire

Participants in a gay pride parade.

Participants in a gay pride parade. The latest denomination to fall at Jezebel's hand is the Dutch Reformed Church. In a landmark vote, the church has decided to recognize same-sex relationships. (Reuters)

Another Denomination Slips Into the Great Falling Away

Watchman on the Wall, by Jennifer LeClaire



Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Apostasy is rising in the body of Christ. Indeed, wheat and the tares are growing up together and it's becoming more apparent which are which. As I've said several times over the past few years, the great falling away is underway.
The latest denomination to fall at Jezebel's hand is the Dutch Reformed Church. In a landmark vote, the church has decided to recognize same-sex relationships. Jesus warned the church not to tolerate the spirit of Jezebel, which teaches and seduces God's servants to commit sexual immorality and engage in idolatry (Rev. 2:20).
The Dutch Reformed Church didn't even put up much of a fight against the depths of Satan (see Rev. 2:24). Sixty-four percent of the church voted in favor of this strong delusion, which also opens the door for ordaining gay ministers without the call to celibacy.
"It is historical because with this decision we actually are at a point where there can be no doubt that the Dutch Reformed Church is serious about human dignity," Dutch Reformed Church moderator Nelis Janse vanRensburg said. "And you know that we are living in this country where we have so many problems with the dignity of people."
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The Dutch Reformed Church is a South African denomination that traces its beginnings to the Reformed tradition of the first white settlers who came to South Africa from the Netherlands in the mid-17th century, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. The church claims nearly 1.3 million members in more than 1,200 congregations.
This sad trend is not new. In 2014, four denominations in less than a week defied God's Word. I expect more denominations to fall by the wayside, or break off from their mainline denominations as they embrace doctrines of demons that encourage them to start their own sects of postmodern Christianity that is really not Christianity at all.
Postmodern, or progressive Christianity has a strong focus on social justice and environmentalism. Progressive Christianity focuses on concepts like "collective salvation"—where entire cultures and societies, rather than just individuals with faith in Christ, are redeemed—and bends toward a Marxist economic philosophy. And Progressive Christianity does not subscribe to the biblical doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture.
Saints, we're seeing 1 Timothy 4:1 playing out right before our very eyes. It's called the Great Apostasy, and it's well-underway. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote: "Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils."
Back in 2012, I wrote an article titled, "Is the Great Falling Away Already Underway?" In it, I explained that some have indeed departed from the faith because they have engaged with deceiving spirits and embraced doctrines of devils. We've witnessed more than one man of God with a major ministry platform bow a knee to doctrines like universalism, deceiving and being deceived with this deadly heresy. Despite many in the church lifting their voices against heretical teachings, these deceived ministers hold fast to their demonic doctrine.
That's why I am praying for a third Great Awakening. I am committed to crying out to God to see a cultural transformation—a spiritual revolution.
Although the Great Falling Away is going to happen because it's prophesied in Scripture, I am contending for a revival—a Great Awakening—that will sweep through the nation and cause people to turn back to God. I will not give up. The arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear (Is. 59:1).
Before each of the last Great Awakenings, people of God thought it was hopeless—and they didn't see the half of what we're seeing. But I am convinced God wants to turn this around—and I am convinced God can turn this around. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
The Great Falling Away is underway and will continue—you can't pray away end-time prophecy—but that doesn't mean we should not contend to the end. Great Awakening is our only hope for this nation and could ultimately save hundreds of thousands from the clutches of eternal death. Will you join me in praying for another Great Awakening?

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of awakeningtv.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening;Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of GodThe Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer onFacebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer's Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!
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Sunday, September 20, 2015

4 Unfailing Defenses to Combat Torment in the Night

Here's how you can sleep peacefully in victory over Satan.

Here's how you can sleep peacefully in victory over Satan. (iStock photo )

4 Unfailing Defenses to Combat Torment in the Night




Satan isn't creative, but he is predictable. He operates from a playbook of strategies, which he launches systematically on person after person.
But, don't mistake predictability for stupidity: He's certainly cunning and knows just when to attack. Many of his plays are set in motion—not when we're alert and strong—but when our defenses are down. It's no surprise, then, that one of the most popular questions I receive regarding spiritual warfare relates to how to combat torment in the night—persistent nightmares, sexual dreams or even the presence of hovering figures.
Nighttime Attacks in Scripture
Satan's work under the cloak of the night isn't without biblical precedent. To be certain, it's what led to the near-destruction of Job. Allow me to elaborate. Job was considered by God to be "blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil" (Job 1:1).
But unbeknownst to Job, a wager was made in the heavens, instigated by Satan. The devil argued that if God's blessings were removed, Job wouldn't maintain his righteousness. And God allowed, then Satan immediately went to work attacking Job's character, stealing his property, children and health. Eventually, when word got around of Job's tribulations, his friends came to determine just what was going on. They remained quiet, for the most part, seeking to properly discern the situation. But it all radically changed after an attack in the night.
In the midst of deep sleep, Job's best friend, Eliphaz, reported, "A word was brought to me secretly" (Job 4:12–13). It was an experience so intense, in fact, that he was overcome with dread and shaken to his core (Job 4:14). Shortly after, Eliphaz felt a spirit glide across his face, causing his hair to bristle. When a form stood before him, he heard a voice:
"Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?" (Job 4:17).
These were no innocent questions about humanity's position compared to God. No, this spirit was planting impure thoughts to put into question the very declaration God had previously made about Job. That is, it questioned Job's righteousness. And it worked. Eliphaz quickly broke his silence to indict Job for his own distress.
So many of us have experienced something similar—dread and trembling in the night that shakes our very cores. What should be a new day filled with God's new mercies (see Lamentations 3:22), turns into a day of feeling dirty and defeated.
Your 4 Defenses
Thankfully, God never leaves anyone to be the devil's doormat. And even in your sleep, you don't have to be defenseless. Nighttime is a crucial time to trust in God's power to combat the enemy on your behalf. And I've learned four unfailing ways to do so—sure to end nighttime attacks for good.
1. Close open doors. Yes, you may sleep more peacefully if you close—and lock!—your bedroom door. But that's not what I'm talking about here. There may be spiritual doors left open in your life, welcoming the enemy in to attack. These often include lifestyle sins such as offense and unforgiveness, occult practices or sexual promiscuity. To close these doors, simply acknowledge the sin and thank God for His finished work on the cross that removed it. Then ask Him to manifest the power of the cross in your life to sever the sin's hold on you.
2. Plead Jesus' blood. Speaking of the accuser, John wrote that we overcome him "by the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:11). I've found that invoking the power of Jesus' blood is especially critical to ending attacks in the night. Before you go to bed, speak aloud, "I cover myself in the blood of  Jesus." I believe this places a spiritual force field around you that the enemy can't penetrate. The blood of Jesus freshly applied on you repels Satan with a reminder of his defeat at Christ's cross.
3. Ask God to surround you with leagues of angels. Within God's heavenly hierarchy are hosts of angel armies that He charges to guard and protect us in everything that we do (Psalm 91:11). Many find it particularly effective to pray aloud before retiring for bed, "God, I ask you to send leagues of angels to protect me as I sleep." You probably won't see them, but be assured that an angelic line of defense will report to duty to surround you in your slumber.
4. Meditate on God's Word. God gives us His Word as a weapon in spiritual warfare. In fact, God's Word is the final piece Paul lists in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:17). To keep the enemy at bay, maintain a practice of running God's Word through your mind and your mouth. Additionally, many find it helpful to saturate their environments with the Word by playing Scripture set to music. My new Experience Freedom album (available on CD and iTunes) is a powerful resource for this. It guides you in speaking the Word over yourself, and is useful to set a peaceful environment while you work or sleep. One thing is certain: The father of lies has no power when the truth of the Father is present.
It's easy to get into battle mode, believing that we must fight Satan in our own efforts. But God revealed to me that spiritual warfare isn't about having a bloodbath with a devil that's defeated.
No, it's about standing in the victory of the One who defeated him. And in this case, you can sleep soundly in victory by activating God's defenses on your behalf: His cross, His blood, His angels and His Word.
Kyle Winkler teaches people how to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the No. 1 spiritual warfare app; and his recent book, Silence Satan, has helped thousands shut down the enemy's attacks, threats, lies and accusations. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity degree in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Sometimes I Feel Like Jonah - Now Think On This by Steve Martin


Sometimes I Feel Like Jonah
- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin


"When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry." Jonah 3:10-4:1.”  NASU


Yes, sometimes I feel like Jonah. I can get tired (angry?) of the continual lack of repentance in our land, and the seemingly non-judgment or inaction of the Lord regarding it. When will enough be enough, and it just end.

I certainly can also understand the disciples reaction about a village’s response, when they asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven. As recorded in Luke 9:51-56, “When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. 

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And they went on to another village.” (NASU)

In the first Scripture above written about Jonah and Nineveh, when the Lord called Jonah to travel to that city, to warn the people of impending judgement, he ran the other way, believing why bother, for the Lord would be merciful anyway. He did not want to do what it was going to take, to tell it like it was, as the word from the Lord was to be delivered. The prophet would have rather let them perish for the evil that they had committed. After all, they deserved it.

And the disciples, after seeing that the Samaritans were not receiving Jesus into their midst, because He was a Jew travelling to Jerusalem, they wanted to have them burned alive. This was even after Jesus had been with His team for three years, and had already resurrected. Surely they must have known the Lord’s heart of compassion, and were to be as He had taught them of His love, “…for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56

How often I find myself just wanting the Lord to quickly now put an end to all the sin, all the evil, all the wicked actions that keep going on and on. When Lord, will you finally put a stop to that which is so opposed to You and Your commands, and bring Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven? Will it be soon?

But once again I must realize that the Lord saved me as a sinner, waiting for that time when I came to repentance and acceptance of His substitutional, sacrificial death on the cross. He called to me, as He put people in my life who were willing not to judge me with fire and brimstone, but loved me enough to share the Good News of the Gospel with me. I am eternally grateful they did.

As we are now the Lord’s hands and feet on earth, we have been called to share His love to a dying world of sinners, that they too might receive Him, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, into their lives. He has been patiently waiting for those who will yet hear, repent, and receive eternal salvation. He has commissioned us to be the ones to tell them.

Judgment is coming. These last days are revealing the time is drawing to an end. Prophetic words from centuries gone by are coming to pass in our lifetime, before the final preparation and ingathering takes place.

My prayer is that you and I will not allow our hearts to grow cold, and let the dying die, while we wait for His plans to be fulfilled.

“And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:4-14 NKJV

May the Holy Spirit give us the love of God for the nations. May we pray, seek His face, and do as we have been instructed – to be bold in proclaiming His Word of salvation.

May His Kingdom come. Maranatha Lord Jesus.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.


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Now Think On This #179 “Sometimes I Feel Like Jonah” by Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (09.15.15) Tuesday at 6:00 pm 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


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Sunday, May 31, 2015

Guidance - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

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
Love For His People. Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.


If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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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