I’ve got a friend named Bill (that’s not his real name). But Bill every three months or so really wants to relocate to Dallas Texas from his home town of Ft. Worth.. because that’s where he daily works. But each time Bill feels this way and wants to relocate, he get’s kind of frustrated and worried inside not knowing how to tell if this is totally right for him to do. You know, is it the best move that Bill could make right now?
The want to is indeed there, but living in Dallas has gotten very expensive now. In fact in a couple years this American city center in Northern Texas will overtake Chicago to become the third largest Metroplex in the USA because of all the people that keep moving here. The DFW metroplex because of low taxes, jobs etc. has become more desirable to many. Many huge companies have relocated here too.
I wanted to help my friend Bill who claims to be a believer to have peace inside about it all, and help him to make the right decision for him. What did I tell Bill? I told him to line up three buoys first, or see if they will line up.
Here are three buoys, Christian, that need to line up in a row before you can peacefully sail into the harbor of God’s will for you.
1. The word of God -- is it sin according to the Bible for someone to go do that thing?
2. The inner witness of the Spirit -- do you really want to go do that after praying about it. Do you have a peace about it that stays.. or don’t you?
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
3. The circumstances of life -- i.e., can you afford to go do that. Is there a place for you to move in to? Will the timing work out well for you and your work?
Christian people pray and God delights to answer them with a yes, a no, or a please wait.
When I tried to help him with this, Bill wouldn’t listen to fitting verses I shared because he simply wanted a sign before everything that he did. He had his own way even though he somehow couldn’t ever come to a decision of peace inside. He said I don’t need any buoys to line up, Kurt, I just need a sign from God and the feeling of the Spirit to guide me.
Oh well. He’s closed to my good ideas. Feelings can be so fickle, they come and they go. Man, why waste time with people that don’t want any good help?
I’ve sadly met too many spooky, off-base, ill-taught, superstitious people that want no Bible teaching, but they want a sign before everything they do. That’s just weird. When I pastored in Augsburg Germany I met a businessman (who had a business that was tanking), he literally wouldn’t cross over any street until God gave first him “the sign” that he demanded of God. Why is he in charge of what God is to do and when He’s to do it? The man told me a red Porsche must drive past me first.
Man, come on! This type of thing gives the gospel a blackeye so to speak. It’s a bad witness to live like this. Who would ever want to hear the good Gospel message from a fool like that? What does God say?
"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." Matthew 16:4
Hey, Christ wants to bless and direct your life daily in all your decision making. Yes, as your loving personal Savior and Lord wisely leads you.
You are made up of spirit, soul and body, but the Holy Spirit speaks to and guides believers in their regenerated human spirits (not primarily through our physical body).
"The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching out his inmost being." Proverbs 20:27
Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” 1 Sam. 23:4 #emph.mine
The natural human way of hearing is through our physical ears. Duh! However, for believers in Jesus another great way to hear is by the inner witness as God the Holy Spirit carefully guides you.. instead of from primarily hearing with our physical ears? Can we hear both ways? Yes, hopefully.
“Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6 nlt
What is an inner witness of the Spirit?
Is that inner witness some impression, feeling, some voice, or perception on the inside of the Christian (Romans 8:16)?
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.." Romans 8:16 nkjv
“But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.” Jeremiah 7:23-24
In the Kingdom of God, we’re not to primarily led by our natural senses. We’re not primarily to be led by our physical ears, feelings or our eyes. We’re to become led by the Word and the Holy Spirit living within and speaking to our regenerated human spirit. When we talk about hearing God, are we talking about hearing God with our physical ears? How often does that happen.. very rarely? Aren’t you and I believer talking about hearing from the living Word (the Lord) in our human spirit as all this agrees with God’s written Word.
The Apostle Paul had been arrested and he was headed via ship to his trial. Before he took that journey he sensed something in his human spirit. He wasn’t the captain of this ship, but he sensed something in his spirit. And in Acts 27:10 kjv, Apostle Paul said, “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.”
“..we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. Paul’s Warning Ignored9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. In the Tempest 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon (A southeast wind that stirs up broad waves; a northeaster). 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.” (See Acts 27 emph mine)
It wasn’t long before the ship hit a storm. But an angel appeared and assured Paul that everyone would make it okay, and they did.
Understand what Paul said in the beginning, “I perceived.” This was from that inner witness, the Holy Spirit who knows the future. We’re talking about being led by the Spirit living on the inside who speaks to us via our human spirit. What about the other two buoys here? Well, they were taking him with -- those were the circumstances of Paul’s life at the time and Paul (a saved sinner) wasn’t doing anything sinful was he? Nope.
Kurt, what are you talking about with.. “perceived" inside?
Well, you know how mothers are said to have intuition inside as it relates to their own children meaning they don’t always know all the details offhand, but they sense “hmm, something just isn’t right about this here.”
A.) What’s a prompting — could that be from the Holy Spirit? Should it be tested? Yes, it’s a gentle nudge to do something right; a fleeting thought.. like the thought that someone is in need, or of something else that “crosses your mind” out of nowhere. Or you get an urge out of the blue to call and “check on so-and-so” to make sure they are okay. Or that you’re supposed to do something good in particular.
B.) What’s a check in your spirit, believer — could that be a feeling of uneasiness or restraint; like a gnawing discomfort you cannot exactly explain; a feeling or sensing that something is not right. It can be like a brake pedal or a yellow light, or a red light in your spirit; you have a loss of peace about.
How do I know it’s just not fear that needs to be overcome? Some fears are healthy. We are to fear (respect with awe) the Lord--that’s good. But fear can also be like an attack from outside; from our physical sight or hearing. So because of what you heard or what you’ve seen, are were nervous about it? Fear always comes from the outside in if we allow them, and it most often than not deals with what you’re seeing and hearing. Many fears today from from lies or deception from the enemies of your soul (fallen angels and this corrupt world system that lie). I’d say don’t listen to your old fleshly nature too. Listen to the Word and the Spirit of God -- they are always in harmony and have your best interests at heart.
Everything naturally might look great. Hey, it’s exactly what you want. You’re at the car dealership and the car is the exact color and price you wanted, but for “some reason internally,” you feel uneasy about this particular purchase at this time of your life. Do you have enough income, do you know the future. There’ll probably be a perfect time for buying that imperfect car, but is that today? Have you inquired of the Lord yet, who knows what the future holds for you? Have you heard from godly counsel (do you have some wise friends how have helped you know all the factors involved like interest rate and monthly financing?). Are the three buoys lining up saying to you: Go for it, sail your boat right on in?
C.) What’s an abiding peace inside — could it be a restful feeling; a sense of release for you to proceed; a quiet assurance; a deep sense of security. Is this a gas pedal or green light in your spirit so to speak.
You walk in a house and feel in your spirit that this is a “go” and “yes” to buy it. You ask God about a certain upcoming decision and you feel restful and assured about it. No nagging hesitations.D.) What do personal desires have to do with it — God changes our desires at times when we allow Him to lead as Lord. He intensifies them or He can get rid of them from inside of us when we ask Him to do that.. when the thing we want just isn’t good for us or for others. He can download His new desires into our hearts too. His desires for us are always best for everyone because He is good (He never is not good), He is light (with no darkness in him) and He really loves you (it was God's love that sent Jesus. God's love led Christ to the cross at Calvary in your place and in my place). He paid for our sins on that tree.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 kjv
“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4 kjv
“But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.” Luke 5:15-16
Guidance from God first comes to us from the Holy Spirit convicting us of personal sin.. it’s where we each choose to repent (or turn away from our wrong-doin’s to Christ). Yes, it’s when we decide to believe in His Son, the Jesus Christ of the Bible. I’m taking about starting a relationship with Him, not mere dead religion here.
You can obey His voice and have a new beginning today! Come to Him just as you are with a willingness to let Him lead you all the way, and to change you into who you were always meant to be--more you than you’ve ever been before. Kurtwvs.medium.com
Why does God the Father ask people questions if He is omniscient? How come God sometimes inquires of people? Why does He ask pointed questions even.. that He already knows the answer to?
Jesus was the master of asking questions. Do you have some questions about God?
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:30-31
What does it mean to mount up with wings like eagles?
I need to get alone with Jesus and enjoy a quiet time with Him.
What is a prayer closet -- is that a real closet?
How can enter His rest, how shall I “rest in the Lord” (Psalm 37:7)?
What does God say about the great value of solitude with the Word?
Do you need some Bible verses about guidance and strength?
The Bible speaks about the value of a secret place.
Do like David did--seek the Lord, patiently take some time, wait in and value His presence, inquire, listen to the Holy Spirit in agreement with God's word and obey Him. Would you pray something like: God in Jesus name I turn from sin to you -- I’m totally Yours Lord. Please forgive me, wash, save, come in and take the throne, rule without rival in me, and fill me with your kind Holy Spirit right now.
I have taken the time to pray and have put my faith in Jesus.. now what?
How can I know what God’s timing is?
I love to pray, so how is God’s Word a lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105)?
You and I don't need dead-religion or quietism, that religious system of mysticism.
If it's new it ain't true -- if it's true it ain't new. Simple as that. The Bible is God's revelation to people. Sure, there is new illumination of truth and oftentimes new and biblically appropriate application of old Bible truth, but there is no new revelation. None of us need to go beyond what Scripture clearly teaches. That's not what listening in prayer is to be about. Many practitioners of so called "listening prayer" sadly seek “new revelation” from God on a daily basis, and often about the most mundane things like: My Son don’t ever eat the sushi, don't cross that street until the man wearing the red scarf or a red car drives past you there.
Can God speak audibly? Sure, but so called "listening prayer" involves receiving “new exotic inspiration” from the Holy Spirit and new, specific messages from God that aren't even necessary. It’s hard to overemphasize the dangers inherent in believing that one is receiving “inspired” messages from the Spirit. We must test what we hear from any spirit using the Bible. Godly counsel with scripture can help. Scripture is revelatory and inspired by God -- the Bible is therefore authoritative (see 2 Timothy 3:16). But the so called “nudges,” “feelings,” "intuitions," and "random thoughts" a person has while meditating cannot be put on the same level as Scripture. To always assume that the voice a person hears in his mind is the voice of God is to leave the door wide open for self-delusion and even demonic deception. This is a day to pray without ceasing. Earnestly. This is also a day of many false teachers, a day to be more cautious instead of reckless. Especially in prayer. I want to be like a Berean and test what I hear against what the Word of God has said. You do too.. right?
Biblical prayer, as opposed to never testing what we hear from some spirit in prayer, indeed follows the biblical instructions concerning prayer. We each are to earnestly pray in faith (James 1:6), in direct address to God the Father (Matthew 6:9), in Jesus’ His Son's name (John 14:13), offered up with reverence and humility (Luke 18:13), with perseverance (Luke 18:1), and in submission to God’s will (Matthew 6:10). The Bible refers to prayer as beseeching the Lord (Psalm 118:25); pouring out one’s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15); crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20); and at times kneeling before the Father (Ephesians 3:14). The Bible never instructs us to empty our minds, meditate upon nothingness and listen for special non-biblical "words of revelation" from God. God can communicate but He expects us to open our Bibles and study what He has said in there. The Bible is the Word of God and is sufficient for our needs. God says..
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." (Revelation 22:18).
How important is daily prayer?
How can I receive divine guidance?
Is there a good key to hearing God’s voice?
How can I discern the will of God?
How can I prayerfully recognize the good guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Is there such a thing as centering-prayer?
What is soaking prayer.. or unsound prayer?
DAVID LOVED INQUIRING OF THE LORD BIBLICALLY FOR GUIDANCE – IT WAS HIS M.O.
Learn to prayerfully “love the life-story of King David in the Bible. If it were a movie, it would be labeled one of the greatest action, adventure, and drama movies around- experiencing Saul’s relentless pursuit of David, fuel by his jealous and murderous rage. Watching David’s many narrow escapes from Saul’s army as he passionately cries out to God for protection. Then to see him take his rightful place as king of Israel, only to fall into and an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and murder her husband to cover his sin. And to hear the words, ‘you are that man,’ when the prophet Nathan confronts David leading him to accept the rebuke of God He confessed his sins. In spite of David’s many faults and failures, he was still a man after God’s own heart, and God unconditionally forgave him of his many sins.” ~ Kathy Sherwin
Sure, David Was So Wise To Humbly Inquire Of The Lord Those Nine Times That We Can See (Read more on that).
He was intent to please, to worship, to better know God and His will. Does the Bible record all the times David did that in prayer? I don’t know. Let's reread through the Psalms that he penned.
* David’s 1st Vertical Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:1-3
* David’s 2nd Vertical Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:4-5
* David’s 3rd Vertical Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:10-11
* David’s 4th Vertical Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:12-14
* David’s 5th Vertical Inquiry – 1 Samuel 30:8-9
* David’s 6th Vertical Inquiry – 2 Samuel 2:1-2
* David’s 7th Vertical Inquiry – 2 Samuel 5:17-21
* David’s 8th Vertical Inquiry – 2 Samuel 5:22-25
* David’s 9th Vertical Inquiry – 2 Samuel 21:1
Find David’s every inquiry to God in the Bible. Look here (click).. of the 150 Psalms penned, David is named as the author of 75 (mixed in among his man-ward inquiries, I counted 33 inquiries of David to God through those 75 Psalms he wrote). Were there more that where not recorded? Maybe so. David pled and cried out to God at times.. so perhaps he inquired of God in some of those prayers, or perhaps when he was younger as a shepherd boy.
God says, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13: 22). Flawed David glorified God! Will you opt to pray and go do that with Jesus as your Lord?
Jesus said that “my sheep (listen to my..) hear my voice” (John 10:27 nkjv nlt)?
Jesus clearly said, “I am the good Shepherd?”
How can we recognize the voice of God? .. Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd!”
We should pray and hear from God when we’re young, when we’re old, when we’re in between, when we're in trouble, and when things are going well. We should pray and praise the Lord in any posture, in any place, at any time, and under all circumstances.
Here Are 21 Truths on Trusting God and His Guidance
Life is so unpredictable these days. Even with the best plans and godly intentions, no one can predict for sure what will come their way in this life. i.e., In December 2019, no one ever planned New Year's resolutions with COVID-19 in mind. Most of us had never heard of it. Life threw a big curveball.
When unexpected hard or other times come our way, everyone needs to be reminded that God is good and He delights to guide his kids. He's in control, sovereign, faithful and trustworthy even if everything seems like it's gone completely out of control. Here's a list of 21 reminders (links and verses to pershaps memorize..) of that firm truth for you to know.
Jesus Never Changes -- He’s the same yesterday today and forever
There Is Good News For Those Who've Heard The Bad New So Fear Not Bad News – we are children of light, real love, and life, kids of the good King
Let God Make Your Way For You – it's what He does cuz Jesus is the Way who shows us the best way through upcoming storms and trails
God Is With You – He ain't flakey, one to ditch, bail-out, or forsake you believer
God Keeps His Word –He keeps all His promises and never fails
Jesus Is The Good Shepherd – perfect guidance in a messed up world is His expertise
God Is Working For Your Good Believer – grasp hold of Him, of that truth, pray and don't waste your sorrows
God Really Cares For His Creation – uhh, that would include you Sport
God Is A Safe Place And Person – righteously, boldly live 100% honest before Him, right there in His will for you
Jesus Assures And Comforts Troubled Hearts – have prayed about yours? Tell Him all that's on your mind and heart
When You Ask, He Listens, Understands And Hears You – inquire more often and take heed
Trust In God, Not In Things Or In The Arm Of The Flesh, Or In Companies, Or Circumstances – lots of things can change, but not God
No Unhealthy Fear Comes From God – none ever have, so when you are afraid remember to turn to Jesus
He Alone Can Wash You Completely Clean – you can think it through, repent of sin any day of the week, believe on and trust in Christ for forgiveness / salvation (now is better)
No Angel Knows All Like God Does – some angels and people can let you way WAY down
Calvary's Lonely Cross Experience Wasn't In Vain – understand His Gospel and trust what Jesus did for you there
Not One Word Christ Ever Spoke Was For Nothing – look again at His promises, even His promise of Heaven (life here is so short, but eternity is so long)
