STUDY No. 23 - GUIDANCE

God has a purpose and plan for every detail of every redeemed life. There is a proper course and goal for every true Christian. It is marked out and intended in the design of our loving heavenly Father. Our highest happiness is to discover His will for us and walk according to it, not deviating either to the right hand or to the left. There are, however, dangers if we persist in being over-anxious about those minor matters which we can decide by plain common sense. Seek specific guidance only for the life-changing decisions you are called to make.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT WHICH WE KNOW HIS WILL

 2 Peter 3:9
 1 Timothy 2:1-4		  Is it the will of God that some should perish?
 1 Thessalonians 4:3
 Ephesians 1:4		  Why should we desire to be holy in our lives?

What other things can we be sure God desires us to have or be?

 James 1:5  Matthew 9:38  Romans 12:1  Ephesians 5:17

You will find, as you read God’s word each day, that there are many other things about which we may know what is the will of God.

THERE ARE PROMISES IN CONNECTION WITH GUIDANCE!

Psalm 25:9 - Sometimes the promise will carry a responsibility: that is "I will ... if you..... "
Check out each of these for the promise and note if there is a responsibility:
Psalm 32:8
Proverbs 3:5, 6
Isaiah. 58:11

  You should now understand how we gather direction, promises and learn what we have to do.

MANY DO NOT FIND GUIDANCE IN THEIR LIVES SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO BE GUIDED
The obstinate mule is difficult to guide. You see, he has a will of his own!

LEARN THREE BASIC CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING GUIDANCE

1. WE MUST BE SURRENDERED - Romans 12:1
2. WE MUST BE SEPARATED - Romans 12:2
3. WE MUST BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED - Romans 12:2

If you were driving through difficult terrain, and your passenger was not only a more experienced driver than you, but was also more familiar with the area, who do you think should be in the driving seat?

METHODS BY WHICH THE LORD IS PLEASED TO GUIDE US

THE WORD OF GOD (See Acts 9:6; John 2:5)

In the course of your daily Bible reading you could find very relevant verses or a passage of Scripture that indicates the way you should take, or the way you should not take.

THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT (See Acts 8:26, 29)

Those who walk closely with the Lord can be sensitive to the promptings of what can only be described as the witness of His Spirit with our spirit - that inner conviction: "this is the way...."

THE WORKS OF PROVIDENCE (See Acts 11:11)

By this we mean the things that just happen - the unexpected letter, the counsel or even suggestion of a respected Christian friend, the hesitation of a local church leader. Very often the advice of a fellow-believer is far less biassed than our own view of a situation.

The story is told of a minister who was invited to become the vicar of another church. While he was praying for guidance upstairs, his wife was packing downstairs! Our motives are sometimes very difficult to clarify.

George Muller, a great man of faith, the founder of the George Muller Orphanage Homes in Bristol, is a man from whom we can all learn much about guidance. He would spend much time in heart-searching and prayer. He would then calmly and deliberately take a blank sheet of paper and begin to list all the factors for the proposition, and then ‘balance’ against them the factors to the contrary on the other side of the sheet. He called this his balance sheet. Here we see another factor in guidance - plain common sense!

"THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN ARE ORDERED BY THE LORD"

While passing through this wilderness,
Full of temptations and distress,
What comfort does the thought afford
Our steps are ordered by the Lord!

Though disappointments oft abound,
And sorrows may our souls surround,
We gain relief from this sweet word
Our steps are ordered by the Lord!

Though Jesus sometimes hides His face,
And darkness seems to shroud His grace,
Oh, ‘tis a sweet refreshing word,
Our steps are ordered by the Lord.

Soon shall we reach that land of joy
Where pleasures are without alloy,
And there with gratitude record:
Our steps are ordered by the Lord.


"Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17)

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