Best Next Step

How Do You Know?

I recently received another great question... 

I understand that we need to let God lead us, but how exactly do you know where God wants us to go? Do you ask him to close the door on certain options that you might try?

 

 

Following God is both a great challenge and a great adventure.  I've come to believe that God is more interested in our being in a real, vibrant, on-going relationship with Him than in His giving us answers to our questions.  That is, God would rather us be close to Him than know what to do.  In fact, when we know what to do we tend to drift away from God.

 

That being said, I believe we can learn to hear God’s voice and therefore know where He is leading us.  In John’s gospel, Jesus speaks of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep.  In John 10:4 we read, “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”  Be sure to read the entire section in John 10:1-13.

 

God speaks to us primarily through His Word.  This is why it is so important for us to have a daily and intentional time in the Bible.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105

 

God also speaks through other Christ-followers.  This highlights the need to be in relationship with others who are journeying with Christ.  It is especially helpful to be connected with those that have followed for a season and have developed a greater sense of knowing His voice.

 

Circumstances are another way that God speaks to us.  This is where the open/closed door comes into play.  But usually people only focus on this way of trying to discern what God is saying.

 

The great news is that God is consistent in His messages to us.  Each of these ways (the Bible, other Christ-followers and circumstances) will line up to bring God’s clear message.

 

As God speaks to us in these ways, we can have confidence that He desires to reveal Himself to us.  “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”  Proverbs 8:17  Paul said it this way in Acts 17:27, “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”

 

Keep in mind the statement I made at the beginning of this note – “God would rather us be close to Him than know what to do.”  God is pursuing you for a relationship more than anything.

 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

 

A Matter of the Heart

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

 

 

Oh be careful little mouth what you say

Oh be careful little mouth what you say

For the Father up above is looking down in love

Oh be careful little mouth what you say

 

You may remember these words from the children’s song encouraging right conduct.  Other verses from this song challenge kids to be careful about what they do, where they go and what they hear.

 

As we grow and mature, we learn to act the right way; especially around others.  We control our temper, use our manners, and act politely.  We watch our language, eat our vegetables and mind our ps and qs.

 

But there is more.  In fact, what we do has its source deep in our lives.

 

Throughout the Bible, we find that God pursuing a relationship with His people.  He established a way for His people to live that would set up an environment in which this relationship could thrive.  In the Old Testament this way to live was established through the Law.  In the New Testament the way is through Jesus.

 

The problem comes when substitute outward actions for living out of a changed heart.  Our actions can be tempered for a season, but it is only when God is working in us through His Holy Spirit that we really become different.

 

God desires to live in and through us.  He desires to fill us with His Spirit to guide and direct our lives.  We need to stop trying to clean up the outside of our lives and let God change the inside.

 

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

Great Question - 3/3

This is the third of three posts addressing this question…

“The Bible is God's word, right?  Ok. If what's true is true, then how do you know if your interpretation of a particular scripture is true?  If you are connected right, will you know through the voice of the Holy Spirit?”

My first post dealt with three underlying beliefs to our time in God’s Word.  My second post dealt with three key questions that need to be asked to correctly understand God’s Word.

Now, let me close with a few final thoughts.

First, there are some important attitudes that we must have in place as we spend time with God through His Word.  We need to be sure and approach this special time in the right way.

We must begin with an attitude of reverence.  As we sit and open the Bible, we are preparing to come face-to-face with the sovereign God of all creation.  Next is the attitude of expectancy.  That is, we must believe and expect that we are really meeting with God and that He really has something to say to us.  The final attitude is obedience.  We must settle on the front end that we are coming to God with the commitment to follow what He says.

Second, I believe being in community with other Christ-followers helps in the quest to know God’s Word.  It is in community that you will have the opportunity for others to speak into your life regarding what you find in God’s Word.  Other godly people will be an incredible resource as you grow in your faith.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16

Finally, we always need to remember that we have the incredible privilege of spending time with, learning from and getting to know God of the universe.  Amazing!  As you read the Bible, you are reading the very words of God.

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”  1 Thessalonians 2:13

I pray that God will indeed reveal Himself to you clearly through the pages of the Bible.  I pray He will bring others into your life that will speak the truth.  And I pray that God will use His Word to radically change you as He continues His work in you.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Great Question - 2/3

This is the second of three posts addressing this question…

“The Bible is God's word, right?  Ok. If what's true is true, then how do you know if your interpretation of a particular scripture is true?  If you are connected right, will you know through the voice of the Holy Spirit?”

My first post dealt with three underlying beliefs to our time in God’s Word.

First, I believe with all my heart that God has given us His Word so that we can know Him better.  Second, I believe that we can learn to hear God’s voice.  Third, our understanding of God’s Word is more than an intellectual activity.

That being said, how can we know that our understanding of what we read is correct?  We must learn to use some basic skills of interpretation when we read the Bible.  These can be understood through asking three key questions.

The first question is “What?”  What does the Bible say?  Here we are looking to find out the Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? of the passage.  Background information such as the author, date of writing, reason for writing, overall themes and other items are key.  This information can be found in most study bibles.  It is also important to know the original meaning of key words.  A concordance is a great tool for this.

The second question is “So what?”  What does the Bible mean?  When pursuing this, intent is everything.  What did the original author mean for the original audience?  Not, “what does it mean to me?”  This keeps our bias and personal agendas in check.

The overall context is critical for proper interpretation.  This is why it is important to read entire passages and entire books of the Bible.  Isolating verses can lead to improper conclusions.  It is also important to use the Bible to interpret itself.  Reference other passages to get a fuller understanding of God’s overall message.

The third question is “Now what?”  What does the Bible mean for me life?  Here we distinguish between cultural facts and timeless principles.  Application fulfills the goal of engaging the Bible not for information, but for transformation.  Application takes God’s Word from our head through our heart to our hands.

I will use my third and final post to bring some closing thoughts.