I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the way” (Isaiah 43:18-19). God speaks through His word. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the If you are not a seasoned disciple who is possessed with the love of God and the desire to help “restore” others who are fallen to their relationship with Christ, the LORD is not leading you to correct others but rather to humble yourself at His feet and in His presence as you allow Him to do a much needed deeper work in your own heart (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Galatians 6:1-3). ... Saints of God, for every door that didn't open up, for every opportunity that you didn't get, for every call that you didn't receive- this is as much God's guidance as it is when those things did occur. You can know that God is leading your decisions if you have sought His direction in prayer, have looked to His word for guidance, have tuned your ear to the Holy Spirit, and have sought the wisdom of godly people. I needed to let go of what I had always known and discover what I was coming to know. We will never do anything untoward with your email address, of course. Your email address will not be published. I’ve learned God is usually not in as big of a hurry as we are. Resilience is our ability to recover from difficulties. I can’t change my mind now. I wasn’t who I had always been and I didn’t have to pretend I was. How to Know if God is leading you into a relationship is very vital to prevent you from missing it. 1. Jesus would never invite you to do something that goes against the Word. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I was struggling with feeling unworthy and unloved at the time, and I was wondering if I even truly knew how to love. It was exciting to change directions and go off script. I’ve been reflecting on the need for spiritual resilience recently. Make sure Scripture supports where God is leading you. Do I chase my dream or do I follow this new Jesus thing? We certainly didn’t. Be brave and courageous. This isn’t a club into which most people self-select. The first step to knowing that our decisions are led by God is to seek Him as we make those decisions. Consider the Spirit’s prompting. GOD IS LEADING: ARE YOU FOLLOWING? He’s not trying to get your attention just for the sake of getting your attention. I asked myself questions like: Every time the Spirit prompts you, it’s important. He gives us wisdom and spiritual gifts so that we can build up one another and encourage one another in the faith. Proverbs 2:6 NIV reminds us that the “Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”, 2 Peter 1:3 NIV tells us that “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”. There was a bigger invitation unfolding, a grander story of which to be a part. Therefore, I had to make the choice that everyone expected me to make. If we have sought Him and are walking in faith and obedience, He will convict us and correct our paths if we move in the wrong direction. The Greek words translated as “compelled by the Spirit” are the words deo ho pneuma. The fifth way we can be sure that God is at the center of our decisions is to watch the circumstances in your life. God bless you as you enjoy It is time for you to truly process the leading … And if we choose Him we can’t choose wrong. Can I do them both? With each passing mile marker, I asked God over and over again, “What do you want me to do?” I wished the clouds would part and a booming voice would break the silence. This is the leading of direction. 1 Corinthians 12:8 NIV states that “to one is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit.”. The fourth way we can know that God is leading our decisions is to seek out the wisdom of godly people. https://faithinthenews.com/4-signs-god-is-pushing-you-into-something-better James 3:17 NIV says that the “wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”. Deo (deh‘-o) means to bind, tie, fasten. You struggle to make ends meet and you do not know how you are going to keep going. Get our latest resources and curated links FREE each week. So, how do we know God is the one leading us in our decisions? As believers, we want to know that our choices are influenced by a greater power than the happenstance flip of a coin or the drawing of straws can offer. Imagine a car’s control panel with many little lights. I know that I should listen to God’s leading and I respect the authority God gave to Pastors, I start to doubt now whether my boyfriend is really the one for me. I am so thankful for your post and it is greatly appreciated ! However, you'll never discover that astounding passageway if you're reluctant to move. God is the director of our path and if we come to him with pure hearts postured in the way of love, he will lead us. By staying rooted in His Word. If you want to experience God’s leading, you must be “lead-able”. God has given you a desire for missions. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”. We often care about how the details roll out. In the back of my parents’ Jeep Cherokee I wrestled with what to do. All rights reserved. Everyone has hobbies and interests, and they grow and change as each person does. He wants an intimate relationship with you and longs for you to seek His will and His way for your life. God, however, doesn’t choose to reveal Himself in that way. This verse came to mind: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. You can connect with Bobbie through her website or on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/bobbieschae or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bobbieschae. Looking back, I can see a few things in particular, so I’d like to share these five signs God is transitioning you. Psalm 27:14. Psalm 119:105 NIV says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.”, Psalm 119:130 NIV tells us, “The unfolding of your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”. Your email address will not be published. When circumstances match God's Word, prayer, and godly counsel, they may be part of God's way to indicate His leading. Thank you for sharing this. God is undoubtedly inviting you on a beautiful journey. God will often speak through the words in the Bible, so keep reading and notice if you receive confirmations through the Scriptures you’re reading. What a way to rediscover myself! It’s an action, a movement, a “yes.” Trust is based on what you do and what you do stems from who you know. However, he wanted a step first: “Kristan, take the step and I will show you what will happen.”. 3 Clues God Is Encouraging You to Make a Big Change So here are 3 signs God is calling you to intentionally make a major change in your life. Here are 4 ways to help you discern how God is leading you in the decisions of your life. Not because God is not trustworthy, but because we are all growing in our ability to discern His invitations and it is wise to invite others into that journey. God will not contradict Himself nor will He go against His word. How could I explain walking away from this opportunity? Don’t rush big decisions either. And secondly, we must truly want God’s will rather than our own, and then ask for signs from Him for assurance that it is He that is leading and not the great deceiver. What did God’s leading look like? Trusting in God’s goodness sets us free from expectation. First off, it must line up 100% with the word/law of God. Whatever the size, the invitation from God is the same: “Will you step away from what you know and trust me with what you don’t know?”. But still I wrestled with how do you change future plans with the snap of a finger? Habitual sin will cause us to miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us through the Word. We cannot afford to make life-altering decisions alone on an island. Just as a campfire can be returned to life by fanning the flames and putting on fuel, so too can God’s Spirit. The next step in seeking God in our decision-making process is to engage with the Holy Spirit. Wait patiently for the Lord. Or what man is there of you whom, if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone ? Here's 4 steps to help you know God is leading you in a different direction and the grace to follow. Thank you for speaking into our lives! I want to show you that God is guiding you—and how you can know He is. Sudden knowledge causes you to just, "Know, that you know, that you know." To “spring back into shape” emotionally and spiritually after a hardship. We shouldn’t make every decision based upon feelings inside of us. His Word is alive and active and is useful in providing the insight and the direction that we need when we are making life’s decisions. John 14:26 NIV says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you. God is committed to leading His people in every area of their lives, including marriage. Furthermore, if you're not in the Word, the Word won't be in you. If the choice you are considering is directly contradicted by Scripture, then you need to reconsider the source. See if you can find the Lord in the following verse: So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz (Ruth 2:3). 6 Ways God's Leading You to the One Things You Can’t Let Go Of. Deep down I knew I needed to walk this new direction, put some distance between myself and my old life, full of poor choices. He loves us and has a good plan for our lives. They interrupt your day as a unique occurrence, and they direct your attention to God despite what you were thinking or feeling prior to the interruption. It’s like a cord wrapping it’s way around you, held by the hands of another. Lead Like Jesus. I had a new relationship with Jesus and with that I had a new lens to view my decision-making. It was no longer about just what I wanted in the moment. So ultimately our ability to trust is directly linked to our relationship with the one we are trusting. One involved trusting in what I know, the other trusting in who I know. He loves us and wants to lead us when we seek His will and His way. 1. Some people—especially new Christians—feel guilty for not going to the mission field. God’s leading soon became clear. 3) Discernment: Most of the decisions we make are not spelled out specifically in the Bible. He wants an intimate relationship with you and longs for you to seek His will and His way for your life. Jess says: July 6, 2019 at 5:40 pm. James 1:5 NIV tells us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? Bobbie Schaeperkoetter is a writer, speaker, community builder, and an encourager of women at http://www.bobbieschae.com. God won’t leave us hanging out to dry. We want to choose His will and His way, but sometimes we aren’t sure if we’ve done the right thing. The sixth step in seeking God in our decision-making is to ensure that when we do make a decision, we ensure that it reflects the character of God. Whatever we feel we are being led to do must be in full accordance with the Bible. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. He won’t abandon us when we need Him nor will He ignore us when we draw near to Him. Friends normally know what sort of things you like and dislike. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. What started as questioning became unwavering certainty that God was, in fact, redirecting us toward Christian school. If doors keep closing for you and nothing you’re trying is working out in the way of new ventures, then it may be that God is the one keeping you from those things because He has something else for you to do. If God's Word is consistent with how you are being led, your prayers appear to affirm your leading, other godly friends confirm your plans, and God has allowed circumstances to support your calling, then it may be that God is telling you to take a particular … Discernment is how we follow God’s leading through the process of spiritually sensitive application of biblical truth to the particularities of our situation. Get a curated list of interesting and edifying articles every week, plus FREE resources for leading like Jesus, living on mission, and making disciples. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Of everything I have said to you.”, 1 Corinthians 2:10 NIV states that “these are the things God revealed to us by His Spirit. God has a plan just for you! Sit with people, talk through details, pray all over decisions. The bad news I was hearing about college was that I am only what I’ve always been. One of my favorite verses comes from Jeremiah. It seemed foolish. Put on humility. He promises to answer if we knock, and to be found when we seek Him. Put them together and you can see the picture: the Spirit wrapping around you like a chord, gently pulling you toward something. Do I go to Murray State and play college soccer like I had always planned or stay close to the people who would help me foster this new relationship with Jesus? He is present and accessible. My heart’s desire was to follow what helped me grow in faith. He wants you to seek Him first. How did we know? Yet, often, we aren’t one hundred percent sure that we are following His path for us. Is the voice we listened to His, or is it another voice that we’ve chosen to follow? Increased prayer and study, service to God, turning to Him and drawing near (James 4:8 James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Why was I suddenly feeling pulled toward an option I didn’t even have on the table? to wrap. The good news is that it’s not actually even about the details, it’s about Jesus. Are doors opening or closing? Twenty years later I look back at my choice and see more clearly the process of trust. There were so many scenarios rolling through my mind. Being in tune with God’s will, turning from and confessing sin, and making a habit of prayer and the study of God’s Word will allow us to recognize—and follow—the Spirit’s leading. He is the Great Course Corrector. I grew up in a culture that taught if you weren’t having a daily quiet time with God, you weren’t a good Christian. So ultimately our ability to trust is directly linked to our relationship with the one we are trusting. As, believers, the Spirit is present within us for the purpose of drawing our hearts closer to God’s. Think of the people in your life who are actively and fruitfully following hard after Jesus. Such wise words as we are seeking Gods direction! by Kristan Dooley on May 10, 2018 3 Comments. She’s passionate about connecting women to Jesus, to one another, and to the Body of believers. The good news though was that God was inviting me into something new. Sometimes so much it keeps us paralyzed and unable to move forward. What do they have to say about your decision? t: +1 (317) 537-7775. Fishers, IN 46038 He wants you to seek Him first. before making an important decision. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has prayed for guidance and then wished that God’s voice was an audible one that would thunder down a loud and crystal clear verdict, or that maybe He’d light up a neon arrow to show me which way to go when I’m at a crossroads in life. He doesn’t contradict Himself. Mark Beaird 1-07 Text: Mark 8:34-38 NIV MK 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”. How to Know God is Leading You. Amen! If something is God’s will, He will guide you while you wait and bring it to pass. But as Christians, we must be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. Don’t rush it – when the timing is right God will let you know. As the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the God Who Does Not Change, He will never ask us to do something that is completely against His nature. Copyright © 2021, iBelieve.com. When doors start closing and you’re running out of ideas and options, start praying and ask God to lead you to an open door. Repeated Invitations to Something From Friends. The second way we seek God in our decision-making is by consulting His word. All of these communications are unlike your typical feelings and emotions. 5. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. I wanted God to tell me all the details of what would happen and then I would take the first step. You will know he/she is the one because of the deep, spiritual connection that draws you to them. When we try to live according the word of God, God will let you know when you have found the right person. In Acts 20:22, Paul announces his new plan of travel with this opening statement, “and now compelled by the Spirit…” He says to the elders of the church of Ephesus, “Someone is pulling me elsewhere.” Even though Paul loved where he was he couldn’t help but feel pulled somewhere new. 1. What happens if I choose wrong? Trust is based on what you do and what you do stems from who you know. The final way we can know that God is leading our decisions is to trust that if we are fully following Him and misstep, we can have faith that he will correct our paths. During such a time, trust that the Lord will soon speak to you like He did to Elijah. Required fields are marked *. We want to know that our powerful, present, and purposeful God is leading our decisions, and that we are relying on the sovereign wisdom and discernment He gives. His promptings are divine invitations. Inside, I felt pulled toward this unexpected new option. The clearest indication that it is time to step forward into a new chapter is confirmations and peace that come from the Lord. God reveals Himself to His children. He is the Word. Would this be something God would invite me into? I will advise you and watch over you. Hi, My boyfriend and I of a little over 2 years broke up about a month ago and I’m heartbroken. We need to be talking with multiple people before taking big steps of trust. Finally, because our trust is in a person and not in a choice we make, we can take steps forward without fear. Buy God's Leading: 7 Ways To Know God Is Leading You: Volume 1 (Understanding Life's Journey) 1 by Clark, R. E. (ISBN: 9780615864723) from Amazon's Book Store.
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