IS GOD GUIDING YOUR LIFE?

            Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. --Peter Marshall

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting Micah 5:2

            Around 700 years prior to Jesus’ birth Micah prophesied about His place of birth. So as God was guiding Mary and Joseph exactly where they needed to be, they still had a choice to follow. God did not make them go to Bethlehem but He did give them reason to go. It was their own choice that got them there.

Friend, if God is guiding your life you have a choice to follow Him or not. He will point you in the direction you should go and give you plenty of good reasons to go but He will not make you go anywhere. You have to choose! However, if you chose not to, the consequences that follow will be on you. Just ask Jonah!

WHICH WAY DID HE GO?

Where you sit now may very well direct your future.

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: Psalm 25:4-6

In an old cartoon, Willoughby asks "Which way did he go, George, Which way did he go,"? Willoughby, a not so smart toon, always got the same answer, that way George. Poor Willoughby! He ended up running in circles!

            You know, we are not so smart at times as well. Often, when we have been down the same path time and time again, we turn down it once more thinking, maybe it has changed! But it hasn’t and we suffer God’s chastisement!

            Instead of going down the same path again and again, step out in faith and trust the Lord Jesus! He will not lead you astray! He will direct your paths! He will direct you all the way home!

DOING GOD’S WILL IN A SELF-CENTERED WORLD

Man thinks, God directs. –Alcuin

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

            When we become a living sacrifice it means we willingly lay down our lives for the will of the Father. As God directs us here or there, all we are to do is obey. When we are so wrapped up in self, we cannot discern His will. We over think the situations and we make a mountain out of a mole hill. When we place our will above His will, we are living in a dangerous place. When we are willing to follow His leading, it is then we can know confidently we are doing that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

            Having problems discerning God’s will for your life? Be still and know He is God. Get to reading the Word of God that never returns void. Pray and pray some more. Fast and fast some more. Seek godly counsel from men and or women that have proven themselves a workman.  And if you still don’t hear from God, remain right where you are at until you do. That may be your answer or it may be God is teaching you a valuable lesson in patience. Nevertheless, wait on the Lord.

STAY STILL UNTIL GOD MOVES YOU

It is vain thought to flee from the work that God appoints us, for the sake of finding a greater blessing, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found-in loving obedience. –Eliot

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23

Someone once said, "If you do not have clear direction in which way to go—stay put." In other words, don’t do anything. Just remain still and know He is God. Wait on His shutting of the door or His opening of another. Pray for direction. Seek godly counsel. It is in this patient walk with the Lord that you will find joy that passes all understanding!