Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Can we hear GOD? | Prov 3:6 | DocTrinsograce | 196325 | ||
Dear Mouse, It is commendable that you are seeking the perfect will of God. The Scripture does, indeed, assure us that God will give us direction. Note, however, that this kind of direction is predicated on the condition that we are living with Him in mind on a continual basis. We must be live out the clear commands of Scripture above all else. In other words, a person who is habitually sinning is living for themselves, rather than for God (1 John 3:9-10). They've set their own course (Proverbs 21:27). The evidence of a Gospel transformed life will be growth in righteousness. God has provided us with a clear picture of what constitutes righteousness. We demonstrate God's right to command us by our willing submission to His commands. I recall a Christian young lady who told me she was seeking God's permission to marry a Muhammadan. I showed her 2 Corinthians 6:14, and explained its application to her situation. She assured me that she was aware of that passage, but that she would prefer that God would show her more explicitly that her intended marriage was wrong. I hope that her error is clear to everyone. Now, assuming that you are walking as closely to the Lord as possible, let me render part two of this discussion. Remember that God has graciously provided your abilities, experience, skills, and opportunities. Acknowledging Him means we recognize all that He has graciously given us. God has also given you a mind. Your understanding of Scripture is such that you must certainly know whether or not this job is one that a believer could honorably perform. When all of that sort of thing lines up, I think you're free to choose to take this job if it is something you'd like to do. Sometimes God uses His Spirit to impress us to take one course of action or another. In the end, though, as you walk close to Him, and prayerfully acknowledge your dependence on Him, assume that He is, indeed, providing guidance. Just keep asking Him to close the doors if He chooses. In Him, Doc |
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2 | Can we hear GOD? | Prov 3:6 | 2007 mouse | 196337 | ||
Thanks for your reply Doc!!! One thing I must also ask is this: As a child of God walking as closely as I can with Him, do you think the Holy Spirit causes us to take action to do something we really have no desire to do?? For instance again...LOL.....Our Student Minister at The Presbyterian Church I belong to has a two point charge, meaning she preaches at two churches every Sunday. I feel so led by the Holy Spirit in my life right now, that she as a student Minister has told me that when I speak to our congregation she can sense the Holy Spirit working through me. I gave many lectures at various churches about my mission trip to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and when I spoke at my last lecture in a church I never was in before, I noticed my speech led my student Minister to tears and she was sooo proud of me. I'm not trying to boast here at all, so bear with me to the end of this note. I felt The Holy Sirit guiding me to write. Not just write speeches but write a book, so I did. This book is in no way to be published but may be copied, unedited and given to anyone who is in need of Love. Anyone who has been a victim of child abuse or on death row or living on the streets or has a drug addiction may find it helpful to read and it might just lead one lost soul to find true Love that is given through Christ Our Saviour. This book is flying around all over the U.S.A. right now and I have many more I will be sending it to in the near future. Finally back to my question..... I also feel led to write an insert every week into our church bulletin and the other church bulletin that our Student Minister is in charge of. I felt very reluctent to do so. I felt it was something I did not have the wisdom/knowledge/experience or desire to do so. I prayed and prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit over this matter and asked almost daily for God to lead me in what to do or say over this according to his will. Well, the answer came and I all of a sudden lost all fear of writing in the bulletins and every week. I ask for guidance on what to write and I find it soooo easy to write. What I write about is a topic, for instance last week was about God and War, this week is going to be about the Holy Spirit. Each week my insert is one page/double sided in print. The insert is never proof read before hand by anyone. So far I feel on top of the world doing this writing as I have recieved phone calls from both congregations, e-mails and hugs and comments at the end of services over my writings. So do I think the Holy Spirit has guided me to do these writings each week although at first, I grumbled about it and didn't want to do it? The answer to me is a definite YES! I sometimes don't get what I'm going to say till Saturday Night but The Holy Spirit always gets me to write something in time for Sunday. So do you or any others believe, like me that we can be led by the Holy Spirit to do things we really wished we were not led to do? And isn't GRAND that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to make those decisions we would never consider making ourselves with our own human minds. Love Mouse |
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3 | Can we hear GOD? | Prov 3:6 | DocTrinsograce | 196340 | ||
Dear Mouse, Many believers have followed the Holy Spirit into places that they would not have chosen. Read Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Read about the lives of Athanacius, Augustine, Naomh Padraig (Saint Patrick), Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Owens, Thomas Cramner, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, David Brainard, William Carey, Charles Spurgeon, etc. As the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer, there builds a burning desire for things of God no matter the cost. Job speaks of this (Job 32:18-19), as did David (Psalm 39:3), as did Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:9; 23:9), as did Paul (Acts 18:5; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17), etc. John Knox' fervent prayer was, "Great God, give me Scotland, or I die!" However, as God uses you, be very, very wary of the least bit of pride -- for every one of us is and will be susceptible to exactly that temptation. Remember, it is not your ability, effectiveness, enthusiasm, experience, intelligence, knowledge, perspicuity, righteousness, sincerity, or willingness that has caused God to choose to use you. Indeed, quite the contrary! (Please read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.) (I do not intend to dampen your spirits or make accusation. Rather I speak from experience.) The more helplessly dependent you are on God rather than yourself, the more He will use you. The whole goal of the universe -- including you and I -- is to magnify only Himself, for He is infinitely worthy. Therefore, I'd encourage that you always shift the glory back to God. Try to serve Him in secret ways. Perhaps writing under a pseudonym. After all, all those calls, e-mails, hugs, and accolades really and truly belong to Him! It is all too easy to steal God's glory. We do well to keep in mind that He may well teach us humility by bringing humiliation into our lives. Are we as willing to follow Him into ignominy as we have been to follow Him into advancement and honor? Also, keep in mind that God never intended us to operate autonomously. Read Ephesians 4 and ask what are the other gifts that the Lord has given the church in addition to the Holy Spirit? For what purpose did He give those gifts? What happens to us in their absence? God bless you in your efforts to serve Him and depend on Him. In Him, Doc |
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