I often pray for guidence when I have an important decision to make. I sometimes feel like God is truly steering me in a given direction but then I can't help thinking that it is my own conciousness. I'm not a deist but it's this sort of thing that troubles me. I'm sure most of you have experienced the same dilema. How do you all deal with it?
Well Sylvan this is something many Christians struggle with. Was that God directing me or was is just wishful thinking? I've learned the more we listen to Him the more we can distinguish His voice (John 10:27). We also know that He is not going to go against His word. He will not direct you to do something that is not Biblical.
There are many books in the Christian book stores I've seen to help one in this area.
Sylvan I to pray for guidance, how do I know it is God replying and not my conscience?
Well one way I can tell for sure if that small voice tells me something that contradicts what I was hoping would be the right way!
I also know it is not me when the small voice is accompanied with an overall inner warmth emmitng from my heart, an inner feeling that I have recieved an answer.
One thing I have found is when I experience either one or both of the above the reply has never gone against scripture.
I have had times where I prayed for guidance and received none of the above, to me it was just a silent message to wait, to pray more and sometimes even fast and pray.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
I often pray for guidence when I have an important decision to make. I sometimes feel like God is truly steering me in a given direction but then I can't help thinking that it is my own conciousness. I'm not a deist but it's this sort of thing that troubles me. I'm sure most of you have experienced the same dilema. How do you all deal with it?
That's an excellent question, and we all absolutely have dealt with this or we soon will deal with it! It's a question that we must be honest with,and ready to comply with what the Bible actually says about it.
2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,"
Jeremiah 10:23 "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps."
Matthew 4:4 "But he answered, "œIt is written, "œ"˜Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
We are to make decisions based on the Word of God.
Trae
This story reminds me of the tale of the fellow caught in the flood. He's on his porch and a big truck comes by and offers him a ride out. He says "No thanks, God will take care of me". The waters get higher, and he has to move to the second story of his home. He's sitting by the open window and a boat comes by and offers him a ride out. "No thanks, God will take care of me". The waters continue to get higher, and he has to move to his roof. A helicoptor flies over and a rescue worker drops a ladder and tells him to grab on. One again the same reply "No thanks, God will take care of me". The waters continue to swell, the house collapses, and the man drowns. When he arrives at the Pearly Gates, he asks God "Why didn't you take care of me?". God replied "Well, I sent a truck, a boat, and a helicoptor!".
The moral of the story is we may ask God a question and expect a burning bush or a lightening bolt as an answer, when God works more in a more subtle way. He may place the answer right in front of your nose, but because it's not spectacular or miraculous you don't notice or acknowledge it. You have the answers to life's most important questions right there in black and white and red. Regardless of what decision you make, if you trust in God, He will provide. You may not get just what you wanted or expected, but you will get what you need.
There was a very popular country song a few years by Garth Brooks--I think the title was "Unanswered Prayers". I think Garth missed it by a bit. No prayer goes unanswered--but sometimes when we ask for something the answer is "no".
Chad
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"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
1. Does it go against the Bible if it does it is not God!
2. Ask some Good Christian Friends what they think. If only 1 out of 10 agree with you than you might to pray some more.
3. Give it time, I have found if God wants it to happen he will continue to speak.
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Wes
Central PA bowhunter
God is Good - All the time
Brother my whole life is full of wondering that. Sometimes you go on intuition and guess what ..it pans out and it really was God. After a while I may think well maybe that was coincidence until it happens again. But to be honest ..sometimes that voice is not God but only your desires and you wishing it was God.
Here are some things I personally do to hear God's voice and in the order to which they work the best.
1. first ot course get in your prayer closet and express your concerns to God with thanksgiving.
2.If it's a serious concern I will refrain from talking .This almost always work even more than fasting. It only takes about 3 hours of silence.
" Be still and know tha tI am God." What you hear must line up with God's Word.
3. Fasting with water only works. Usually by about evening time your flesh is dead and your emotions have little impact on the answer and you are ready to accept God's will instead of tryin gto manipulate God. The fasting helps you to accept whatever. Still God will speak His Word in your heart. Again ..the Fasting deadens the flesh so you can accept His answer. Sometimes the answer is wonderful and if your like me it takes faith even to accept a blessing.
4. Alot of times God will speak through circunstance or others.Listen to others.
5. God desires to communicate with us .We have to have "Ears to hear."
There is an old spanish saying that goes something llike this.
" man proposes nad God Disposes"
Meaning we are to propose whatever we are to do to him and go for it,Then He will let you know if you are right about it.
Pretty much is in line with what the Jewish life is, We believe we are sons of the most High and all things are here for us, we believe strongly in the blessings of our God.
So nothing we do which is holy and for our benefit can go wrong, if it does go wrong then something we are doing has robbed the blessing, or we did it outside the Law Of God and have harm someone else, this is Just a Jewish Tradition but it is based on the Torah teachings.
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
I've learned the more we listen to Him the more we can distinguish His voice (John 10:27).
Exactly, and we listen to Him by staying in His word, praying, . . .communing with Him. A personal relationship with God . . .to the point that you know His voice.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
How do you know if its God or you?
