Hello, question... how does one know if God is directing us to do something? I don't mean the "open doors/closed doors" analogy (or perhaps that's just one method?). Just... how does one know?
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Knowing God's Will
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Well, there are a variety of ways God can make His will known - the main thing is to make sure that what you think is from God is coherent with Scripture. If not, it ain't God, it's you... or you-know-who."He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
"Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman
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Originally posted by oopsies View PostHello, question... how does one know if God is directing us to do something? I don't mean the "open doors/closed doors" analogy (or perhaps that's just one method?). Just... how does one know?
Read His word - do the things He says to do, and don't do the things He says not to do.
1) Know that you're saved - if you don't know that, that's the first thing
2) Follow Him in Baptism, if you haven't already - that's obedience
c) Be faithful in your witness
After you have those boxes checked, I think you're in a good position to say "OK, Lord, what's next?"The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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I love the 4 points of the Welsh Revival (1900-1904) with regards to being in God's will....
Right any wrong done to man
Put away any doubtful habit
Confess Christ openly
Obey the Spirit promptly
I think the amazing thing about this 'formula' is that these are things that happen OUT OF (or because of) Revival --- so why not do them to INVITE Revival.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by oopsies View PostHello, question... how does one know if God is directing us to do something? I don't mean the "open doors/closed doors" analogy (or perhaps that's just one method?). Just... how does one know?Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s
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Originally posted by oopsies View PostJust... how does one know?
But the important thing here is that you have to be able to listen, which means immersing yourself in the Bible and praying. It's a way of clearing the clutter out of your head so you can focus on God.Some may call me foolish, and some may call me odd
But I'd rather be a fool in the eyes of man
Than a fool in the eyes of God
From "Fools Gold" by Petra
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"Love, and do what you will" (St. Augustine)
God is concerned more with our motives than with our actions, per se. If our motive is love, love for God and love for our neighbor, then our actions will come around.
Blessings,
Lee"What I pray of you is, to keep your eye upon Him, for that is everything. Do you say, 'How am I to keep my eye on Him?' I reply, keep your eye off everything else, and you will soon see Him. All depends on the eye of faith being kept on Him. How simple it is!" (J.B. Stoney)
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Lots of great suggestions. Thanks to everyone for the replies!
This one brings me to another worry/concern (?):
"That week, she happened to hear three different pastors preach about the Good Samaritan, which she accepted as a pretty definitive sign that the idea really was from God."
I grew up being taught that this is a dangerous thing to do. That is, to sort of randomly "see" the answer when it might not be. You know what I mean? How do I distinguish this from personal desires?
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Originally posted by oopsies View PostLots of great suggestions. Thanks to everyone for the replies!
This one brings me to another worry/concern (?):
"That week, she happened to hear three different pastors preach about the Good Samaritan, which she accepted as a pretty definitive sign that the idea really was from God."
I grew up being taught that this is a dangerous thing to do. That is, to sort of randomly "see" the answer when it might not be. You know what I mean? How do I distinguish this from personal desires?
But anyway, my friend's story is a little more complicated than what I've described here. It wasn't even necessarily an idea she wanted to pursue, and she would have been perfectly content with not doing it, but the idea was there, so prayed and asked God for confirmation.Some may call me foolish, and some may call me odd
But I'd rather be a fool in the eyes of man
Than a fool in the eyes of God
From "Fools Gold" by Petra
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Originally posted by oopsies View PostLots of great suggestions. Thanks to everyone for the replies!
This one brings me to another worry/concern (?):
"That week, she happened to hear three different pastors preach about the Good Samaritan, which she accepted as a pretty definitive sign that the idea really was from God."
I grew up being taught that this is a dangerous thing to do. That is, to sort of randomly "see" the answer when it might not be. You know what I mean? How do I distinguish this from personal desires?
He has, numerous times!The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Mountain Man View PostThis sounds like the old "Is it an answer to prayer, or is it a coincidence?" question. As my mom once said, God doesn't deal in coincidences.
Sure enough, after only SEVEN trips driving around the block, there was a parking spot open right at the front door!The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostThe lady had been on a diet for weeks, and was doing good, but she was passing the donut shop on her way to the drug store. She REALLY wanted a donut. So she prayed. "Lord, if you want me to have a donut, then let there be a parking space right at the front door - that will be the sign".
Sure enough, after only SEVEN trips driving around the block, there was a parking spot open right at the front door!
I usually find myself knowing it's God when it is something I DON'T want to do, but I know I should. My conscience won't let me be. And Romans 2 talks about that, how God uses our conscience to let us know right from wrong.
If it is something I want to do, I usually figure it is just me wanting it, and then I will see if it is aligned with biblical teachings. If it is, then I do it.
....If not, then I do the drive around the block 7 times thing.
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I have a fairly severe form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which manifests itself in the form of religious scrupulosity. I actually mostly have it under control for the last few years thanks to help from a good Christian therapist but I used to struggle with being convinced God was telling me to do something completely unreasonable (like turning myself into the police for copying a CD for a friend back in high school, getting rid of all my clothes except for plain shirts, or giving all my money to the poor and becoming homeless). That's why I don't know if I can apply the normal tests of discernment to myself in light of that knowledge."I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill
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