2023-03-04
Revelation 3:7 CEV
Here are two more ways to know God’s will for your life: (1) Providential circumstances. When God is leading, the way will open up for you. When He sends you, He goes before you (See John 10:4). His Word says, “When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it.” Who opens the right doors? God. Who closes the wrong doors? God. The right doors lead to blessing, but the wrong doors lead to pain and loss. Plus, nothing but unbelief can keep a door closed once God commands it to open. The only help God needs from you is: “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you” (Exodus 14:13 NAS).
(2) Inner “traffic lights.” The old-timers in the faith would say, “I always watch for the ‘checks’ in my spirit!” You’re a new creature with a new spiritual nature that’s “alive unto God,” equipped to sense God moving within you (See Romans 6:11). And while the counsel of wise and mature Christians can help, the last word must be spoken in your own heart. “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). If your will is surrendered to God, He is at work in you directing your will and behaviors. Believe it, because He declares it! He will give you the “red light” when He wants you to stop, and the “green light” when He wants you to go. Don’t go on red! Don’t stop on green!
Soul food: Exo 19-21; Luke 13:1-17; Ps 77; Prov 6:29
Openbaring 3:7 DB
Hier is nog twee maniere om God se wil vir jou lewe te ken: 1) Voorsienende omstandighede. Wanneer God leiding neem, sal die pad vir jou oopgaan. Wanneer Hy jou stuur, gaan Hy voor jou uit (sien Johannes 10:4). Sy Woord sê: ‘…Waar Hy toesluit, kan niemand oopmaak nie en waar Hy oopsluit, kan niemand toemaak nie.’ Wie sluit die regte deure oop? God. Wie sluit die verkeerde deure toe? God. Die regte deure kan tot seën lei, maar die verkeerde deure lei tot pyn en verlies. Niks behalwe ongeloof kan ‘n deur toehou wanneer God dit beveel om oop te maak nie. Die enigste hulp wat God van jou wil hê, is as volg: ‘…Moenie bang wees nie. Staan net daar waar julle is en kyk hoe die Here julle vandag red…’ (Eksodus 14:13 NLV).
2) Innerlike ‘verkeersligte.’ Jy is ‘n nuwe skepping met ‘n nuwe geestelike aard wat lewendig in God is, toegerus om aan te voel wanneer God in jou beweeg (sien Romeine 6:11 NLV). Die raad van wyse en volwasse Christene kan help, maar die laaste woord moet in jou eie hart gespreek word. ‘Dis mos God wat julle gewillig maak… en Hy gee julle ook die vermoë om dit te kán doen!’ (Filippense 2:13 NLV). As jou wil aan God oorgegee is, is Hy besig om te werk om jou wil en gedrag te rig. Glo dit, want Hy verklaar dit so! Hy sal vir jou die ‘rooi lig’ gee wanneer Hy wil hê jy moet stop en die ‘groen lig’ wanneer Hy wil hê jy moet voortgaan. Moenie op rooi beweeg nie! Moenie op groen stop nie!
Sielskos: Eks 18-21; Luk 13:1-17; Ps 77; Spr 6:29
2023-03-03
Johannes 16:13 NLV
Doen altyd die volgende twee dinge: 1) Erken God se Woord as die finale gesag rakende sy wil (sien Jesaja 8:20). Die Bybel praat duidelik oor die lewe se belangrike kwessies. Elke ander bron van leiding moet daarmee saamstem. Jy het ook nie ‘n teologiese graad nodig nie; laat God net toe om deur sy Woord met jou te praat voor jy enigiemand anders se opinie opsoek.
Dis byvoorbeeld onaanvaarbaar om ‘n leuen te vertel, want God sê: ‘…Moenie lieg nie’ (Levitikus 19:11 NLV). Soortgelyk, is dit verkeerd om ‘n buite-egtelike verhouding aan te knoop, want die Bybel sê duidelik: ‘Moenie egbreuk pleeg nie’ (Eksodus 20:14 NLV). Punt. Geen ander opinie is nodig wanneer God se Woord duidelik is nie.
‘n Woord van waarskuwing egter: Wanneer jy geïsoleerde Bybelverse uitkies, lei dit tot verwarring, nie duidelikheid nie. Byvoorbeeld: ‘…Alles is immers julle s’n’ (1 Korintiërs 3:21 NLV), is nie toestemming om te neem wat jy wil nie! Wat as jy egter die Bybel deursoek en nie beginsels vind om jou kwessie aan te spreek nie?
Oorweeg dan die volgende stap: 2) Erken die innerlike indrukke van die Heilige Gees. Hoe kan jy weet dat jou indrukke van die Heilige Gees af kom? Deur die wete dat jy jou wil ten op sigte van die kwessie ten volle aan God onderwerp het. Jou ‘indrukke’ moet ook nie in teenstelling met ander Bybelse beginsels wees nie. Hier is die Heilige Gees se opdrag: ‘Wanneer Hy ook al kom, die Gees van die waarheid, sal Hy julle begelei in die volle waarheid… Hy sal die dinge wat gaan kom, aan julle meedeel’ (Johannes 16:13 NLV). Moenie haastig wees nie. As dit van God se Gees af kom, sal dit met tyd en gebed sterker en duideliker word. Indien nie, sal dit verdwyn. Wag dus in gebed!
Sielskos: Eks 16-18; Luk 12:49-59; Ps 70; Spr 6:26-28
John 16:13 NKJV
Always do these two things: (1) Recognize God’s Word as the final authority for deciding God’s will (See Isaiah 8:20). The Bible speaks clearly on life’s important issues. Every other source of guidance must agree with it. And you don’t need a theological degree; just let God speak to you through His Word before seeking anybody else’s opinion. For example, to tell a lie is unacceptable because God insists, “You shall not… lie” (Leviticus 19:11 NKJV). Likewise, having an extramarital affair is wrong because the Bible clearly says, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14 NKJV). End of discussion. No other opinion is needed when God’s Word is clear.
But a word of caution: The Bible is a book of principles, not a multiple-choice do-it-yourself manual. Picking isolated Scriptures leads to confusion, not clarity. For instance, “all things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21 NKJV) isn’t permission to choose whatever you want! Principles are established as Scripture is supported by Scripture. But what if you search the Bible without finding principles that settle your issue? Consider the following step.
(2) Recognize the inner impressions of the Holy Spirit. How can you know your impressions are from the Holy Spirit? By knowing you have fully submitted your will in the matter to God. Your “impressions” must not contradict other biblical principles. Here is the Holy Spirit’s assignment: “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… he will show you things to come” (John 16:13 KJV).
Don’t be in a hurry. If it’s from God’s Spirit, it will become stronger and clearer with time and prayer. If not, it will dissipate. So wait prayerfully!
Soul food: Exo 16-18; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 70; Prov 6:26-28
2023-03-02
Philippians 2:13 NIV
Remember the childhood game Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Winning in that game was “a-stab-in-the-dark” process. And for many of God’s children, determining His will and purpose for their lives amounts to a similar method. But it doesn’t have to. Here are some scriptural steps that take the guesswork out of it.
(1) Commit yourself to obeying God’s will. Understanding God’s will is impossible until you commit yourself unreservedly to doing it. Any desire to retain your own will blinds you to His. You don’t need a detailed map; it’s a journey of faith. Be confident that God loves you and wants only the best for you, and that when you submit yourself to Him, “You will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect” (Romans 12:2 NCV).
(2) Listen for the Shepherd’s voice and trust it. Jesus doesn’t leave you alone to figure out His will for your life. He is our Good Shepherd, and His “sheep recognize his voice… He… leads them… and they follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 NLT). Note the words, “recognize his voice.” With time and experience, you will learn to know when God is speaking to you.
Like Abraham who submitted to God’s will without knowing where he would be led, you’re called to surrender your will without knowing where He will lead you. God promises wisdom, insight, and understanding – not to the spiritually smart, but to any person who lacks wisdom (See James 1:5-6). So believe that His wisdom is yours!
Soul food: Exo 13-15; Luke 12:35-48; Ps 66:13-20; Prov 6:23-25
