Reaching Forth Ministries

GOING WITH THE GUIDANCE OF GOD

By Pastor Rafik Daudjee.

TEXT: Isa 30:1.2 , 9-21

God wants his people to seek his guidance before making changing decisions of Life.  The Lord is concerned that we do not inquire of him. There is always a great temptation today to go for quick answers and  settle for easy guidance available in the world today ( e.g.; Internet !). Christians must always be guided by principles that God has given otherwise we are bound to take a wrong direction in life.

 The text we read shows that God is  concerned that his children carry out plans that are not his and not by his Spirit.

Isa 30:1   "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; (NIV)

“Obstinate” means “Rebellious”

The Psalmist Cries out 

Ps 25:5   Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)

Five ways God can guide you

1. God guides you through HIS WORD

Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.(NIV)

A man started out through a forest so thickly covered with trees that one day he could not see the sun or sky . After traveling for a long time he knew it was getting night time, so started for what he thought was home . He was so certain that his direction was right for what he thought he was home . he was so certain that his direction was right but he did not look at his compass. But when did look at it, he was surprised to find out that he was going west when he thought he was going east. He was so sure he was right that he started to ignore the compass. Then he thought” you have never told me untruth and I’ll trust you now”. He followed the compass and come out right.

We too have compass , The Bible is a compass and will never tell untruth. It is God’s word and If we will follow it we will be safe . Even if we think we are right, if it shows us a different direction to follow and we obey what it says we will always be safe.  

Prov 14:12    There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Prov 19:21   Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Prov 16:9    In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

When studying the Bible for Guidance NEVER base your guidance on one scripture that you read in brisk of time.  But study the whole counsel of God in the word of God. Some can open the Bible to Matt 27:5 and "hang" themselves.  Or in  Joshua 6:3, 4 - some will "walk" 7 times around the house to get a certain house or plot. Well that commandment was for Joshua only.  Or when one is Sick , they refuse to go to doctors, they think its not for us to go to doctors as it is not faith - no those who refuse to go and see the doctor , its their faith that has a problem, they have not read the Bible for guidance correctly as there are many places in the Bible where men of God used medicines !!

Timothy was told to drink a little wine for his illnesses. 1 Tim 5:23.  Hezekiah in used a poulitice over his boil and was healed.  2 Kings 20:1-7.  The woman who suffered with bleeding for 15 years  was kept alive by doctors  in her sufferings until she found the Lord.

2. God guides us through the Saints of God

Today all of us have been given the Holy Spirit . God can use all Christians to help others guide . But make sure they are matured, spirit filled, those that you know walk close to the Lord . Go even to those we know they will say " no" to our decisions . Listen to them . Be careful NOT to consult ONLY those who will be biased and always agree with you .

An example in the Bible of a king who didn’t like a “ No” for an answer –

 1 Kings 22:3-25

The King of Israel and Jehoshaphat allied themselves to go to war against Ramoth Gilead . But Jehoshaphat told the King of Israel .: “First seek the counsel of the Lord” They brought in 400 prophets who said “ go” to war. But Jehoshaphat wanted a “prophet of the Lord here whom they could inquire” and thus Miciah was brought who gave gave the true prophecy and true guidance telling the king not to go to war , which the king did not listen and it led to loosing the war and his death.

True  Prophets of God ( or saints , elders, pastors, )  in the church who walk close to the Lord can guide us .( some are false prophets – so beware of them! )

 Advisers needed in the church .

Prov 15:22

22         Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

(NIV)

Godly Parents guide  the children

Eph 6:1-3

1          Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2          "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise--

3          "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

(NIV)

Children must never, never underestimate the judgment of their parents who are   IN THE LORD

Prov 1:8

8          Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

(NIV)

 3. The Guidance of Circumstance

God is always in control of all events . Sometime HE opens doors but HE also can CLOSE the doors . We can hear from God by looking  at your circumstance . May be its God that has closed that path/ plan  . LET IT GO . 

 The Apostle Paul had doors opened for him

1 Cor 16:9

9          because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

(NIV)

 But sometime the Door was closed and prevented  by the Lord

Acts 16:6-7

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

7          When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

(NIV)

Rom 1:13

13         I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

(NIV)

It might not be God’s timing !

We try to force open the closed circumstances only to our loss … Often God allows circumstances in our life to guide us correctly  into the right path .

Illustration :

2 people tried to escape by hiding in the doulos ship . people hide in baggage area of the planes to their death.

4. The Guidance of common sense – wisdom and Understanding .

Our brains and our mind that God has given us , we did not leave them behind when we entered the kingdom of God . Common Sense is guiding factor . Wisdom is simply doing the right thinking  ( knowledge ) in the right direction .

Can you  imagine considering marriage, or choosing Universities , or jobs without using your common sense?  Marrying someone blindly without asking some basic questions – are we spiritually compatible, personally compatible and physically compatible?

God expects us to think . His guidance may transcend human reasoning but it never excludes it. God doesn’t by pass our mind: he operates through it.

1 Cor 14:20

20         Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

Phil 4:8

8          Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.

God wants us to get wisdom and understanding as we seek his guidance and he will guard our course and protect our ways .

Prov 2:2-9

2          turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

3          and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

4          and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5          then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

6          For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7          He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8          for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9          Then you will understand what is right and just and fair-- every good path.

(NIV)

 5. The Guidance of the Holy Spirit

God came into our life . Jesus .  by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the wind of God that blows to take us to the place and path we need to be . Like the Pillar of cloud he guides us . He is third person of the Trinity .

Biblically The Holy Spirit never guides us by feelings , going by the feelings can lead us definitely in the wrong direction . The Holy Spirit can give us feelings of His presence . That is His glory and for His own supernatural purpose of empowerment some will feel a tangible presence . But when he is guiding you  The Holy Spirit  SPEAKS – as clearly as the Lord speaking . He will guide you by words . Into our hearts directly . And you will hear him saying

Isa 30:21

21         Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

(NIV)

God the Holy Spirit may use visions , dreams , prophets , the word of The Lord as you read the Bible but in all these guidance he will clearly speak to your heart . There will no doubt when he speaks. IT will be as clear as a person speaking to you and you will not make any mistakes .If you don’t hear once he will repeat . Until you have heard from him .

Acts 13:1-3

1          In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

2          While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

3          So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

(NIV)

Even after the Holy said – they continued fasting , praying and with the blessings of the elders they were sent. But they had heard the HOLY SPIRIT .

The story of missions in the modern times tells of missionaries whose plans have been changed by the Holy Spirit. Judson wanted to go to India , but his course was changed and he went to Burma. David Livingstone planned to go to China, but God led him to Africa to be its missionary statesman . general and explorer. Alexander McKay prepared to go to Madagascar, but was directed to Uganda and founded one of the most remarkable missions on the world . William Carey proposed to go to the South Sea but was guided divinely to India , to give to their native tongue to its teeming millions . God asked me to leave My church City Christian Centre so that I could do crusades all over Tanzania but after I resigned , I sat in the church as layman for six months until one day God divinely spoke me and my wife with an audible voice of planting a church amongst the Indians and here we are ANBC  after 10 years God having blessed hundreds . 

CHECK OUT – ask yourself these questions .   

1. Did I consult an unbeliever for my decisions ? Did I consult am immatured person? Did I consult some other powers ( false prophecies ) ? ( 1 Chronicles 10:13-14)
2. Did I base my decisions on some past experiences? The stars? My lucky number? My ,lucky letters, some signs in the sky?  horoscope? Idol ? fetish?  some “give luck” talisman .
3. Did I  consult an elder or the pastor or  parents.
4. Have I considered my circumstances?
5. Have I heard from the Holy Spirit?
6. Did I wait upon the Lord ( meditating on his word )

AS WE SURRENDER OUR LIFE TO GOD COMPLETELY AND WALK IN HIS WILL HE ALWAYS LEAD YOU INTO HIS PERFECT WILL ..

Ps 23:1-3

The LORD is my shepherd…

He makes me lie down … he leads me … He guides me …

for his name's sake.

AMEN AND AMEN !!!!!!!!!

Pastor Jaren , president of Phillipino-American fellowship USA and team of pastors at Celebration Christian Fellowship

My Grand point in preaching is to break a hard heart and to heal the broken hearted- John Newton