'An Independent Baptist Church'

Finding Clear Guidance

Text - Psalms 143:8

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Bible Principles to be sure you are making the right decisions in the Big Questions in life we all face

1. PRAY AND ASK GOD’S GUIDANCE IN THE MATTER

  (James 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1 Thess. 5:17 says to pray without ceasing.  If I had a big decision to make, I would keep on praying off and on day after day until God gave me clear leading in the matter.  I would ask God to not let me make a wrong decision.  I would pray until I was sure I knew what God wanted me to do!

2. CLEAR THE PATHWAY

    (A) CONFESS ANY SINS

  (Psalms 66:18)  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

  (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

    (B)  I MUST SET MY DESIRES ASIDE

3. BE ALERT TO PRESSURE - DON’T BE PRESSURED!

     (A) Exterior Pressure – from other people (their advice!)

                                        - what others expect – go to college?

                                        - peer pressure

                                        - circumstances – time Running out

     (B) Interior Pressure – Fears, anxieties, worries, financial,

(I better marry…I’ll be old maid…etc)

I’m not even sure I love this person, but…..

I’m afraid to take this job…I can’t support a family with its salary…

4. HAVE PATIENCE – REFUSE TO JUMP AHEAD OF GOD!

But this is so difficult!   You and I are so impatient!   IF I want something, I want it NOW…..do you?

Most people make their big mistakes when they jump ahead of the Lord!

    (Psalms 25:3-12) Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 9  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.10  All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 12  What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.13  His soul shall dwell at ease;

 You won’t be ashamed if you wait on                                     God…He will guide the humble.  If you and I are proud and arrogant, He will not guide us!  But if we are humbly dependent upon the Lord, He will guide us!

But Pastor Steve, if we wait to long, we might miss God’s Leading…..????

No, No, NO……God says we will not be ashamed if we wait on Him…..He will close all other options…..all other doors will be closed, and we will have no choice but to go through the one door God has left opened!    This is how God has worked in my life and He will do it for you too!

Ask God to not let you jump ahead and make a wrong     decision!

5. DETERMINE TO WAIT UPON THE LORD!

Make a Commitment…  I am going to wait on the Lord Until He gives me clear leading in this matter!!  I will not make a decision until then….

(Psalms 62:5)  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

(Psalms 40:1-4) I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

4  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

(Psalms 27:14) “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

6. BE OBEDIENT WHILE YOU’RE WAITING

   (Proverbs 3:5,6) So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

   (Matt. 6:33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

   (1 John 3:22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  

Get Busy serving the Lord;  Attend Church faithfully;  Get your tithe to God at His local church; etc.

7. REST IN GOD’S PROMISES

  (Psalms 119:103-105)  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Claim his promises over and over again …… You will God’s peace and confidence that He will guide in this matter in HIS TIME!

8. LOOK TO GOD’S PROMISES FOR STRENGTH.

As time goes on you will need strength!  It takes strength to wait on the Lord.  We will be tempted to get discouraged, but I have found My timing is not always God’s timing…….

  (Isaiah 40:31)  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 You will be tempted to give up or make a bad decision.

9. BE ALERT TO CIRCUMSTANCES….

God will close doors He doesn’t want you to enter and He will open doors He wants you to enter.

  (Psalms 32:8,10)  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

10  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

I have found that God will close doors He doesn’t want you to go through and He will open doors He wants you to go through.  You will have no other choice, I have found, when it is God’s Will and we have waited on Him to guide us.

10. DO NOT MOVE UNTIL YOU HAVE GOD’S PEACE ABOUT THE MATTER THE MATTER.

If no peace….don’t move!  Don’t make any decision is you still have doubts and do not have God’s peace about the matter!!!

(1 Corinthians 14:33)  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,

When the answer is God’s Answer you will know it.

 (Isaiah 30:21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.