• Environments and experiences matter. They condition our expectation levels for what is healthy and appropriate.

 

How we View God Affects how we Approach God.

Psalm 37:23 (NLT), The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

John 10:27, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

  • The more time we spend with God, the better we hear his voice. The better we obey his voice, the clearer his will becomes.

 

What’s God’s Will?

 

  1. ELIMINATE the distractions.

Luke 5:16, But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

 

2. LISTEN for God’s voice.

Isaiah 30:21, 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.”

 

3. OBEY what God says.

Matthew 7:24, Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

  • Our life becomes solid and stable when we obey God by putting into practice what He says.

 

Signposts on the Road

Acts 20:22-24, 22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

 

  1. The PROMPTING of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 20:22, And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem . . .

  • Compelled = wrapped up with cords, pregnant with a vision.

 

2. Certain UNCERTAINTY.

  • Go and then you’ll know.

Acts 20:22, . . . I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

1 Corinthians 16:5-9, 5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you – for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.  7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

  • Serve along the way, not just when you get there.

2 Corinthians 5:7, We live by faith, not by sight.

 

3. Expect RESISTANCE.

Acts 20:23, I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

1 Thessalonians 2:18, For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan blocked our way.

  • Blocked = cut a ditch in the road; create a detour.

 

4. Focused CLARITY.

Acts 20:24, However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus Christ has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Nehemiah 6:3 (NKJV), So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

  • We are not orphans. We are sons and daughters, loved of God, who live confidently, moving from confusion to clarity, as we learn to hear and follow our Shepherd’s voice.

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