- 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?
- 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.
- 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.