WAY II
Which way to go ? - Part II
This article is based on an advice given to me by Pastor Abraham Varghese of Bethel Bangalore Church (http://www.bethelagindia.org/)
You have many options before you, many roads to walk. Which one to take? How to prove the will of God? How do you know the way which will lead you to blessings, so that you may look back and say that God had blessed you?
Since the ancient times ships wanting to enter a quay, position themselves, using three posts erected in the water. When all the three posts come in one line, the ship's captain knows that he is in the right track and enters the quay safely.
Similarly there are three keys to know the will of God. It is most important that all the three keys give you the same answer.
Key 1 - 'Word of God':
You may know the will of God through revelation. Sometimes God might reveal a verse from the Bible, sometimes someone might prophesy to you. Sometimes the preachers message might strike you as if it is from God. Dreams and visions may reveal to you the will of God. We need to be careful as not all dreams, visions, thoughts and prophecies are from God. Also note that no true revelation will ever contradict the written word of God (the Holy Bible).
Key 2 - Peace:
Let the peace of God judge (rule) in your hearts. When you pray in the spirit for a long time and a particular decision or a way may give you peace in your heart, then you could assume that decision is as per God's will. We need to be careful as the heart is very deceitful and if you heart longs strongly for something against God's will then it is difficult for you to have joy in your heart in any other way.
Key 3 - Circumstance:
On many occasions God Almighty puts obstacles in the way of His children when they move in the wrong direction. When you are in the right direction then every thing falls in its place. Your journey will become smooth and easy. We have to be careful since devil can also try to put obstacles in the way you choose though it may be God's will for you.
In short if all three point in the same direction then you can be almost sure that it is the direction in which God wants you to move. If not then you need to rethink again.
In practice there are many instances when only a very strong conviction and faith in the possible direction which God wants you to take remains. If this conviction is not due to selfish reasons but for God then it is better to follow that conviction in faith. Even if that is not the right way God will change everything for your good if your are loved by God and are among His chosen ones. If you are not in that group then it does not matter anyway.
Read the article 'Way Part I' in this website for another insight to know the will of God.
You have many options before you, many roads to walk. Which one to take? How to prove the will of God? How do you know the way which will lead you to blessings, so that you may look back and say that God had blessed you?
Since the ancient times ships wanting to enter a quay, position themselves, using three posts erected in the water. When all the three posts come in one line, the ship's captain knows that he is in the right track and enters the quay safely.
Similarly there are three keys to know the will of God. It is most important that all the three keys give you the same answer.
Key 1 - 'Word of God':
You may know the will of God through revelation. Sometimes God might reveal a verse from the Bible, sometimes someone might prophesy to you. Sometimes the preachers message might strike you as if it is from God. Dreams and visions may reveal to you the will of God. We need to be careful as not all dreams, visions, thoughts and prophecies are from God. Also note that no true revelation will ever contradict the written word of God (the Holy Bible).
Key 2 - Peace:
Let the peace of God judge (rule) in your hearts. When you pray in the spirit for a long time and a particular decision or a way may give you peace in your heart, then you could assume that decision is as per God's will. We need to be careful as the heart is very deceitful and if you heart longs strongly for something against God's will then it is difficult for you to have joy in your heart in any other way.
Key 3 - Circumstance:
On many occasions God Almighty puts obstacles in the way of His children when they move in the wrong direction. When you are in the right direction then every thing falls in its place. Your journey will become smooth and easy. We have to be careful since devil can also try to put obstacles in the way you choose though it may be God's will for you.
In short if all three point in the same direction then you can be almost sure that it is the direction in which God wants you to move. If not then you need to rethink again.
In practice there are many instances when only a very strong conviction and faith in the possible direction which God wants you to take remains. If this conviction is not due to selfish reasons but for God then it is better to follow that conviction in faith. Even if that is not the right way God will change everything for your good if your are loved by God and are among His chosen ones. If you are not in that group then it does not matter anyway.
Read the article 'Way Part I' in this website for another insight to know the will of God.