Is this REALLY a message from God??

[inhisimage73]

Part of our Christian walk, is to use the Bible to find answers and messages from the Lord...how do you disern what is truly from the Lord and what is of my own imagination? You know...you want something so badly that you think it's from the Lord, but it's really just your own making, justifying it because you found the answer in scripture, but it's not real. I'm having a hard time explaining my question :confused: Anybody else have this problem?

[holo]

Train your senses up by using them. For example, decide to go with your gut feeling. If it turns out to be wrong, then you know that either
a) you shouldn't follow your gut feeling, or
b) you don't know your gut well enough.

Or decide it by using only logic, for example. Try it out, exercise, test it. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord, even if you screw it up completely. So you have his backing no matter what.

And remember that there's the possibility that God actually wants you to decide things for yourself instead of being dictated by neither God nor man.

[andross77]

It's a little hard to understand your question. Are you talking about if you want to buy another property or another car and you look to "The Prayer of Jabez" (1 Chron. 4:9-10) to justify it?

I do think the answer to your question is simply, it comes with maturity. We all start out as babies in our Christian walks (my current self included) and as we read the Word, meet new people, form new relationships, experience life, etc, we grow and mature (hopefully closer to Christ). Then it is easier to "discern the spirits"; whether the advice is coming from the Holy Spirit or Satan.

A verse that is applicable here is Matt. 6:33. We MUST at some point (hopefully sooner, rather than later) start to seek his kingdom first. It must be our greatest desire and passion. And we can live out that passion in a variety of ways, but it takes a very mature Christian to get to that point.

In doing this, we will align our will with God's and so his desires will become our desires. At that point, we can follow the command of Christ to "ask anything in my name and i will do it for you". This is not a license to ask for a car or $100,000 or a better job, but rather telling you how powerful prayer is and a relationship with the Creator.

Hope this helps you out a bit. Keep on seekin' :prayer: (Luke 11:10)

[HisLilyWhitePrincess]

It can be really hard to discern the differences. It's a process of learning that takes time. By spending time in the word, and praying, and listening for God's voice, this can help. Another thing is to actually allow yourself to listen because if you think He is going to say something you don't want Him to you usually tune him out and make yourself say what you want to hear.

[inhisimage73]

It can be really hard to discern the differences. It's a process of learning that takes time. By spending time in the word, and praying, and listening for God's voice, this can help. Another thing is to actually allow yourself to listen because if you think He is going to say something you don't want Him to you usually tune him out and make yourself say what you want to hear.
Yeah, that's exactly what I meant! But what if the answer you were hoping for jumps off the page...should I trust that it was God?

[PaladinGirl]

If its not in line with God's word then its not of God.

[inhisimage73]

It's a little hard to understand your question. Are you talking about if you want to buy another property or another car and you look to "The Prayer of Jabez" (1 Chron. 4:9-10) to justify it? No, I'm not talking about this...it's more about choosing relationships, and allowing certain people into my life.

I do think the answer to your question is simply, it comes with maturity. We all start out as babies in our Christian walks (my current self included) and as we read the Word, meet new people, form new relationships, experience life, etc, we grow and mature (hopefully closer to Christ). Then it is easier to "discern the spirits"; whether the advice is coming from the Holy Spirit or Satan.
This is where I am having difficulty...I have in the past trusted what I found in the Word as an answer, but it didn't turn out the way I thought it was suppose to. So now I'm scratching my head and not real sure if the message, as it popped off the page, was what I wanted to hear, or if it was Truly from God.


In doing this, we will align our will with God's and so his desires will become our desires. At that point, we can follow the command of Christ to "ask anything in my name and i will do it for you". This is not a license to ask for a car or $100,000 or a better job, but rather telling you how powerful prayer is and a relationship with the Creator.

Hope this helps you out a bit. Keep on seekin' :prayer: (Luke 11:10)

This does help thank you! I know that it is not His will or mine to spend $100,000 on a new car...that's not good financial stewardship! :)

[holo]

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant! But what if the answer you were hoping for jumps off the page...should I trust that it was God?There's only one way to find out. Do it.

[LittleladyinChrist]

There's only one way to find out. Do it.
Halo I find your advice is the worst possible.

I was thinking of an answer for this nice lady, and was going to say that Christians usually dont wait on the Lord they just go ahead and do it, whatever feels good right? But I find it imparative to wait on the Lord, he will lead you , it is by faith. We dont go on feelings and GOd directs our paths right.

[bithiah2]

Part of our Christian walk, is to use the Bible to find answers and messages from the Lord...how do you disern what is truly from the Lord and what is of my own imagination? You know...you want something so badly that you think it's from the Lord, but it's really just your own making, justifying it because you found the answer in scripture, but it's not real. I'm having a hard time explaining my question :confused: Anybody else have this problem?
i believe it all depends on the condition of our heart, and our willingness to follow the Lord. sometimes we just don't know. it is true that God will not tell us anything that is not in the Bible (rightly divided) but at other times we need to pray and ask for wisdom (james 1:5 i believe), other times, we need to seek out Godly counsel and ask those who know, like the Pastor. if he is a true man of God, he can help us to sort out some of these things, especially when we are stuck.
blessings
bithiah2

[holo]

Halo I find your advice is the worst possible.

I was thinking of an answer for this nice lady, and was going to say that Christians usually dont wait on the Lord they just go ahead and do it, whatever feels good right? But I find it imparative to wait on the Lord, he will lead you , it is by faith. We dont go on feelings and GOd directs our paths right.But apparently this lady is already "waiting on the Lord" while still being at a loss about what to do.

She sees some sign, and ask "is it from God, is it from me?" - like we all tend to do. But if God wants to tell her exactly what to do, why doesn't he speak clearly? Why does he mumble?

The fact is, I think God doesn't tend to speak in that way at all. He gave us the gifts of reason, Spirit, emotion etc. but we refuse to use them. We're horrified of taking chances.

I've been sitting on my butt "waiting for God" too many times. In retrospect, it was all about fear and not wanting to be held responsible for what I did.

Go ahead. The Lord will guide and protect you as you walk. Get out of your spiritual wheelchair :)

[Nadiine]

Originally Posted by holo http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=32520355#post32520355)
There's only one way to find out. Do it.
Halo I find your advice is the worst possible.

I was thinking of an answer for this nice lady, and was going to say that Christians usually dont wait on the Lord they just go ahead and do it, whatever feels good right? But I find it imparative to wait on the Lord, he will lead you , it is by faith. We dont go on feelings and GOd directs our paths right.
I'll agree w/ LittleladyinChrist on that one... sorry halo - not picking on you, but yikeeeeeeeeze. :eek: :doh:

Just DO IT despite NOT hearing from God to do so? NOT hearing from God doesn't mean DO IT, does it?

I can't say I'm the expert, but my husband and I are self employed and over the past 2.5 years we've been heavily tested in this area of waiting on the Lord/hearing from the Lord.
I can promise you that if we would have just "DONE IT" in just 2 of the business offers that rose up for him, we'd be dead broke and in bankruptcy right now. That's no exhaggeration!
The deals looked GREAT, but they took $ to invest in them...
Worse, we would have missed out on the BEST venture that God did send!
By waiting, even to the point of financial distress for us, God at the last moment brought him the most profitable deal we could have imagined with a long-term future, which my husband was most qualified to do & LOVES it.

I don't advise just doing something if God doesnt' open that door directly, kicking it down on your own will cause you trouble. There's reasons God doesn't open doors & closes others.

I advise to keep waiting, praying that God open & close doors and give you concise leading. Ask what might be hindering His answer... if there's something you need to do or learn.
Worse case, do something 'minor' if you're forced into making a move of some sort... God does lead us and He's RARELY EARLY! (im experience)

[fifi]

Part of our Christian walk, is to use the Bible to find answers and messages from the Lord...how do you disern what is truly from the Lord and what is of my own imagination? You know...you want something so badly that you think it's from the Lord, but it's really just your own making, justifying it because you found the answer in scripture, but it's not real. I'm having a hard time explaining my question :confused: Anybody else have this problem?

the only way is to seek God and let the word that you read be just that not anything elc nothing added are taken from but as you study then God will make shure that you understand he might send someone your way to help you understand are he might give it to you in a dream. But if you listen with your heart not with your head then he will speak to you.:)

[holo]

[/I]

I'll agree w/ LittleladyinChrist on that one... sorry halo - not picking on you, but yikeeeeeeeeze. :eek: :doh:

Just DO IT despite NOT hearing from God to do so? NOT hearing from God doesn't mean DO IT, does it?Well, or "DON'T do it."

That's also a way to find out. My point is, if you have absolutetly no idea what God wants you to do, is it really better to just sit there and wait?

And where do we get this idea that God wants to control your every little decision 24/7? Sure, God opens and closes doors, and he uses little details, but come on. The worst case I heard of, was this lady who would spend hours praying over which sweater to wear - because maybe somebody had prayed to God and said "if I meet a lady with a red sweater today, I will believe" - and she didn't want to go against God's will!

It's good that you and your hubby have learned when and how to wait on the Lord. But the only way you could learn this was by experience. And I'm not so sure that you'd be bankrupt now if you'd chosen otherwise at this or that time - because it wasn't your widsom that got you the money, it was God's work. :)

You will never learn to walk by sitting still.

[Nadiine]

Well, or "DON'T do it."

That's also a way to find out. My point is, if you have absolutetly no idea what God wants you to do, is it really better to just sit there and wait?

And where do we get this idea that God wants to control your every little decision 24/7? Sure, God opens and closes doors, and he uses little details, but come on. The worst case I heard of, was this lady who would spend hours praying over which sweater to wear - because maybe somebody had prayed to God and said "if I meet a lady with a red sweater today, I will believe" - and she didn't want to go against God's will!

It's good that you and your hubby have learned when and how to wait on the Lord. But the only way you could learn this was by experience. And I'm not so sure that you'd be bankrupt now if you'd chosen otherwise at this or that time - because it wasn't your widsom that got you the money, it was God's work. :)

You will never learn to walk by sitting still.
"Be STILL and know that I am God". Ps. 46:10.

As I said, Waiting on the Lord is what kept us from 2 bad business ventures and waiting even longer brought him the perfect venture.
God never said waiting is easy or fun. Just that He will lead.
He is capable of reaching us & giving us answers when it's time imo. That's been our experience.
Ask, seek, knock. :angel: (then wait).

But, the OP can do what she feels led to. I can only speak for myself in my situation & what i believe scripture says. :wave:

[holo]

"Be STILL and know that I am God". Ps. 46:10.Good point!

/me thinks aloud:

Maybe "being still" sometimes means that we rest not only in body, but in mind - as in, stop trying to figure out the exact correct biblical godly way to do every little thing. Just... live. Walk. Go. Do.

I don't like making decisions myself, but I feel that the Lord has been urging me to do just that. I used to think that he was supposed to decide everything, but it seems he wants ME to make a decision or two. And often, I simply don't know what the best solution is. And God seems silent. But still, I have to make a decision. I just don't think that's a problem :)

[inhisimage73]

Wow, this has been a very interesting debate! I will give you all some information to help clear up my question....

I was romantically involved with a man who claimed to be an atheist (I never once believed this). I felt led to get involved with this man to SHOW him the love of God, because speaking about Him would have shut his heart completely. We fell in love, but I walked away a year and a half later, leaving him in the Lord's hands. He has since made his peace with God, and has become a new creation...a Christian! We are still very much in love with each other, he wants to restart our relationship, but I am unsure. I was watching an online message thru my church...and I was not seeking any word from the Lord about this situation, when my pastor began reading the letter Paul had written to Philemon about Philemon's slave Onesimus. These words jumped out at me....

Philemon 1:12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. (His name is David by the way...which means beloved in Hebrew...King David who was after God's own heart....coincidence?)

Philemon 1:15-16 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Now, did these words jump out at me because it's something I want, or is it the Lord telling me that He sent him back to me, and that he is mine again for good? We both know that it took me leaving the relationship for him to open his eyes to the Lord...there is no doubt about that.

[LittleladyinChrist]

This is not something I would jump into too quickly, why not try to be friends, did God tell you that this was going to be your husband? For me, I would not jump back into relationship with him right away, I would go to church with him, hang out. He is a new creature and I wouldnt want to hinder his growth at an early stage. Wait on God, he will give you clear direction, this will be a test for him as well to learn to wait on God. God said,

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.