Daily Devotional

GOD’S TENDER AND GLORIOUS GUIDANCE

February 7

hild of God, what do you think it means to be guided by the Holy Spirit? Many of my children are afraid that they will make a mistake in following the Lord. Some are very anxious and troubled about this. Remember that the Lord Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and another they will not follow!" (John 10:5) Mistakes are often made by Christians when they are seeking guidance in the Lord's will for when they seek information for direction that is selfish, self-seeking or when their feelings are mixed with fear or doubt. If you really want to know how to follow the Lord's voice here is what you can do as a rule: Say to the Father, "Lord, I ask you that your perfect will be done in this circumstance." Child of God, this will produce several results for you. First, it will give honor to your Father as you make a true offering of the situation to Him. If you get a result or guidance other than your own desired result, believe this, this result coming forth other than your desired one, will lead you to avoid trouble or selfishness. Praise the Father for the otherwise desired result. Your Father in Heaven knows the best direction for you always! Do you believe this? Good, act on it and you will be blessed. Next, remember an excellent fail-proof formula is contained in a "life verse" found in (Proverbs 3:5-7). According to this word you can say, "Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus I believe that you want me to be guided in this decision far more than I want to be guided." Beloved this is true! Your Father wants His will done in your life a thousand times more than you do. He knows that your safety and blessing is realized to its fullest when you are in the center of doing His loving will for you. Always the prayer of the Lord Jesus is best, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done!" (Matthew 6:10) Once you get the request for true guidance from the Holy Spirit out of the realm of your own self-interest and into the realm of "thy will be done," you must then rest in the request. Sometimes there is an uncertainty created in praying to the Father when the praying Christian is persistent because the right answer has not yet come forth. It is much like the child with a "one-track mind." It asks for candy, the answer, "Wait till after supper." It asks again and again and pesters until it gets its way. If that has been a pattern for you, let go and allow the Wisdom of all the ages to flow in your life. Grow up and learn to release your request to your Father, believing that He heard you correctly in the first place. Then praise Him for His answer--- not yours! You are truly loved!

Prayer

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Father, in the name of Jesus I have complicated this thing called "guidance." I ask you to forgive me for hesitancy and fear about following your word. Again Lord, Jesus my Savior said, "My sheep hear my voice . . ." (John 10:5) I do hear your voice” Father, and I will follow you anywhere in Jesus’ name, amen!