Seeking Direction
by Gail Rodgers
**Are you frustrated about life? Do you have difficulty knowing God’s will? http://retirementwithapurpose.com/chat/share.html
Every one of us will face decisions this year. Some will be small decisions with little consequence while other decisions will have far reaching effects in our lives. Often it is hard to determine the best course of action. God promises to give us wisdom, His wisdom. He simply says:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…”(James 1:15,16).
If you face a decision today and don’t know what to do, ask God for wisdom. Believe He will supply it. As you consider your decision ask God to help you answer these three questions.
1. Does it follow the principles of God’s Word?
Ask yourself questions such as: Would I have to compromise my integrity in any way is I went this direction? Would anyone be deliberately hurt by my decision? How would this impact the balance of my life and my family?
Life Lesson: Biblical perspective on the end times
Experience It: Living in the power of the Holy Spirit
2. Do the circumstances fit together?
Ask yourself if the practical aspects of this decision make sense right now. What are the risks involved if I make this decision? How will this impact the financial aspect of my life? What is the worst thing that could go wrong? Could I live with that result?
3. Do I have peace?
When we think through our decisions, inviting God to impart His wisdom to us, we will get a sense of peace if we are to follow through. Pay attention to what is going on in your spirit. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. He brings clarity, not confusion.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You have promised me a generous amount of Your wisdom. I can’t see the right way to turn right now. I need that wisdom. I ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me. Please help me to think through these steps and to consider all aspects of this decision. Help me to be wise in understanding what steps to take right now. Please help me to be patient and wait if things are not lining up. I look to You to guide me and help me and to give me the wisdom that I need. Thank You for Your love! In Jesus’ name, amen.
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/gail-rodgers/
GAIL
THIS IS A WONDERFUL DEVOTIONAL.JUST THE THOUGHT OF ASKING GOD WHAT TO DO WHEN WE NEED TO MAKE A DECION WOW
CHRIS T.
dear jesus give us your love and kindness i need your strength your love your patiance your kindness today help my daughter guide her feet and mine. and help our minds and help us at all times i love you amen
Do you see the whole devo, or just a part of it? I didn’t get the e-mail yet, but got here from yesterday’s.
I didn’t get the whole devotional either.
God is always sufficient even when we don’t know we need to ask. He prompts us to think about asking. He is all so grand.
I also was missing part of the devotion. It stopped at the part where you are to ask yourself 3 questions and it gave the first one only.
O Lord, did I ever need to hear this. With my new job my faith has been tested ever day! I am not sure some times how to respond, or what to say to those in need. But with the devotion today I know that if I ask God he will answer them for me. I will just be the middle man… Praise God for all he has done with me and is going to do with me!! Thank you Lord!!!
this is so nice!! God Bless U all!! This really helped me see the way to be nearer to God.
Thanks agian
I didn’t get the entire devotional either and I was really looking forward to the rest of it.
I only read one question to ask God, and I would like to know what the other two are. They seem to be most valuable for discernment.
I didn’t recieve the whole devotional. Would love to know the other 2 questions as I am facing a decision that could change my life.
I didn’t receive the whole devotional either. As others have indicated, I would like to know the other two questions. I’m praying for God’s guidance in my life and want all the knowledge and understanding I can get.
Thank you for your acknowledgement. Look forward to receiving the balance of the devotional.
I AM ASKING GOD FOR HELP WITH SEVERAL TOUGH THINGS I AM GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. I ASK ALSO THAT YOU ALL KEEP PRAYING FOR MY DAUGHTERINLAW AND HER ADDICTIONS
SHaronb
I thought that I did not get all the devotion either, then I began to think…..There was only one question. Perhaps that IS question 1,2 &3. If we seek God’s wisdom and knowledge, what other question do we need to ask? God is so good.
Today I face a difficult decision. I am praying that God will assist me in making the right choices and am assured that whatever decision is made, God will be in control and directing me. Please help me by praying for the infinite wisdom. This involves returning to work after being on medical leave since Thanksgiving. I see my Dr. today. I also need another surgery. Give thanks in all things. Will you? :) cheryl
I, also, noticed we only received one of the three questions to ask ourselves. I came to the website, hoping the full listing would be here, but also is not complete. I am looking forward to the full reading.
This scriptures in James is one that I used to have memorized (before my stroke damamged my memory). I have wisdom now written on my prayer notebook . . . so I will remember to pray for wisdom each day . . . and in proverbs it often links wisdom and understanding together. We need to pray for both wisdom and understanding.
I pray for the faith to believe and not doubt.
Good Morning Friends,
Not sure where the rest of the devotion went today but here it is from my my document folder.
Blessings to each one of you today as we seek God’s direction together.
Warmly,
Gail
Seeking Direction By Gail Rodgers
Every one of us will face decisions this year. Some will be small decisions with little consequence while other decisions will have far reaching effects in our lives. Often it is hard to determine the best course of action. God promises to give us wisdom, His wisdom. He simply says:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…”(James 1:15,16).
If you face a decision today and don’t know what to do, ask God for wisdom. Believe He will supply it. As you consider your decision ask God to help you answer these three questions.
1. Does it follow the principles of God’s Word?
Ask yourself questions such as: Would I have to compromise my integrity in any way is I went this direction? Would anyone be deliberately hurt by my decision? How would this impact the balance of my life and my family?
2. Do the circumstances fit together?
Ask yourself if the practical aspects of this decision make sense right now. What are the risks involved if I make this decision? How will this impact the financial aspect of my life? What is the worst thing that could go wrong? Could I live with that result?
3. Do I have peace?
When we think through our decisions, inviting God to impart His wisdom to us, we will get a sense of peace if we are to follow through. Pay attention to what is going on in your spirit. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. He brings clarity, not confusion.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You have promised me a generous amount of Your wisdom. I can’t see the right way to turn right now. I need that wisdom. I ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me. Please help me to think through these steps and to consider all aspects of this decision. Help me to be wise in understanding what steps to take right now. Please help me to be patient and wait if things are not lining up. I look to You to guide me and help me and to give me the wisdom that I need. Thank You for Your love! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thank you, Gail, for posting the entire devotional. It is a great one with application I can use . . . we all can use, as evident of the number of early responses.
Hi Gail
Thanks for coming back with the whole devotion. I was so glad to read your comments on the first question. All too often we want the answer to be “this way” and try to fit everything into that pattern so it looks like God’s will. If we know God’s will for everyday living by reading his Word then we won’t go down rabbit trails that contradict his message. Our decisions are often “not right” for us personally but good for those around us. Following God’s will is not always the easy way, but the way of service. My husband and I do have fairly major decisions to make this year, it is good to be reminded to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us. We know He will.
GAIL
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THE REST OF THIS DEVOTIONAL
CHRIS T.
This is a great devotion and I would love to know what the other two questions are. I only recieved the first one.
Thanks Gail and God Bless
Yes Beams, because sometimes our wants blocks our hearing. At least that is my thought. But what happens when all is silent and you do not hear his answer? Should I then just believe NO is the answer? My family and I were just talking about this in the last 2 days. Do we then just wait on Him or proceed in faith? I have gotten into trouble before because I went ahead of God.I did ask but then went on, thinking I was doing the right thing. I have no doubt God will lead us but some of us have difficulty listening and waiting on God. If there is still a question in your heart,would it be better to just “Be still and know He Is God”? That can be the most difficult.
cherel
i will be praying for you
sharon
Thanks Gail…
This gives me a little more clarification on following “What Would Jesus Do?” that I wrote about yesterday that my pastor has asked the congregation to do for the next month…..we are doing this and reading In His Steps by Charles Sheldon…….I have printed it out so I can read it everyday!!
Thank you
………..and Sharon…….I am still praying for your daughter-in-law……..I am seeing what is happening to Kori and her mom Sheryn has all but given up……..so I am really understanding where you are coming from……..I will keep praying for her!!
thank you gail
JOY B
I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR KORI TOO
SHARON B
SharonB
Thanks so much
Joy
Joy I have and will continue to pray for Kori, and Sharon I also am praying for your daughter-in-law.May The Lord Richly Bless You Both & Give You Wisdom & Encouragement In Trying To Be A Testimony For Jesus To These Two Ladies!
Bonnie…in answer to your query…I have no problem with moving ahead when you think it is God’s will, even if things do not work out the way you envisaged. Sometimes he wants us to go in certain ways, not for our good but for the good of others. Do I make myself understood there? But if we do make honest mistakes…God will always forgive and bring us back to the point of leaning on Him. Yes! waiting on Him can be hard, we are an impatient people….none more impatient than me! I think the art of being still before him is something we need to all learn especially in this frenetic 21st century. I pray you will find the direction you need.
Thanks for these steps. I plan to use this in my WMU group this week. Our family went through a horrible exerience even as Christians because we did not give God a chance to answer us.