Proverbs 16:3,9 (NKJV) Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established…. A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.
Living for Christ means living a consecrated life where we lay down the right to our own life and choose to live out the will of God for our life, to walk in holiness and have the attitude of always wanting to submit to the will of God. It covers every aspect of our life including finding a spouse, managing our wealth and career.
How does God speak to us and what are the safeguards He has put in place for us? We are blessed to be living in the New Testament time where we are born again. We can pray to the Father in Jesus’ name, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, and we have the Word of God to lead and guide us. Therefore, we can present the choices to God without any preconceived ideas and answers, commit the plan and strategy to God, ask Him whether it is His will and take time to pray for as long as it takes.
Safeguard 1: Pray and ask God to speak to you primarily through His Word.
John 10:27-28 (NKJV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
Ask God for a book, chapter and verse regarding the decision. These Words will be very helpful in times of challenges and anchor your faith in His Word.
Safeguard 2: Be sensitive to the leading and witnessing of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8: 14,16 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God…The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
There will be a witness in our spirit to detect whether there is a warning in the form of uneasiness or lack of peace, or peace in your heart accompanied by the word of assurance from the Scripture given by the Lord.
Safeguard 3: Seek godly counsel and share with people what you think God is leading you.
Proverbs 15:22 (NKJV) Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Safeguard 4: Take a step of faith if God has spoken to go ahead with the plan, or be humble and take the courage to accept a “no” for an answer.
Remember these four safeguards and trust that the Lord will guide you. It is dying to our flesh to not do what we want, but what He wills for us. It is also a form of protection. Living a consecrated life is to pray for and follow God’s instructions in all circumstances. It is the wisest choice we can ever make in life.
Sermon Series: A Firm Footing
最明智的选择
箴言 16：3，9 你所做的，要交託耶和华，你所谋的就必成立…人心筹算自己的道路； 惟耶和华指引他的脚步
为基督而活，意味着过一种分别为圣的生活，我们放下对己身生命的权利，选择活出神对我们的生命的旨意。在圣洁中行走，并有永远想要顺服神的旨意的态度。它涵盖了我们生活的方方面面，包括寻找配偶，管理财富和事业。
神如何对我们说话？祂为我们设立了什么保护措施？我们有幸生在新约的时代并于此重生，我们可以奉耶稣的名义向天父祷告，我们有圣灵住在我们里面，我们也有神的话语来引领我们。因此，我们可以在没有任何先入为主的想法和答案的情况下，把选择呈现给上帝，把计划和策略交给上帝。问祂这是否祂的旨意？并尽量花时间为此祈
保护措施一： 祈祷并请求神主要通过祂的话语来向你说话
约翰福音 10：27-28 27 我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我。 28我又赐给他们永生，他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去
求上帝就这个决定赐与一卷书、一个章节。这些话语在你遭遇艰困之时将满有助益，并且使你将信心锚定于祂的话语。
保护措施二： 要敏锐于圣灵的带领和见证。
罗马书 8：14，16 因为凡被神的灵引导的 都是神的儿子…圣灵与我们的心同证我们是神的儿女
在我们的灵中，会有一个见证，见证是否有不安或缺乏平安的警告，或内心的平安伴随着主所赐经文中保证的话语。
保护措施三：寻求神的意见，与人分享你认为上帝正在带领你的事情。
箴言 15：22 不先商议，所谋无效，谋士众多，所谋乃成
保护措施四 ：如果神已經說過去繼續執行計劃，請踏出信心的一步，或謙虛並鼓起勇氣接受「不」的答案。
記住這四个保护措施並相信主會引導你。 不做我們想做的事，而是做祂要我们去做的事，這就是向肉體而死。 這也是一種保護形式。 過分别为圣的生活就是在任何情況下祈求並遵循神的指示。 這是我們一生中可以做出的最明智的選擇。
讲章系列：稳固的根基
Image Source: pixabay.com