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.
We need to distinguish whether something is just a good idea or God’s idea. Many Christians carry out their own agenda in life and expect God to bless it, but God is not obliged to bless our plans when He was not even consulted, and we are in no position to dictate God to do things for us or bless our plans. Because not every idea is God’s idea, it’s important to consecrate our plan, idea and dream to Him. If we are confident that it is God’s idea, God will bless it, but if it is our idea without consecration, it is not God’s responsibility.
As born-again Christians, we have the privilege of praying to our Heavenly Father in Jesus’ name, having the Holy Spirit living inside us, and the Word of God to guide us. There are safeguards that are put in place for us, but first, we need to present the decision to God without any preconceived ideas or answers. We should lay down our rights to God, commit the plan and strategy to Him, and ask Him whether if it is His will for our life. We can take time to pray the same prayer for a few days or even up to a month for a major decision.
Safeguard 1: Pray and ask God to speak to you primarily through His Word. Ask God for a book, chapter, and verse regarding the decision or plan. This way, our faith can be anchored in His Rhema Word when we face challenges later.
Safeguard 2: Be sensitive to the leading and witness of the Holy Spirit which confirms what we believe God is telling us, such as a warning in the form of uneasiness or a lack of peace in the decision, or peace in our heart giving us the “go ahead” with the decision.
Romans 8:14-16 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Safeguard 3: Seek godly counsel and share with them what you think God is leading you to.
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 you to go ahead with the plan. However, be humble and have the courage to accept a “no” for an answer.
Living for Christ is a consecrated life where we 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, but it is also a form of protection for us, and when we learn to do that, we will find ourselves living a life with joy, satisfaction of the soul and contentment of the spirit.
Sermon Series: It’s January 1st, 2023!
聆听并分辨神的声音
箴言16:3,9 (NKJV) 你所作的，要交托耶和华，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。
我们需要区分某件事是好主意还是上帝的主意。许多基督徒在生命中执行自己的计划，并期望神祝福它，但神没有义务祝福我们的计划，因为没人为此征询过祂的意见，我们也没有资格命令神为我们做事或祝福我们的计划。因为不是每个想法都是神的想法，所以切记要把我们的计划、想法和梦想献给神。如果我们相信这是上帝的想法，上帝自然会祝福它，但如果这是我们不曾将其分别为圣的想法，上帝就无需对此负责。
作为重生的基督徒，我们有特权奉耶稣的名向天父祷告，有圣灵住在我们里面，有神的话引导我们。有保障措施为我们而设，但首先，我们需要在没有任何先入为主的想法或答案的情况下向上帝呈上我们的决定。我们应该把我们的权利交给神，把我们的计划和策略交托给他，并问这是否就是祂对我们生命的旨意。为了一个重大的决定，我们可以花几天甚至一个月的时间做同样的祷告。
保障措施1:祷告并求神首先藉着圣经对你说话。求神就你的决定或计划赐给你某个经卷、或某章某节。这样，当我们在这之后面对挑战时，我们的信心就可以锚定在祂的话语里。
保障措施2:敏锐于圣灵的引导和见证，圣灵的引导和见证证实了我们所相信的上帝告诉我们的事情，比如在作决定时感觉不自在或缺少平安就是一种警告，或者是心中有平安，告诉我们“就这么”定了。
罗马书8:14-16因为凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。你们所受的不是奴仆的心，仍旧害怕；所受的乃是儿子的心，因此我们呼叫：“阿爸，父！”圣灵与我们的心同证我们是神的儿女。
保障措施3:寻求敬虔的建议，并与他们分享你认为神引导你走向的道路。
箴言15:22(新译本) 不先商议，所谋无效；谋士众多，所谋乃成。
保障措施4:如果上帝吩咐你按照计划去做，那就迈出信心的一步。然而，要谦卑，要有勇气接受一个“不”的答案。
为基督而活是一种分别为圣的生命，我们选择活出神对我们生命的旨意，行事敬虔，并具备一种总是想要顺服神旨意的态度，但这也是对我们的一种保护，当我们学会这样做时，我们会发现自己的日子过得生命喜乐
讲章系列: 2023年1月1日!
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