Learn to Discern

Acts 9:1-6 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

“Lord, what do You want me to do?” After Paul was radically, dramatically, and eternally changed by the Lord on the road to Damascus, his natural desire was to serve the Lord. Every Christian is saved to served. God has a plan for each of our lives. The joy on the journey with Jesus is to “Find Your Why” and then to live it out!

Here are 5 simple questions to help you to know and to do God’s will for your life:

1- What does the Bible say?

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[a] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

The primary way in which God reveals His will is through His Word. Every Christian must be so full of God’s Word that they are able to think God’s thoughts after Him. The main reason so many Christians have a hard time discerning God’s will is that they do not know Biblical precepts and principles. Begin today, systematically, and intentionally studying the Scriptures.

Action Step: If you don’t know how to study the Bible effectively, please contact me (pastor@missionchurchlex.org) so I can teach you the S.O.A.P. Bible study method.
 

2- What is your motivation?

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

We must align our desires with God’s desires because when we do our good desires become godly desires. When we are saved God gives us a whole new set of “wants tos”. As we become more informed by the Bible, as we become more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit within us, and as we spend more time around other Christ followers, our desires will be transformed. God will not give you everything you want but as you follow Him what you want will conform to what He wants for you.

 

3- What are other strong Christians saying?

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.

We are not meant to live the Christian life alone, but we were created for community. We are not to be codependent on anybody, but we are dependent upon God and interdependent about other brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible contains many instructions for Christians to bear one another’s burdens and to speak truth with love. Therefore, every Christian should seek to surround themselves with wise and godly family members, friends, pastors, counselors etc. We must find people who love God and love us and are willing to speak the truth we need to hear into our lives.

Action Step: If you don’t have anybody like this in your life may I encourage you to start by getting involved in a Mission Group which are held on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. For more information, please contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

4- Are you seeing God provided opportunities?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall [a]direct your paths.

Primarily, we want to root our decision making in the objective Truth of God’s Word and the wise counsel of mature believers. But then we want to be aware of the opportunities that God provides for us. The main point of the famous Bible study “Experiencing God” is the reality that God is always doing something, and it is our responsibly/privilege to simply get involved. God will open and close opportunities for us. We are to boldly walk through the doors that He opens and not waste time and energy trying to open the doors that He has closed.

 

5- What is the wisest course of action?

Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

James 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

It is very easy for us to suffer from “paralysis of analysis”. We can usually make decisions between “good” opportunities and “bad” opportunities but it’s much more complex to decide between two apparent opportunities that appear equally good. We need to remember- that if the decision at hand or the opportunity before us is not contrary to Scripture, if we are pursuing God and walking in the Spirit, if we have consulted with wise and godly counsel, and if whatever you choose can be done for the glory of God…. Then you just need to decide and go with it… living life through the windshield and not the rear-view mirror.

 

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:
 

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am) 

                 and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 6:30pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington, KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

 

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2 Responses to “Learn to Discern”

  1. Carole Peacher says:

    Your suggestions are very wise. Every young person getting ready for college needs to read and study this. It would be good to have all of our youth that age to study this together with you or Pastor Eric. It’s a crucial time in their lives.

    It’s also good for those going through various seasons of life. Reading your post reminds me (us) to always keep following God’s will in our daily life. Each and every decision, no matter how small or large, needs to bring glory to God.

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