Principles for Guidance

As in all relationships you must get to know someone. Usually the first step in doing so is acknowledging them; therefore we need to acknowledge God. However to acknowledge someone is really not knowing them, therefore you must spend time with God, and allow ourselves to begin to understand His character. This involves a time of intimacy, of knowing and being known. Without a personal relationship you may observe only from a distance, and it can be difficult indeed to hear the small still voice of God. So draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Come to Him just as you are and observe His open arms waiting for you. It’s ok if you don’t have it all together. David didn’t, I surely didn’t and quite honestly I don’t think anyone other than Jesus ever will have it all together. So relax! God is willing to meet you more than half way. All you have to do is take the first step.

Submitting ourselves on the other hand takes time; you see we are dealing with the inner man who is selfish, and often very prideful. He shouts from deep within, proclaiming I don’t need anyone, I am in control, and I can take care of it myself. Sometimes this inner voice screams so loudly that is almost impossible to hear the small still voice of God. Deep inside of every human heart, rests a spirit as deep calls for deep, crying out to God. No matter how much success, how much power, how much control we seemly have we are just one step away from the slippery slope. To acknowledge God and ask for His help is not a sign of weakness but of great strength and character.

Submitting to God involves a process of change and growth over time, in order to reach our full potential. So let’s look at some of the steps in the process of following God’s guiding influence, so we can discover His will and purpose for our lives. First we need be obedient to what God has asked us to do. You might be thinking I don’t know what He has asked me to do. Well there is good news, God already thought that you might ask a question or two so has provided us with some key answers found in His love letter to us, the Bible. Yes it can be kind of intimidating at first, as we struggle with some of the unusual names, places and people. However you don’t need to get overwhelmed by these issues. I strongly encourage you to start your study of the Bible in the New Testament. My personal favorite starting point is the Gospel of John, as he vividly gives us word pictures of Jesus and how He interacts with people just like you and me. You will soon discover a loving, compassionate and caring friend.

As you read and study the Scriptures and then begin to follow the teachings and principles of God you will begin to see changes in your life taking place. Not only will you see these changes but others will see them as well. You will begin a spiritual journey that is uniquely your own. Granted, you may walk a similar pathway like others before you but your individual relationship with God is precious and unique. As you study His Word and begin to mediate on His ways, the path of communication will be more open. It will become easier for you to acknowledge His ways, and develop an understanding of the things around and within you. By humbling ourselves and learning to cling to His promises things will begin taking shape around you. Exciting things will begin to happen, and joy will fill your heart.

Yet be on guard my friend because someone will come to steal your joy and your peace. The devil will try and do anything He can to disrupt, and destroy your new relationship with God. He will use people, even people who are close to you; in an attempt to lure you away from the Lord. Old friends may accuse you of not having time for them, old habits will attempt to resurface and all this for one reason: Satan does not want you to have a relationship with God. However if you will acknowledge God, humble yourselves, cling to His promises and pray without ceasing that devil is not going to have a chance! For greater is He who is in you than he is in this world.

If God is for us then who can be against us? To have a fellowship with God is to be able to listen to Him, to relax and be still. Having such confidence knowing that if we ask he will answer, if we seek we shall indeed find and if we knock He will indeed answer.