Seeking God's Will in Decision Making: A Bible-Based Guide

Making decisions can be difficult, but when we trust in God and seek His guidance, the process becomes much easier. Here are some steps to help you make decisions that align with God's will:

1. Begin with prayer - Start by committing the decision to prayer and framing your attitude in trust and obedience. Remember that God has your best interest in mind, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

2. Define the decision - Determine if the decision involves a moral or non-moral area. If it's a moral area, you will likely find clear direction in God's Word. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

3. Be ready to accept and obey God's answer - Make sure your will is fully submitted to God's, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

4. Exercise faith - Remember that decision making is a process that takes time and requires faith, as stated in Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

5. Seek concrete direction - Gather information by researching what the Bible says about the situation and gaining practical and personal knowledge.

6. Obtain counsel - In difficult decisions it's wise to get spiritual and practical counsel from the godly leaders in your life. A pastor, elder, parent, or simply a mature believer can often contribute important insight, answer questions, remove doubts and confirm inclinations. Make sure to choose individuals who will offer sound biblical advice and not just say what you want to hear. Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (NIV)

7. Make a list - First write down the priorities you believe God would have in your situation. These are not the things that are important to you, but rather the things that are most important to God in this decision. Will the outcome of your decision draw you closer to God? Will it glorify him in your life? How will it impact those around you?

8. Weigh the decision - Make a list of the pros and cons connected with the decision. You may find that something on your list clearly violates the revealed will of God in his Word. If so, you have your answer. This is not his will. If not, then you now have a realistic picture of your options to help you make a responsible decision.

9. Choose your spiritual priorities - By this time you should have enough information to establish your spiritual priorities as they relate to the decision. Ask yourself which decision best satisfies those priorities? If more than one option will fulfill your established priorities, then choose the one which is your strongest desire! Sometimes God gives you a choice. In this case there is no right and wrong decision, but rather a freedom from God to choose, based on your preferences. Both options are within God's perfect will for your life and both will lead to the fulfillment of God's purpose for your life.

10. Act on your decision - If you have arrived at your decision with the sincere intention of pleasing the heart of God, incorporating biblical principles and wise counsel, you can proceed with confidence knowing that God will work out his purposes through your decision. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

Taking Responsibility for Your Life: How the Bible Teaches Us to Become Champions

Becoming a champion is not an easy task, but with the right mindset, focus, and discipline, it's possible to achieve success. Achieving success requires more than just hard work and determination, it requires a change in perspective and a understanding of the principles that lead to victory. Here are 10 steps to becoming a champion, all of which are based on biblical teachings.

Exercise proclamation:

Proclamation means positive talk. In order to achieve success, you must first believe in yourself and your abilities. This is reflected in 1 Samuel 17:45, where David says to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

Winners are persistent:

Don't give up, keep trying until something happens. Winners don't let their past mistakes cripple them.

Recognize the power of partners:

Having a support system is crucial to achieving success. Jesus had 12 disciples, as reflected in Mathew 18:19, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." And as Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Be clear why you are here:

Knowing your purpose is essential to achieving success. Living a life without a purpose is a shortsighted goal, be clear on your purpose here on earth.
Take 100% responsibility for your life: Don’t blame other people for where you are. In Romans 14:12, it states "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." And in 1 Corinthians 11:28, "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." This means that we must take full responsibility for our actions and the choices we make in life.

Develop a winning mindset.
Your mindset is a powerful tool that can either propel you to success or hold you back. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and always strive to improve and learn. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Set specific and measurable goals.
Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve is essential to becoming a champion. Set specific and measurable goals for yourself, and work towards them consistently. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Learn from failures.
Champions don't shy away from failure, they learn from it and use it to improve themselves. Failure is a necessary step on the road to success. James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Stay focused and disciplined.

Becoming a champion requires discipline and focus. It's important to stay focused on your goals, and to be disciplined in your actions and habits. 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Celebrate your successes.

Champions don't just focus on the end goal, they also celebrate the small wins along the way. It's important to take time to celebrate your successes, and to acknowledge the hard work and effort you've put in.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

By implementing these principles, you will be well on your way to becoming a champion in your own right. Remember, success is not a destination, it's a journey. Keep working hard, stay focused, and trust in the Lord to guide you on your path to greatness.

7 Traits of a True Friend: A Bible-Based Guide to Friendship

When it comes to friends, there are a few characteristics that truly define what it means to be a "good" friend. Here are some key traits to look for in a true friend, along with relevant Bible verses:

1. Comfort and support during difficult times. One of the most important roles of a friend is to offer comfort and support during difficult times. Whether it's a breakup, a loss, or a tough time at work, a true friend will be there to offer a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. As it states in Job 2:11, "Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him."
2. Devotion. A friend should be someone who is dedicated and devoted to their relationship with you. This means they'll be there for you, even when things get tough or you're feeling down. As stated in Job 6:14, "A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the almighty
3. Unconditional love. A true friend loves you for who you are, without any conditions or expectations. They accept you for who you are and don't try to change you. John 15:13 states "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
4. Transparency and honesty. A good friend should be open and transparent in their communication with you. They should be willing to speak honestly and constructively, even if it may be uncomfortable. Proverbs 27:6 states "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
5. Help and support when you're down. A friend should be there to help and support you when you're going through a tough time. They'll offer a helping hand and be there to lift you up. Proverbs 17:17 states "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
6. Intimate knowledge of your affairs. A true friend has a deep understanding of your life and experiences. They know you well and are able to offer valuable advice and guidance. John 15:15 states "No longer do I call you servants,[1] for the servant[2] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
7. Making your life better. A friend's presence in your life should make it better. They offer good advice and counsel that can improve your life. Proverbs 27:9 states "Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel."

In conclusion, a true friend is someone who embodies all of these qualities and more. They offer comfort and support during difficult times, are devoted to their relationship with you, love you unconditionally, communicate openly and honestly, help and support you when you're down, have intimate knowledge of your affairs, and make your life better through their presence and advice. It is important to surround ourselves with people who have these characteristics as they are the ones who will be there for us in good and bad times. As Proverbs 18:24 says "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

The Power of Diligence in Achieving Enlargement: How to Harness the Benefits of Hard Work

ENEMIES OF GROWTH

Lack of vision for growth.

Without a clear vision of growth from God, it is difficult for Him to guide and expand your opportunities. Psalms 81:10 states, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." A lack of vision can hinder growth. Genesis 13:14-15 adds, "The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.'"

Lack of diligence.

Effective growth requires consistent effort and determination. Proverbs 10:4 states, "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." And Proverbs 12:5 adds, "The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful." (See also Proverbs 13:4, 21:5, 22:29)

Wastefulness.

A tendency to squander resources can prevent growth. Proverbs 21:20 states, "The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down."

Irresponsibility and disobedience.

Obedience to God's plan is crucial for growth. Ephesians 2:1-2 states, "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience."

Lack of endurance and stinginess.

Endurance and a willingness to invest in growth are necessary for expansion. As Proverbs 11:24 states, "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers. be generous in our giving. As 2 Corinthians 9:6 states, "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly

Walking in Righteousness: The Power of Desire

In today's world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and lose sight of what truly matters. However, as believers in Jesus Christ, it's important to have a desire to walk in righteousness and to strive to live a life that pleases God.

One way to do this is by hungering and thirsting for righteousness. As Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." When we have a deep desire for righteousness, we will be filled with the truth and guidance that we need to live a godly life.

Another important aspect of living a righteous life is feeding on God's word. Psalms 119:9 reminds us that we can keep our way pure by living according to God's word. This means taking the time to read and study the Bible, and allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions.

Prayer is also an essential part of living a righteous life. Hebrews 5:7 tells us that Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. By following Jesus' example and pouring out our hearts to God in prayer, we can experience the same kind of salvation and redemption that Jesus did.

Another important aspect of living a righteous life is applying the blood ordinance. Hebrews 9:12-14 reminds us that Jesus entered into the holy places once for all by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Through the blood of Jesus, we can be purified from dead works and serve the living God with a pure conscience.

Finally, sincerity is essential for living a righteous life. It's important to approach our relationship with God with an open and honest heart, being truthful and transparent in our thoughts, words, and actions. When we are sincere in our faith, we can be sure that we are pleasing God and living a life that is in line with his will.

In conclusion, as believers, we should strive to walk in righteousness of God, by desire, feeding on God's word, prayer, application of blood ordinance and sincerity. This will help us to live a life that pleases God and brings us closer to him

The Power of God's Word in Demolishing Spiritual Strongholds

Stronghold refers to a spiritual fortress where Satan and his followers hide to protect themselves. These strongholds can exist in our thinking patterns and ideas that govern individuals, churches, communities, and missions. In order to claim victory, these strongholds must be dismantled. The powerful weapons of the word of God and the spirit of God can effectively destroy these strongholds.

On one hand, a stronghold can serve as protection for us against the devil, as when the Lord becomes our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). However, in the context of the mind, a stronghold can also serve as a defense for the devil, where demonic or sinful activity is defended within us by our sympathetic thoughts towards evil.

A demonic stronghold is a type of thinking that elevates itself above the knowledge of God, giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual's thoughts and life.

Deliverance

This comes when we humble our minds. As Matthew 12:43-45 states, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

It is important to note that our mind should not be left unoccupied. The demon we are fighting uses our thoughts to protect its access into our lives. We can combat this by dealing with carnal thought systems that act as strongholds for the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Every form of habit of sin in a believer has its roots in carnal, unholy thinking, thereby keeping demonic activities in the area of such life where Satan feeds on sin. The process of dismantling these strongholds begins with repentance (Mark 6:12-13).

How to maintain a healthy mind

It is important to constantly meditate on the word of God, confess God's word loudly, walk in the consciousness of God's presence, be aware of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and walk in the fear of God by saying no to sin. Philippians 4:8 advises, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.”

5 Steps to Enhance Your Spiritual Growth and Become More Like Christ

Introduction:

Spiritual growth is a journey that requires commitment, effort, and persistence. It is a process of becoming more like Christ, and it starts with a decision to follow Jesus and respond to his call. In this blog post, we will explore five steps that can help you enhance your spiritual growth and become more like Christ.

Step 1: Make a Decision to Grow

The first step in spiritual growth is to make a decision to grow. You must want to grow and be willing to put in the effort to do so. This decision should be made with a clear understanding that spiritual growth is not automatic and requires a significant amount of time and effort. As the bible verse Philippians 2:12-13 states "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Step 2: Set Specific Goals

Once you have made the decision to grow, the next step is to set specific goals. This could be things like reading the Bible more, praying more, or spending more time in worship. Having specific goals will help you stay focused and motivated on your journey towards spiritual growth. As the bible verse Psalms 119:105 states "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

Step 3: Find a Community

Finding a community of like-minded individuals is another important step in spiritual growth. Being surrounded by people who share your beliefs and values can provide support, encouragement, and accountability on your journey. This could be a church group, a Bible study group, or even just a group of friends who share your faith. As the bible verse Hebrews 10:24-25 states "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Step 4: Depend on the Holy Spirit

Dependence on the Holy Spirit is crucial in spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible, guides us in making decisions, and helps us to become more like Christ. Make sure to spend time in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength in your spiritual journey. As the bible verse Romans 8:26 states "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

Step 5: Persist in Growing

Finally, persistence is key to spiritual growth. It is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. Keep working towards your goals, even when you encounter obstacles or setbacks. Remember that spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint. As the bible verse Galatians 6:9 states "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Conclusion:

Spiritual growth is a journey that requires commitment, effort, and persistence. By making the decision to grow, setting specific goals, finding a community, depending on the Holy Spirit, and persisting in growing, you can enhance your spiritual growth and become more like Christ. Remember that spiritual growth is not automatic, it requires an intentional commitment.

By following these five steps, you can start your journey towards spiritual growth and become the person God intended you to be.

TALKING AND LISTENING TO GOD

Talking to God
We talk to God in order to constantly build and strengthen our relationship with him, to get to know him better, to learn what he expects of us, what we can expect from him, and to find out how we can best accomplish the things that he wants us to do. We also talk to God in order to seek his advice and help, to show him that we recognize his existence and awesome power, and of course to show him that we have trust and confidence in him.

And talking to God should be the same as if you were talking to your best friend. You should tell him your thoughts, desires, hurts, and problems, as well as giving him your thanks and praise. Talking to God not only tells God that you have knowledge of him but that you also have faith in him. Talking to God also tells him that you have a desire for his presence in your life and that you need him and are dependent on him. It also shows God and that you want to be obedient to him. He wants to hear these things from you. He already knows what they are but he wants you to tell them to him. He wants you to make the effort to talk to him and not to take him for granted.

Two things you should do to strengthen your relationship with God.
1) Talk to God daily, in a normal everyday type of conversation. Remember that God can read your mind and that he is constantly observing your inner most thoughts at all times, so he knows what is going on in your heart and your mind far better than you do. So your conversations with God do not have to be vocal and you can mentally talk to God anytime you want. God gave us little taste of his ability to search the hearts of men and read their minds back in Jeremiah 17:10 when he said, "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds."
So you can easily talk to God in your thoughts, and these conversations can be done anytime or anyplace. They can be done in school, at work, or at any other place, even if the rules of the world are against it.

2) Read the Word of God each and every day. The Bible was the one thing that Jesus left for each one of us to read and study so that we would be able to find out about God. Only by reading the very word of God can we hope to draw near to him.

When Our Lord sees that you are taking the time to read his word every single day then what he is going to do is begin to peel away the layers of cloudiness that are covering your eyes and that hide the truth. Once he sees that you are serious about reading his word, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will begin to open your eyes and mind, and allow you to begin to understand the Word of God and the incredible meaning that it has on every aspect of your life. It won't be long before you realize that the Bible isn't difficult at all to read and understand, and to your amazement you will begin to also realize that you and Jesus have been drawn closer together. Suddenly you will know that indeed he is communicating with you.

It is really a joyous occasion to see a believer who has devoted the time to talk to God and to read his word daily, suddenly realize just how much God is speaking to them. The true believer takes great comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is constantly talking to them, directing them, guiding them, and teaching them throughout each and every day.

Also keep in mind that the way you talk to God is extremely important. Do you talk to him only when you are in trouble and need help? If so then it shows God that you are simply taking him for granted. However if he sees that you are setting aside certain periods of time during each day just to talk to him, then what you are doing is opening up the channels of communication between you and God.

We are living in a world that rarely thinks about Jesus and seldom talks to him, and if Jesus sees one person out of a million who is actually taking the time each and every day just to talk to him, then you are going to put great joy in his heart. Just think of it. The creator of the entire universe will be personally listening to you each and every time you talk to him.

He may watch for a while to see if what you are doing is only temporary and whether or not you will stop it after a few days. But if you continue, then God is going to be extremely pleased and I believe he won't be able to wait to begin to communicate with your heart, your conscience, your soul, your spirit. In fact you will not believe how much God will be talking to you.

Listening to God
Listening to God is probably the most important thing that will ever happen to a person. In fact your entire eternal future is based on you hearing God speaking to you and whether or not you listen to him. And this is because your spiritual life doesn't begin until God speaks to you and you finally decide to listen. This is so beautifully described in John 10:27-28. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand".

It is for this reason that you need to not only talk to God constantly about everything, but you must also listen for God to speak to you. And the best way to listen for God to speak to you is to look to your heart and your mind for his answer. Most people expect God to answer them in some divine way or somehow speak to them verbally, right out of the heavens, but that isn't the way God operates. God speaks to a persons heart. To their mind. To their sense of moral righteousness and fairness. To their sense of what is right and Godly. When Jesus Christ is dwelling within a person he is communicating constantly with that person's, heart, conscience, soul, and spirit. His answer may even be in that certain feeling that you have. That unexpected feeling that came out of no where and that shines additional light on the problem. His answer may lie in that sudden pause that you experience. That pause that gets you thinking about a different path to take.

And those methods of communication that God uses are extremely loud and clear. The true child of God can hear God speak just as clearly as if God was standing right along side of them and verbally talking to them. However for most people, especially in the beginning, they need to be quiet and really listen for God's answer because it is so very easy to block his answer out. You can get busy watching a TV program or cleaning the house and you never really hear his side of the conversation.

It's amazing, but a true child of God is carrying on a constant two way conversation with God all day long. This is why talking and listening to God is so easy. It's like listening to music. That's why if your driving down the street going 30 Kph over the speed limit, you know that's the voice of God telling you that you are wrong and that you must get back to the proper speed limit. That speeding is against the law, that you very possibly might hurt or kill another person, that you will be stopped by the police and given an expensive ticket, that your insurance rates will go up, or any number of other reasons. (You know it's not satan talking to you because if it was satan he would be telling you to go faster, that a little extra speed doesn't matter, that the other drivers owe you, or that it is ok for you to speed because you are in a hurry).

After a while God is carrying on a conversation with you even while you are talking to other people; and you are tuned in to God just as much as you are to the other person. When was the last time you and another person were talking and that person used the name of God in vain. Did your mind not hear the Lord cut into that conversation and instantly begin to tell you that the conversation was wrong. That it is wrong to be around someone dragging his Father's name through the dirt? Or how about the time when you were talking with another person and one of you happened to mention vicious gossip about another person. Didn't your heart hear God tell you that it wasn't right to gossip? Did you feel that gentle warning letting you know that you were traveling out of God's camp and into an area that is owned and ruled by satan. That was God simply talking to you. And it will be one of the most glorious days of your life when you finally realize that you can conduct a constant two way conversation with God 24 hours a day.

Also a great many people love to say that God works in mysterious ways. That they have absolutely no idea how or why God does what he does. But for the true believer, God's ways aren't mysterious. His ways aren't concealed behind smoke and mirrors. It is just the opposite. Because once you begin to understand Jesus Christ, once you begin to learn what he is all about, once you begin to understand what he is trying to do in this world and in your life, once you begin to understand the tremendous importance that he holds for all of mankind, then his actions will not be mysterious. That's when his ways will become crystal clear. In fact many times you will actually be able to predict what he is going to do.

The believer, who has surrendered his life up to Jesus Christ, will see God actively working in their daily lives. But this seeing will not be a visual image focused in our eyes. Instead, God has allowed his children to see him through his faithfulness, his blessings, his guidance, his encouragement. Our very spirits tell us that he is very near to us. Do we not see him by the feeling of peace and calm that his very presence brings? Do we not see God through the daily provisions that he brings for our many needs? We see God when he is carrying our burdens, when he is lighting our paths, and when he is nestling us in his arms. The believer that has surrendered, is able to see God all day long.

Various ways we listen to God speak

We can listen to God speak to us through his Word. As mentioned above, God uses the Bible as his foremost tool to impart his daily instructions to us. That is one reason why it is so very important to read the word of God daily because God will direct you to specific passages that will have a direct impact on the problems you are facing and the questions that you have. You will find specific answers to specific questions that you are presently facing or will face shortly. It is absolutely incredible how this works but it does and it happens almost on a daily basis. However if you don't read the word of God everyday you will miss out on this extremely important method of communication that God uses to inform and teach you, to answer your questions, and to guide you along your spiritual path.

Do you realize that 10 men can read the exact same passage of scripture in the Bible and each man will come away with a little different meaning for that verse. God will reveal that passage differently to each man, depending on each man's background, his age, his life experiences, his circumstances, his environment, his present situation, and many other factors. We all have different needs, we all find ourselves passing through different trials and tribulations, we all have different fears, and we are all on different missions and goals from God. That is the incredible power that lies behind the Bible. And why shouldn't it be this way considering each word in the Bible was inspired from God directly to the Bible writers.

And just as incredible is the fact that as each of these men grow spiritually, they will interpret that same passage a little differently each time they go back and reread that verse. They can take what they have recently learned and use that information as building blocks so that they are able to get a better and clearer understanding of that verse and the information and knowledge that verse contains.

That is how an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about God grows and grows. It's also how God continually instructs a person, how he allows a person to grow in their spiritual daily walk, how he gets the believers character and moral fiber to improve in a Godly manner on a daily basis, how God reveals mysteries that the believer never dreamed he could possibly understand or comprehend, and most importantly how the believer is able to love and trust and obey God more today than he did yesterday. The knowledge about God is through the pages of your Bible.

We listen to God through the Holy Spirit who is with us every second of the day. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us, guides us, and instructs us. It is the Holy Spirit who is our helper and our educator. It is the guidance of the Holy Spirit that is going to bring Jesus Christ into your life. The Holy Spirit is the one who opens the hearts and the minds of men. The Holy Spirit is the one who educates and instructs a person in how to lead a life which is pleasing to God The Father, and it is The Holy Spirit who tells you and the rest of the world about Jesus Christ.

We listen to God speak to us when we pray. God can communicate with us when we pray because this is the time when we are really concentrating on God, and this makes our hearts and minds accessible to the voice of God. It is in prayer where you can have a one-on-one conversation with Almighty God. It is in prayer that God can impress his desires on our spirits, have impact on our minds, and have the ability to change our hearts. Our prayer gives God the authority to have incredible communication with us.

We listen to God speak to us through other believers. When you are faced with a problem or have a question, who better to go to then another believer who will give you good Godly advice that is based on the Bible. Someone who is already letting Jesus Christ lead them in living their life, and who has a firm understanding of the Bible, and who will want God to advise them on just how to answer your question.

We also listen to God speak to us through divine circumstances. We are all living under heavenly guidance and many times God will do certain things in our life which will absolutely astound and amaze us. Many times these happenings are absolutely incredible, but unfortunately most people will say that these things are just due to pure luck or fate. But the true believer can see the hand of God written all over these occurrences and realizes that they are just another way that God uses to communicate with us.

Since God has unlimited ways to talk with you, he may do so using other forms of communication. He may lead you to other Godly people for certain answers, he may guide you to certain verses in the Holy Word of God or other literature for answers, he may arrange your future circumstances so that that specific things become very visible and you find the answer there, you may even see an answer in another person whom God has brought across your path. The possible ways in which our Loving Father can answer us is absolutely incredible.

The method to determine which solution is the one from God consists of 7 very simple questions that you ask yourself regarding each possible solution or each possible answer.

The seven questions
1 - Is it consistent with the word of God? Does this solution fit the principles that are in the Bible? Does it violate anything in the Bible?

2 - Is it a wise decision? In your own heart and mind is it the type of solution that Jesus Christ himself would agree with? Would Jesus implement this solution himself?

3 - Are you confident in asking God to enable you to achieve this solution? Can you look upon this solution as one that God would send into your life?

4 - Do you feel that it is a God given solution? Deep within your heart do you feel or sense that this solution is the will of God?

5 - Does this solution fit a child of God? From all that you know about God, does this solution or this answer fit a person that truly loves, believes, and trusts God?

6 - Does the solution fit God's overall plan for your life? Does this solution fit in with God's guidance and direction of your life?

7 - Does this solution honor God? Does it bring glory and praise to Almighty God?

But what happens if you have a number of possible solutions and none of them satisfy all seven of these steps? Or even worse, you still don't have any solutions or answers. Then you need to remember that we are all on God's time schedule, and we have to simply be patient and wait on the Lord. He will bring you the answer or solution but only when the time is right and only God can see your entire life so only he knows when the time is right.

The Bible is jammed full of examples of men and women who for one reason or another were not patient, who refused to wait on the Lord, who decided to do it their own way, and thus made the decision to bypass God and take a shortcut. And what were the results of these many examples of people taking shortcuts around God? Failure and heartbreak in every single example. In fact ask yourself this question. If you have saved for years and now have enough money to build your first brand new house, would you be happy to see the builder suddenly start to take shortcuts in building your new home?

So this would be a very good time to remember some of the great many Biblical verses about patience and about waiting on the Lord. Verses like:

2 Thessalonians 1:4 "So that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure."

2 Thessalonians 3:5 "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."

1 Timothy 6:11 "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."

2 Corinthians 6:4 "But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses."

Luke 21:19 "In your patience you shall possess your souls."

So if you are observant and pay attention you will hear God as surely as if he was standing right in front of you speaking to you orally. God wants you to talk to him and to trust him. In return he will love you and bless you and teach you. He will show you how you can achieve a life filled with peace and happiness. God wants to be involved in every single aspect and facet of your life, because as it says at Galatians 2:20, "It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ that is living in union with me. Indeed, the life that I now live in flesh, I live by faith".

So the true child of God is letting Christ live their life. Christ is in charge. Christ is running the whole show. You might say that you are along just for the ride. There is nothing that you should not involve God in. Each and every single thing you do, from opening your eyes in the morning to shutting them at night, should be done by both you and God.

So in conclusion, the really sad thing about not talking and listening to God, is that you miss a golden opportunity to draw closer to God, to get to know him better, and to let him know that you realize that you want and need his help. You would have missed the Godly advice given at James 4:8, "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you". Instead when you don't talk or listen to God you pretty much tell him that you don't need him, that you can do things on your own, that his advice and his concern are not needed, that you are very capable of going through your life under your own power and doing it your own way. If so, do you feel a little like Matthew 13:15 with your eyes starting to shut, your ears starting to close up, maybe your heart beginning to become a little harder?

This is because without that communication between you and God, you will soon find yourself drifting further and further away from God. And as the distance between you and God increases, your heart will indeed become harder and the ways of the world will begin to become ever more important.

This life on earth is simply a training school that allows us to refine and perfect ourselves, to learn from our mistakes and our errors in judgment. But to be successful at this requires complete faith and trust in our Lord. So listen for that soft gentle voice filled full of love, intelligence, and caring.