Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: guidance
What does the word guidance mean to you?
How do you seek the Lord's guidance?
How do you confirm the Lord's guidance?
In what area of your life are you seeking guidance today?
Let me know what you think!!
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Guidance is becoming a "big" word to me these days because I just finished teaching a long unit on the Exodus, and we ended with the children of Israel tabernacling their way to the Promised Land. (I've tried to write out what I learned there 427 times in a blog post, but I have keyboard block.)
ReplyDeleteTo me, guidance is still about the pillar. It's the Presence telling me when to camp out and when and where to pull up stakes and move on.
I seek His guidance by pouring (and pouring and pouring) my heart out in prayer. I seek it by regularly studying the Word. For me, I don't study to find a passage specifically fit to the circumstance. I just study what I'm "supposed" to be studying that day, and look for it there. Maybe there's a better way, but that's what I do.
How do I "confirm" it? Well, again, maybe there's a better way, but my test is 1. Whether it lines up with the Word. If either the move (or the motive??) doesn't line up, then I don't believe it's a confirmation from God. If it does, and my heart is right, then I wait for circumstances to open a path.
Full confession. THAT's exactly where I have my biggest trouble, seeing and seizing opportunity. As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I'm often afraid to take the single step. I often wonder if I am camping out much longer than God wants me to because I expect to be carried to the next place instead of guided there.
But you already knew that.
Guidance to me, is God and I doing a dance together. He is always faithful to lead, and I willingly follow.
ReplyDeleteFor me guidance is me realizing I don't have all the answers and seeking the One who does. I seek God's guidance through reading His Word, prayer, etc. at times I get confirmation of His direction by reading another's post, hearing a sermon, or in general conversation.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThink I will just say amen to Wanda's comment. That just about sums up guidance for me.
Have a Good Weekend
Guidance for me is like one side of a coin - the "God" side. My side of the coin is obedience.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to do anything on my own...better to consult with God through His Word and a confirmation of it and then proceed!
ReplyDeleteI'm memorizing the book of James for my current Bible study. I just started this week. After (directly after) I wrote my long comment, I came to the verse below:
ReplyDeleteIf anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea tossed and blown by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from God. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Try saying that one over and over until you memorize it right after you have lamented your lack of wisdom regarding His guidance.
Rock 'em Sock 'em, God.
Guidance happens when I quit yapping at God and start listening to him.
ReplyDeleteguidence...it comes from a few ways for me....friends...walks in nature....running in the hills.....reading my Bible.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Sharon... Now I remembered that you had 4 questions about the word to FAN the FLAME: GUIDANCE, but I can't remember them cuz I went to get a link to a post that I shared of a great poem (not written by me) that defines
ReplyDeletethe way I think of GUIDANCE!
I shared it once upon a Spiritual Sunday... here's the middle of it ...
"My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G: I thought of God,
followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance."
But now you have to get the context... of the DANCE! I love dance! I love to dance with God! I love to dance for God! I do my best to listen to God, read His Word and press in to see what He may be showing me! I spend hours pressing into His Throne room in prayer when I need serious guidance but generally I expect it confirmed in His Word and even if it comes through other people that it aligns with His Word. But you know, I think I'd have to admit I have not sought His Guidance as much as I should have in the major things in my life... as I should have first and foremost. It would have saved me from many messes and heartaches and crying over spilled milk... if I did and listened and obeyed as I trusted Him to part the waters of my Red Seas
(sorry, from a book I'm reading)... I have been far too foolish. I think I have asked for confirmation or a fleece or a sign (Gideon did it-Judges 6). I like the answer to this question here . This was interesting also... I couldn't resist to pursue this in a search.
Well, now that you sparked that flame, I do pray that God is giving you the GUIDANCE you are seeking and you receive a clear confirmation. I know I missed all your great ?s but I went off on this wild search instead
I area I seek His guidance is "where I should be?" What's His next move or plan as I wait? I'm not rushing and maybe I should, for right now, I'm trusting that when HE SAYS GO, I'LL be able to GO and if He says stay that He will continue to guide and direct my path as He protects me and opens or closes the doors, as long as I listen and obey. I'm confident, I'll know. His timing is perfect and I've gotten better at allowing Him to lead.
Love, peace and JOY!
Praying and believing, Peggy
Peggy,
DeleteSO good to hear from you again! I have been praying for you in this decision - "Where should I be?" I understand the many thoughts that must be going through your head. I pray that God will make HIS will perfectly clear to you.
And I LOVED - God, u and i dance! Precious, and so true. Maybe if I let Him lead more often I won't keep stepping on His toes?! :)
Love you!
I'm guilty of thinking I know which path to take. When I take MY path it becomes clear that God's guidance is better than my own. I wish I could learn this lesson once and for all!
ReplyDeleteWe ministered for 19 years in one congregation. When God asked us to leave a place we loved and where we were loved it was a frightening step. We started with a quality school for our children and it was amazing to step back and see God provide everything else -- a job RB loves, a home -- even a husband for my daughter. Most of all, He led us to still waters and restored our weary souls.
Have a joy-filled week,
Pamela