When you need God’s instruction
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” (Psalm 32:8 NLT)
God instructs through whatever and whomever He wishes
“For God does speak — now one way, now another — though no one perceives it.” (Job 33:14)
Some ways that God instructs His children
Through Scripture
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Through His creation
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)
“Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest. .” (Prov. 6:6)
Through grace-given gifts
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.” (Eph. 4:11)
Through difficulties
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:67-68)
Through the Holy Spirit
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)
Through circumstances
“The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” (Jonah 1:1-4)
Instruction must agree with the Bible
God instructs us in many ways throughout our lives and the process isn’t complete until “the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6). We must carefully test all Instruction to make sure it agrees with Scripture. The Berean Jews, for instance, were very glad to receive instruction from the Apostle Paul, even so, they searched the Scriptures daily to make sure that what he said to them lined up with the Word of God.
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)
Therefore…
“Therefore behold, I am going to make them know— This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the Lord.” (Jer. 16:21)
“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” (Prov. 19:20 NLT)
Quote:
“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” - Billy Graham