Who is causing conflict in your season? Relationships determined your future, they will either bring pain or peace. Why are you giving people permission or authority in your life. Who are you choosing to give a voice in your life to?
These are questions that I have had to ask myself on several occasions either to sort things out or as a reminder. It is true in every ones life, that every voice, will either produce life or death in your life. Life voices will encourage you into your next season. Death voices will hold you back and try to keep you from your next season.You must be able to distinguish counterfeit opportunities and wrong people . Hearing Gods voice and seeking His will, by being in the Word of God and having constant interaction with Him will help you be able to seek His truth, versus just hearing others opinions. We all know that everyone has an opinion right? Be very careful of those who speak things into your life that don't go along with God's word.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if any-thing is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
God has placed desires in your heart, God given desires, and calling on your life. Do not rely on mans word as your main authority. Whatever man has said to you, should only confirm what the Lord has already put in your heart. If it doesn't, brush it off. You have to seek HIM and His Word solely.
I remember several years ago when the Lord called me to quit my job to be home with my kids and be more available to my family. You want to talk about being in a time of having to stand in faith - WOW. I remember going back and forth with looking at how much income I was giving up verses being able to be at home with my kids. I was told I was nuts to even consider it. I was also struggling with the fact of having to completely rely on my husband financially. I had become such a strong independent person in so many ways because of things I walked through in my life, that this was a giant step to force myself to give up "control" of that area in my life and casting out the fear.. The problem too, was that I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew exactly what the Lord was calling me to do - no question. I had a choice to make and I knew there would be consequences either way. I had so many people trying to talk me out of it, that it was crazy, but there was no doubt in my mind that the ONE who was calling me, was the only ONE whose voice should matter. When you are in a difficult position like that...to be tested, to walking faith, it can be kinda scary...or really scary. I knew, however, that God knew what was best for our family and for me. He saw that I was burning the candle at both ends, something I was not ready to admit. He saw how being on the go constantly effected my family...along with many other things. I KNEW that the Lord was calling me to do this...so I could not bare to turn my back on God, because I knew that He knew EXACTLY how he wanted to use me in this new season and what my future held, I just had to be willing to listen and follow.
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.
When we hear those voices of others who may mean well, but are speaking things into your life that don't jive with what the Lord is calling to you and don't go along with His word, don't receive them. I always try to hear people out, to listen for wisdom as we are told to do in the Bible, but getting confirmation from the Lord is a must, as everyone will have an opinion.
Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
Here are three questions to help you discern Godly counsel.
1. Is the counsel consistent with Scripture?
Job 12:13 But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are His. Psalm 37:30 The Godly offer good counsel, they know what is right from wrong.
2. Is the counsel helpful?
Proverbs 10:31-32 The Godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The Godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.Proverbs 18:2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to offer their own opinions.
3. Is the counsel spoken with grace and love?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if any-thing is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
God has placed desires in your heart, God given desires, and calling on your life. Do not rely on mans word as your main authority. Whatever man has said to you, should only confirm what the Lord has already put in your heart. If it doesn't, brush it off. You have to seek HIM and His Word solely.
I remember several years ago when the Lord called me to quit my job to be home with my kids and be more available to my family. You want to talk about being in a time of having to stand in faith - WOW. I remember going back and forth with looking at how much income I was giving up verses being able to be at home with my kids. I was told I was nuts to even consider it. I was also struggling with the fact of having to completely rely on my husband financially. I had become such a strong independent person in so many ways because of things I walked through in my life, that this was a giant step to force myself to give up "control" of that area in my life and casting out the fear.. The problem too, was that I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew exactly what the Lord was calling me to do - no question. I had a choice to make and I knew there would be consequences either way. I had so many people trying to talk me out of it, that it was crazy, but there was no doubt in my mind that the ONE who was calling me, was the only ONE whose voice should matter. When you are in a difficult position like that...to be tested, to walking faith, it can be kinda scary...or really scary. I knew, however, that God knew what was best for our family and for me. He saw that I was burning the candle at both ends, something I was not ready to admit. He saw how being on the go constantly effected my family...along with many other things. I KNEW that the Lord was calling me to do this...so I could not bare to turn my back on God, because I knew that He knew EXACTLY how he wanted to use me in this new season and what my future held, I just had to be willing to listen and follow.
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.
When we hear those voices of others who may mean well, but are speaking things into your life that don't jive with what the Lord is calling to you and don't go along with His word, don't receive them. I always try to hear people out, to listen for wisdom as we are told to do in the Bible, but getting confirmation from the Lord is a must, as everyone will have an opinion.
Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
Here are three questions to help you discern Godly counsel.
1. Is the counsel consistent with Scripture?
Job 12:13 But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are His. Psalm 37:30 The Godly offer good counsel, they know what is right from wrong.
2. Is the counsel helpful?
Proverbs 10:31-32 The Godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The Godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.Proverbs 18:2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to offer their own opinions.
3. Is the counsel spoken with grace and love?
Proverbs 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Colossians 3:16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.The bottom line is simple … we must seek the Lord in all things and all counsel should be grounded in His Word.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is rightI can tell you first hand that not everyone is going to agree with what the Lord is calling you to do. Some in your life may jump on board and support you whole heartily, while others try to talk you out of such things. I know that this can be hurtful and painful at times. Keep your eye on the prize. Continue to run the race that the Lord has set before you and rely on the direction of the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
After all, if its the Lord calling you...you are following His will, then no weapon formed against you shall prosper, no kingdom raised against you shall stand!!! Also, if God is for you, then who can be against you. Just keep on keeping on, listening only to Gods voice going where you are called.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the LORD.
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the LORD.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
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