God, Guidance

God, Guidance and You

NO RIGHTS RESERVED As His Spirit leads

And for God's glory

You are encouraged to use this material

For the building up of His Body

And for the evangelization of the world

Cover design: Mark A. Cole

Typographer: Gelmis A. Cole

Dedication

To the sheep of God who long to hear The Shepherd's voice

Introduction

T

hiS little booklet is about God, Guidance, and You. It is but a brief overview of a subject so vast and profound that it has engaged the attention of men and angels since the world began. It involves the deep and inti- mate relationship between Christ and His Church. It consid- ers His precious promise never to forsake us, and to provide us with a perennial source of instruction and guidance. Peter wrote that the prophets searched and inquired dili- gently to understand this mystery. Even the angels longed to look into these things, but were not able (1 Pet. 1:10 - 12). Paul considered the same great mystery and wrote:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

The primary reference of this quotation from Isaiah 64:4 is not about heaven, it is about the relationship that Christians have with Christ right now! This is the "hidden wisdom" kept secret by God since the world began. Now, however, God has revealed this wisdom to us by His Spirit. The intimacy of this relationship is profound and wonderful, like a marriage. Just as husbands and wives share intimate

thoughts with one another, the Sovereign of the universe has

condescended to share His thoughts with all who join with Him in the intimacy of the marriage union. Each reader is encouraged to approach this subject with skepticism. The Scriptures teach us to "test everything" (1 Thess. 5:21). We are not to blindly accept spiritual teaching, but like the noble Bereans we are encouraged to study the Scriptures daily to see if spiritual teachings are true (Acts 17:11).

Everything God makes can stand careful scrutiny. Snowflakes, for example, are not only beautiful on a moun- tain top, but also under a microscope. The works of man, by contrast, become crude and ugly the more carefully they are examined. A painting, for example, that looks beautiful from across the room reveals many brush marks and imperfections when scrutinized more closely. If this teaching is of God, the more closely you examine it, the more beautiful it will become. Each day we face a wide variety of decisions. What we choose each day will either bring us closer to Christ or take us further away. Jesus not only wants us to have life, but life abundant (John 10:10). His guidance in our daily lives can therefore be the difference between success and failure.

Even though this little booklet is brief, you are encour- aged to study and ponder each page. The Word of God is like a seed. It cannot produce fruit until it has roots. May the truths of this booklet provide you with access to His eternal power and glory:

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Ephesians 3:20-21

God, Guidance,

and You

• There is a God (Ps. 14:1) and you were created in His image (Gen. 1:26).
• Neither you, or God will share intimate information with a casual acquaintance. If you become a friend of God Like Abraham, God may also reveal things to you.(Gen. 18:17 - 19;James. 2:23) .
• Please consider: " ... No-one knows the Son except the Father, and no-one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." (Matt 11:27)

If you are willing to be yoked with Christ, He promises to teach you. Please consider these next verses:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matt. 11:28-30

• This brief study is designed to help you receive guidance and direction from Christ.
• If you are in the yoke with Him, He promises to teach you.
• Being yoked with Christ is much better than merely having a map. Once you are in His yoke He promises never to leave you or forsake you! (Heb. 13:5)
• His yoke is "easy". That is, it fits you perfectly. This makes the burden seem light. Please prayerfully consider the implications of Matt. 28:28-30 in your own life.

The Bible

The primary way that God guides people is by the Bible. Please prayerfully consider:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Ps 119:105)

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuk- ing, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2Tim3:16-17

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from

God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

2 Pet 1:20-21

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes

of the heart." Heb 4:12

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and

the message is heard through the word of Christ." Rom 10:17

These and other Scriptures could easily be multiplied to show that God has given His word to provide guidance for His people (is. 55:11). When Jesus was tempted He quoted the Bible (Matt. 4: 4, 7, 10, etc.) So should you! If you want to be guided by God please study the Bible!

This is a picture of William Tyndale. On October 6, 1536 he was strangled and burned at the stake for translating the Bible into the English language .• His dying words were: "Lord, open the King of England's eyes".

A Brief Overview

• In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and His Spirit hovered over the waters (Gen. 1:2).
• Everything God made was good (Gen. 1:3,9,12,18,21).
• God was so interested in His creation that He even gave a name to every star (Ps. 147:4).
• Not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without His knowl- edge (Matt. 10:29).
• Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matt. 10:30).
• Of course, you are more valuable than many sparrows (Matt. 10:31).

Surely God is also interested in you!. He knows your name, and where you live, and also has a plan for your life. Please consider:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in

the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Ps 139:13-16

..

Tbis is a sparrow. It does not sow or reap store in barns (Matt. 6:26) Please prayerfully consider the fact that if God is concerned about sparrows, He is even, more concerned about you!

Guidance in the Age

of the Patriarchs

• The word "patriarch" refers to rule by fathers. During this time in history the fathers ruled as prophets, priests, and kings.
• God guided Noah and helped him prepare an ark and save his household (Gen. 6:9 - 22).
• God guided Abraham to the land of promise (Gen. 12:1; Heb. 11:8)
• God guided the servant of Abraham to find a wife for Isaac (Gen. 24).
• God guided Isaac and told him where to live (Gen. 26:1 - 6).
• God guided Jacob and helped him to become wealthy (Gen. 31:42).

The guidance of God at this time was not just for men like Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it was for all who would trust in the Lord and lean not unto their own under- standing. This truth transcends all time:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your

own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and

he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6

This is an artist's conception of Noah's ark. God gave Noah specific instructions on how tOi~d the ark. All who were in it were saved (Gen. 6:9',f;~~~i~i':A" outside of the ark perished (II Pet. 3:6). It seems to have taken 120 years to complete the project (Gen. 6:3). Noah built the ark to save his family (Heb. 11:7). What are you will-

ing to do to save your family?

Guidance in the

Age of Moses

During the Age of Moses God gave His people a new kind of government. In this dispensation they would no longer be ruled by fathers, but by national leaders. Neither would the fathers build altars and make sacrifices. This responsibility was now designated to the Tribe of Levi and the sons of Aaron.

• Of course, God did not abandon His peopled during this time, but continued to guide them.
• While many examples of guidance could be given, one famil- iar example is the way God guided His people through the wilderness.
• He led them with a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 40:34 - 38).
• More specific guidance came from following the ark of the covenant. It was carried by the priests about a thousand yards in front of the people (Josh. 3:4).
• The experience of God's people in the wilderness is specifically stated in Scripture to be an example for us (1 Cor. 10:1 - 13).

Truly, God continued to guide His people in the Age of Moses.

• It was during this dispensation that David was inspired to write that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Ps. 37:23).

This is how an artist pictures the cloud that guided God's people in the wilderness.

Guidance in the

Age of Jesus

• Jesuscame to give us an example that we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21).

His primary command to His disciples was "follow me". This command is found 77 times in the four Gospels. Following Jesuswas both easy and hard. It was easy from the standpoint that all they had to do was keep Him in sight. It was hard because it demanded self-denial. Fishermen, for example, had to leave their fishing nets to follow Christ. Please consider:

• Jesusguided His disciples in catching fish (Lk. 5:1 - 7) and also promised to guide them in catching men (Lk. 5:10)
• Jesus was always reliable, but never predictable. He taught no rituals but never failed to help those who were sick or in need. Bible accounts of healing blind men, for example, indicate it was never done the same way twice (See Mk. 8:22-26; In. 9:1- 7; Matt. 20: 29-34).
• Even though Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised His disciples that He would not leave them like orphans. He would continue to be with them and guide them by means of the Holy Spirit (John 14;18).
• Even as they travelled to the ends of the earth Jesus promised to be always be with them (Matt. 28:18 - 20).

This is a picture of fishermen casting a net on the Sea of Galilee. On at least three occasions Jesus helped His disciples to catch fish (See Matt. 17:14S:ti; Lk, 5:1-11 ;and john 21 :1-14. Finally, jesus called them to be "fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). Please consider that Jesus can also guide us to be "fishers of men"

A New Kind of Guidance

• On the night before His death Jesustold His disciples that He was going where they could not follow at that time (In. 13:36)
• He was not going to abandon them, however, or leave them like orphans On. 14:18)
• Jesuspromised to return to them as a Spirit On. 14:15 - 17). As a Spirit, Jesuscould be with all of His disciples everywhere.
• In the Age of the Patriarchs and Moses, God's guidance came from without.
• Now Jesus promised to guide His disciples from within. He said:

"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

John 14:23

• With God in our hearts our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).
• Today His laws are not written on stone tablets, but in our minds and hearts (Heb. 8:7 - 13).
• Today, it is those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Rom. 8:14).
• Anyone who is not controlled by the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ ( Rom. 8:9)

If God guided His people in the Age of the Patriarchs and Moses, surely He can continue to guide His people today!

This is anArctic Tern. This tiny bird weighs-only 2/3 of a pound and yet flies each year from within the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic and back. The round trip is approximately 22,000 miles. This amazing journey is possible because Go<;Lplaced a guid- ance system inside of each bird. tFtiod can guide Hirds on lon"'g.and@ffieult jeurneys» can.He'fJelf:'3l-so-guide people?

Learning from Animals,

Birds, and Fish

God helps us to understand our guidance by the way He gives guidance to animals, birds, and fish. He inspired Jobto say:

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

Job 12:7-10

Insects like butterflies, moths, and locusts survive by migrating great distances. Nothing is haphazard in the created world. Each creature is designed by God with a mechanism for survival. Animals also have the ability to migrate. In Africa the antelopes, zebras, and wildebeests travel over 1,000 miles in their annual migration. In North America the caribou, elk, mule deer, and sheep also migrate to survive. These creatures are not guided by a leader from without, but by information that God has placed within them. The fowls of the air also migrate great distances by means of internal navigation systems. Many birds fly thousands of miles over vast continents and open seato arrive at their destinations. Then they unerringly return and often nest in the same tree. Many creatures of the sea also survive by migration. Whales spend the summer feeding on the rich concentration of plankton in arctic waters, but travel thousands of miles to warm waters for mating and calving. If God can give such guidance to insects, birds, beasts, and fish, certainly He can also give guidance to you.

This is the European freshwater eel. It is born in the Sargasso Sea south of Bermuda. In the early stages of its life it drifts across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. For the next 6 - 20 years it lives in the fresh water rivers of Europe, but then returns back across the Atlantic Ocean to spawn and die at the place of its birth. If God can guide an eel across thou- sands of miles of the ocean, can He not also guide you?

Learning from the Ant

The Scriptures teach that we can also learn from the ant.

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest."

Prov 6:6-8)

Ants are among the most numerous creatures on earth. There are 8,000 known species and their number is thought to exceed ten million billion. This number is greater than all of the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians combined.

The legendary army ants move their nest site once a day and are voracious hunters. Thousands of these ants function as one and are capable of killing every insect and small invertebrate in their path. Most ants, however, have a fixed nest. These ants have different colors, shapes and sizes and different roles to perform. Smaller worker ants may tend the larvae, while fierce soldier ants with large mandibles protect the colony. Though

these colonies contain thousands of individual ants, and though they are amazingly complex, they still operate asone.

All of these ants, according to Scripture, accomplish their amazing work without a "commander, overseer, or ruler". If God can guide an ant so that it will work in unison with other ants, surely He can guide you to work in cooperation with other Christians.

This ~s a Pictu.re of a.: Ie ';: ...•.... ' ..t.t~~a.nt. These amazmg creatures acn ..,', »a-: '~ a farm- ing operation with the '" ' ~c' carrying the leaves to the nest and the smaller ones ~paring them for food. Please consider ant and be wise!

"

God Is a Jealous God

• The first commandment of the Ten Commandments is that we are to have no other Gods before Jehovah (Ex. 20:3)
• Over and over we are reminded in Scripture that God is a Jealous God (Ex. 20:5; Deut. 4:24, 5:9; etc.)
• The most important commandment in all the Bible is that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12;30).

God does not promise to reveal Himself to everyone, but only to those who seek for Him with all of their heart:

"You will seek me, and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Jer.29:13

• Jesus taught that if any man would come after Him, he would have to deny himself and take up his cross (Matt. 16:24).

Surely if you search for God with all of your heart, you will find Him.

When you trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, He has promised to give guidance and direction for your life (Prov. 3:5 - 6). Our relationship with God is like a marriage. Obviously no marriage can be successful unless both the bride and groom are completely devoted to one another. God is completely devoted to you (Rom. 8:31 - 39). Are you completely devoted to Him?

You Must Be Born Again

• God created living plants on the third day (Gen. 1:11). Each living thing has seeds and reproduces after its own kind.
• Jesus used this truth to teach Nicodemus about spiritual life. He said: "flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (John 3;6).
• This is why it is necessary to be born again (John 3:1 - 8). The only way we can have Spiritual life is to get it from a Spiritual seed.
• The first time Jesus is mentioned in the Bible He is called the "seed of woman" (Gen. 3:15).
• Jesus is also called the seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc.
• When Jesuscomes into our heart we are born again.
• Peter put it like this: "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Pet. 1:23)
• Both the Bible and Jesus are called the "Word of God" (John 1:1; Lk. 8:11)
• Because we come from the seed of Adam we have the likeness of Adam. When we receive the seed of Jesus, we bear also have the likeness of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:45 - 49).
• Our life is dramatically changed when His seed abides in us (1 In.3:9).
• When you receive Jesus into your life, He will give you spiri- tual life and guidance.

The physical body of this baby came a physical seed. It received a DNA code from its parents. When we are born again with God's seed, we also have His "image" or DNA code in a spiritual sense (see 1 Cor. 15:45 ~49). This code is not vvr!tten in our but 'in our minds and hearts (Heb:' 8:1 0). You must be "born again" in oTd~o see the. kingdom'of 6odtlohn 3:3)

Transformation

The Bible word for "transformation" is the Greek word "metamorphosis". It literally means to change into another form. We use this word to describe what happens to a cater- pillar when it becomes a butterfly.

• This word is found four times in Scripture. Two times it refers to Jesus (Matt. 17:2; Mk. 9:2) Two times it refers to Christians (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18).
• The transformation of Christ was the miracle that convinced Peter he was not following cunningly devised fables (2 Pet. 1:16-21).
• Please consider that today the greatest proof of the reality of God may very well be the transformation of a sinner from the works of the flesh to the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16 - 26) The transformation that happens in a convert to Christ is so dramatic that it is called in Scripture a new creation:

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Cor. 5:17

When the butterfly comes out of the cocoon it has a new mind, new desires, and new abilities. So does the new Christian! If God can guide a butterfly from Canada to Mexico, surely He can also guide you.

This is a monarch butterfly. MiJlions of these butter- flies begin their life cycle on a tQJJkweed plant in Mexico, and Wind upcStWeral generations later in Canada. In the Fall of the year will guide these butterflies back to M wbere they came from. If God can guide a butterfly, can He not also guide you?

You Must Have a New Heart

• Jeremiah described unconverted man as having a heart that was deceitful and desperately wicked (ler, 17;9).
• Because the heart of man was corrupt, it was easy to predict that his actions would also be corrupt (Matt. 15:19). For exam- ple, the people of God were rebellious while Moses was alive, and he predicted that their rebellion would grow worse after he died (Deut. 32:27). He was right.

God promised, however, that some day He would give

His people a new heart. Please consider:

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezek 36:26-27

Just as you can predict that a man with a corrupt heart

will do corrupt things, you can also predict that a man with a

godly heart will do good things.

Jesus said: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." " ... But they will not follow a stranger."

John 10:5, 27

Paul wrote: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Phil. 1:6

If you are one of Jesus' sheep, you will hear His voice

and follow Him (John 10:27).

This is a pi code. Our human nature comes directly from, this DNA code. The Christian, however, is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). God puts a new covenant, or "code" in our hearts and minds (Heb, 8:7-13). Our new nature in Christ co th-isnew code. Has He written Hls new heart ar4amiAdl

God's Guidance in

the Life of Peter

• Jesus gave Peter a new name because He saw in him the potential to become a new person (In. 1:42). He also guided Peter for three years during His earthly ministry.
• The night before Calvary Jesus said He was going where Peter couldn't follow now (John 13:36)
• Peter bragged that he would lay down his life for Christ, but instead denied him three times.
• Peter needed the help of the Holy Spirit in order to follow the risen Christ, and so do we!
• After Peter repented he confessed Christ three times (lohn 21:1-14). Then he asked what John was supposed to do (lohn 21:21).
• Jesus told Peter that what John did was none of his business. Peter was to follow the guidance of Christ in his own life and not worry about John.
• The Scriptures warn us about measuring ourselves by ourselves, and comparing ourselves among ourselves (2 Cor. 10:12).
• What someone else does, or does not do, is not our primary concern. To their own master they will stand or fall (Rom. 14:4). Our primary responsibility is to discover and follow the leading of God in our own lives.

God gave Peter guidance in many ways:

• From Scripture (Acts 1:15 - 26; 2:14 - 39, etc.); Through the urging of his fellow apostles (Acts 8:14); Through angels (Acts 5:27 - 20; 10:1 - 23; 12:1 - 11); Through visions (Acts 10:9 - 16); Through the rebuke of Paul (Gal. 2:11 - 21). Perhaps also in other ways.

Jesus is Sovereign. He could help and guide Peter any way He wanted to. He is also Sovereign today and can help and guide you any way He wants to.

This is a global position system receiver. It can provide guidance to you anywhere in the world. If man can devise such a system, don't you think GOd can devise one that is even better?

God's Guidance in

the Life of Paul

• Before Paul was born God selected him to be an Apostle to the gentiles (Gal. 1:15, 16). Obviously God was interested in everything that happened to Paul.
• At just the right time, God spoke to Paul on the Damascus Road. It was at this time that Paul received his official call to be an apostle to the gentiles. It was also at this time God began giving Paul very specific instructions (Acts 9:1 - 19; 22:6 - 21; 26:4 - 23).

Just as in the example of Peter, God guided Paul in a variety of ways.

• Through the help of friends who lowered him over a wall in a basket (2 Cor. 12:30 - 33).
• Through prophetic revelation (Acts 11:27; 13:1; 15:32; 21:10, lTim.1:18;etc.)
• Through visions (Acts 16:9, 10; 18:9; 26:19, etc.)
• Through angels (Acts 27:23)
• And in other ways wI? are not aware of.
• On one occasion Paul was caught up into the third heaven and heard words he was not permitted to repeat (2 Cor. 12:1 - 6).

God is Sovereign and could help and guide Paul anyway He wanted to.

God is also Sovereign in your life and can help and guide you any way He wants to!

This is the picture of can be guidea'\fO of miles away' with incredible accu tt.man can devise a system to guide rocket, don't you think God has a system to guide you?

God's Guidance in

the Book of Acts

• The Gospels record what Jesusbegan to do and teach. The book of Acts records what He continues to do and teach (Acts 1:1).
• Jesus told His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the power that the Father promised (Acts 1:4).
• Once they received this power they would be energized to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)
• Just as God hovered over His physical creation to insure its proper development, He also hovered over the spiritual devel- opment of His Body, the church. The identity of Christ with His church is unmistakable (Acts 9:4).
• The story of Paul's ship wreck is like a parable to help us understand that God guides us even we are not aware of it. The ship that carried Paul was caught in a storm and "driven before the wind". It seemed out of control. They had not seen the sun or stars for many days and were totally unaware as to where they were. God, however, was in complete control and informed Paul that they were destined for an island that He had chosen. He also reassured Paul that he would someday standbefore Caesar(Acts27:23 - 26).

There has not been a time in the in history when God was not in control of what happens in the lives of His children. When you are beset by the storms of life, it is comforting to know that God is still in control.

This is a radar screen. Planes and ships can receive guidance from radar to navigate through storms. Isn't it obvious that God has a better system than this to guide you through the storms of life.

Promises of God's Guidance

in the Epistles

• The Word of God is an energizing force that works in believers (1 Thess. 2:13; ;Heb. 4:12).
• The indwelling presence of God teaches us to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9).
• Believers have an anointing from the Holy One that helps them to know the truth (1 John 2:20).
• Believers have an anointing that remains in them and teaches them (1 John 2:27).
• The natural man does not receive or know the things of God but the spiritual man is able to make proper judgments about them (1 Cor. 2:14, 15).
• If any man lacks wisdom he can ask God for it. God promises to grant this wisdom to those who ask in faith (James 1:5 - 8).
• As many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Rom. 8:14).
• The peace of Christ will "rule", or be an umpire in the hearts of believers (Col. 3:15).
• God can make clear to believers things they otherwise might not understand (Phil. 3:15).
• Those who live in the Spirit are to keep in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

These and other promises in the epistles are not just for the apostles, or First Century Christians, they are also for you.

With this cell phone you can call for help, order something you need, or receive advice. The privilege of prayer, however, is far superior 19 anything man is capable of inventing. By means of prayer God can understand our thoughts ~fore we speak them in words.

Common Sense

• Jesus is the Head of His Body, the Church (Col. 1:18). When we are baptized into Christ we become members of His Body (1 Cor. 12:13 - 31). It is only common senseto believe that the Head of the Body can direct and control the members of His body.
• Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Believers are His sheep. It is common senseto believe that the sheep of Jesushear His voice and follow where He leads. This is precisely what Jesus promised (John 10:27).
• Jesus is the Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10). We are like soldiers in His army (2 Tim. 2:3, 4). Common sense teaches us that soldiers in the army receive guidance from their leader.
• When we become Christians we also become sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). It is only common sense to believe that the Father in a family can give guidance and help to His own children.

There are also many other analogies in Scripture that indicate that God can influence and direct the lives of believers: King-subjects; Master-slave; Husband-wife; Vine-branches; Teacher-disciple; etc.

When you become a member of His Body, both Scripture and common sense tells us that you will partake of His Spirit, His energy, His wisdom, and His guidance.

These athletes have well disciplined and coordinated bodies. Just as their heads control their bodies, your head controls your body. If you can control YOLlrbody, does it not also make sense that Christ can also control His Body?

The Necessity of Diligence

• The Scriptures admonish us to be careful how we live (Eph. 5:15). The word used here describes an acrobat. Lazy and slothful people are in danger of falling.
• Satan has the ability to appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).
• Satan sends out false apostles and deceitful workers (2 Cor. 11:13).
• We are commanded to "test" the spirits to see if they truly come from God (1 John 4:1).
• We are commanded to prove or test everything (1 Thess. 5:21).
• Jesus sent out His disciples like sheep in the midst of wolves (Matt. 10:16)
• We are to endure hardship like a good soldier (2 Tim. 2:3).
• We are to diligently compete for the prize like an athlete (2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Cor. 9:24 - 27).
• Like pilgrims in a strange land we are to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11).

Sheep in the midst of wolves need to be diligent and stay close to the Shepherd.

Acrobats have to be very careful what they do. So does the Christian! Are you beirig careful and diligent about your obedience to Christ?

Do Not Be Like the Horse or the Mule

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." Ps 32:8-9

God wants to guide us, but He also wants us to be sensi- tive to His leading and guidance. He does not want to deal harshly with us like we were horses or mules. Horses and mules often have to be forced to obey. God does not want us to be like that.

• God sent Noah to give guidance to the people. They refused God's guidance and perished in the flood. (2 Pet. 2:5).
• God sent Moses to give guidance to Pharaoh. Pharaoh refused that guidance and brought destruction upon all of Egypt (Ex. 7:1-12:51).
• God sent Amos to guide Israel. God also sent starvation, drought, and plagues but the people considered them only as "natural" disasters. Their refusal to accept God's guidance brought them judgement (Amos 4:6-12) .
• God wanted to guide Jonah but Jonah rebelled. Three days in the belly of a grea fish helped him hear the voice of God more clearly (Jonah 1:1-3:3).
• Balaam was so insensitive to what God wanted in his life that God had to enable a donkey to speak in order to get his attention (Nu. 22:21-34).

What will God have to do to you in order to get your attention?

This mule is guided by pain; 1f it does not respond correctly, it may have to be whipped. God wants to give us guid- ance, but He prefers not to do it like men guide horses a mules. Are you sensi- tive to the leading of God in your life?

God's Promises Are for You

In the struggles of life we are energized and helped by His exceeding great and precious promises. Peter reminded his readers that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of God. By means of His glory and goodness

... he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Pet 1:4

These great and precious promises assume a new signifi- cance when we are able to appropriate them personally in our own lives.

It was approximately 3,000 years ago that God inspired David to write the 139th Psalm. Please prayerfully consider that the message of this Psalm has been especially preserved to help YOU in the struggles you are facing today: o LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, 0 LORD. You hem me in- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too

wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, 0 God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. Ps 139:1-18

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight..

Prov 3:5-6

One Example of Many

Since every child of God is led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14), we have an unlimited number of examples to illustrate God's guidance in His people. We have chosen the late Dr. George Washington Carver, however, because he proves that the principle is true regardless of poverty, prejudice, and other overwhelming disadvantages. Dr. Carver was born a slave, and spent the first years of his life as a sickly child with no opportunity for any formal education.

In spite of these, and other obstacles Dr. Carver became one of the most famous scientists in the world and is credited with being the "Father of Synthetics". The discovery of synthetics came in his laboratory at Tuskegee which he called "God's little workshop".

According to the story Dr. Carver took his Bible into his labratory and prayed for God to teach him about the universe. The Lord seemed to say that this was too compli- cated for him to understand. Next Dr. Carver prayed that he might understand man. This also was deemed to difficult. Finally the submissive Dr. Carver prayed to at least under- stand the peanut. The Lord seemed to say that He would help him do this.

Dr. Carver was said to have stayed in his laboratory for 48 hours. Concerned students knocked on the door to see if he was all right. He was!

Dr. George Washington Carver Born around 1861 - no birth records available Passed away Jan. 5, 1943

When Dr. Carver came out of God's little workshop there were four kingdoms instead of three. Now, in addition to the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, there was also the kingdom of synthetics.

Here are some of the more than 300 things that God showed Dr. Carver how to synthesize from the peanut: BEVERAGES- blackberry punch, cherry punch, peanut lemon punch, peanut orange punch, etc. COSMETICS - all purpose cream, antiseptic soap, baby massage cream, face bleach and tan remover, glycerine, hand lotion, shampoo, shaving cream, etc.

DYES, PAINTS, and STAINS - 30 dyes for cloth, 19 dyes for leather, paints, 17 wood stains, etc. STOCK FOODS - molasses feed, hen food, peanut hay meal, peanut hull bran, peanut stock food, etc. FOODS - bar candy, bisque powder, buttermilk, caramel, cheese cream, dehydrated milk flakes, dry coffee, mayon- naise, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, oleomargarine, mock oyster, instant coffee, etc. MEDICINES - castoria substitute, goiter treatment, iron tonic, laxatives, tannic acid, quinine, etc. GENERAL - axle grease, charcoal, diesel fuel, bricketts, gas, gasoline, glue, insecticide, linoleum nitroglycerine, plas- tics, rubber, laundry soap, etc. (A more complete list can be obtained from Carver Birthplace District Assn. P.O. Box 38, Diamond, Mo. 64840) Dr. Carver believed that God was broadcasting informa- tion all around the world in something similar to radio waves. He believed that God would give guidance when we

"tuned in to Him". Are you ready and willing to "tune in to God"?