Did the Lord Say?

There are times when it is hard to know what to do, when we are in a quandary. The enemy comes in after God has given a word, to bring doubt and get us off course – “Oh, did the LORD say?”

There are times when it is so important to continue moving forward even though you aren’t hearing direction. There are times you have to stay still to wait for direction. How do you know which way to go; what to do? You have to examine your heart and ask the LORD to show you.

If you are typically a procrastinator, or one who doesn’t like challenges, you could say, “Oh, the LORD hasn’t told me what to do” as an excuse.

Yet if you love “projects” like me, you might have a tendency to jump in with both feet to everything that comes your way without asking the LORD if HE wants this for you, and justify your actions with reasons as to why it must be His will, i.e. “He brought the opportunity, so I should take it.” Sometimes we look for things to justify our own hidden desires then say He brought it.

So how do you know?

My quandary with the book’s “marketing” has been that I don’t like “self-promotion” and it seemed to me that if the LORD wanted it to get into people’s hands, He would just do it supernaturally, leading them to it. If He wants me to speak about it, He’d just bring people across my path and open the doors. That could happen, but it doesn’t mean that’s the only way. John the Baptist certainly didn’t wait for people to supernaturally “know” things; he was called to preach repentance. I know that He gave me this book, He gave me the revelation that is in it, it wasn’t my idea; the principles in it are not mine, they are His. They have greatly impacted my life and still do every time I pick up the book and read from it.

So, I recognize that if He gave me a book to write, He wants it read by others, He wants the truths in it shouted form the rooftops, and I cannot be ashamed that He gave it to me. I can no longer hide under the Rock in fear that people will think I’m crazy or not believe that He spoke to me. So what if they do? I know I hear from God and see things He’s shown me. It is time to stand firmly on the Rock and proclaim the good news that you can hear from God too! He WANTS to have a relationship with you and show you great and mighty things you know not of (Jer. 33:3). Seek Him while He may be found! Today is the day of salvation; tomorrow is promised to no one. Get saved from a religious mindset that just goes through the motions through duty. Know that He is your Creator – He has a purpose for your life. Know that He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for your sins so you could be restored to that relationship He intended for you from the beginning. You can’t have that if the blood of Christ doesn’t cover you because God is Holy and sin can’t enter His presence, it will be destroyed by His consuming Holy Fire.

Salvation is to the uttermost of our souls (1 Peter 1:8; Hebrews 7:25); it is an ongoing work. We work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians. 2:12), taking every thought captive that opposes the knowledge of Him and make our thoughts obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Therefore, I come against those high and lofty thoughts that “sound humble” but in fact keep me from proclaiming His truths. With my mouth I will make know that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father! See, I know my purpose is to give glory to Him, to proclaim Him and live for His Glory! I can’t do that if I hide away.

There are times He will give a clear direction for a specific purpose. Yet in the normal day-to-day, I still must be about the Father’s business and give glory to Him.

Just as I dare not deny Him before men, or hide my light under a bushel, I must submit my body as a living sacrifice daily. He has given me a mouth and wisdom, which all my adversaries cannot gainsay or resist (Luke 21:15).

Moses – Shocked in the Desert….in MY desert, it was shocking to find that God wanted to use ME; me, with all my past, with my fear of public speaking, fear of others’ opinions! Yet I fear more He who has the power to destroy both the body and soul in Hell (Luke 12:5). He is the God of the Universe, and creator of all life. He told me 15 years ago that if I didn’t live for Him, I’m out of here, and I had a close call 5 years ago when I “forgot” that and backed off.

I don’t fear Him in the sense of being afraid to approach Him, because I am covered by the blood of Jesus and can come boldly before the throne of Grace. I know how much He loves me. I fear Him because He is Holy. My fear is the knowledge of His ways and a holy respect and great admiration for Him. His love, His mercy, His grace, His long-suffering, His power, has given me the ability to make Him LORD in my life. With my mouth I will make known His faithfulness to all generations (Ps. 89:1). He is worthy to receive all the praise, and glory, and power and honor, forever.

So, how do you know what to do? Live according to His purpose and glorify His Name...bottom line.