What's God telling you?

A real big question. Why? Because so many do not believe that God can speak to them. He wants to speak to them. I have lain awake since 3:30 this morning trying to hear what God has to say about some situations I am dealing with. Finally, I fell asleep at 6:30 for an hour.

I realized that I had not mailed something out yesterday. I realized I had doubled appointments this afternoon. I remembered everything that I could think of and a lot that I hadn't. I kept saying "I can't (regarding misleading thoughts), I won't (listen to the other voice-ever notice how clear that one is?), and I can hear God."

But the three circumstances I feel are on my plate and that I need an answer for didn't materialize. With two circumstances it involves people and I don't want to make a mistake. The other one involves getting a new building. I am looking at two storefronts and I want to hear from God. It's easy to say "God, close doors or open them", but I want to simply hear from Him.

People always say "God told me." I am impressed. The longer I am a Christian, the less sure I am about bringing that phrase forth. I really want to know its God. I have had people tell me God told them to lie, to go to casinos, go to bars and end up in trouble. That doesn't line up with the Bible I read. (King Jameth-the one the apostles used!!!! A little levity.)

I have people tell me the Lord told them to get divorced. People who have told me that this is the reason they participate in this sin. "Lee, I am doing this___(fillin the blank with the appropriate sin!) because God wants me to be happy."Whatever happened to good Bible thinking?

What does God tell you? If you or I are in sin, I think its time to quit! Don't you?

I was told yesterday that I am afraid to fail. That person is right. I am afraid to fail. And when it comes to God I am even more concerned. I haven't gotten past reliance on God for whatever kind of peanut butter I am going to eat. But I don't think I will ever get past reliance on Him. As a matter of fact I think our dependence grows greater on Him if we are walking in the light.

So this morning, my wife is giving me 4 hours to get our income tax out. And prayerfully God will answer some questions while I am contemplating figures.

And for some of you, may I help you with something? The issues about divorce and separation, about lying, about cheating, about being married, about raising children-even how to run a church or a business-they are clearly written about in the Word of God. The easy part is the clarity with which describes life issues. The difficult part is not facing the sin head on and beginning to justify it. Its reading about it and not wanting to change.

I recently had someone who had made a vow and then not seen it as valid. I tried to hold them accountable to the word they had uttered. They fought me off and found a non-Christian who told them it was all right to participate in this sin. We can always find someone.

I don't know about you, but I want to be holy before God. I realize I can not do it without Him. So why would I push myself away from the One who loves me and wants to see me set free?