Let God Lead (Laying A Foundation) by Brother Curtis Hansen

         We sort of touched on this subject a couple of weeks ago. The larger point that I am making is Let God Lead your life. The goal this morning is to begin laying a foundation to build from next week. There are a lot of verses to read from this morning, so be ready with your bible.

        The first point to be made is God wants to lead your life. When we make decisions in our life, they are usually made off our experiences and our past. Our experiences and past a lot of times are not a good barometer to use in judgement. If anything as you grow more mature and strive for righteousness in your walk, you should see things in your character which need to change. God wants to lead you into righteousness. 

        Let us touch upon the goodness of God. God is good in whatever situation he was in. There are some situations where we need to follow God. There are parts of our life which we need to clean up. Turn to Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12.

        12 There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

        There are some things that you need to get rid of in your life. God wants you to be proud in what you do, that you feel fulfilled in your calling. God places desires in your heart for you to act upon.

        God leads with needs, He always uses a need. Look at the stories in the Bible of Abraham's calling or Joseph in Egypt. God could have moved into other directions in life. There are a half dozen ways the stories could have turned.

        Let's speak about the future and what it holds. God desires to lead you into the future. Before he even can begin to lead you, you need to submit yourself into him. There's nothing written in the scripture that states you will get abundant life is you are merely saved. A trap we fall into as believers is that being led by God and feeling good are the same thing. They are not the same thing. They are two entirely different things. Everything God calls you to in life will feel drastic and harsh to your flesh. There will be those who are operating under their own way of thinking instead of being led by God. Turn to Matthew chapter 15 verse 14.

        14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into a ditch.

        We all walk and maneuver about sometimes under our own understanding and sometimes we wind up in a ditch. Submit yourself and let God lead you personally. God cares about your health, family, finances, every facet of your life. It all comes down to your decisions. What you choose and where you go will affect your walk both in big and small ways. In surrendering to God's will, you are displaying the primary act he seeks of all his children. Obedience. Tithing is a good example of obedience despite the backlash the act receives not only in the world but in some denominations. In the world of finance, a person willing to give 10% of his earnings regardless of other factors makes no sense, yet, with God it works. A lot of our frustration stems from not being familiar in some situations and grow too impatient waiting for God to move.

        There's something as believers we need to commit towards and that is the word comes before the spirit. God will not override or revise the word. Look at Proverbs chapter 3 verse 5.

        5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

        We as believers need to acknowledge God in all ways before he moves for us. Turn to the book of Luke chapter 10 verse 25.

        25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

        26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

        27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.

        28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

        Man has always looked for the easy way to a solution. A way that will require the minimum amount of effort. The answer given to Jesus from the law seems pretty cut and dry to our eyes, but think about this. How difficult in the flesh is it for us to love God with all our heart? Our soul? Our mind? First and foremost love God and not just mere lip service or a hash tag blessed meme on Facebook. There are some things worth reading about and not praying about. God wants to lead you in every aspect of your life. I know this because of all the different facets of human life, the do's and don'ts are in the Bible. Now, not specific questions are directly answered in the Bible. Personalized questions about the job we work, marriage, raises in wage. God wants you to search and pray upon those things before moving. He doesn't want you to make a snap decision because it "feels" right. God wants you to live abundantly in your life. You should care over the things God has given you to be a steward over in your life. There are things in our life that God spoke frequently about in scripture. Following his laws and working upon yourself will bring you to a place like in the book of Colossians chapter 3 and verse 15.

        15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

        When you make a decision any decision rooted in scripture and hearing the still small voice of the Lord, you feel peace. You may be smart enough to realize you can fight the devil in your bad decisions made with scripture. God is in the battle with us!

        Everyone of us have needs and wants. It is up to us individually to determine the difference between them. You need to know what your needs are. The obvious needs of food, air, water, shelter, those are in the forefront. There are needs you have that you aren't aware of. What things will help you or are practical in your life? We should continue to develop and practice self-awareness in our walk. There are things that God may share with you that you need to keep to yourself. Not everything that comes from your head is gold. James chapter 3 is all about why it's wise to keep your mouth closed at times. If you are in a mental prison focused on your problems and issues you are dwelling in self pity. God wants to lead you and I toward one direction and that is toward righteousness. It is up to you and I to know God's laws and rules. You can be saved and not be happy. There are a lot of unhappy christians out there dwelling on what not's fair. Your personal cares are not his cares. Stop apologizing to God for things you are not working on. You're sorry today, but what about Tuesday, when you are right back where you started? Waiting on God has a point. It is up to you and I to maintain and grow our faith.