I would imagine that some will find today’s study uncomfortable – what I mean is: the idea, that God actually speaks to us, and we can listen and discern what He is telling us; is too confronting a thought, even for some Christians.

I think, the discomfort of this group of people comes from the view that the Holy Spirit only speaks through Scripture (or Church ‘authorities’) - and, they have a negative attitude to those who say that they have discussions (prayer) with a personal God who guides them with His ‘voice’.

Selwyn is right on-target, when he referred to John 10:3-5, where we hear Jesus saying to His disciples – ‘My sheep know My voice.‘  The Spirit speaks truth and He will never say anything which is in conflict with any truth found in Scripture. Sometimes our imaginations can be at work and we might think we are hearing a word from God, but if it’s a product of our own human nature it will often venture off course (not agree with Scripture – a reflection of God’s will) and then it’s easy to discern (often, with the help of Christian friends) that it’s not a message from God. 

Jesus loves us, and if we honestly seek (in prayer) confirmation from Him about a message we think could be from Him; He will always respond – if, we sit quietly before Him, and listen!

Our personal experiences with God is always within the framework of Scripture. The Bible gives a context and a meaning to our personal, spiritual experiences. In my experience , our spiritual discussions with God never lead to new revelations – that work was completed when John wrote the last sentence in the Book of Revelation. Our encounters with God are mostly about helping us to understand what has already been revealed. This unfolding of our understanding of God’s plan for us, is ‘part and parcel’ of us, growing from children to adults, in Christ.

Do you agree?

The following excerpt, from today’s study, is something – all of us – can meditate upon.

“These are the general routes to (spiritual) guidance: First, guidance according to the character of Jesus. We know who God wants us to be like – He wants us to be like His Son. Anything Jesus would not do, we should not do. (In regard to the last sentence – perhaps, the ‘positive’ presentation, of this route, would have been better?) Second, guidance through His Word. The Holy Spirit makes the Bible come alive to us, and throws a beam of light on the path ahead. Third, guidance through circumstances – putting us in situations where the circumstances indicate the direction in which we ought to go. Fourth, guidance through the counsel of good and godly people (fellow Christians). Fifth, guidance through the direct whispering of the Holy Spirit within us.”

Can you think of any other routes for spiritual guidance?

I’m a little luke-warm about today’s study; and, I think the story about the horses has more to do with intelligence than freedom.

Plus, not sure, if I entirely agree with Selwyn in regard to his statement that God does not override our personality. I found that in the early days, my personality was constantly being modified by the influence of the Holy Spirit. These days the modifications are in smaller steps, but the transformation is still on-going, it should never cease! I will never become the person God has designed – this side of the grave, yet I should be moving in that direction. 

However, I do like the following: ” … deeply entrenched in all of us is a spirit of independence, … one of the biggest struggles we have as Christians is to bring our independent and stubborn natures into submission to the divine will.“

The prayer, is also good: “Gracious Father, I bring my independent spirit to You for You to harness it and bring it under Your control. I recognise there is still something in me that prefers my way to Yours. But I want Your way to be my way. Help me, dear Father. Amen.”

To follow Jesus, means exactly that – we follow Jesus in every facet of our lives – there is no hidden compartment, where we can go our own way for awhile, then rejoin the path set out for us, by God. Judas knew Jesus, walked along side Him for three years, heard about God’s plan for salvation, but decided to go his own way, and in doing so – lost his life.

It’s exactly the same for us – if we go our own way, even for a short time, we risk everything – it’s that serious.

Selwyn’s words are excellent: ” … guidance demands surrender. That is why some find the subject of guidance intimidating; they don’t like the idea of giving up their independence. If we are to be guided (by the Holy Spirit) then there must be shifting from self-will to God’s will. That will, not your own, becomes supreme. God’s will and guidance becomes your constant frame of reference. Guidance … is the minimum necessity for every Christian. It gives mission to life (though) submission.”

What are your thoughts on today’s study?

I like a lot of what Selwyn has written for today’s study.

He continues to discuss the important point that God has a purpose and a plan for every life. We are all different and unique in one way or another. 

In his introduction, Selwyn writes: “If we find the plan of Godfor us and work within it, we cannot fail. Outside of it we will not find true peace or rest. To be the instrument of the purposes of God is the highest thing in life. ” I agree, in general, with this statement – but I don’t agree with the idea that God’s plan for our life is something that we ‘find’, with the possibility that if we don’t look in the right places we may never find it. If we go to God, and earnestly seek His guidance in prayer, we can trust His love that He will, in His own timing, unfold His plan for us. It has taken me, many years, for this simple fact to sink into my frail, faulty mind. Trust in God’s love – He is always guiding us – we just need to allow ourselves to continually follow His guidance – it’s simply, a question of trust. Do you agree?

Another way of reaching the same conclusion, is the obvious implication of the verse, used by Selwyn in his discussion (John 15:16, NIV): “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.”  God chose us – and in choosing us- He has a plan – a role for us – all mapped out in great detail. He is the vine and we are the branches, therefore we cannot produce good fruit on our own – we need His support and power, to bear fruit. He lets us grow as branches on His vine – He has given us the ability to produce fruit.

Lastly, Selwyn highlights the point that as Christ’s ambassadors (Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians 5:20). We must weight our words carefully, for they represent to others, the views of our God – as an ambassador for Jesus, we represent Him in our daily dealings with others. Selwyn’s concludes: “Everyone is, in one sense, a representative (of Jesus). We are speaking, thinking, acting in a name that is not our own. That is why guidance is not a matter of the occasional but the continuous.”

Ambassadors are public figures; and, in one sense, they do not have a private life, everything they do, is ‘on show’ , and they are conscious that all their actions will reflect on the integrity of the country they are representing. How much more, then, do we need to be always on guard, because everything we do, should reflect the best of God’s character?  It is impossible for us to be God’s ambassador without us constantly seeking His will, through prayer; and trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the words – for all occasions.

What’s your view?

The point which Selwyn makes today is important – God is not only, ‘with us’ during the high and low moments of our lives, but also in the every-day, ordinary moments. I guess you can put it another way, God loves us so much that He never finds us boring – to be with. He is constantly working to transform us into the full likeness of Jesus.

Selwyn’s concise conclusion, sums up today’s study in a way that cannot be misunderstood: “God being who He is – the Architect of fine detail – has a plan, a purpose for every life (including yours). If we turn our backs on that idea then, as Dr C. Jones put it, we are at a level that is sub-Christian.”

(That is, we don’t reach our full spiritual potential – if we don’t keep our senses alert for the Holy Spirit’s promptings, then we will miss out on opportunities. I believe that we will be told about these lost opportunities when we have give an account of our lives on our day of judgment. Do you agree?)

I too, liked the quote from Francis Schaeffer: “Christians must have a sense of being led.’

In addition, Selwyn’s comments on this issue, are excellent: “Without that sense of being led, life hangs at loose ends, lacks a goal and lacks also the dynamics necessary to attain a goal … we become victims of our circumstances. …  If we are not being led by God how can we calm to be His sons and daughters?”

The prayer for today encapsulates a theme that we should find time to reflect upon: “O God, forgive us for forgetting so often that as Your children we are carrying out purposes that are not our own. Help us walk through life with a sense of being divinely led. Not merely sometimes, but at all times. In Christ’s name. Amen.

It’s good to start each day with a prayer that seeks God’s guidance for all that we do – during that day; and, if possible, to end the day with a prayer of thanks, that He has been with us on the ‘ups and downs’ of our daily walk – following in His footsteps. How do you invite Jesus – our Lord and God, to be with you – each, and every day?