The Lord Directs Our Steps...

Proverbs 16:9 says; "The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps".

This is an interesting combination of man and God , from God's Word this morning... We often make plans for our own way as men on this earth, but it is the Lord who ultimately directs the steps of those who believe and trust in Him. There is consistently this crazy dynamic of God's Ways and My ways, God's Plans and My plans, God's thought and my thoughts...Sometimes my ways are far off from God's Ways. Often times my Plans are disjointed from God's plans. And every day I have thoughts that are the farthest extreme from the Holy thoughts of God. But what about times when I know, without a shadow of doubt, that God is directing? How do we, as believers, know when it is God directing, God's Leading, and God's Ways?

Here are few biblical precepts I have come to know and love the past few months as we have heard God's voice:

Believers in Christ hear God's Voice and know it is Him Speaking: John 10:27 = "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
When God speaks and we know it is Him speaking we must follow.

Believers in Christ have the Mind of Christ: 1 Corinthians 2:16 = For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
Ponder this verse today and ask yourself am I instructed by the mind of Christ?

Believers in Christ have the Spirit of God indwelling and influencing them:Romans 8:13-14 = if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Live by the flesh and you are useless to God. Let the Spirit lead and you prove you are a son of God.

Believers in Christ must fervently pray, they must diligently study the Word of God, and they must seek godly counsel:
James 5:15 = Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
2 Timothy 3:16 = All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Proverbs 15:22 = Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.

Believers in Christ will Hear, Know, and See God's Plans, Thoughts, and Ways completed:
John 14:29 Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.
God often speaks and we condition ourselves to obediently follow and when the things He spoke come to pass our faith is strengthened!