How does God guide us
Our shepherd has offered us His life, so that we can have it to the full. And He created us anew at our conversion. His goal and purpose is according to Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 我们原是 神所作成的，是在基督耶稣里创造的，为的是要我们行各样的善事，就是 神预先所安排的。
So, our good works are not contributing to our salvation, but are the result of our salvation, based on the good work He did for us.
The Lord asks us that we cooperate with Him in harmony. That is the reason that we need to involve the Lord in all decisions we make. Let’s look at His promises for guiding us:
• God promises to guide us
- (Psalm 32:8)
- (John 10:3–4,27)
• God has a good plan for our lives
- (Jeremiah 29:11)
- (Romans 12:2)
Jesus teaches how He cares for us, using the metaphor of a shepherd and a flock of sheep. Jesus says in John 10:3-4 and 27: 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 3看门的给他开门，羊也听他的声音；他按着名字呼叫自己的羊，领牠们出来。4他把自己的羊领出来以后，就走在前头，羊也跟随他，因为认得他的声音。27我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟随我。
Question 1
Can you see Jesus as your good shepherd? And yourself as an obedient sheep? Does Jesus know your personal name, calls you, and leads you (verse 3)?
Questions 2
How do you follow?
God guides us - commanding Scripture
• General will
- General instruction for marriage, work, money, children, elderly relatives (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105, 130–133)
• Primary calling
- To love God
- To love others
- To become like Jesus
God guides us - compelling Spirit
• God speaks as you pray (Acts 13:1–3)
• Strong desire to do something
- ‘God works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:13)
• Sometimes he guides in more unusual ways
- Prophecy, eg Agabus (Acts 11:27–28; 21:10–11)
- Dreams (Matthew 1:20)
- Visions/pictures (Acts 16:10)
- Angels (Genesis 18; Matthew 2:19; Acts 12:7)
- Audible voice (1 Samuel 3:4–14)
God guides us - counsel of the Saints
• ‘… the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15)
• ‘Make plans by seeking advice’ (Proverbs 20:18)
• Need for testing (1 John 4:1)
- Is it in line with the Bible?
- Is it loving? (1 John 4:16)
- Is it strengthening, encouraging and comforting? (1 Corinthians 14:3)
- Does it bring the peace of God? (Colossians 3:15)
Ultimately, we are responsible for our decisions, but it is a blessing to have others to talk to about the decisions we are making.
God guides us - common sense
‘Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this’ (2 Timothy 2:7)
God guides us - circumstantial signs
• ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28)
• ‘In your heart you plan your course, but the Lord determines your steps’ (Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 37:5)
• Sometimes God closes doors (Acts 16:7)
• Sometimes God opens doors (1 Corinthians 16:9)
• Sometimes we need to persevere despite the circumstances and trust God
• Be patient
• We all make mistakes – God forgives (Joel 2:25)
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Our shepherd has offered us His life, so that we can have it to the full. And He created us anew at our conversion. His goal and purpose is according to Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 我们原是 神所作成的，是在基督耶稣里创造的，为的是要我们行各样的善事，就是 神预先所安排的。
So, our good works are not contributing to our salvation, but are the result of our salvation, based on the good work He did for us.
The Lord asks us that we cooperate with Him in harmony. That is the reason that we need to involve the Lord in all decisions we make. Let’s look at His promises for guiding us:
• God promises to guide us
- (Psalm 32:8)
- (John 10:3–4,27)
• God has a good plan for our lives
- (Jeremiah 29:11)
- (Romans 12:2)
Jesus teaches how He cares for us, using the metaphor of a shepherd and a flock of sheep. Jesus says in John 10:3-4 and 27: 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 3看门的给他开门，羊也听他的声音；他按着名字呼叫自己的羊，领牠们出来。4他把自己的羊领出来以后，就走在前头，羊也跟随他，因为认得他的声音。27我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟随我。
Question 1
Can you see Jesus as your good shepherd? And yourself as an obedient sheep? Does Jesus know your personal name, calls you, and leads you (verse 3)?
Questions 2
How do you follow?
God guides us - commanding Scripture
• General will
- General instruction for marriage, work, money, children, elderly relatives (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105, 130–133)
• Primary calling
- To love God
- To love others
- To become like Jesus
God guides us - compelling Spirit
• God speaks as you pray (Acts 13:1–3)
• Strong desire to do something
- ‘God works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:13)
• Sometimes he guides in more unusual ways
- Prophecy, eg Agabus (Acts 11:27–28; 21:10–11)
- Dreams (Matthew 1:20)
- Visions/pictures (Acts 16:10)
- Angels (Genesis 18; Matthew 2:19; Acts 12:7)
- Audible voice (1 Samuel 3:4–14)
God guides us - counsel of the Saints
• ‘… the wise listen to advice’ (Proverbs 12:15)
• ‘Make plans by seeking advice’ (Proverbs 20:18)
• Need for testing (1 John 4:1)
- Is it in line with the Bible?
- Is it loving? (1 John 4:16)
- Is it strengthening, encouraging and comforting? (1 Corinthians 14:3)
- Does it bring the peace of God? (Colossians 3:15)
Ultimately, we are responsible for our decisions, but it is a blessing to have others to talk to about the decisions we are making.
God guides us - common sense
‘Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this’ (2 Timothy 2:7)
God guides us - circumstantial signs
• ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28)
• ‘In your heart you plan your course, but the Lord determines your steps’ (Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 37:5)
• Sometimes God closes doors (Acts 16:7)
• Sometimes God opens doors (1 Corinthians 16:9)
• Sometimes we need to persevere despite the circumstances and trust God
• Be patient
• We all make mistakes – God forgives (Joel 2:25)
Save this worksheet by pushing the EMAIL-button
Close in prayer.
CLEAR EMAIL