Following God's leading in your life

Recently I and a pastor from our church talked with a men’s group about identifying and following God’s leading in your life. I created this as a part of that talk and thought it might be interesting for others as well. Enjoy!

My life verse is: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Other helpful verses:

Psalm 37:4 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁴ Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.[Remember to read this in context! God said this to the children of Israel while they were being taken as captives to Babylon!]

Specific Steps I have used in determining God’s will for my life:

• Pray for God to open the doors for where He wants me to go and close doors for where He doesn’t want me to go. Pray that I ‘get it’ and don’t try to find another way around a closed door.
• Talk with Godly friends. Ask them for feedback and for their prayers. Seek out mentors. They WON’T seek you out!
• Keep track of what God has done. Make a list of all the little confirmations.
• If married, discuss and pray with your spouse about any major decisions. If God is truly leading you to do something, He will lead both of you that way. [may be different if your spouse is not a Christian or not actively seeking to follow God]
• Hold loosely to what you have- whether that is your job, your money, your possessions, or those you love. These are all gifts on LOAN from God! They aren’t yours!
• Disciplines: getting away with God (going on walks, praying, reading the Bible, reading other Godly materials, listening to praise music, journaling, driving without radio / music). How do you connect with God? Figure it out and be intentional about doing it!
• Emotions: This isn’t an indication for everybody, but often, when I feel God speaking to me, it is very emotional (with tears). I don’t trust my emotions completely (to be a validation) but they are definitely an indication that something bigger (i.e. spiritual) is going on and I need to pay attention.
• ‘What are you (God) trying to teach me?’ Pray to God, ask Him to teach you and prepare yourself to learn. But it may be difficult and painful.
• Continue to learn: Go to conferences, read books, listen to sermons or books on cd…

This is just an initial list from my own experience. I'm sure there are more to add. Hopefully this will encourage you as you seek to follow God's lead in your life!