Who are you listening to?

I don’t know, but I think that there are many of you who have had people in your lives that on one hand tell you that they stand behind you and when push comes to shove you end up standing alone. You come up with an idea and they downplay it almost immediately and then later your idea comes to life and they take credit for it. Or, you make a decision that you know will change your life and those around you begin to tell you that is not what you should do.

In ministry many things come about and many things seem so outlandish to most people that there is an immediate judgment as to why you are doing it. I have had experiences where I know that I know what God is telling me to do and other Christians come and tell me that they believe that is not what God is telling me to do. I listen to what they have to say but I do what God tells me to do. My feeling is that either they are jealous at what you are about to take on or that they have selfish motives for their disapproval. It really makes no difference because it is all about God and what He wants.

If you know that you know God is speaking to you and you know that you know you are to do something that is out of your character but you feel it is right and of God then go for it and do it. There will be those who think they know better and they will try to try to discourage you in your quest, but you need to follow what God is saying to you. Others have opinions and that is just what they are opinions. If you are waiting on the Lord and expecting an answer from Him and it comes, you need to be obedient to what He tells you.

You may have heard that others will lead you astray and I believe that is very true. In my life there have been many things that if I had not let others influence me I could have been a lot different than I am now. But on the other hand, I am exactly who God made me to be and I am who I am because of His guidance. You cannot live your life thinking of what could have been, you live your life by what is and understand that you are who you are because of God and not in spite of Him. Others have an influence in your life and they can lead you down the wrong path, but if you are holding on to the many promises God has given you then you are on the right path.

You need to be persistent in what you do and what you say. If God tells you to go to a foreign country and minister, then go to a foreign country and minister. If God tells you to start a bible study then start a bible study. Keep your focus on Christ and you will never get off track as to what you are to accomplish. It is all about Jesus and Jesus alone. Press in. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Walk on water as Peter did. Just keep your eyes on Jesus. Focus and don’t allow the world or friends around you distract you from the calling God has put on your life. Reach out to God first then follow His directions.

When we made our first trip to the Philippines, there were those around saying I don’t think God is calling you there and one of those people was me. I had no desire to even leave the state where I live. Others would tell me that I was just hearing voices and I fell into their negativity and was determined not to go. God is more persistent and if He is calling you, you will most definitely know. To make a long story short, God was calling us to go and not only did He have us go, but He provided everything we needed and more.

Listen to your heart and not your head. Listen to God and not your friends. Just listen! Be still and know that He is God and press in and do not give up. The woman with the issue of blood would not have been healed if she had given up. The blind man would never have received his sight if he had not pressed in. If you see a pattern here, that pattern would be press in. Never give up and always, always keep your eyes on Jesus and go toward Him.