God Speaks through License Plates! - Encouragement Café - October 12, 2016

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God Speaks Through License Plates!
By Brenda Rodgers
Wednesday, October 12, 2016

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  Romans 8:5 ESV

He told me over the phone.  My boyfriend of only three months was moving back to Texas.  Questions started rambling off my tongue.  

What about me?  Would we keep dating?  Were you going to discuss this with me?  Why didn’t you make this decision with me?

My conclusion was that I would have to move too.  After all, if I wanted to get married before my thirtieth birthday this was the only logical answer.

Even though my mind was made up, I started to pray.  I asked God to show me what He wanted me to do.  I asked Him to open doors.  I asked Him to give me clear direction.

Suddenly, a position in my company opened up in Texas.  I received a connection to a girl who may need a roommate.b I even started seeing Texas license plates around town every time I got in my car.

God’s even speaking to me through license plates!  I thought.  Surely this is from Him!

But the Holy Spirit pricked my spirit ever so faintly.  And He continued like an annoying gnat you try not to swat.  I tried to brush this feeling aside, but I couldn’t.  My decision to move wasn’t right.

In Lysa Terkeurst’s book, When Women Say Yes to God, she gives five questions we can ask ourselves to discern if we are hearing God’s voice or our own voice.  One of those questions is,

Would what I’m hearing please God?

I had already made up my mind that I was moving to Texas.  I made that decision the second after I heard my boyfriend was moving.  I even convinced myself that the circumstances that seemed to be lining up were God’s yes to my decision.

However, in my heart I knew this decision would not please God.  I was chasing a man who was not God’s best for me because I was fearful of never getting married.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control… 2 Timothy 1:7

Sometimes we try to manipulate God’s voice in order to satisfy our own desires.  God tells us that our thoughts are not His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).  

Therefore, it’s imperative that we get as close as we can to knowing God’s thoughts.  This only happens through consistent prayer and reading His Word.  Then we take our decision to Him with our minds fully surrendered and wait patiently to hear His leading.

What decision are you trying to make today?  

What is it that you desperately need to hear God’s voice regarding?

Whatever it is, right now, stop.  Just stop.  

Stop twirling your thoughts around in your head.  Stop toiling.  Stop trying to figure it out.

Instead, go to God in prayer.  Ask Him to open your mind, give you pure motives, and allow you to clearly hear His voice.  Then, spend time in His Word.  Learn how He thinks.  Finally, wait patiently with expectant ears to how He wants you to proceed.

Oh, sweet Jesus, I thank you for your desire for me to know you so deeply, so intimately, and for me to have a relationship with you. You are an amazing God who loves me so much that you pour out your wisdom upon me each and every time I ask (James 1:5).  Lord Jesus, right now I humbly ask you for your wisdom in this decision. Help me to come to you first. Help me to know what pleases you from what you tell me in your Word. Please protect my mind from snares from the enemy who wants to lead me astray. I love you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

© 2016 by Brenda Rodgers.  All rights reserved.

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