No matter how right or urgent a situation may seem, the most important thing is to seek and confirm God's guidance before making any decision. Even when our intentions are good, like Paul's desire to preach in Asia, God's will may lead us in a different direction for a greater purpose. Trusting in God's guidance ensures that we are aligned with His perfect plan, even when it surprises us or challenges our assumptions. [00:37]
Acts 16:6-10 (ESV)
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Reflection: Is there a decision in your life that seems obviously right, but you have not yet paused to seek God's specific guidance? What would it look like to wait for His direction before moving forward?
Even in the most difficult and seemingly hopeless situations, God promises to open a way out and provide wisdom for those who seek Him. When everything feels left to you and the path is unclear, you can ask God for His wisdom and trust that He will reveal the open door, supporting you without reproach. [01:24]
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Reflection: Think of a current challenge that feels overwhelming—how can you specifically ask God today to show you the way He has opened for you?
When you ask God for guidance or wisdom, do so with unwavering faith, not doubting His willingness or ability to answer. Doubt makes us unstable and unable to receive from God, but faith positions us to recognize and follow His leading. [02:21]
James 1:5-8 (ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you find yourself doubting God’s willingness to guide you? How can you choose to trust Him fully in prayer today?
When you pray, do not become obsessed with the issue at hand, but instead focus your heart and attention on Jesus Christ Himself. True faith in prayer arises when your gaze is fixed on the Lord who is with you, rather than on the circumstances you face. [03:03]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reflection: The next time you pray about a pressing need, how can you intentionally shift your focus from the problem to the presence of Jesus with you?
The foundation of faith in prayer is the assurance that the Lord is with you right now. When you truly focus on His presence, you can trust that God will surely guide your path, no matter how uncertain the future may seem. [03:03]
Psalm 32:8 (ESV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Reflection: How can you remind yourself throughout today that God is present with you and actively guiding your steps?
No matter how challenging or urgent our circumstances may be, the most important thing is not the difficulty itself, but whether we are seeking and following God’s guidance. Even when something seems obviously good or right—like Paul’s desire to preach the Gospel in Asia Minor—God may have a different plan, as seen when the Holy Spirit redirected Paul to Europe. This teaches us that our own sense of urgency or correctness must always be submitted to God’s direction. We are called to pause, seek God’s wisdom, and wait for His confirmation before moving forward, even in matters that seem unquestionably aligned with His will.
When we find ourselves in situations where it feels like everything depends on us, we must remember that God has already promised to open a way. Our responsibility is to ask Him for wisdom and to look for the open door He provides. This requires faith—not just a general belief, but a specific trust that God will answer when we ask. If we doubt, we become unstable, like waves tossed by the wind, unable to recognize God’s guidance even when it comes.
True faith in prayer is not about obsessing over the problem or the outcome, but about focusing on Jesus Christ Himself. The assurance that the Lord is with us right now is the foundation of our faith. When our attention is fixed on Christ, faith arises naturally, and we become sensitive to God’s leading. God’s guidance is not vague or hidden; He desires to show us the path we should take, especially when we seek Him with a heart of faith. In every situation, the invitation is to look to Jesus, trust in His presence, and believe that He will guide us step by step.
Everyone, no matter how difficult the situation, if you can follow God's guidance, there will be no problem. The important thing is not the difficulty, it's finding God's guidance accurately and following it. No matter how urgent it is, you must always seek God's guidance first. And no matter how right it seems, you must always confirm God's guidance before making a decision. Isn't missionary work God's will? But in Acts 16, we read that the Apostle Paul tried so hard to spread the Gospel in Asia Minor, but the Holy Spirit forbade him.
[00:00:03]
(40 seconds)
#SeekGodsGuidanceFirst
Preaching the Gospel should be something God would be pleased with, but how could God prevent it? But then we discover that God's will was for Paul to take the Gospel across the sea to Europe and spread it there. That was God's will. It seems so obvious, so right, yet we learn the important lesson of seeking God's guidance. Even in those times when everything seems to be left to you, please remember.
[00:00:48]
(34 seconds)
#TrustGodsPlan
The Lord has promised. He will surely open a way out. Even in times of unspeakable difficulty and when everything seems to be left to you, remember that God has opened a way and ask him, Give me God's wisdom. Show me where the open door is now. Then, believe. If you have asked God for wisdom, if you have asked for God's guidance, then believe. God does not scold, but provides support.
[00:01:21]
(35 seconds)
#BelieveInGodsWisdom
If you ask God for guidance, if you ask for God's wisdom, God will surely answer. If you do not believe, you will not understand even if God guides you. Ask only in faith and do not doubt at all. Those who doubt are like waves of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Let not such people think that anything is not from the Lord. Be of two minds, unstable in all your ways.
[00:01:57]
(28 seconds)
#FaithWithoutDoubt
Even if you are facing a truly difficult situation right now, pray to God today. God, please lead me. Open the way for me to live. Show me the path I should take. If you have, God will surely show you. He will show you today. He will not be vague. I want you to truly believe that.
[00:02:25]
(22 seconds)
#PrayForDivineDirection
To truly believe in God's answer, we must not be obsessed with the matter for which we are praying. When we go to God in prayer, our focus must be on Jesus Christ himself. Then, faith in prayer will truly arise. Why is it important for us to truly look to Jesus Christ with us? Because faith in prayer is necessary, and the basis of that faith is the assurance that the Lord is with us right now.
[00:02:46]
(32 seconds)
#FocusOnJesusFaith
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 19, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?
Add this chatbot onto your site with the embed code below
<iframe frameborder="0" src="https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/seeking-gods-guidance-right-attitude" width="100%" height="100%" style="height:100vh;"></iframe>Copy