Recently I was reading chapter 11 of the book of Proverbs from the Bible. I was amazed to discover that God has designed tools by which He guides us in our lives. Sometimes we don't realize that God is guiding us, but I hope that by reading this article you will see for yourself how God has or wants to guide you.
Pr 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them. Integrity is my guide! Doing the right thing is my guide! Integrity has to do with honesty. My outer life is guided by my inner life. Integrity also has to do with what I want.If I am making a deciosin, big or small, God uses our integrity to guide us.
Pr 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright. I'm led by righteousness; I'm led by "doing the right thing."
Pr 11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver him.
Pr 11:9 But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. What knowledge do I need? What knowledge do I lack?
Pr. 11:14 In the multitude of counselors there is safety. We should and need to seek the advice from others, especially other more mature, godly spiritual leaders. I should get input from my home group about my decision to go to South Korea.
Pr 11:16 A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches. God has given me wonderful examples of what it means to be a gracious woman. My mom, my home gruop leader, some of my friends (Cate, Hanna, Nackwon,) are some of the most gracious woman I know!!God wants me to be a gracious woman!! He's calling me into being/becoming more and more a gracious one. A gracious woman is one who is kind and friendly, speaking gracious words. She speaks words that help others. Words that build up others. She's not rude, nor violent. She's gentle and seeks good of others. Points others in the right direction. She's gracious. FULL OF GRACE! For herself and for others. This is God's will for me!!! To be a gracious woman.
Pr 11:17 The merciful man does good for his own soul. God's will is also that we do good for our own soul. We have to find out what that is and then do it. Living our lives for God's purpose is absolutely GOOD FOR OUR OWN SOULS. Examples: We have to forgive ourselves. We should live "otherly". Make decisions based on , "Is this good for my soul?" We do well to live for God's purpose. Do we know what that is? (I would propose that God is making worshippers of Jesus from all tribes and nations His primary goal.)God wants us to do good for our own soul!!
Pr 11:27 He who earnestly seeks goood finds favor. I should earnestly seek good. That is a pro-active stance. Not waiting for good to happen but instead making good happen. For example, on of my friends from England, Jo, used to MAKE GOOD HAPPEN!! She would always go around, meeting people and doing things. In my life I got to meet alot ofpeople because of her She made good happen by gathering people together to be together, to have fun, to be in relationship. I would LOVE to emulate her (for the good of others, for the good of my own soul, Lord-willing!!)+
I trust that God is enabling me and helping me live a life where He guides and directs my path is some of the ways discussed here; through integrity, through righteousness, through doing good for my own soul,through graciousness and through the advice and input of others!! May your heart too be open to God's leading in your life. Bless the Lord o my soul and all that is within me bless the Lord!
