Sharpening your sensitivity to God’s leading – 3
Bible Reading: Philippians 4: 1-8
Let us highlight three more things that can boost your sensitivity to God’s leading:
- Worship
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, set Barnabas and Saul apart for me …” – Acts 13:2
Some early believers were in that act of worship. In the midst of it, they received instructions from the Spirit. Worship allows you to focus on God. It acknowledges God’s supremacy in everything and places your mind in a very receptive position. Good worshippers are predisposed to identifying God’s will.
- Prayer and Fasting
From the verse above, we can see that these believers secluded themselves from worldly distractions so they can commune with God. It was not just a time to set deadlines for God. Fasting goes beyond fast tracking answers to requests. As a matter of fact, the greatest gift God gave and can ever give is salvation; we did not get it by fasting, how much more the petty things of this life. Fasting should present you with an opportunity to relate with God with very minimal distractions. Imagine if five people are talking to you at the same time, it is likely you won’t hear all of them clearly. So fasting helps narrow down the number of interactions you are having at a time. It is also a time to obey God’s instructions in Jude 1:20 which reads “dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit”.
- Free yourself from Anxiety
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (ASV)
Some men are anxious about the prospect of being fired, and they are asking God to lead them into another job or business. Other folks are anxious because they are uncertain about who to marry and they run to God to express their anxiety. James 1:6-7 (MSG) says ‘People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way’. So like Philippians 4 prescribed, you have to first get rid of all anxiety and then go to God in prayers and thanksgiving. After that, a peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your mind. This peace is a super understanding that comes from God and gives you a direction that puts an end to your confusion. It tells you “this is the way you should go”.
– tope aladenusi
