In Touch 05-27-04

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Thursday, May 27
InTouch Early Light Devotional

Seeking God's Guidance
Psalm 27:14

How do we find genuine godly guidance? Seven words may help us.

The first is cleansing. We need to ask: "What is there in my life that hinders me from hearing what You are saying?" Cleansing comes by confession (1 John 1:9).

The second word is surrendering. Surrender is both a humbling and uplifting experience (1 Peter 5:6).

Next is asking. God promises that when we ask according to His will, He hears us. And when we know that He hears us, we know that He has answered (1 John 5:14-15), though the answer may come quickly or over a long period of time.

The fourth word is meditating. God promises that His Word will be a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105), so the more we think about His Word, the clearer the path will be.

The next word is believing. Mark 11:22-24 tells us that when we ask, we must believe that He is going to give us what we have requested.

Sixth is waiting. In Isaiah 64:4, God promises that He acts on our behalf when we wait for Him. If we get ahead of Him, run in and try to fix things, or manipulate circumstances, we can have it our way. But if we wait on the Lord, our sovereign, divine, omnipotent God will act on our behalf.

And all that will be left is receiving His guidance (Matthew 7:7-8). Perhaps no one else in the world will understand or agree with your decision - but you will have heard from the One who matters most.

Make sure you tune in for this week's message from Dr. Stanley. For expanded studies and outlines of this week's sermon, visit the In Touch Web site. http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/broadcasts/index_76108.html

Do your teenagers know about Teen Connection - the official teen outreach of In Touch?  The latest interviews include Philip Yancey, Point of Grace, ZOEGirl and Rebecca St. James.  Visit Teen Connection at www.teen-connection.info.com