Hearing from God: What's Up with the Lord?

Dave, this really great Christian guy, wanted to start and build up a new and impressive ministry for God. The dude had been serving in ministry for several years and literally everyone saw that the Lord's hands were upon his life and upon his every venture. Here was a man, who had walked with the Lord and grew more and more in his knowledge and love of God as well as had grown into the strong and effective minister he was now. Amazing story really, coming from a backwater small ranch as a young kid to being in charge of several ministries throughout the country and even contending for the Lord in other countries. There was no doubt that Dave's heart was sincerely after the Lord's own heart and he was very passionate about his faith and about stirring others faith up for God too.

Dave had skills too; he jammed on the guitar during worship and as a songwriter and poet, he was no slouch either. Dave was the real deal, a man's man in several ways. He even had great success in mixed martial arts (MMA), beating guys who were like huge giants compared to most men, and even in his personal struggles and his hardships he really sought after the Lord. He faithfully prayed and prayer journaled like the best of them.... Good stuff!

So, Dave has this great idea to build a new complex, The Jehovah Praise and Worship Center. It was going to be the very best thing Dave had ever done and it was in his heart to please God in doing so.

On realizing his own passion and desire to do this, Dave was wise enough to get confirmation from his good friend Nat.

Now Nat was another solid Christian who was gifted in hearing God's voice—be it through prophecy, knowledge, and wisdom. When Nat would seek God, he'd get an answer. He was a great guy for Dave to check with.

“Hey Nat,” Dave said, “I'm gonna build the Jehovah Praise and Worship Center!” I'll get the permits and funding to do this and it will rock the city!”

Nat immediately replied, “Bro, you should go for it, if you thought of it, ya' know God's gonna be stoked by it...He's always had your back.”

That night, Nat actually hears from God; countering the very words Nat spoke to Dave earlier. So in the morning Nat calls up Dave and explains that God actually spoke, saying that Dave was not to build the JWPC. God had someone else in mind to build it, though Dave could still be involved in gathering all the necessary plans, permits, funding, equipment and supply contracts.

What's up with the Lord?

So, what happened that Dave's plans were shot down and altered?

Why did Nat first say it was cool to build the JWPC and then the next morning ring Dave with some bad news?

I tell you, their story is something that I've experienced myself. There are times I think I am planning, doing, focusing, chasing after the very things God wants me to do; because they are biblical, because I'm passionate about them, or because these things are “for” the Lord. Yet, it's not what God wants me to do, or not in the way I “think” it should be.

A wise thing to do is seek Godly counsel, checking with a trusted Christian brother or sister to get a confirming word from the Lord. Hence, we go a talk to our own Nat or Natalie.

Hearing from God is very important and, like Dave did routinely, it is wise to pray and also share our ideas with good counsel...praying, even fasting if it is a big thing too is something to consider.

Now, Nat, excited about what his friend wanted to do, and Nat knew that the Lord had blessed Dave and guided him so visibly, simply assumed it was truly all “G”... all God. He moved in the power of his own view of Dave and in the power of his own human reasoning (even someone who consistently hears from God better check to hear from God before saying something...oops). God didn't think the plan was all “G” and quickly spoke to Nat, probably in his quiet time of prayer, journaling, Bible time, or sleep/dream time, revealed His true plans and corrected Dave's plans.

Personal conviction: "Sorry Lord, for the all the times I choked that one!"

The cool thing, Dave's son, Sam, built the Jehovah Worship and Praise Center...and it ROCKED!

Another man, Pauly, really felt called to leave home on a missions trip to Asia. This sounded good, and he had been there before on previous missions trip. Oddly enough, during his ongoing prayer time, he was actually compelled to go more into the Mediterranean region, as led by the Holy Spirit through a vision.

What's up with the Lord?

It may sound like a great idea to go somewhere, but again, it is a GREATER idea to check with God; to hear what He has to say about it.

I need to remember to pray and seek the Lord in everything, preferably before I do it or open my mouth. There is also great value in seeking Godly counsel:

Proverbs 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

1 Kings 22:5 "But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, 'First seek the counsel of the LORD.'"

You can do a great word search for "seek," "plans," and similar words/phrases to see just how important it is to God Himself, that we contend and travail in prayer to hear from Him...

What's up with the Lord? Ask Him, he loves to talk with you!

The LORD my Shepherd ROCKS!

Keiger