The Best Way For Me

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#1
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
113
#1
Have you ever listened to a radio devotional and found yourself talking back? Unfortunately the speaker is not there to hear you. Thats the great thing about CC; I can paraphrase some of the things I have heard throughout the week and we can discuss them together. I have put together some things I heard on one of Charles Stanley's radio shows. Maybe He is on CC and will say hello :)

The Best Way for Me

(Prov 4:10-13)
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.

When we take this as God's promise to us, we can take it as God's assurance that, if we listen to Him and follow His instructions, He will give us what is best for us on an individual basis. Don't worry about what His plans for someone else are, just follow His plan and His will for you. Jesus rebuked Peter for wanting to know what His plans were for John. Even though His plan for you might be different than his plans for others, He will not lead you out into the wilderness and leave you there.

Mr. Stanley then posed an interesting question: "Who is guiding your life?" He suggested that some would answer, "Since I am saved, it must be Jesus." He then stated, "Not neccessarily..." Christians would be far better off it they all did walk the yellow line and follow Him perfectly, but the truth is that He will not force us to do so. It is our choice as to how closely we follow Him. Do we seek Him daily? Do we seek Him early? Do we seek Him first in every situation?

(Jas 4:7,8)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Could it be said that we are as close to God as we choose to be? Certainly, we cannot blame God for a frustrating and confused life if we are not following the path that He has prepared for us.
 
tourist

tourist

Senior Member
#2
Mar 13, 2014
41,307
16,297
113
69
Tennessee
#2
I believe you might be correct in saying that we are only as close to God and we choose to be. The question is, what would affect our choice either way.
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#3
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
113
#3
tourist said:
I believe you might be correct in saying that we are only as close to God and we choose to be. The question is, what would affect our choice either way.
Click to expand...
Peer pressure for the young, pride among the older ones. Financial opportunities is a big one in America. Satan makes sure there is always something there to lure us away from what the Lord knows is best. We are so easily distracted from the way. Reminds me of Dorothy and friends on their way to see the Wizard of Oz :)
 
A

Adstar

Senior Member
#4
Jul 24, 2016
7,425
3,474
113
#4
oyster67 said:
Have you ever listened to a radio devotional and found yourself talking back? Unfortunately the speaker is not there to hear you. Thats the great thing about CC; I can paraphrase some of the things I have heard throughout the week and we can discuss them together. I have put together some things I heard on one of Charles Stanley's radio shows. Maybe He is on CC and will say hello :)

The Best Way for Me

(Prov 4:10-13)
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.

When we take this as God's promise to us, we can take it as God's assurance that, if we listen to Him and follow His instructions, He will give us what is best for us on an individual basis. Don't worry about what His plans for someone else are, just follow His plan and His will for you. Jesus rebuked Peter for wanting to know what His plans were for John. Even though His plan for you might be different than his plans for others, He will not lead you out into the wilderness and leave you there.

Mr. Stanley then posed an interesting question: "Who is guiding your life?" He suggested that some would answer, "Since I am saved, it must be Jesus." He then stated, "Not neccessarily..." Christians would be far better off it they all did walk the yellow line and follow Him perfectly, but the truth is that He will not force us to do so. It is our choice as to how closely we follow Him. Do we seek Him daily? Do we seek Him early? Do we seek Him first in every situation?

(Jas 4:7,8)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Could it be said that we are as close to God as we choose to be? Certainly, we cannot blame God for a frustrating and confused life if we are not following the path that He has prepared for us.
Click to expand...
I agree.. We are as close to God as we choose to be..
 
A

Adstar

Senior Member
#5
Jul 24, 2016
7,425
3,474
113
#5
oyster67 said:
Peer pressure for the young, pride among the older ones. Financial opportunities is a big one in America. Satan makes sure there is always something there to lure us away from what the Lord knows is best. We are so easily distracted from the way. Reminds me of Dorothy and friends on their way to see the Wizard of Oz :)
Click to expand...
Also add fear of going on the path that God is calling you to go on.. And lack of confidence that you are good enough to succeed on that path..
 
Stephen63

Stephen63

Banned
#6
Aug 15, 2009
9,745
179
0
#6
There was a time I listened to CS because his general teaching was good.

But, sorry to say, CS is strictly OSAS, & any Bible scholar that can't see over that I can't trust to listen to.
 
J

jerry2465

Senior Member
#7
Dec 28, 2016
160
10
18
#7
I think its right that we are only as close to God as we choose to be. However we can never be exactly following the almighty holy and perfect God perfectly or we would be sinless and only Jesus accomplished that. I think the more we resist sin then we will naturally be closer to God, but never completely. Sometimes we choose sin instead of choosing God, and that is and always has been the issue.
 
J

jerry2465

Senior Member
#8
Dec 28, 2016
160
10
18
#8
and to add to my last post: even though we are not perfect and sometimes temptation does get the best of us, just thank God that he has given us a way to be in communion with him through his son the lamb without spot or blemish!!
 
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
#9
#9
oyster67 said:
Have you ever listened to a radio devotional and found yourself talking back? Unfortunately the speaker is not there to hear you. Thats the great thing about CC; I can paraphrase some of the things I have heard throughout the week and we can discuss them together. I have put together some things I heard on one of Charles Stanley's radio shows. Maybe He is on CC and will say hello :)

The Best Way for Me

(Prov 4:10-13)
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.

When we take this as God's promise to us, we can take it as God's assurance that, if we listen to Him and follow His instructions, He will give us what is best for us on an individual basis. Don't worry about what His plans for someone else are, just follow His plan and His will for you. Jesus rebuked Peter for wanting to know what His plans were for John. Even though His plan for you might be different than his plans for others, He will not lead you out into the wilderness and leave you there.

Mr. Stanley then posed an interesting question: "Who is guiding your life?" He suggested that some would answer, "Since I am saved, it must be Jesus." He then stated, "Not neccessarily..." Christians would be far better off it they all did walk the yellow line and follow Him perfectly, but the truth is that He will not force us to do so. It is our choice as to how closely we follow Him. Do we seek Him daily? Do we seek Him early? Do we seek Him first in every situation?

(Jas 4:7,8)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Could it be said that we are as close to God as we choose to be? Certainly, we cannot blame God for a frustrating and confused life if we are not following the path that He has prepared for us.
Click to expand...
I don't think God ever stops guiding us. Certainly never more so than when we have taken a wrong turn. I liken it to GPS. We have a destination and the GPS plots a course and leads us to that destination. We may deviate from that course, we are certainly free to do so if we are so foolish, but when we do the GPS does not give up on us and leave us to find our own way. It simply re-calculates and plots a new course and continues to lead us to our destination.

In the same way, God has a destination for us, and He intends to get us there. Even though we may foolishly deviate from where He is leading us, we are never out from under His guiding direction. He still and always is leading us to where He intends us to be. Not that He has a need to re-calculate what He already knows, but that even when we deviate from His leading, and we do, we are still never out from under His guiding direction.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#10
#10
oyster67 said:
Have you ever listened to a radio devotional and found yourself talking back? Unfortunately the speaker is not there to hear you. Thats the great thing about CC; I can paraphrase some of the things I have heard throughout the week and we can discuss them together. I have put together some things I heard on one of Charles Stanley's radio shows. Maybe He is on CC and will say hello :)

The Best Way for Me

(Prov 4:10-13)
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.

When we take this as God's promise to us, we can take it as God's assurance that, if we listen to Him and follow His instructions, He will give us what is best for us on an individual basis. Don't worry about what His plans for someone else are, just follow His plan and His will for you. Jesus rebuked Peter for wanting to know what His plans were for John. Even though His plan for you might be different than his plans for others, He will not lead you out into the wilderness and leave you there.

Mr. Stanley then posed an interesting question: "Who is guiding your life?" He suggested that some would answer, "Since I am saved, it must be Jesus." He then stated, "Not neccessarily..." Christians would be far better off it they all did walk the yellow line and follow Him perfectly, but the truth is that He will not force us to do so. It is our choice as to how closely we follow Him. Do we seek Him daily? Do we seek Him early? Do we seek Him first in every situation?

(Jas 4:7,8)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Could it be said that we are as close to God as we choose to be? Certainly, we cannot blame God for a frustrating and confused life if we are not following the path that He has prepared for us.
Click to expand...
I see walking with God like walking uptown with Mom when we were little. Footstep to footstep, we were all small enough to need two running-steps for each one of her steps, so she took the wagon and piled us in. (Uptown was about 10 blocks from home.) At first it was a great wagon-ride. But then, what was that over there? Hop out, go examine it, and yuck! Doggie pooh, so I'd run back to the wagon and jump in, while an older brother jumped out. And then he jumped back in with a cool stick, so jump out again to get my own stick. (He's not sharing.) No stick, but a cool dandelion flower with nothing but fuzzies on it, to show Mom. She's way down the block by then though, so I'd run off to show her, and when I caught up, all I showed her was a weed. Only three fuzzes left. But she delighted in it, and let me decide who blew those three seeds off.

Then we'd hear a dog barking, and she'd have to tell one of my brothers to stop teasing the strange dog. It can bite. So can that baby squirrel I was chasing. Watch out for the traffic. Never cross the street without Mommy around. Come on, we have to go. Get off that branch hanging down. It's all right; nothing is broken. It's just a scrape.

Footstep by footstep, it would take us two running steps per everyone of her steps, so she brought the wagon. But, by the time we got to town, we were using six steps for her everyone one step. She always kept an eye on us. She'd let us inspect the dog-pooh, but tell us not to pick it up. Each one of us found out why the hard way. (Or not.) I think we had hoods on not for our heads, but so she could yank us out of the street right before the car ran us over. (I dare you to try to keep a hood up while hanging on a branch. Can't be done. Too much really-big-tree to look at.) She knew all along that completely fuzzy dandelion wasn't going to be completely fuzzy by the time she saw our offerings. And only a walking stick made her proud of the sticks we found.

By the end of the day, we were utterly exhausted, and she got exactly what she wanted all along -- groceries, a look at nature (buttonwood fuzz balls, pinocchio-seed pods that twirled off trees, but when pulled apart would stick to your nose, a cool rock, a pine cone, a branch that would make a very cool slingshot), and three weary little ones.

We are always safe with God, and he expects us to get caught up with some shiny new thing on the side of the path. He still gets us where he wants us to go.
 
A

abcdef

Senior Member
#11
Mar 30, 2016
2,809
111
63
#11
oyster67 said:
Have you ever listened to a radio devotional and found yourself talking back? Unfortunately the speaker is not there to hear you. Thats the great thing about CC; I can paraphrase some of the things I have heard throughout the week and we can discuss them together. I have put together some things I heard on one of Charles Stanley's radio shows. Maybe He is on CC and will say hello :)

The Best Way for Me

(Prov 4:10-13)
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] thy life.

When we take this as God's promise to us, we can take it as God's assurance that, if we listen to Him and follow His instructions, He will give us what is best for us on an individual basis. Don't worry about what His plans for someone else are, just follow His plan and His will for you. Jesus rebuked Peter for wanting to know what His plans were for John. Even though His plan for you might be different than his plans for others, He will not lead you out into the wilderness and leave you there.

Mr. Stanley then posed an interesting question: "Who is guiding your life?" He suggested that some would answer, "Since I am saved, it must be Jesus." He then stated, "Not neccessarily..." Christians would be far better off it they all did walk the yellow line and follow Him perfectly, but the truth is that He will not force us to do so. It is our choice as to how closely we follow Him. Do we seek Him daily? Do we seek Him early? Do we seek Him first in every situation?

(Jas 4:7,8)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Could it be said that we are as close to God as we choose to be? Certainly, we cannot blame God for a frustrating and confused life if we are not following the path that He has prepared for us.
Click to expand...



Prov. 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (NIV)


James 4:15, "Instead , you ought to say, If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (NIV)


Ro 9:16, "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#12
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#12
God has always been close to me, but my awareness of Him has often been distracted with many things. But through it all, He has always tapped me and gotten my attention at just the right time.
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#13
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
113
#13
Stephen63 said:
There was a time I listened to CS because his general teaching was good.

But, sorry to say, CS is strictly OSAS, & any Bible scholar that can't see over that I can't trust to listen to.
Click to expand...
I don't agree 100% with him on everything either, but his heart seems to be in the right place and he seems to be more inspiring than most. I just take the best and leave the rest. No one can substitute for a direct study of God's Word. If the speaker doesn't back up a particular thought with a Bible verse, I always take it with a grain of salt, no matter who he is.
 
FaithfulservantofGod

FaithfulservantofGod

Junior Member
#14
Nov 9, 2016
29
0
0
37
#14
Amen... I do also watching the preaching of Dr. Charles Stanley. And I can say he is annointed preacher and very humble person despite of his profession.
 
Chester

Chester

Senior Member
#15
May 23, 2016
4,274
1,410
113
#15
oyster67 said:
Could it be said that we are as close to God as we choose to be? Certainly, we cannot blame God for a frustrating and confused life if we are not following the path that He has prepared for us.
Click to expand...
I think I agree, but oh it can get really complicated . . . Is it because I determine to follow God and try harder and then all will go well . . . if this is my pathway - ouch! I will fall flat on my face and find myself in the frustrating and confused life. Well, then, it must be all God, he is sovereign and I have nothing to do with it - I just rest in his grace . . . - oh, ouch, same end result!

So it is not only because I choose . . .
But it is also not just because God does it all . . .

But both of the above are true at the same time: God does it all while at the same time I choose!

It is not a let go and let God affair; Nor is it a do-it-yourself affair; it is a grab hold with God affair!
 
oyster67

oyster67

Senior Member
#16
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
113
#16
Chester said:
I think I agree, but oh it can get really complicated . . . Is it because I determine to follow God and try harder and then all will go well . . . if this is my pathway - ouch! I will fall flat on my face and find myself in the frustrating and confused life. Well, then, it must be all God, he is sovereign and I have nothing to do with it - I just rest in his grace . . . - oh, ouch, same end result!

So it is not only because I choose . . .
But it is also not just because God does it all . . .

But both of the above are true at the same time: God does it all while at the same time I choose!

It is not a let go and let God affair; Nor is it a do-it-yourself affair; it is a grab hold with God affair!
Click to expand...
Sometimes the "all going well" feeling might not be what is best for us. It is the tree that stands out and takes the brunt of the storm head-on that develops the biggest and strongest roots. Maybe he will let you retire spiritually and live at the old saint's home if you really want that, but I have a feeling you don't. It isn't the works that matter to Him. It is more the "want to". Good intentions may not mean a lot to many people, but I think they mean a lot to Him if they stem from a loving desire to please Him.

I get confused about things to, but isn't it nice to know that He doesn't?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.