Text: Acts 16:9 NKJV

Further Reading: Acts 16:5-10

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Acts 16:9 NKJV

MESSAGE

Today we will be looking at ways by which God directs His children. This is crucial because many may say, “I agree that God directs us but how?” I want you to know that reading this message is another direction He is offering you. Every Christian must understand the way God speaks to him or her. This is to avoid the great deception that is in the world today.

One of the common ways by which God directs His people is through dreams. Dreams come to us when we sleep. There are many instances in the Bible when God spoke to men through their dreams. Joseph knew what God wanted him to become through his dreams (Genesis 37:5-10). Another man, Jacob was instructed in the dream by the Angel on what to do to be successful in his profession (Genesis 31:10-11). God can speak to you through dreams, however, you must be careful of dreams. Any dream that does not align with the word of God is not from God. So, you must always counter-check those dreams with the word of God.

Another way by which God directs us is through vision. Unlike dreams, vision is a visual means by which God speaks to us. The person seeing the vision need not be asleep but can see what is going to happen in the future. God promised in Joel 2:28 that the young men shall see vision.

According to our text and reading of the day, Paul and his missionary team were directed to go to Macedonia in through a vision after they had been forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach in Asia.

In Acts 10, when God needed to save Cornelius and his household, he gave him a clear direction to the house where Peter was lodging. The same God through vision directed Peter to go to the house of Cornelius. When God shows you a vision as in the case of Cornelius and Peter, He confirms His word back and word.

Other ways by which God directs us is through circumstances. God in His Providence may arrange some steps to get you into His desired will. Joseph’s dream was not enough to take him to the palace, God had to arrange a series of circumstances to get him there. Whenever you notice certain events in your life regularly, it may be a means by which God is leading you. Prayerfully pursue those leads and God will be true to you.

There are several other ways by which God directs His children. Tomorrow we look at them. Whichever way God chose to direct you, one common factor that can assure you is the peace of God which passes all understanding. If you have inner peace about a move or direction as a child of God, you can pursue it prayerfully.

REFLECTION

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

Matthew 2:13 NKJV

From the concept of Jesus, God directed Joseph on what to do through dreams until those who want to kill Jesus were all dead. You can be lead by God by any of the means we have highlighted today, it’s just important that you are sensitive when He is leading you.

PRAYER

Father, please grant me discernment and spiritual sensitivity to know when a dream or vision is from You.