How do you know if God is calling you?

[jacquidube]

How do you know if God is calling you to do something or go somewhere.

How will I know when the right time is the right time?

I am very positive of God speaking to me when I was 9 years old and saying to me that I would be serving Him in China. Now I am 42 years old and this still hasnt come to pass.

How are we to know if what we are being told by God, is truly God?

Who else could of told me this?

I have always been attracted to the chinese and have wanted to go to one of the poorest places in China. I hate flying also, so how will this all happen if God did speak to me?

Can God change His mind?

 

[gier12]

It seems like you have a lot of questions. I hear people call something your describing as a "calling". Which could be used very loosely. I believe that God, yes has a plan for us, but I also believe he gives us choices. If you did get a calling from God to help people of China, do you mean as a missionary, as a deliverer of His word. I'm just going to say that is what you mean. I don't know you personally so I don't know if you help people in that way here in our own country. I also believe however that if you did here God specifically tell you to serve Him in China, that he will not buy you a ticket and get you there, he may not even give you an oppurtunity to go through time. So the fact that your 42 and haven't made it to China probably isn't His fault. Maybe he is testing you in your own faith, maybe he is leaving it up to you to take power over your own life through Him and all you have to do is make it there. Kinda like that saying "I can only show you the door, you must be the one to open it." It's true sometimes God show's us doors that we choose not to open, and that's not neccessarily wrong in my opinion, but we all have a purpose, and we should all at one point open up a door of some kind. So take my advice as you will and when you feel motivated, or when you "Hear oppurtinity knocking" answer the door. Even that Dodge commercial works. "Grab life by the horns". God bless you.

Jon

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Jacquidube


All I have to go on is what happened to me. When the HOLY SPIRIT descended upon me HE told me in words!!! This is why I can NEVER doubt the LORD!!!



I now have MY proof that GOD is real. What HE told me HAS come to pass.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:


“ Believe “ in Greek is a verb and has three components which are: hearing, accepting, and then acting ( COMMITING ) upon that which you have accepted.
X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O ( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven

 

[Treasurer]

When I have question such as yours, I look to the scriptures for answers. There are several people in scriptures that were told where they would go and what they would do, under the authority of God.

Moses is a fine example. God made it known to Moses exactly where he was to go, and specifically what he was to do.

It was the same for Noah. It was the same for Jonah.

Now me personally, I believe we must be prepared (annointed) for such a calling. At this time in my life I dont feel I would be ready to go anywhere and be of great benefit to help others. However, I do see the Lord creating a new person in me. And the things he is teaching me.

When I wanted a specific calling in my life I listened to the counsel of my mother, who showed me people such as Moses and Jesus. She made me aware of what that would entail. Giving up my own life, and caring for others. To be surrounded by people who constantly want something from you.

For me to be prepared for such a life as this there are a few obstacles I must overcome in my own life. For example feeling used and resentful of the very ones God has placed in my life to care for.

Then also how to handle myself, and make the right decisions. Like Hebrews says: A person who is living on milk isnt very far along in the Christian life and doesnt know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. 5:13-14

Another thing I need to learn is how to be in the midst of people, and tune into the voice of God. See like with Moses or Jesus, even when they were surrounded by many voices, they still could hear God speaking to them.

And boy did Moses have it rough, the constant bickering and complaining.

These are just some examples from what I am going thru. Perhaps they will help you understand for yourself and what you are going thru.

I am thirty nine years old, and still at this point I am not yet prepared, but the Lord is preparing me.

Take a look at Moses, his life was split into sets of fourty. His first fourty years was spent in Egypt, then he went to the wilderness where he got married and went to the mountain of God. Then after that second set of fourty years, Moses returned to Egypt to do what he was asked to do by God, who gave him what he needed to be able to do it. (That would make Moses 80 years old when his time arrived).

Just some things to think about.

God Bless

 

[wonderwaleye]

It seems like you have a lot of questions. I hear people call something your describing as a "calling". Which could be used very loosely. I believe that God, yes has a plan for us, but I also believe he gives us choices. If you did get a calling from God to help people of China, do you mean as a missionary, as a deliverer of His word. I'm just going to say that is what you mean. I don't know you personally so I don't know if you help people in that way here in our own country. I also believe however that if you did here God specifically tell you to serve Him in China, that he will not buy you a ticket and get you there, he may not even give you an oppurtunity to go through time. So the fact that your 42 and haven't made it to China probably isn't His fault. Maybe he is testing you in your own faith, maybe he is leaving it up to you to take power over your own life through Him and all you have to do is make it there. Kinda like that saying "I can only show you the door, you must be the one to open it." It's true sometimes God show's us doors that we choose not to open, and that's not neccessarily wrong in my opinion, but we all have a purpose, and we should all at one point open up a door of some kind. So take my advice as you will and when you feel motivated, or when you "Hear oppurtinity knocking" answer the door. Even that Dodge commercial works. "Grab life by the horns". God bless you.

Jon

Dear Gier12

EXCELLENT POST with TRUTH, WISDOM, and UNDERSTANDING!!!

The ONLY thing that can be added to that is:

" AMEN!!! "

REMEMBER:



“ Believe “ in Greek is a verb and has three components which are: hearing, accepting, and then acting ( COMMITING ) upon that which you have accepted.

X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O
( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven

 

[dancingwithhim]

Everyone gave you great advice! I have one more thing to add to that.

Have you talked to your pastor or maybe even got a group of people to begin fasting and praying for you in this? Like Jon said up above, "You have to take life by the horns." Go for it! God will open doors where you never thought that it was possible. When it is His will for us to do something, He will do so. All you have to do is prepare yourself.

You know, in your heart that you are to go to China. This is when you seek the Lord with your whole heart and find out His direction. I have seen God move in awesome ways when it comes to missions and our faith in Him. He provides!

 

[Elijah2]

You know Jacqui, when God speaks, then you will know it.

Now at the present, HE is working with you to bring you to complete dependence on HIM. This is why you are struggling with many problems.

HE is rolling the stones away from your heart. And when all the graveclothes are discarded, then you will be free.

Love in Christ

 

[Lumen]

I think if you have a really strong desire to do something that is because God wants you to do it. He "programmed" you if you will, before you were born.

 

[jacquidube]

Wow, thanks guys. Elijah2 you always hit the right button with me. You are so right. I dont feel the door is quite open for me yet. There are so many things I am dealing with that need sorting. Maybe God is waiting for my children to leave (oh I dont know really)

I really do believe that I have to learn the Chinese language first, so I think thats what I will do. Oh boy, have you ever tried the language, its one of the hardest languages to learn.
But like someone said. . . . God will provide. How exciting that He will provide all that we need to progress in serving Him.
Im excited but not sure what for. . .

 

[Mr.Cheese]

.

 

[silentpoet]

Nagging feeling is indeed a good way to describe it.

One thing that has helped me is something I found in a book. It said we are promised we will be guided, nowhere does it say we will feel we are guided. That has given me a little more confidence in my decisions. I do the best I can and I know I will mess up, but I don't worry as much about that.

 

[simpletrust]

What steps have you taken to get involved in such ministry? Have you contacted anyone who runs missions in China? Or are you waiting for the opportunity to present itself?

If you hate flying, pray for the courage to deal with it, and God will grant it. Would it help if you took a flight which stops over somewhere halfway there instead of taking along direct flight?

 

[wonderwaleye]

Nagging feeling is indeed a good way to describe it.

One thing that has helped me is something I found in a book. It said we are promised we will be guided, nowhere does it say we will feel we are guided. That has given me a little more confidence in my decisions. I do the best I can and I know I will mess up, but I don't worry as much about that.

Dear Silentpoet

" One thing that has helped me is something I found in a book. It said we are promised we will be guided "


Only if we are ANOINTED by GOD with the HOLY SPIRIT will we have a GUIDE!!!


That why we must get our food from GOD'S WORD.


" Psalms

Chapter 119


1
1 Happy those whose way is blameless, who walk by the teaching of the LORD.
2
Happy those who observe God's decrees, who seek the LORD with all their heart.
3
They do no wrong; they walk in God's ways.
4
You have given them the command to keep your precepts with care.
5
May my ways be firm in the observance of your laws!
6
Then I will not be ashamed to ponder all your commands.
7
I will praise you with sincere heart as I study your just edicts.
8
I will keep your laws; do not leave me all alone.
9
How can the young walk without fault? Only by keeping your words.
10
With all my heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commands.
11
In my heart I treasure your promise, that I may not sin against you.
12
Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your laws.
13
With my lips I recite all the edicts you have spoken. "

ALWAYS REMEMBER:


“ Believe “ in Greek is a verb and has three components which are: hearing, accepting, and then acting ( COMMITING ) upon that which you have accepted.

X Even though you can't see him, GOD is there!!! O
( click on the x and drag to the O ) ( then see who is with you ) steven

 

[Elijah2]

If you can't get rid of that nagging, annoying feeling, that incessant tapping on your shoulder no matter how far you run away from it, then you are most likely called to ministry.

Yep, that a great sign, my heart burns for all people all the time in LOVE.

 

[QuiltAngel]

I had always had an interest in missions. Never acted on it until 4 years ago when I heard a talk on short term missions. It was something I knew I could do and I knew God was leading me in that direction. I have since been on 3 short term trips (1 -2 weeks) and am in the process of doing the paperwork on my 4th one. For me, this is where I am led to serve.

I say this as maybe something like that may be an opportunity to find out if this is where you are being led. Maybe your church or some other mission organization is organizing a short term trip to China. My niece went to China for 6 weeks one summer to teach English. Since then she answered God's call and is serving Him in Taiwan.