www.ChristDeaf.org
The
Mustard Seed
February 2009
CAMPUS MINISTRY
 |
Gallaudet
Lutheran
Student
Fellowship
|
|
Divine
Guidance
Part 5
How
does almighty God usually
communicate to mortals? Thus far in
our series we have examined three ways in which God shows us what we
need to
know and how He tells us what we ought to do.
First, God has already revealed His
concern for each one of us in the Bible.
Does the Bible really speak to the issues we face in our daily
lives? Yes, it certainly does. The problem is that
many people who attend
church don't bother to read the Bible for themselves. They
feel intimidated by the size of the
Bible -- over 1000 pages. It seems like
it would take a long time to read through the whole Bible.
True, but what's the hurry? We should study the Bible every
day for the
rest of our lives, so we have plenty of time.
Actually, a simple daily reading guide, like one posted on www.christdeaf.org/bible
can help you read the entire Bible in just one year.
Another problem people have in reading
the Bible is that sometimes they are intimidated by difficult language.
Fortunately, we now have several translations in modern
English. Many Deaf folks like to use the New
International Reader's Version (NIrV), or the New Century Version.
If you prefer, get the ASL version on DVD
from www.deafmissions.org.
Second, God guides us through the counsel
of godly friends and mentors. He
especially gives us direction through people who are in authority over
us. Often our thinking on an issue is clouded by
our lack of experience, our ignorance of Scripture, or our own
desires. Godly advisors can help connect our situation
with Biblical principles, or they can alert us to hidden dangers.
Third, God often guides us through circumstances
beyond our control. We may experience a
career change, not by choice, but by force of circumstance.
Is the hand of God in that kind of
situation? Yes.
A fourth way that God may guide us is
through a sense of inner
peace that confirms a right decision, or the
lack of peace that signals a wrong decision.
Unfortunately, many Christians try this step first. They skip
the Bible and godly counsel. They simply monitor their own
feelings and
interpret circumstances according to their preferences, and
with that they assume God is leading
them. Big mistake! However, for those who sincerely
desire to do
God's will, and have acquired the mind of Christ through diligent study
of the
Bible, the Spirit of Christ will guide them.
The Bible says, "The
peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds
through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4.7)
We could properly translate that word
"guard" as "referee."
Just as a referee in sports blows a whistle, throws a flag, or raises a
hand when a player commits a foul, so also God's peace -- or more
precisely,
the lack of peace -- alerts us when we are disobedient, or when we are
making a
harmful decision. Colossians 3.15 tells
us, "Let the peace
of Christ rule in your hearts." This
is the conscience awakened by the
Spirit of God through training in the Word of God.
To view live Signed Sunday morning
worship, click here
Sunday
Shuttle
We provide a Sunday morning
shuttle from Gallaudet
to Christ
Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Silver Spring. Please email Ron.Friedrich@gallaudet.edu
for time and place.
| From
time to time we post
announcements to the Lutheran Student Fellowship by email. If
you
would like to be included, please send your email address to Ron.Friedrich@gallaudet.edu |
My campus office
hours are
Monday
and Thursday
afternoons
in
Ely 118.
Drop
in and introduce
yourself!!
Pastor
Ron Friedrich
Ron.Friedrich@gallaudet.edu
[Gallaudet Office
of Campus Ministry]