I WILL FOLLOW WHERE GOD LEADS

AM I REALLY ALLOWING GOD TO BE MY LEADER...???

Well, I am ready to lace up my boots.. for week three of this Backpacking experience.. This week I had a little difficulty in answering these questions.. I know God has led me to this Bible Study for reasons which are very clear: 1) Be in the word. 2) Lead others possibly.. 3) Learn from others definitely.. and maybe a few more..

PUTTING IT OUT THERE
(1) Are there some areas in your life in which you allow God to lead more than others? (2) Tell of a time you followed God's lead into an unfamiliar territory? (3) If you don't have particular experience, talk about why that might be..

(1) This part was fairly easy to answer... Yes, I think I trust God with some details really easily, but I am fairly certain I don't always allow Him to show me in the day to day issues.. or WHAT ABOUT THE HUGE ISSUES? What do I mean by that? Well, I am pretty good in asking for HIS direction and leadership when it comes to asking Him to help find a job (for Steve), in asking HIM to show us which job HE wants (Steve) to have.. Have even asked HIM for my own jobs.. and of course when I or someone I know is in need, I go to HIM quickly.. but do I really trust HIM enough to allow HIM to lead me further than that? Would I follow HIS lead (if for instance I thought HE wanted me to move to Singapore? Or to an Orphanage to be a House Parent?) Am I willing to give up things I want in order to really allow HIM to lead? AND am I really willing to give to others? If so, then why am I not motivated enough to get off my "tush" and go through the closets and do so?
(2) I am almost certain that (Yes) I (we) have allowed GOD to lead us into unfamiliar territory? At least twice.. In 1985, the Bank that Steve was working for as a Computer Programmer decided to out-source all their data processing.. this lead to layoffs and/or a transfer.. since they felt they had to offer anyone a chance to transfer, they said that he could go to Dallas and interview... and he also had a few leads for Little Rock area.. We for sure knew of plenty of people in Dallas already.. and no one really in Little Rock area.. But both gave us an offer.. the best offer at the time was in Little Rock.. so we moved to Bryant.. I am sure GOD led us here for many reasons.. and has blessed us tremendously here.. In doing so we also have expanded our friendships in the Dallas area to include many more people.. even though we are here..
I also feel that GOD has led us to the Memphis area, although, it is not as clear a picture as Little Rock was yet.. but for now, we are waiting to see what/where He leads us next. (I also think HE is leading us to try a different place to worship)! and in many ways, I feel I have been avoiding this prompting, and putting it off, AND although I think it is HIS leading... I really have not been sure.. BUT if it is HIS prompting, I really don't want to be disobedient)...

ASKING GOD
(1) What does this passage tell me about Your character? (2) Am I following You? (3) Do I acknowledge You are my leader? (4) What might be standing between me and living in the 'Promised Land' - (the Spirit-filled life Christian Life)? (5) Is there any particular part of my life in which I need purification?
(1) I think this passage is telling me that GOD has some definite directions for us.. Ours may not be as clear to us as what HE said to Joshua, but HE is clear in that HE desires us to Follow HIM.. HE desires to Lead us Home to HIM.. HE does not want any to perish, but all to have everlasting life.... BUT we have to Accept the gift.. and then follow HIM.. It may be a simple thing or it might be a major thing... BUT he wants our obedience.. our obedient heart.. (will we fail) I know I do probably daily.. I can just see HIM shaking HIS head... and sometimes laughing.. BUT HE STILL LOVES ME.. (2) I do think that I am trying to Follow YOU (GOD). I am not often totally disobedient.. I am though (I am sure) like a little kid.. I push the envelope.. if I had a fax, letter or clear message each day, I might be better but I am guessing that I would probably grumble a little or whine a lot.. I am sure it would be too hot, or too cold.. or well you know my heart.. (3) Yes, I think I do acknowledge that YOU GOD are my leader.. I just don't think I follow too well some days for sure.. (4) & (5) I am sure I need to Pray and Study more so that my directions are clearer.. and so that I can truly experience a Spirit-filled Christian Life.. and I will continue to do so..

ASKING MYSELF
(1) Do I truly believe God is my Leader? (2) In what situations do I ask God to lead the way? (3) Are there any situations in which I do not trust God to lead?
I think I have answered these in the above passage.. and I plan to Pray, Study and keep striving to please GOD and ALLOW HIM to Lead me.. I will wander back to my tent now to do some more of this as I try to sleep.. I truly want to ALLOW GOD to lead me in everything.. but I know I am so weak somedays..
Night for now.. Thank you GOD for this amazing lesson you have allowed us to study..
Cyndi Anne