Questions and Answers
Memory verse: “Jesus replied, ‘if anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him’ “(John 14:23)
Why does God seem to work so slowly in my life?
Jesus had been with His disciples about three years when He said, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:12-13). Jesus had more He wanted to teach them, but they were not ready to receive it. Jesus understood, however, that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide them into truth according to God’s timetable.
You may be saying, “God, hurry up and make me mature.” And God is saying, “I’m moving just as fast in your life as you will allow Me. When you are ready for your next lesson, I will bring a new truth into your life.”
Ask yourself these questions:
Am I responding to all God is already leading me to do?
Have I obeyed all I already know to be His will?
Do I really believe He loves me and will always do what is best and right?
Am I willing to patiently wait on His timing and to obey everything I know to do in the meantime?
How can I know whether the word I receive is from God, my selfish desires, or Satan?
Some people go to much trouble studying Satan’s ways so they can identify when something appears to be his deception. I don’t do that. I have determined not to focus on Satan. He is defeated. The One who is guiding me and is presently implementing His will through me is the Victor. The only way Satan can affect God’s work through me is when I believe Satan and disbelieve God. Satan will always try to deceive you, but he cannot ultimately thwart what God purposes to do.
How should you approach spiritual warfare with Satan? Know the ways of God so thoroughly that if something doesn’t measure up to God’s ways, you will recognize it is not from Him and will turn away from it. That’s what Jesus did when He was tempted. In essence Jesus said, “I understand what you are saying, Satan; but that is not the last word I had from My Father. The Scriptures say ...” (see Matt. 4:1-11.) Jesus never debated with Satan. He never analyzed it. He just kept doing the last thing His Father told Him to do until the Father told Him what to do next. Our greatest weapon in spiritual warfare is obedience to God’s Word.
Why doesn’t God give me a big assignment?
God might say to you, “You are asking Me to involve you in My great work, but I am trying to get you simply to understand how to believe Me. I can’t give you that assignment yet.” God has to lay some basic foundations in your life before you are ready for the larger tasks. Have you ever said something like “Lord, if You just give me a great assignment, I will serve You for all I am worth”? God might respond, “I really want to, but I can’t. If I gave you that kind of assignment, you would never be able to handle it. You are not ready.” Then you may argue, “Lord, I am able. I can handle it; just try me.” Do you remember any of the disciples who thought they were able to handle a bigger assignment?
On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. ”Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:33-34). Is it possible He also knows exactly what you would do? Trust Him. Do not insist that God give you something you think you are ready for. That could lead to your ruin. God is far more interested in accomplishing His kingdom purposes than you are. He will move you into every assignment He knows you are ready for.