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Which Way Do I Choose?

by Tonja Taylor
2/21/2022 / Christian Living

God is the Spirit of Truth. We need Him every hour, every day, to help us hear Him clearly, to make sure we are not deceived. God our Father loves us so much, and just like any loving parent, only wants to do us good; tell us the Truth to protect us from harm and help us have the best, blessed life.

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].--John 16:13, AMPC

Thank God for the Holy Spirit (Jesus in our hearts), Who is continuously (never stopping!) monitoring every part of our lives; both our thoughts and words before we think and speak them, and every moment of our lives.

Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD. --Psalm 139:4, Berean Study Bible

Hallelujah! How great and good is our God!

This past week, I had what I now know was a very clever deception from the enemy, by a familiar spirit. Familiar spirits are just that--familiar with our ways and habits, likes and dislikes, etc. They tempt us to go away from God and His Plan, and that's what happened to me.

This temptation came through a business deal, a franchise-type operation, that I truly think is a very workable and profitable business. Franchises are not cheap, because there are processes that have been proven, and continual support, that must be paid for. McDonald's is a world-wide example; about a milllion dollars will get you one.

The business I was considering is run by Christians that are openly bragging on God, and clearly explaining what the business is, and stating that, if one doesn't work, then the business won't produce. Makes sense.

My husband and I had been proclaiming and believing for expansion and increase, which of course is part of our Covenant. We have repented of a poverty attitude, and have been noticing more and more evidence that we have allowed and even perpetuated such a wrong attitude through the years.

So at first, this seemed to be a definited answer from the LORD to break us out of this. I was a little anxious, which is usual with big changes--except that the LORD tells us to not be anxious: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."--Philippians 4:6, Berean Study Bible

(At the same time, He completely understands, and gives us comfort and peace, and helps us know above all that, no matter what, His love for us never changes! Hallelujah! In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. --Isaiah 54:8, Berean Study Bible)

I was very excited about this new venture, started dreaming again and making big plans financially and more, and even had the agreement of my husband with it (which is a big deal). I had decided that I could find the 15-20 hours a week that would be necessary to invest to get this business going. Then later, things could be put in place that would provide passive income and free up lots of time to do what I really wanted and was supposed to do.

Through a series of events, all seemed to be well, except for one final thing that just would not fall into place.

I prayed about things, and talked to a couple of different people serving in advisory capacities in the business. Both the founder/director and the others I talked to were blatant Believers, and even prayed with me after the coaching and information calls. They offered to finance the rather pricey investment, but it was not unreasonable for a franchise for a 20-year-old proven and legitimate business. There were many testimonials that I watched.

After a day or two, continuing in prayer, and also proclaiming verses the LORD taught me years ago, to help me hear clearly from Him, He reminded me that, if something is from the LORD for me, then it's mine, and although there are kairos moments that may never come again, most things can wait--especially till we get total peace from God to make a move.

Some of the Scriptures that He has taught me to say out loud, especially in times when I don't have immediate clarity about decisions, are:

(1) James 1:5 and 6, Berean Study Bible: 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind....

(2) John 16:13, AMPC: But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

(3) Psalm 25:12-15, NASB: 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. 13 His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. 14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. 15 My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will pluck my feet out of the net.

I also said out loud several times through those few days that I "claim all my Tither's Rights," which I learned at my church, and which includes the LORD rebuking the devourer and the destroyer (Malachi 3:10-12). Hallelujah!

So the strategy He gave me was to tell the advisor that I had writing projects to wrap up this month, and then I would get with him after the first of the next month. His response was that it was, to paraphrase, imperative that I get going now.

So, to be fair, I do understand that people can change their minds and miss out, because of fear, or "shrinking back." I'd done it myself through the years with a few things. But I questioned the motivation. After all, the business was a couple decades old, so why the pressure (which is really what it was, subtle and polite as it was; pressure never comes from the enemy if the motivation is wrong)? What was the motivation?

I decided to proceed, but I did not have complete peace, so that was wrong of me. My mind was telling me that everything looked like God, was based on God, etc. etc. Yes, on the outward appearance, it all looked good, and I truly believe that the director and people I'd been dealing with were siblings in Christ.

However, I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew the LORD had called me to write, even a couple decades ago, and confirmed within my heart many times, and a few times by proven prophets, and more.

The fact that the writing--my other life and plans, which no business plan truly from God would ever discount--wasn't even acknowledged as important, nor even mentioned at all! Also, in the financed amount was six months of "coaching fees," which was several hundred dollars a month.

I'm sure the coach for this new business in real estate would be worth it. However, I believe the LORD revealed to me that the motivation for the "imperative enrollment" was for the coach to get several month's income and probably commissions or something.

Helping other people earn money with no regard for my life made it clear to me that this opportunity was not from God, but a deception from the enemy.

The enemy can be very clever when he is trying to deceive us. This was the best demonstration yet of him almost deceiving me--but far greater is the Spirit of Truth in me and for me to lead me into all truth. However, I had to remember to slow down and ask the LORD to show me what I needed to know, and to lead me into all Truth.

God is so good, that He does everything He can to keep us from being deceived, even if we don't ask, of course.

Another thing He revealed to me is that, while the business would help others attain property that they may not be able to otherwise, that was not the main thing I was called to do in the earth. It would take away a lot of time and energy from the writing I knew the LORD had called me to do. In addition, He showed me that, if I could just suddenly decide to focus for 15-20 hours a week on this new business, then I could certainly do it with His business--the writing. Hallelujah!

I repented for not fearing the LORD; not having taken Him seriously enough to have been much more focused and productive in the writing. I had been writing, but I could have been doing more.

However, thank the LORD, that He is merciful and kind and patient, and understands all. He also knows we have a tempter, deceiver, distractor, but praise Him, my Jesus helped me pass this test, and now, I am so thankful to be able to focus and write more than ever for Him, to "publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all His marvelous deeds!"

So, if you are struggling with a decision, know these things: (1) God wants to help you know the truth, and He will. Speak the Word out loud--the three Scriptures I listed above, and more that He shows you. (2) Tell Him that you do not want to be deceived, even if the result is different than you'd like or think it will be. (3) If you are a tithe, claim all your tither's rights. (If you're not, I would advise you start immediately. God commands us to tithe, and there is amazing protection and blessing in it, more than can ever be measured till Heaven!) (4) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember how He has helped you make decisions in the past, and given you victory. He will!

As the Apostle Paul said, 23“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.

Be assured that God is for you, and will help you. Even if you miss it and make the wrong decision, (which I have, plenty of times, both from ignorance and even rebellion. Praise God, He is merciful and receives our true repentance--which means to stop doing what you were doing, and start going God's way!), the LORD will forgive and cleanse and restore you.

It is more important now than ever to make the right decisions. Another thing that is very important is being in a Bible-believing church, with a pastor who truly preaches and lives the full truth, and whose prayers will really be a covering for you! If you are not in such a church, ask the LORD to give you grace to desire to go, get there, participate; and in your home, ask Him to help you read your Bible, pray (just talking to God), and worship and otherwise seek Him.

He is faithful. He will!

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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