Can You See Him? Part 2

Today's sermon focused on seeing God in our decisions. The focus was on Saul/Paul and Ananias and how they trusted God and decided to follow the steps God laid before them, leading to Saul/Paul's conversion. The notes below are what I took as important things to learn and apply in my own life, from what was shared.

Do we see God in our decisions?
God wants us to know His plan, purpose, and will. Instead of giving us an entire map of those plans, though, He gives us a step to start with. There is a reason we say that sometimes the best thing to do is take baby steps. By faith, with trust, we can take the first step He gives us, knowing that when we do He will show us the next step. The thing is, it is up to us to respond and sometimes, we just don't want to. We pray over and over, "God show me the way!" but when He does we don't like His answer. Either because, we expect Him to lay it out for us, completely, because otherwise we won't trust Him. Or because we feel that what He is leading us to do seems too difficult, risky, scary, or just down right impossible. However, if we will stop clinging to fear, doubt, and the flesh, God will lead us and guide us. He will confirm His involvement in our decisions and in our lives. We need to TRUST God, His plans, purpose, and will, and that He will lead us and guide us.

For the actual sermon check out: http://tecumseh-ag.org/sermons/


Scriptures from the sermon:
 
John 12:32

New International Version (NIV)

³² And I, when I am lifted up^[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
 
Isaiah 46:10

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¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning,
    from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
    and I will do all that I please.’

 Acts 9:1-18

New International Version (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

 

 Philippians 3:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
 
Mark 10:27

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²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

 

 Romans 5:8

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⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Psalm 119:105

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¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

 2 Corinthians 5:7

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⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.