Study Guide
February 11- February 16

Monday, February 11. Read Ephesians 5:15-17. The ultimate source of all of our conflict is not wanting to or not knowing what God wants us to do. Paul wants us to understand where God is leading and directing us.  In the context of the passage – we are to make good use of our time and make sure when we have an opportunity to make a positive difference – we do it.  If you keep reading through the rest of the chapter, Paul encourages us to put ourselves in a position for the Holy Spirit to guide us.  When we don’t know for sure what to do – keep on worshipping, keep on giving God thanks.  If that’s where you are – not knowing for sure what God wants you to do….spend some personal time giving Him thanks today.                                                                                                         

Tuesday, February 12. Read Jonah.  Jonah was a reluctant prophet given a mission he found distasteful.  He chose to run away from God rather than obey him.  He knew God’s will specifically and made a conscience decision to disobey.  Like Jonah, we may have to do things in life that we don’t want to do.  Sometimes we find ourselves wanting to turn and run.  But it is better to obey God than to defy him or run away.  Often, in spite of our defiance, God in his mercy will give us another chance to serve him when we return to him

Wednesday, February 13. Read Psalm 25:9.  Do you really want to know God’s will?  Do you have it in you to admit you are confused, frustrated or lost?  The first step to knowing God’s will is to admit you need guidance.  How many decisions have you made in your life that was solely based on how you feel?  We know we can’t always trust our feelings or our “gut feelings”. But we can trust God.  He has poured himself into us by giving us his word to guide us.  He has poured himself into us by giving us His Spirit as a witness to his presence.

Thursday, February 14. Read James 1:5-6.  How do you know God’s wisdom?  Ask HIM!! Not someone else – take it directly to the one who cares about you, who made you, who formed you and who is waiting with open arms for you.  Now, knowing the character of God, we should be asking with the attitude that He will answer us – he will make himself known to us.  Read Matthew 7:7-11.  Be expecting God to answer – trust Him, trust his heart.

Friday, February 15. Read Job 33:14. How do we tune in to God’s voice?  Elihu was reminding Job that God was indeed speaking – he just wasn’t listening.  Do we realize that God is speaking in all we are going through?  Are we hearing what He has to say?  God may be invisible and seem uninvolved, but He is at work.  What are you tuning into?  The best God speaks is through His word.  Have you read the Bible lately?  If so, how are you reading?  Are you reading just to say you read some words or do you read with a heart that is open for God to speak to you?  We are also surrounded by teachers who can share their God-given wisdom with us. These teachers encourage us, strive to help us make good choices and hold us accountable in our every day lives.  What about impressions and circumstances?  Are you able to discern those that don’t contradict God’s word?  God will never want us to do something that He has already told us not to do, in his word.

Saturday, February 16.  Proverbs 3:5-6.  Are you a person who trusts?  Because God is willing!!  If you don’t understand God’s command, it may be a test.  Abraham didn’t know what was going to happen when he took his son up the mountain to sacrifice him.  But He trusted God fully and his son Isaac was spared.  The Israelites thought they hid a dead end when they came up on the Red Sea.  They thought God had made a mistake – but he didn’t.  Take this day to relax and say this prayer over and over again today:  “God I trust you.”