(December 15, 2021) Maureen McQuillan answers a question a little differently this month…

Pastor Maureen… I need your advice about… Yours ‘Somebody’

This person (let’s call her ‘Somebody’) is but one of a number of Christians who have asked me for advice, help, direction expecting me to have the mind of God on their situation.

Many times I give commonsense guidance but become aware that they’re hearing but not really listening and I learn later that they never acted and still have the same old problem! So I’ll start this way…

Dear Somebody
I understand your problem and I want to encourage you to relax and trust the Lord. Life is life… and many times problems come up out-of-the-blue and we have to make decisions. Now I’m not referring to normal everyday decisions such as what do I wear or make for dinner. As we automatically decide on those matters, so we often can do the same with bigger matters that arise… if we relax and give it all over to the Lord, at the same time sensing what ‘our heart’ is directing us to do.

I suggest if you don’t immediately know in your heart what to do, then pray (remember how prayer is the Christian’s secret FTE weapon!) Here’s how the threefold ‘FTE secret’ outworks –

• Faith… exercise your faith in God.
• Trust that God has heard you and understands.
• Expect answers… but on the basis of quietly leaving it with him.

Now, don’t get all worked up about this! It comes naturally as we live out our Christianity.

So, dear ‘Somebody’, I’m not going further with this, that is giving examples from the Bible, my own life, or the testimonies of others… but I’d love to hear from you as to how you’re growing in knowing that our loving Father is there, caring for us, and delighted that we trust him. Okay?

I’ve already told you what I think you should do regarding your situation, as I sensed God was leading… but did you really hear (Not just from me but from the Lord)? Are you acting? Or continuing trying to work it out by yourself and not trusting Jesus? Hmm?

Okay then… I will remind you of one scripture, that one in my Christmastime article this month (Miracle in the Manger – Miracle in the Sink) – ‘But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it – you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked – well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift’ (Romans 4:5Message).

_____________________________________________________________
Got a question for either Pr Maureen or Dr Robert McQuillan? Email to OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
_____________________________________________________________