I'm just curious, have any of you experienced a 'red light' 'green light' kind of message from God?

What I mean is when you're faced with a decsion and seeking God's guidance do you use the 'red light' 'green light' assistance?

I've tried this before several times and when I've received a green light, I felt that God wanted it for me. If it's a red light--"no don't do that," then I dont' and move on.

It seems that when things go smoothly, it's from God and when there are hurdles...it's not from Him but from the dark side.

Just an idea. What do you think?

[ July 15, 2004, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Toni ]

Toni: I know the Bible mentions about Gideon and the signals he requested from God. He needed to be sure and requested something very specific as his signal. God gave him the signal he requested. Gideon went on and had a great victory!

I also know of different instances where a believer requested a specific sign from God, before making a decision, and received it .

Songbird,

Thank you for reminding me of Gideon. I forgot about that.

Of course, guidance and direction was given to Moses, Elijah and others from the Bible.

The Gideon Bibles have done so much good and are a constant reminder of God's purpose and direction.

Thank you, Songbird....

I only wish I had such clear signals. I am always asking for guidance on decisions, something to point me in the right direction, a hint on whether I'm "hot" or "cold" as I make my move. Like right now, I'm trying to decide on whether I should enter a certification or degree program and if so, which college program? Or will I be loaded myself down with too much if I take classes?

It seems like I have to go ahead and make a decision and if it doesn't work out, well, gee, then that wasn't right.

Actually, there's something right now that I feel directed to do but I really don't think it's something that I'm going to be any good at and I'm afraid I'll be taking on too much but I'm going ahead, a step at a time, and we'll see.

Hello Everyone.

My experiences with signs from God were quite pronounced, at least to me. Long ago, for instance, I silently prayed for God to direct me as to whether or not I ‘needed’ to leave my husband or stay and attempt to work it out. Things were really bad.

It didn’t appear that I was getting answers or answers that I could decipher. Well, I prayed for an actual sign. Within an hour, my husband had lost his mind by pulling a gun to my head, threatening to kill both of us. He said that he could tell that I was leaving him. God’s signal was there so fast that I was almost afraid to react but there was no room not to nor doubt that I had to. As strange as this may sound, I was happy while my husband had the gun to my head. Happy for the sign and I knew that I would be okay. I felt His arms around me.

When I finally talked him out of killing us, I made plans to leave. The very first place I called was located on a street with a biblical name. I had been living in this city forever yet never knew the street existed. The rentals add was not even in the more popular papers one would search to rent. I had never even looked in nor heard of that paper until that day.

I was comforted by the guidance that I was receiving from God while I explained my situation to the potential landlord without hesitation or embarrassment. I was not looking for pity or a hand out. But, the wife was able to see through me. She hugged me and told me that they’d been blessed with that property, now blessed with my children and I as their very first tenants.

This was an elite neighborhood that “I” couldn’t have afforded on my one salary. The landlord even charged less than the fair market value, the one they had listed in the rental add. God had paved my way. Before asking Him for a signal, I was always afraid to leave because of my solo income. I wanted my children in a ‘certain’ environment.

She gave me the keys and told me that she didn’t need to interview the other applicants on the very first visit to see the beautiful place (at that point I was willing to take anything just to get into a safe spot). She said, “There’s something about you. I feel that this is where you belong.” I cried and thanked God. She told me that I could live there the first month free, then start paying ‘on’ my security deposit.

I looked in the classified for some furniture. The very first person I went to sold me a bed, refrigerator and stove and a kitchen table that matched some chairs I’d stored forever, looking for the right table, for only $200 and delivered it. These too were very nice items. There were several more gifts from God during that period.

Yes, He does send signals.

Sheree

I like the idea of God's signal lights. For me the light is almost always yellow. In almost all situations I have to proceed with caution and with prayer.
The message of the Bible is Love and I believe God loves me as a parent loves a child only more. As my heavenly parent, He wants me to have every desire of my heart except what will harm me.
If I desire something, first I must determine that it is truly a desire of my heart and not of my ego or someone else’s expectation of me. Then knowing it is God's Will I must persevere in my pursuit of it unless it is impossible.
When obstacles appear, as they always do, I know God will help me surmount them if what I want will not harm me. If the obstacle is of God it Might be to help me appreciate the joy of having the desire of my heart more. Or an obstacle could be Satan’s attempt to deprive me of a blessing. If I overcome the obstacle, I believe it was Satan, but if I fail to overcome it, I believe it was a sign from God that what I desired was not his will because it would ultimately have hurt me.

When we are attempting something that is truly our heart’s desire, we shold persevere. God loves us enough to give us the desires of our heart and to make it impossible to have what will hurt us.
I just have to move forward knowing that God loves me and wants me to be happy and that He will protect me from all evil.
smile

[ July 18, 2004, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: smilinize ]

All I can say is "Wow!" What wonderful words of hope and guidance from Agate, sugaree and Smile. Such words of inspiration, I've not seen for awhile.

Agate, your words of 'step at a time' are right on target. If you feel unsure, constant praying and taking a 'step at a time' are the right things to do...(Stay close to God and you won't go wrong..)

Sugaree, what a story of faith and prayer! God is truly listening to you and guiding you, as He does for all His children. This is a wondruous story of God's love and faith. This should be published because it could help so many! Thank you so much for sharing this--I know I will never forget this. I am going to print this off and share it with my husband, if that's alright with you?

Smile, you always have inspiring words. This time the great word you've shared is 'persevere.' God wants us to keep going and He will give us what we need to not only get through a situation but come out on top!

Thank you, Smiles, Agate and Sugaree!

Smile, I love your faith and can totally relate to your comments about your heavenly father. I share the same faith and beliefs and feel a connection to you because of that.

In my prayer group we often talk about the relation between His love for us and our love for our children. Talk about amazing grace!

Here's my two cents about signs from God. Whenever I have a big decision to make I go before God and seek his guidance over and over again.

When I make my decision I have peace in knowing it's waht God has called me to do.

If the decision brings peace and comfort I feel blessed.

If the decision brings turmoil and discomfort I know it was God's will for me to experience it and admittedly it's harder, but I still feel blessed because I know it's what my heavenly father wants for me at that time in my life.

How many times have we had to watch our children grow through their choices, good or bad?

Yes, Toni. That's fine with me. As I was writing this story of how God wrapped me in His arms, I thought the same thing. That I should cultivate this story then find somewhere to publish it. Like I said, there were many more events that went on during that period that can only be attributed to God.

It sure was nice to visit this forum yesterday to find this kind of inspiration. I didn't attend church yesterday, but, felt like I was still congregating.

Have a blessed day.

Dotsie,

Those were wonderful words of inspiration and hope. There were blessings in those words this morning. I felt it and Sugaree, did too. Thank you so much for sharing..

I agree with you that when we pray about something in earnest and seek His answer, He will show us what we need to do. Even when the decisions we make take us in a direction that proves to be negative or simply the wrong turn, He will guide, comfort and direct us back on His path.

What really wonderful is that we're never alone--never!

Sugaree,

Should you ever want to share your story, I know of several sites--mine in particular-- that would be interested in publishing your story. If you don't want to, I'll understand. I respect the privacy of all writers.

Just an idea..your story is very inspirational and could lead many to Christ.

Toni, that sounds good to me. I will write it and add the more intimate conversations I had with God during those times. I will PM you for your details and requirements.

A specific audience that comes to mind are the battered women in limbo. The women that are afraid to take that leap of faith really could use some inspiration. I really understand how they stay in relationships, we on the outside, think we'd leave in a heartbeat. Thank God that I am one on the outside now.

Actually, now that I think about it, my plans were to 'give back' by volunteering at one of the battered women's facilities. Although, I have been in situations where women were being abused. After my talk with them, a few proudly called to tell me that they were out and thanked me profusely. I told them to thank God for placing us together to hear the message instead.

Sugaree

Great! Just send any questions or information to my email address under my 'boomer' picture here on the Boomer Women Speak Site or click on to my site below and submit an email to me via the "contact me' info.

Look forward to your article and the help it will bring to the many hurting and searching women out there!

Sugaree, that was a wonderful story of faith that you told. Thank you for sharing. It reminds me in a small way of something that happened to me several years ago. I returned home from my weekly Wednesday night prayer meeting one night to find a message on my machine that my 26-year-old son had been arrested in another city and state for selling drugs to an undercover police officer. I spoke directly to my son when he called later that night and he told me, "you have to bail me out." (This was the last in a long series of events where he needed our help.) I felt that my husband and I should let him stay in jail so that he could realize the seriousness of what he had gotten involved in, but I didn't want to do that! I picked up my Bible and prayed earnestly for the Lord to give me a word. My Bible fell open and my eyes went directly to the following words, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me" (Psalm 27:10) and I had never noticed that particular verse before in my life. I felt much better about my decision but being the doubter (and rescuer) that I am, I asked yet again, Lord, one more word...so I'm sure this is Your will. The same thing happened as before, and my eyes went directly to a verse in Proverbs 19:19 which said, "for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again." How much more clear could the Lord be? I felt totally at peace with my decision that night. My son eventually was bailed out my a friend but he had to return later to serve 7 months in jail. My husband and I took him up to the prison that morning and just after we left him, my son slit his throat and tried to kill himself. Thank God, the Lord took care of him and his suicide attempt was unsuccessful. Then during the seven months that he spent in prison, my "atheist" son gave his life to the Lord, began studying the Bible and looked forward to visits from our pastor who came faithfully every week to see him. I believe the Lord really showed me a red light that night!

Oh Joyce, how fitting your pen name Newhope is. You sure had the green light NOT to act and let God. What an amazing story. During my period, the same would happen to me when I opened the Bible. I can't recall right now, the many scriptures that just blew me away as I would intentionally 'just open' the book and there a message would be for my specific situation.

I had one evening about where to start in the Book. She said, "Just open it and start reading. I garauntee you there will be a message there for you."

Praise God that you and your family were Protected.

Sheree

Thank you so much, Newhope, for your inspiring and fascinating message of how God sends signals.

It does seems like he sends either red or green. I haven't often run across the middle ground--yellow but there's a warning signal, there too.

Thank you for sharing your story.