Some Thoughts on "Signs" from God
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- I remember a time in my Christian walk when I was constantly looking for "signs" from God. While I don't think there's anything unbiblical about looking for answers from God when we pray, it's more nuanced than that. I share some brief thoughts about some of my experiences with this and some scriptural insight.
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The more I mature as a Believer, the more time and energy I focus on seeking God in the Scriptures instead of searching for external signs.
YES!!! Exactly!
Absolutely
To the testimony and law! If they don’t speak this word they have no light at all!
I have mostly given up on trusting spiritual feelings and signs. They are just synonyms for trusting myself and my own reason and feelings rather than God
SUCH a good point, thanks for sharing!!! This is so encouraging to me and I want to start to do that more :)
None the less the Bible teaches signs will appear in the sky in a prelude to the second coming.
From my experience when God gives you a sign it will be VERY clear. He is not the author of confusion. I have also noticed He will usually give me the same word or sign two or three times in a day, and it almost always involves scripture. After coming out of new age I am super careful regarding “signs”! The demonic realm is happy to give you signs too and completely mess with your life. Discernment is key!
Can you give examples of clear signs in your life from the Lord? If you feel comfortable doing so 🙏
@@Ephesians5-14 I was just replying to this comment too when I saw yours lol. I have an example I can share. My husband and I were praying about buying a house, and during his daily readings the same theme kept popping up… “possess the land.” We also have experience in following “signs” that were not from God at all, and I can tell you the difference is that God always speaks to us through scripture, or through a pastor speaking scripture, or through a friend speaking scripture, etc! I hope this helps!
@@Ephesians5-14
The Living Word has all the signs you need. If you have a question and you would like to have it answered by God, then pick up your Bible, remove anything that marks a page, close your eyes, plead by the Blood of Jesus (this is the most important step), ask God your question, open the Bible in a "random" page and put your finger on a "random" point on the opened Bible, then open your eyes and read whatever is under your finger. That's your answer. If it doesn't look like an answer, dig deeper.
I put "random" in quotes because, according to Proverbs 16:33, God communicates through randomness.
@@lizz.4883 hey Liz!! Thanks for sharing 😊 You're confirming what I needed to hear. He may send "signs" but they will be in scripture and then perhaps repeated by trusted brothers and sisters in Christ, your pastor or Bible counselor, and of course through PEACE. At current, I'm allowing myself to spin my wheels about where to get a job but everything He shows me through scripture and my devotionals tells me to wait for Him, to trust Him, to rest in Him, and to seek Him and not worry about the rest. It's so difficult! I love your story 💗 Is it a large piece of property y'all were considering? I was praying once about where we would move to eventually and opened to a Psalm that said something like "refuge in the mountains" 💗 I do hope that's what happens... eventually 💗
@@Ephesians5-14 I’m so glad! It’s a decent size, but the biggest struggle was deciding if we should move out of state or not, which ultimately meant moving a bit further from our families (which we did). It was a huge move for us as I was pregnant with our first baby and we were living with my in-laws. The pressure to find a place before the baby was born (plus a fast moving market) was a lot! And even though we got that confirmation from the Lord to “possess the land”, the doubts crept in after they accepted the offer on the house. That’s why it was so crucial that God spoke to us through his word alone, because that was the only thing that could stand against the doubts. I hope one day you find the place that God has for you! (But also remember that if your relationship with God is strong, you are where you’re supposed to be right now 😊) Stand strong in the word and you can’t go wrong. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 12:28, “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.”
God bless you!!
I'm a minister of over 30 years and a total of 52 years a Christian. I've experienced and witnessed different events in my life that I can only attribute to the direct action of God. No I do not look for signs as my walk is by faith but I cannot deny those times of the miraculous. God knows where I am and what I need.
If you watched the full video, you would have noticed that she made it clear that sometimes certain things can be the case to give you confirmation on something you might have prayed for but not everything, and it doesn't happen as often. The point is don't call everything a sign from God when it's just merely your own imagination or a heavy want, you need discernment and scriptures for confirmation for most part.
Maybe I'm projecting, but I think that many times we seek some sort of "sign" from God, so that when we don't get the results we WANT, we can blame God rather than human frailty and, perhaps, a series of unwise choices.
That's actually a pretty wisdomous observation.
When I was a baby Christian I would seek God's advice on every decision I needed to make. Over the years and as I've studied the Bible I've come to realize that not everything needs His guidance, especially when you know his nature.
This is an excellent point.
It reminds me of parenting almost. We want our children to be independent with a large intellectual arsenal of good discernment and life skills... Then they can make their own decisions within the parameters of that wisdom and guidance.
In the same way, if we know how God functions, and know what his will is through scripture study, we then have enough discernment to know how to freely make choices within those boundaries that he lays out for making wise Life choices.
Amen! I love that! This way of thinking helps me ☺️
This is a huge step in our walks for sure! Piggy backing off of the analogy of children, one thing the Lord showed me in that sense was really the stages of development. When we’re young we’re always nurtured by our parents. When we asked to be picked up, it happens instantly. When we need help with something, it’s an instant answer. Slowly, this dies down. It’s not that our parents no longer love us but they want to see us use the tools they’ve given us (in this case the armor of God) to move forward. I pray this makes sense. God bless you!
Great way to say it!
Everything already is being guided by Him, so yes, everything does need His guidance.
But although I'm constantly in prayer asking for His guidance, it doesn't mean that I won't make a decision until I get the "sign" that I demand.
I trust him to redirect me if I go down the wrong road. :)
"Christians controlled by self ambition will usually pray about God's will after they have decided a matter and are looking for His confirmation" From the book Spiritual Warfare by Karl Payne
Loved this video; we're often seeking afirmation rather than confirmation. Loved when you said "when we are constantly looking for outside signs we are not relying on the word of God".
After I was born again, it felt like everything was "speaking to me," everything was jumping out at me. It was so intense I felt like I was going crazy. It was actual kinda scary. Four years later, and things have definitely settled down. I'm still learning.
I know how you've felt..confirmation Bias is what nearly drove me nuts too..
I can attest to this to
@@tommihail2178 can you tell me your experience I am also going through the same experience. Please
Hey Alyssa can you tell me what is your experience??
@@BBBB-nd8pl please can you share your experience
Whenever I'm praying for something big or really upset or crying out for a sign, I'll hear a bible verse in my head like Matthew 5:9. Just the book, chapter and verse that I often can't even remember. Every single time the verse ends up being amazingly accurate. Other things I constantly test against the word.
Yes! This! Let’s be friends ☺️
@@victoriavalliant9462 okay! 💜
I’ve had this same thing happen as well, India.
Yep
Beautiful testimony 🙏
Also, off-topic; banner on your profile reads "cribe if you this read v" when seen from mobile phone.
The Gideon story is exactly what comes to mind with this stuff.
The main difference is God and Gideon worked out the signs together and confirmed them.
When I was looking for signs from God (back in High School) I was picking a sign on my own, confirmed it on my own, and then make my decision based on the sign that only I had ever approved.
Of course God doesn't honor that! It was a deal between me and me, and I probably could have found a better way to reason out the choices than flipping a coin type stuff.
When I was 19, I "put out a fleece" about entering into a relationship with someone with the intent of marriage. I spent time in the Word, and prayed for several hours, and wrote out my prayer in my journal. I asked Jesus that if He was for this relationship to begin and end up in marriage, that exactly one month from that date, this guy in CA would ask to visit me in CT. I also asked that if God was against our relationship, that one month from that date, I would receive a hand written letter in the mail, saying he just wanted to be my friend. That whole month, I prayed the same prayer every day, and lived in the Word and didn't tell A single person about my "fleece". At one point, my older sister, who had never met this guy, told me she had had a dream about my future husband, and exactly described him, to a tee. I didn't get my hopes up, didn't tell her anything about him, but tucked that info in my mental pocket and continued to pray. A month to the day from that exact date I prayed the prayer, he asked permission to visit and begin a relationship. We'll have been married ten years this coming July.
(Also, later, my sister eventually saw a picture of him - gasped - asked who it was - and said that was who she saw in her dream. I'm not sure I really trust that she hadn't seen him online before and forgot, which is why I never banked on it as a "sign", but if it really happened as she said, it's cool to think about)
I have since matured and grown in my walk with Jesus and in my understanding of theology and the Word, so I don't use fleeces like this anymore. But I still know that I know that God lead us together and that He was gracious to me in my young, childlike understanding of Him.
Awesome testimony!
I have learned that when you don't stay in scripture, the prince of darkness will put all kinds of "signs" in your life to push you to the wrong thing. he's good at that. Keep God, scripture, practice patience and keep praying before making a decision, especially a big one. Patience should only reinforce things if it's God's will. If ever you're afraid of losing someone or something by being patient, then it's not God's will. It's just not.
Melissa: “You guys are all human, i hope”
My dog watching: 👁👄👁
There is a saying that goes - You find whatever it is you're looking for'
I received a text from a friend this morning that contained the same scripture I was studying last night. I take this as a sign God is telling me there's something important in this scripture for me.
I pray long prayers every night. I pray often for others I care about to find Jesus or yo become more than lukewarm. Asking God to soften their hearts and let the Holy Spirit. Although it can take days, months or years. When they ask me questions about Christ, I am overjoyed. I used to always seek external signs or immediate results whenever I prayed for something and I would be a little bummed out if I didn’t get any. But He knows better than I. Patience is important regardless of what you’re praying for. Thank you for the wonderful video God bless 💕
I was hesitant to watch your videos Melissa because I was afraid you were going to be someone who tries to teach but doesn't read or study their Bible much. I'm glad to say you have been such a blessing. Nothing makes me happier than seeing brothers and sisters being submissive to God's word and teaching truth! Thank you
I really appreciate this teaching because I’ve been a believer for almost 20 years and I’ve never received a “sign from God”. As a new believer, that made me feel invisible to my Lord, and even question my faith. Whenever I would seek a sign from God, any answer I got didn’t feel any different than my own desires and or intuition…which can definitely be a problem, if I’m trusting my own heart as Gods wisdom and will. Fact is, all the “signs” we need have been given to us in the Scriptures. Broken down, the seeking of signs reminds me a lot of the law of attraction teaching…if I’m looking for something to affirm a decision, it’s highly likely that I’ll find something to affirm my heart desires! That’s just not God, and even denies His sovereignty. If we know His Word, we learn His will for us. That’s enough for me today!
You can't get a sign from something that does not exist.
I’m less than 4 min in and I’m so grateful already for this video. My husband and I have some big (potential) changes ahead. We want to be sure our will is aligned to God’s. We’ve seen countless times how maybe our hopes/actions were on the right track, but our methods or timing were out of whack. God has always blessed the process, through the difficulties, failures and successes. So we are taking our time in making these huge decisions.
Last night he prayed for just guidance in God’s will. He was stressing about a particular decision and weighing how much the “stress” was caused by the actual circumstances, or by his overthinking. This morning, his supervisor out of nowhere pulled him in to encourage him in a related situation.
We’re taking it simply as an answer to prayer in that it helped my husband sort out his frustrations and emotions with these work-related decisions. We aren’t taking it as an “end-all-be-all stamp of approval” from God, but as an answered prayer for this particular detail.
We have learned the hard way not to jump down a road based on one positive instance or answer to prayer. It’s one step at a time, trusting God’s will and timing. AND the command to love God, love our neighbor and spread the Gospel does not change in the meantime.
Anyway, thanks for sharing.
There's one particular reoccurring "sign" that I see ALL THE TIME, and I've been seeing it ever since I got saved. I know it's from the Lord, but it doesn't tell me what to do or how to live my life. Instead, the sign is more of a reminder that He's near, He's mindful of me, and He loves me. I think that's different than taking a fleeting emotion or random coincidence as a sign to take action in a particular way.
I need a home mine flooded. We have been living with my in-laws and they are not Christian at all. In fact my father in law says Gods name everyother word. We've tries sharing Jesus and they just say don't preach at us. So we try to live out Christ and be an example. We don't have the financial means to buy right now but God! He can make a way where there is no way. I don't walk around looking for signs. I just pray and try to be content where he has me now.
Please pray for my family and more than that my in-laws. That God would open their eyes to truth!
Just looking to signs will lead you down a destructive path! Pray wait and have faith and hope!
Your videos are so good you explain things so well! I can't rely on anyone but God!
🙏🙏
You hit the nail on the head at the 11:36 - 12:09 marks of the video. Thanks for speaking on this topic, Melissa!
I'm guilty of neglecting God's word. Please pray for me to get into God's Word daily.
Same 😔
Same 😥
You just have to do it. Make it part of your routine, like brushing your teeth. If you have to get up 30 minutes earlier, then do it. Don’t try, just do.
Why pray? Just read the bible every day.
@@zumagallerte4669 God wants you to. If you have ever read the Bible, you should know this.
*Luke 18:1:* "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" Jesus speaks more on the power of prayer in the following two parables.
*Thessalonians 5:17* is short and sweet: "Pray without ceasing."
There are many, many more verses and stories expressing to us the importance of prayer.
God bless you. May the Spirit reveal to you all the wisdom of the Bible, and all the wisdom you ask for. Blessed be God, our gracious Lord!
People don't realize that looking for signs is a form of Paganism. I use to do this as well in my early walk with the Lord. I'm glad you did a video about this because people don't know what they don't know.
Regarding the car thing, it reminds me of when the disciples cast lots to see which disciple was going to replace Judas. They were like “Which of these two do you want, Lord?” When in reality God had Paul, someone completely unknown to them at the time.
What about Matthias?
@@shoshannah777 After Matthias was chosen, how much more do you read about him in scripture? Versus Paul the Apostle?
@@paulgarcia8345 I don't think the volume of scripture negates the fact that Matthias was chosen. I think they were both chosen :)
@@shoshannah777 okay. My point is nowhere else in the New Testament after this point do you see casting lots as a means for ascertaining the will of God-which is consistent with Hebrews 1:1
@@paulgarcia8345 yeah I agree with you there - I don't think casting lots in general is a command for us to follow!
For me as I go through this Christ walk, I’ve noticed Biblical wisdom will come into my heart and be a litmus test to whatever I’m praying about. It’s crazy how in that, God reveals if something I’m seeking is in His will or not. It motivates me to read His word even more.
Signs and wonders are really for the unbeliever, and should follow the believer. We are to test everything, as not everything is from God.
Great video, Melissa.
_No one_ has experienced a sign from God, except in the Bible.
Patiently wait on Him. It wasn't till I stopped trying to fix everything myself after asking God and just left it in His hands that I saw His perfect and pleasing will unfold. My favourite thing to ask for is encouragement during the waiting. He is so faithful and creative in ways you don't see coming and often it comes in the form of a scripture from an unexpected source.
✝I have dealt with this my whole life growing up in the Word of Faith church. Living for any tiny sign via still small voice, dream, word of knowledge, etc. Funny how God's will seems to only line up with "their" desires. Stay blessed sister!
I am learning to wait on the Lord. I live on disability and I can't just go out and buy furniture. I moved back to my hometown 5 years ago and was blessed enough to buy a house with a huge down payment (cashed out my meager 401K), and have a ten year mortgage, Unfortunately I had no furniture for the den. I had to wait on God for timing, opportunity and funding. I communicated with friends and family about my prayer life. When I least expected it, some friends of mine sent me a text with a picture of some furniture I needed (it was used, but in great shape). It was available at a Habitat center for a fraction of the cost of new furniture. I am still waiting for other furniture I need and I am confident God will send it my way.
I can relate to this SO much, I used to always be this way....very well said sister 🙏💜
Hebrews 1:1-2 KJVS
[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Only twice in 38 years has the Holy Spirit spoken scripture verses loud in my head. Be very careful of individuals who seem to think they have a running conversation with God day to day.
Well I do think God is talking to me by making this video pop up on my screen exactly when i need it😂😂😂thank you Melissa, thank you Jesus
So true, it's crazy how after being a Christian my whole life and seriously studying the Bible and prioritizing my relationship with the Lord, I still wait on unrealistic 'signs' from Him and have not truly been making decisions waiting on Him. Was exactly what I needed to hear at this season in my life.
Looking for signs? Can we hear the inaudible voice of the Holy Spirit? He is our guide and will help in our walk and instruct you in the way to go. As I'm writing this comment, Melissa beat me to the punch at 11:37. Spend time in the Word of God and get to know how the Father talks to the believers and how the Holy Spirit doesn't. God will not contradict His Word. If you're seeking confirmation then ask the Holy Spirit to confirm it in His Word.
I never thought about relying on signs as not relying on God, but you're SO right!!! Thanks for making this video!!!
From my own walk with God and growing I have found immaturity in God the biggest enemy to really understanding God's Word as our guide and answer to the questions of what His will is for us. Either specifically in certain decisions but more importantly how we walk daily, weekly, monthly and overall period. A way of life in God that is more and more according to His Word just simply transforms us in the way we even first view decisions and then go about deciding. God does not always specifically tell us what we are to do in our decisions/choices but instead His Word helps renew our minds so that our choices are more in line with how He wants us to conduct our lives in the first place.
We are SOOOO Idolatrous. I have learned that I pray for ALL things, and try to keep these things parallel to what Father has asked of us...then I let HIM do a He wishes in my life. If He wants me to do something, things happen around His Will...if it doesn't I try to write it down because He ALWAYS shows me later WHY NOT.
I don't wait for signs... I wait for opportunities or road blocks and ask for confirmation. We DON'T get to tell God WHAT signs He needs to show us OR timing in which it should happen.
Good video.
I've been a believer for approx. 40 years having come to the Lord as a young man. As we seek God and test our walk with Him in getting to know Him and how He does things, I found myself asking for signs to help with decisions. After a time I realized this wasn't the way the Lord prefers to communicate with us. After all the enemy can very easily show us the signs that we are looking for, how do we know it is the Lord?
Walking with the Lord for 2/3rds of my life I realized that 99% of the decisions we need to make and the direction we seek is in the scriptures. More often than not I don't need to ask God for direction as He has already given His direction through scripture or has revealed His nature through scripture and therefore I can anticipate His Will. Like in a marriage where you know your spouse so well you don't really need to ask their opinion on something, you know what they would say.
Occasionally I will 'hear' His voice in my heart but even then it usually points me to scripture for the answers.
Wow, seriously? That's choice, praying is essential to our lives but so is common sense! God does ask us if we need wisdom to ask. He also gave us a brain to think with! We center on God's word and study scripture, we often look for external signs. Rather then be guided by His word, wisdom prevails God's wisdom. Pray= Yes, no and wait! I'm grateful He didn't give me everything I asked for.
I was seeking God’s will for my life in a big decision. I realized I wasn’t even being faithful to follow the scripture. As I read, I began to see all over “Do X, for this is the will of God” and it changed everything for me. I pray more to be obedient to do His will over knowing His plan for me.
Luke 11:29-32 Jesus called them a wicked generation because they asked for a sign. Love that the only sign he gave them was that of Jonah a typology of himself.
I think in many cases of incredibly unliky circumstance there can be man-made coincidence, and God-created circumstance.
It seems that sometimes God lines up things to lay before us. Free will gives us the decision on what to do with what God has placed on our plate.
Wow… all I can say is, I’m nearly speechless - I really needed this video today, as I’ve been doing exactly what you mentioned here, seeking signs from physical aspects in my life regarding major decisions. I prayed & prayed & prayed that God would show me that way, but it seems to have not brought me any real peace. I continued to struggle very deeply until I watched this, Melissa Dougherty. I know now, this is going to change my perspective on what I’m doing, and I’ll actually dive head first into my Bible today, to listen to what HE has to say in his word, rather than just looking at the outside world in front of me for signs and wonders. God bless you, thank you, Amen… 🙏
Thank you for this. I think God might have spoken to me through you just now. You said something about us thinking God doesn’t love us because he’s not blessing us with an experience and that was something I said the other day. So thanks!
You are beyond beautiful, but I don’t understand the reason to insult new age? Both Christianity and néw age are religion. Religion=division and separation.
I got an ad here that said "Do you remember the day you met Jesus Christ?"
I think, No because god is not some dude you bump into.
Perfect timing with this video on 22.2.22 when people are looking for a mystic meaning behind this date! Thank you!
What if you ask for a specific sign like confirmation between you and him? For a specific purpose and answer. That no one else knows and you haven’t stated out loud. Not necessarily signs EVERYWHERE but something very specific you’ve asked him for
Can I ask what about hearing God? Sometimes when I’m deep and prayer and usually when I’m crying, I’ll hear him speak to me. Not like a voice but more like a conscious. I’d love to read your opinion.
Gideon laying out the fleece was actually a sign of his doubt and lack of faith. It's not a model for how Christians should seek God's will.
The rule of wait....ha...I love that!!
You already said it though Melissa, it's being in the word and learning it and knowing what God's saying through it. Thank you for all your hard work!! I've shared your videos with people at our church, my preacher as well.
Would love thoughts as I am a new believer that came from New age as well.
I am facing my car being repossessed. I randomly had the song "just give it away" by George strait pop into my head some time later very randomly... how would I check this situation with scripture? Thank you 💛💛💛
Hey Dreamy. Former new ager here too! Be careful with song lyrics and stuff like that, especially with it being secular music. Not saying it was not God, but just be wise and acknowledge that it might be the enemy. Based on scripture... is this vehicle practical for you or does it cost more than you can reasonably afford? Are you able to catch up on payments and then trade it for something you can afford? This is an issue of being a good steward of the resources He has given us. I empathize with you about how to interpret how God speaks to us. I have found that the enemy gives us all the signs we want, whereas the Lord is much more subtle so we have to seek Him for everything 🙏
@@Ephesians5-14 so well said! I particularly appreciate your mentioning that the enemy gives us all the signs we want.
There was a time when I thought God was speaking to me through dreams, but I later determined with proper clarity that it was only stemming from my own desires rather than objective truth.
To Dreamy, I pray that you may discern God's wisdom for this decision about your car! ❤🙏🏻
Just my opinion based on my own mileage, I think these sorts of habits are planted when we're told that we have a hands on God, a God who is sovereign over all things and I especially think that people misconstrue the sovereign part
I love how you gesticulate with your hands! Hahaha
Gideon was called by God but wasn't the brightest crayon in the box. LOL
A sign is desired only when one holds the Bible but doesn't know what it says.
Melissa! I need more Christian women like you to follow. It’s so hard being interested in apologetics and theology and not having women counsel on things we deal with on a daily basis. I really enjoy your spirit and style of addressing tough subjects we are all dealing with. Do you have other recommendations?
I use to constantly do that. Thank you for sharing this video. Today I’m really just sticking to the Word of God for direction and no more signs!
This is very serious, there's a lot of spiritualism behind this topic, many are being deceived through this practices.
You do a great job teaching GOD words I really learn a lot from you.
This is good stuff. I talk about these issues on my channel too, and I'm glad to see a sister out there having this conversation!
Signs, signs, everywhere there is SIGNS!! I seek the Lord through his word! He guides me with his Holy Spirit that flows through me. I used to look above for signs, do you hear me Lord? Waiting for a shooting star to fall! Or an Eagle flying in the air was a sign from God that I need to be strong. I look at all things now as God the creator, instead of the creation. Have a relationship with him and you will see his word come alive in you. Be blessed! Thanks Melissa❤️🙏🏼✝️
Good Video Melissa,
For me I pray whatever the need is and knowing Jesus's love just wait for His answer while my faith holds on to the promise of His Words. No signs needed. Just His love.
Early on my dad taught me that the Bible was the LIVING Word of God, which means those words we have on paper, that were once Greek parchments or some other language going further back, are so filled with HIM that when anyone who believes in Jesus reads them, they make sense out of their lives then and there, no matter what they are going through. Also, I learned that to wait upon the Lord has the same connotation as that of a waiter or waitress waiting on an important person at their table. Our important person is Jesus, and we are to wait on Him, "Did you get a menu?" "May I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?" Our waiting is making sure HIS needs are met, then being still until He acts. Then we will be willing to do whatever He asks.
Yes so good! It so important to grow in hearing the voice of the Lord & thats through intimacy. Sometimes we can filter his voice through our desires/flesh, thats why community and mentors is SO valuable in your life. 9 Years ago, I was diagnosed with severe PTSD, anxiety, depression and was at the lowest point of my life and I was able to heal through the power of Jesus, and holistic practical methods
Amen!
We have the Holy Spirit within us. Why do we need external signs when He lives within us?
I know for me I got into a WRONG marriage (that ended less than a year later) by looking for signs. I learned that often when looking for “signs” I am really looking for God to put an approval stamp on what I already want. And that is NOT biblical, Godly, or okay…
My story is different though because I DID have people telling me not to marry this person and I, very arrogantly, thought that THEY were deceived and I was right 🤦🏻♀️ I had to eat some serious humble pie
Always want to look at Scripture for decisions AND prayer... and waiting! Thanks for the insight about Scripture and "signs".... AND not relying on signs alone that line up with what we want!
I did see the sign. And it opened up my eyes. ...sorry, I'll see myself out.
Thank you, Melissa. I so appreciate your thoughts on these types of things. Thank you for pointing us to objective truth and the real God.
God has given me several signs in my dreams. I asked for guidance, and He always surprises me. I let God’s signs come to me.
Be cautious with your dreams. Demons also use dreams to influence people.
This video is so good!!! I definitely used to look for signs and listen for God in the wrong places.
Great video!! I used to be a "sign seeker" and it led me down a bad and innacurate path.
Same.
YAY!!! Always excited to watch your videos!!! God talks to us in many ways. Not just vocally.
I'm really enjoying your videos! I just recently discovered you. Thanks for your outreach and standing publicly for truth. I am very inspired!
I've been studying cognitive biases and I'm realizing how often I have had faulty logic due to confirmation bias and the bias bias. Now I need God more than ever because I don't know if my logic is sound or biased lol
The words vain imaginings comes to mind.
An young devote Italian man was praying in church over which of two of the village girls he should pursure for marriage, Maria or Bella.
He was on his knees in church asking for guideance and looked up and the answer appeared to him
'Ave Maria
This vid is kinda right and a little bit more wrong.
I've gotten lots of signs and wonders, including 'meaningful coincidences' (synchronicities); occurences that can't possibly be random, that have shaped my life. I'm still getting them, a lot of them, 9 years or so after being saved. They are both a blessing and a curse. I've been meditating on these verses: Matthew 12: 39-40. You see, folks, I have a Jewish surname (being that my father is Jewish). It's that of a large fish. My first (Christian) name is that of a ship's captain from my mother's side of the family.
I exist and everyone and everything else exists, that's "sign" enough me.
It's not that hard to notice .
Your overthinking this.
Another much needed message in prompt time. Thank you! ❤
paraphrases:
when the "signs" contradict God's word in the scripture, we should disregard them.
when we follow "signs", we are relying on ourselves not on the authority or wisdom of God, that's a lot of pressure and it's really serious.
true sayings!
It’s a psychological phenomenon that we often interpret random events as validation of our own biases . If you’re thinking of buying a certain car suddenly you see them everywhere because you just noticed. Unless of course your heart is set on buying a red 1958 Edsel. That’s where YT Al Gorythm may come in. You may look them up and suddenly you are getting dozens of videos on them new for 1959. Hurry while stocks last. That’s not from God. At least I don’t think so but close. It’s from Ford Motor Company.
You, young lady, even God giving you His unending mercy have no bother to seek TRULY THE TRUTH. YOU CAN ONLY CLAIM -AND CONSIDERED TO BE "SAVED"-, ONLY WHENEVER YOU GET BEFORE GOD, AND HE SAYS YOU ARE ACTUALLY SAVED, NOT WHEN YOU DECIDE TO MAKE SUCH LAUGHABLE, BOASTFUL AND DECEITFUL BLASFEMIES.
That's the problem with all these people, who base their theories only in the Holy Scripture, and do not have the common honesty and decency, to name THE ONLY TRUE CHRISTIANS WHOM WERE THE ONLY ONES PRESENT, AND RIGHTFULLY APPOINTED BY GOD TO RELAY GOD'S MESSAGE OF SALVATION.
I KNOW THAT TRUE CHRISTIANITY AND ITS FACTS AND HISTORY, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SECT YOU ARE PART OF.
Bible says that The Church, is Jesus Christ Mystical Body, in which He is The Head, so thanks to sectarianism that you all promote, The Lord is nothing else, but representation of western Hinduism.
How freaky is it that I've been struggling with this very thing lately and then you make a video about it. God is definitely using you.
1987 just two weeks after I turned 16 yrs old my Friend & I were involved in a Motorcycle Accident when a car backed onto the road ahead of us. We hit the vehicle broadside doing 65 / 70 mph and my Friend bounced off the roof - Breaking His Jaw , left Collarbone , and His left Arm. Since I was riding bitch ( His Bike ) I was catapulted 100 - 110 feet through the Air , landing on the back side of my Helmet - breaking it in 2 pieces. So I sustained a Basilar Skull Fracture , broken Neck , 9 broken Ribs , I broke my left Knee , and also the first digit on my left Foot (Big Toe) So I was close to Death. I was paralyzed on my left Side for the 8 days I was in the Coma , 2 weeks after I woke up , I was walking again ! Two weeks later I was released to Outpatient Care
( Better than the Long Term Care ! ) after 3 months I was starting back to High School , I had skipped the 10th Grade ( and my Typing Class ) and I still Graduated with my Class of 1990. BLAH.... Blah.... blah........
Just as I returned to High School , my Friend had gotten me aside ( I had failed to foresee this coming / I thought He was joking ) and He apologized to me. He told me that he was Sorry that I was Hurt SO Bad , and He admitted that He had felt ashamed when they released Him that very night ; While I was left in the I.C.U hooked up to the Life Support. He even told me that He would have switched me places. But I took this ALL Wrong ( like what are you trying to say ? That I am some kind of Retard Now ? ) and so I snapped back at Him ' What the Fuck are you talking about ? ....LOOK. I am ALL Better Now ! .... See ? They have let me out.' (Of the Hospital) and it was left at that.
2 days later my friend put a 22 caliber rifle in his mouth , and ended his own life. ( Maybe no One told Him that I wouldn't see my full recovery until I have turned 27 - 28 yrs old ? what can ya Do?) It was at this point in my life I turned my back on my Sunday School understanding of the Ancient Text. So from this point in my life forward I was a Devout Unbeliever. And I was DAMN GOOD AT IT.
1992 I began working in the Oilfield doing Seismic Survey , mapping underground Formations so we can tell the Rigs where too Drill. Fast Forward to sometime in the Month of August of 2001 (Notice the Time Frame ? ) after work one night back at the Red Roof Inn of Washington Pa I had the CRAZIEST DREAM I have ever had before in my entire Life ! Crazy because in this Dream I was MUCH Older that I was at the time ? I had different aches & pains that I couldn't account for right off Hand ? My Back Hurt ?
In this Crazy Dream I was BACK at Work again , and I am carrying something Heavy on my Shoulders ? ( I do not know if it is Equipment ? or a 7 horse Chrysler Backpack Drill ? all that I know is that it IS Heavy ! ) I am sweating Rivers because it is so hot & humid outside. I am walking down our 'line' and I am going up into Woods that are not familiar to me , because all the Trees are small & Scrubby looking. Not like the Hardwood Forest of Northern Michigan. Also the ground is very Rocky ( which is also unlike Michigan ) I can hear people talking back & forth over the Handheld Radio that is clipped to my Belt. But I am only 1/2 assed even paying it any attention ( just in case someone calls for me )
Since I am bent by this weight I am carrying on my Shoulders , my focus is right before my walking Feet. So I am paying special attention to Our Equipment , as I am making certain that it is all Laid Out over on the left of Our 'line' and so far everything has been. ....good. As I walk , I am keeping track of the flags I walk past ( every 165 feet ) For every other flag I walk past I make sure that I count the Shot Holes that are all drilled over on the right of line - well away from Our Equipment. And again so far everything is in Order. ....good. Good. [ So I am doing my Job / Normal day at work ]
I pick my way down this Steep Hillside , where at the bottom a large clearing in the Forest Opens up ahead of me. And I can see that our 'line' crosses this field lengthwise , then climbs another Steep Hill over on the far side. And 1/2 way up this next Hill is a well shaded Woodline that would be the Perfect Spot where I can take me a Break ! So I shift the Weight on my Shoulders , and I strike Out to cross this field as Quickly as I can. I am walking through very Tall Mustard Weeds , the Sun is Beating Down , NO Wind , So I assume late in the Summertime ? ........ MAYBE ?
I reach the base of this Hill to start my ascent , and I glance up into the Shade as I am looking for a good spot where I can set this down - when 2 Hands slide into my Back ! And Picks Me Up from the Ground ! ( doesn't hurt , but it does feel Disgusting ! Because Nobodies Hands are suppose to be IN there like That ! ) Who/What ever this is ? It is holding me at Arms Length ( like Ewww ! ) Because I am SO DIRTY. So I am Quick with the Flimsy Excuse of ' Well ? What do You expect ? Of COURSE I am dirty , I am Working here. ' ( but it wasn't physical dirt / it was Mental DIRT ) When I am told " It Is Your Time To Go , Are You Ready ? " .... what ?
....wait a minute , now I am confused , and so I protest ' Go ? But I can not GO Anywhere ? I am working right Now , I am on the Clock.' When again this Voice inside my Head told me to " Never Mind That Now , Now Is Your Time , Are You Ready ? " And the Thought of 2 Young Children with an Older Child just behind ( Who are ALL BLONDS , though I can not tell if Girls /boys ? ) And this Thought begins to pull at my Heart. So I PLEAD ' WHAT ABOUT MY FAMILY ? What about my Friends ? ' When I am reassured " They (Childrens) Are Fine , But You Must Tell Me Now , Are You Ready ? " Still , I need a moment. So I can Process - There I am - 3 feet in the air - someone has Their Hands IN My Back - Talking to me inside my Head - and I conclude that nothing like This had ever happened to me before ? So it MUST Be Legit ! So I said ' Ok , I am ready ' But I am told to " SPIT THOSE OUT ! HE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE YOU WITH THOSE ! " shit. Busted , now I am Bummed and I said to myself ' Fucking DAMN IT ! I just paid $1,000.00 for those Last Week P'TTUEY ! ' and I spit out my Top Denture , as I reach into my Mouth and I unsnap the Lower Denture from the Mounts Embedded in my Lower Jaw , and I let them fall
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !
And I see my Boots ! And just below them the Ground Disappears !
Tree Tops !
Clouds !
.... Then BAM ! There I am standing on top of the Ozone , looking at my feet. Directly below is the Gulf of Mexico , before me I can see the lower part of the North American Continent ( NOT Michigan , because I lose it to the curve at the Horizon ) To my far left is Mexico , below & behind me I can see the Coast of South America , and to my right are a few Islands - Then Ocean.
When the Voice inside my Head comforts me " Everything Is Alright ! You Are Ok ! You Can Stand On It ! ....(Ozone).... Like A Table ' But even Before That I am Startled that My Head Injury Is GONE! (JUST LIKE THAT ! Faster than magic ! ) My back does not Hurt , My Bones do not ache , I can breath through my Nose again , All the Teeth are back inside my Mouth , ONCE AGAIN I AM WHOLE !
So I pick my Face up in Awe , and HEY ! Right Back Over There is the Moon ! And now that I see it , it IS Bigger than I thought !
I look Straight Up and I see ALL the stars in the Sky !
I glance over my left Shoulder , and 2 planets away is the Sun. Just Burning at the center of Our Solar System.
My Attention is drawn back when It is Announced " ON YOUR KNEES , YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SON OF MAN ! " and I fall Flat on my Face , looking Down.
When at the Sudden , like a Billion LOUD , Angry , Terrible , Disappointed , PISSED OFF VOICES all say in Unison "' WATCH WHAT THEY DO '" and I am watching when I see Fire jump up from the Ground Below ! Big , Billowing , Clouds of FIRE ! Maryland , Delaware , Virginia , North / South Carolina , Georgia , West Virginia , ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Kentucky , Tennessee , Alabama ! And I scream out in Horror ' WHY DID YOU LET THEM DO THAT FOR ?!?'
Then I woke up ! And isn't that CRAZY ? Am I CRAZY ? I have never read the Bible before............ ( and now I am scared too )
I know this video is mostly meant as a caution for people to not see signs where there are none, but as someone who tends more toward the opposite extreme, it actually helped confirm something God really did recently tell me. :) Thanks for your content.
It is NOT to say that God's will for your life is going to work out the way you expect... Jesus was brutally crucified, Paul was almost beaten to death... And they were living perfectly in God's will for their lives... 🙋♂️ ✝️ 💜
Thank you for the video. This is an important topic, especially as we see mystic practices continue to invade the church. One of the best books I’ve read, and highly recommend, related to this topic is “God Doesn’t Whisper” by Jim Osman.
“If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Now is the time to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Obey His commands and repent of your sins because Jesus is coming back soon. Tomorrow isn’t promised.
Also reminds me of Jeremiah 42 when the remnant of Judah inquired of Jeremiah as to whether or not to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar and go down to Egypt
So does God tell us yes or no in prayer in regards to whom to marry/date? I see so many younger folks and parents in the last 70 years especially think so. They refer to Boaz and Ruth, Issac and Rebekah...but gods word also has 1 Cor. 7:39 and Num 36:5-6, showing God has seemingly allowed people to make choices as well, within certain parameters, and given we have the biblical wisdom and "parameters" (no unequally yoked, traits to look for in a godly wife/husband, fruit...ect) he has given us?
Ive seen Hosea mentioned as well, but he was just told to pick a wife out of wh0redom, and he picked Gomer. Doesn't say it had to be anyone specific, outside of the parameters God had given.
The scriptures vs what everyone else says confuses me. I'm left with scripture feeling we're given choices as long as its with biblical wisdom, ourside of specific accounts where its clear his hand was clearly involved, but everyone around me says he'll tell you who is and isn't "the one" for you...and if you should break up with them even if its a good match in a variety of ways that isn't biblically wrong either. Or that by picking you'll get "second best" and be out of God's "perfect will" for your life...??? I've heard it sounds more like Henry Blackaby's teaching by others, but I don't know who he is really
I've been told so many times by guys "I feel the Lord is leading me to just be friends only, I really do love you but I feel the Lord is saying no. I can't explain it though". I never feel or hear that myself, and then wrestling with some parts of what scripture says? Why wouldn't God inform me as well, even when I desperately seek him?? Why am I left in the dark, directionless and even more heartbroken without a clear obvious reason? Do I not have enough faith or something? Why am I left wondering if God did speak to them or if the person's answer had possibly been influenced by something else in their life too (Their own thoughts due to fear/impatience/insecurity/ect, other people, circumstances, and so on)? I'm struggling to figure out God's sovereignty and providence in this matter, my view at times is most things I'll see the Lord having his hand in after, when I can look back and see all he's done. As John Flavel says "The Providence of God is like Hebrews -- it can only be read backwards"
I guess I don't understand why some portions of scripture make it seem like we are give a semblance of choice in picking a mate, but God will tell you no anyways, even if you are exercising biblical wisdom through it and its a very complimentary match? It's really discouraging... 😞
We need the high preist's urim and thummim inside our heart to determine God's will when scripture is silent. In the old testament, the high priest is an image of Jesus the Christ.
Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Numbers 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
1 Samuel 28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Such a good topic. Sadly this kind of thinking is what led me to manifesting, LOA, but I know I was doing this prior. With therapy I realized I used “magical thinking” and based “signs” as my guidance… I now pray for discernment, and patience to listen. I know uncertainty is part of the human experience but perhaps it’s part of God’s plan
I think most of us are looking for signs from time to time. But I know that one day, when we'll be standing before GOD, He will say: "You asked for signs. what about the 25.141 signs I gave you and you didn't understand..?"
This video has been such a blessing to me. Compulsively searching for signs is an issue that I’ve really struggled with and that has caused me a lot of pain. Thanks so much!
Did Melissa even mention what Jesus said about signs? Did I miss something? Matthew 12:38-42 and Matthew 16:1-4🤷♀
I agree with a lot of what you're saying here, except about the part that Yahweh doesn't speak to us the same way now as He did back then. Where is the Scripture that supports that idea? Because I look at the book of Acts, and God did a lot through the apostles.
There are some believers who believe that Scripture itself says it's complete. Here's the thing, when that passage was written, the New Testament didn't exist. People like Paul and Peter didn't even know that centuries later, we would be reading their letters. So, in the New Testament, when Paul and others are referring to the Scriptures, they're talking about the Torah, the Psalms, the prophets, the proverbs, the history of the people. Not the Bible as we have it today.
I absolutely believe God can and does speak to us the same way He spoke to His people back then. But, like you said, we have to actually be surrendered and genuinely seeking God's will. When you brought up the situation with your friend who wanted to marry someone, who didn't actually want God's guidance, but validation for what they already wanted to do, that reminds me of an account I read in Jeremiah 42-43... Some men had approached Jeremiah to ask what they should do, and where they should go. They wanted Jeremiah to seek God on their behalf. But when he approached God with this question, God told Jeremiah that these men had already made up their minds of what they wanted to do, but to tell them not to go because they would get killed. So, Jeremiah went to these men and told them what God told them. But, of course, they called Jeremiah a liar and went to Egypt anyway. Of course, in Jeremiah 43, what happened was exactly what God said would happen.
Yes, we should pray and ask Yahweh for direction, wisdom, guidance, etc. for our major life decisions. But, when we make those prayers, as you pointed out, Scripture says we should patiently wait on Him, not just jump the gun and do what we want. AND on top of that, genuinely be asking for His direction, not validation for a decision that we've already made up our minds on. This requires a strong and healthy prayer life, and that our life is surrendered to Him. Because if we go to Him asking for His direction, guidance, and wisdom, but we're not truly surrendered to Him, it could end horribly.
Melissa, I respect your judgment so much so am wondering if you’ve heard anything about author Jennie Allen and IF gatherings for women? A church member raved about her book and event and I want to make sure she’s not being led astray. (My name is Melissa also and I am married to a Lutheran pastor). Thank you!