Somewhere in Italy, there is a place at the coast where three beacons can be found. In stormy weather, if a ship makes sure to have those 3 beacons in a straight line, he can be assured that he will reach port safely.
God has given us 3 beacons as well, and these are to be used as a sure guide to make Godly decisions:
BEACON 1: 2 Peter 1:16-21 “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” RSV
The first beacon is the WORD OF PROPHECY. In other words: THE BIBLE.
Peter says that he was there on the Mount of Transfiguration. Nevertheless, he is NOT using this fact as a base for everything he says. He is NOT using his own experiences to proove that what he says is true. Instead of his experiences, he is letting God’s Word be His guide.
If you always align yourself to God’s Word, you won’t go wrong.
John 8:31 “Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.” RSV
BEACON 2: Rom 8:14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” RSV
The second beacon is our inward witness: GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT.
He is the one who directed Philip to go to the Ehiopian’s chariot (Acts 8:29) He is the one who guided Peter to witness to gentiles (Acts 11:12) It was God’s Spirit who gave boldness to the disciples to speak the gospel message (Acts 4:31).
Did the apostle Paul receive A Word from God to go to certain regions? No. However God’s Word says: Matt 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” NIV The first beacon shines brightly in that respect. However notice what happens when the apostle Paul wants to witness in Phrygia and Galatia. Acts 16:6 “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” NIV God’s Spirit forbade him!
The same thing happened in Mysia and Bithynia: Acts 16:7 “Then they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” NIV
Why not? Isn’t the first beacon shines brightly? Yes, but the second beacon isn’t: God’s Spirit wouldn’t allow them! Why not? Acts 16:8-10: “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
There was a great hunger for God’s truth in Macedonia. God led them through His Spirit to the right region, just as He will lead you and me if we let Him. Notice that the apostle never contested the inner promptings of God’s Spirit. He had the first beacon, but he made sure it aligned with the second beacon as well. Only when you experience inner peace do you know that you are following the second beacon.
BEACON 3: GOD’S HAND IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCE
Jer. 32:6-9: “The word of the LORD came to me: Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.’ “Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.’ “I knew that this was the word of the LORD; so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver.” NIV
According to God’s Word there was the right of redemption: If an owner died, the next of kin had the right to purchase his land. In this case Jeremiah is the one who is the nearest relative and has the right to purchase the land. The first beacons is shining brightly. It was confirmed by God’s Spirit. The second beacon was burning brightly. Then God moves in Jeremiah’s circumstances. He sent Hanamel to the courtyard to ask Jeremiah to buy the land! The third beacon is burning brightly.
Sometimes, however, circumstances can confuse us. When circumstance seems to point in a different direction than God’s Word and His Holy Spirit, then the circumstance is not of God and must NOT be followed.
In summary then, if we make sure that our decisions align according to these 3 beacons: God’s Word, God’s Holy Spirit and God’s hand in our circumstances, then we can be sure of our direction, and we will always remain on solid ground!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org