"But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth." John 16:13 "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11 "See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:24 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Dear Laura:

I recently broke up with my boyfriend. We weren't together very long, and for awhile I kept thinking in the back of my mind that this relationship wouldn't build me up in Christ. After I broke up with him I felt immense guilt and wished I had never done it. During our relationship I would ask him about God, and it felt awkward and somewhat of a topic to avoid. Do you think I should have asked different questions? Did I jump to a conclusion and assume his faith wasn't storng since he wasn't as sharing about it as I was? These questions conitnue to float through my head, and I want to make sure that I made the absolute right decision. Although it did surprise me that after I broke things off he told me he thought that perhaps that God was lettig this happen because He wanted him to get his life together and get closer to Him...So I do believe I did make the right decision, I just wish I had confirmation. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

a hurting young woman.

Reply: Thank you for writing to me! I hate that you are hurting! I am so sorry! Breaking up stinks...no matter what. You shared your heart with someone, and he shared his with you - and now that closeness and time - for whatever reason - is over. You are going to be in a flux of pain and regret for a little while...hopefully very little. Don't let your heart lead you though. You made a hard decision based on truth. And you can always rest in the truth no matter what.

The verses that I shared with you above are truth. You were being led by God's Spirit. Maybe in the moment you could not tie a verse to that direction you felt...but if - now - you seek Him in His Word - you will find the verbage to match that nudge. Take some time and consider carefully why you felt that this relationship did not build you up in Christ. Get a glimpse at the actions in your relationship that fueled that Spirit led realization. There is a verse that God will guide you to know and rest in. Of that I am sure. Our heart is so deceitful, sweet one! Ugh! I wish it were not so - but even that truth - that ugly truth about our heart - that Daddy wisdom for us to grow up in comes from God's Word (Jer.17:9). AND LOVINGLY...Our God has made me see and realize that His Word is trustworthy. I deceive myself time and again. And God - our patient Abba! - He directs and corrects and instructs us in love. EVEN - EVEN - EVEN - EVEN - this part kills me - when I did not know one verse...He was teaching me His Word - by His Spirit...So that later - when I read it - I realized His hand was on my life - He was speaking...and NOW I have the words to the voice I knew I had heard all along. CRAZY sweetness! Crazy and miraculous...and unbelievably mouthwatering when it comes to my time in God's Word...because now I just want to find and hear his voice... So I hear Him and do not miss His Words over my own heart. You have had this directing from God, my friend. He is directing you by His Spirit that indwells you - if you have indeed received Him and follow Him -...And He will be faithful to show you the words for that inner voice - that back of your mind ache - if you SEEK HIM IN HIS WORD. It will all become so crystal - BRIGHT LIGHT PATH CLEAR...your faith will BOLSTER! truly! truly! truly! So are you in the Word of God??? GO FOR IT! Seek that Word He is drawing you to know. Where do you begin? Great question. Begin right where you are. Without a clue...ask God..."where would you have me read and what would you have me know about YOU - about how you want me to live for YOU"...and let Him guide you. Have you been in our recent series BEYOND ME...check it out at vintagetruth.com. There is a Bible reading schedule that you can download... That would be a fabulous springboard toward hearing from God. I want to close with some guidelines that Wes has written out in the Vintage Teachings book. If you don't have a copy; I hope you'll pick one up in the fall when Vintage begins again. I'll share some very wise decision making guidelines that will surely help you in your future decision making for any situation. Love this wisdom!!! Here it is:

Biblical Principals that you can use for any decision. All you have to do is run your specific issue through each question:

1. Does it master me? (Does it exercise control in my life or influence me in a wrong way?) I Cor. 6:12

2. Will it help someone elses's walk with God? I Cor. 8:12-13; Matt 5:16

3. Is it beneficial in any way to me spiritually, mentally, physically? I Cor 10:23; Mark 12:30

4. Does it bring Glory to God? I Cor. 10:31

5. Does it slow me down spiritually? Heb. 12:1

6. Does it help me to be a good example of Jesus to non-believers? Col 4:5

7. Does it encourage me to be pure - holy? II Tim 2:22

8. Is this the wise choice? Ephe. 5:5-17 Please know I have prayed for you - and I am praying for you now. My prayer is that through all of this you will realize the love of your Heavenly Daddy - trusting His Spirit within you - and seeking always the Words that He has written to match that Spirit of Truth!

LOVE!!!

Laura

Praying this for you - for me with you!!! "May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to YOUR WORD...May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts." Psalm 119:170, 172-173