Discernment

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It’s a blessing to connect with you again, and I’m excited to share a message that’s been on my heart: Discernment – How to Know What God Wants You to Do.

This Week's Reflection: The Gift of Discernment

Discernment is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey. As we grow closer to God, He grants us the ability to discern His will in our lives. But what exactly is discernment? Simply put, it’s the ability to sense what is right in God’s eyes and to know the direction He wants us to take.

Jesus Himself said in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” As His followers, we have the privilege of hearing His voice and receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit. The more we cultivate our relationship with God, the clearer His voice becomes in our lives.

Personal Story: A Nudge from the Holy Spirit

I want to share a recent experience where I had to rely on discernment. Two weeks ago, I celebrated my 24th birthday. It was a beautiful day spent with my family, and in the afternoon, we went out to a restaurant to enjoy a meal together. Everything was perfect—good food, great company—but then, something unexpected happened.

When I saw the waitress, the Holy Spirit nudged me to pray for her. I have to be honest—I hesitated. My initial reaction was, “Lord, not now. I just want to enjoy this time with my family.” 😅 But the nudge didn’t go away. In fact, the longer I resisted, the more I felt a deep conviction to obey.😮‍💨 

So, I finally submitted. Before I left the restaurant I approached the waitress and asked if I could pray for her. She agreed, and as I prayed, she began to cry. It was a powerful moment. I don’t know what she was going through, but God knew, and He used that simple act of obedience to touch her heart.

This experience reminded me of how crucial it is to listen to the Holy Spirit, even when it takes us out of our comfort zones. The Holy Spirit will give us these nudges as we grow closer to God, and it’s up to us to surrender and trust His leading.

How to Develop Discernment

If you’re wondering how to sharpen your discernment, here are a few practical steps:

1. Spend Time in God’s Word: The Bible is the ultimate guide for discerning God’s will. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Regular time in Scripture helps us align our hearts with God’s truth.

2. Cultivate a Habit of Prayer: Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. In James 1:5, we’re encouraged to ask for wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” When you seek God’s guidance, He is faithful to answer.

3. Be Sensitive to the Holy Spirit: As you draw closer to God, you’ll notice the Holy Spirit’s promptings more clearly. These may come as a still, small voice, as mentioned in 1 Kings 19:12, or as a strong sense of conviction. Learn to recognize these moments and be quick to respond.

4. Seek Wise Counsel: God often speaks through other believers. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Surround yourself with godly mentors who can help you discern God’s will in your life.

• A New Direction: Closing the Growing With God Community

The Holy Spirit’s guidance didn’t stop with my recent experience at the restaurant. Over the past week, I’ve heard from many of you who joined the Closeness with God course, expressing a strong interest in learning how to create content, film, edit, and grow on social media to expand God’s Kingdom.

After prayer and discernment, I’ve decided to close the Growing With God community and focus on a new direction that aligns with these requests.

• Introducing the Christian Creator Academy

I’m excited to announce the Christian Creator Academy, launching in mid to late September! This platform will teach you how to go from beginner to pro in content creation. You’ll learn filmmaking, editing, and how to grow on social media, all while sharing Christ with the world.

• What’s Next

Though the Growing With God community will close, the Christian Creator Academy will be the new space for us to connect, learn, and grow together. Stay tuned for more details.

• Final Thoughts

I’m grateful for God’s leading and excited about this new chapter. I believe the Christian Creator Academy will be a powerful tool for sharing the gospel and expanding God’s Kingdom.

As we move forward, I encourage you to listen for those gentle nudges from the Holy Spirit. Trust that God is guiding you, even when it feels uncertain or challenging. When we step out in faith and obedience, amazing things can happen.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this incredible journey. I can’t wait to see how God will use each of us in this new season.

God bless you all, and have a blessed week 🙏 

Timothy
Murphy’s Mindset