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Guidebooks for Life
Guidance and The Voice of God
How do I know what God wants me to do? How can I make decisions which are in line with his will? If God still speaks, will I recognize his voice? These are important questions, and many Christians grapple with them. Guidance and the Voice of God charts a way through these often confusing issues, and shows how for those who have ears to hear, God is still speaking loud and clear through his Son.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
53 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Phillip D. Jensen
36 books12 followersPhillip Jensen is an Australian cleric of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and the Dean of St Andrew's Cathedral. He is the brother of Peter Jensen, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 16, 2025
an accessible, concise overview on a very complex subject. i was so impressed with how biblically grounded this was- full of clever analogies & practical steps that made for easy comprehension and clear application. i appreciate that the authors so clearly stated that the only way we are confident God speaks to us is through his living, active word.
May 25, 2015
Does God have a plan for us?
29 June 2013
Guidance is one of those funny Christian topics that nobody seems to really know anything about and one of those things that we Western Christians always seen to try and work out. Well, maybe it is not so much as us Western Christians, but Christians everywhere. In a way what we want to know is 'what does God want of us in this world. What is his plan and his purpose for us?' I guess to say that this is a question that I haven't asked then I would be lying, but the thing I wonder is whether we spend too much time asking this question and then getting angry, or depressed, because God has not given us a blinding revelation.
This is one of those books that comes out to try to answer that question and in the end produces more questions than they really answer. If you want to read a Christian book, then this is okay, but I would suspect that there are a lot of better books to spend your time reading. The reason I say this is because this is simply one of those books that rolls out of what is effectively the Moore Theological College printing press; a college that may be Bible based in character way too theoretical for my liking. In a way, the people of Moore seem to come out of there with rose coloured glasses not really understanding the nature of the world that we live in. As I said recently, if they reckon Sydney is 'The City of Sin' then they have obviously never been to Bangkok.
I am glad I stumbled across the chapter on guidance in the book that I am currently reading because I realised that I had not written a commentary on this book, which means I can say a few things about guidance. At the church I currently attend the interim moderator has been a preacher over in Africa, so I went up to him and asked him if subsistence farmers in Malawi see guidance and God's purpose in the same way that we do. His answer was a very simple, 'I think people the world over see it the same way as we do.' So I went to the assistant pastor, who has also been a missionary, and asked him. His response (having worked in countries were Christians pretty much have no hope) is that over there the understanding of 'heaven' is much different because their lives are full of suffering. However, they generally do not really sit around discussing this philosophical idea about God's plan for their lives, but they rather go out and do things.
The difference is that we live in a very wealthy country and we as citizens of this country have many options open to us. This is probably why we struggle so much with this simple question. However, over there, the struggle for survival is much more acute, and the options are much more limited. As such, if they see something that needs to be done, they go and do it. Here we see all of these options and waste time pondering what option we should pursue.
The other thing that he suggested is that God's plan is always a hindsight question. We can never really try to discern (or more appropriately divine) God's plan for us because, in many ways, it is revealed to us in little stages. We understand his will, and that is to live moral and upstanding lives and to grow in our character. This idea of growth and living as, effectively, civilised members of society is a very important aspect of our faith and it is something that we should always keep in mind. However, many of us end up living like tyrants, which is, I believe, contrary to God's will. To many of us the Church is a means of expanding our influence over people.
It is interesting that at churches I have been to there is a movement similar to the ladder climbing in a modern corporation. You come to the church, get promoted to a small group leader, then move to more senior leader positions until you are encouraged to quit your job and become a full time minister. However, that does not always work, and in a way I believe that that can be a drain (financially) upon a congregation. I got to a point where I was giving so much to the church that I had little left over to actually give to charities for which I had a passion. However, it is also interesting that there is one young lady that quit her role at the church, studied teaching, and has now gone on to become a professional singer. See, sometimes God's will is that you don't lock yourself away in a church but to actually go out into the world and live among real people because the impact you have there is much greater than you will have ministering only to Christians.
29 June 2013
Guidance is one of those funny Christian topics that nobody seems to really know anything about and one of those things that we Western Christians always seen to try and work out. Well, maybe it is not so much as us Western Christians, but Christians everywhere. In a way what we want to know is 'what does God want of us in this world. What is his plan and his purpose for us?' I guess to say that this is a question that I haven't asked then I would be lying, but the thing I wonder is whether we spend too much time asking this question and then getting angry, or depressed, because God has not given us a blinding revelation.
This is one of those books that comes out to try to answer that question and in the end produces more questions than they really answer. If you want to read a Christian book, then this is okay, but I would suspect that there are a lot of better books to spend your time reading. The reason I say this is because this is simply one of those books that rolls out of what is effectively the Moore Theological College printing press; a college that may be Bible based in character way too theoretical for my liking. In a way, the people of Moore seem to come out of there with rose coloured glasses not really understanding the nature of the world that we live in. As I said recently, if they reckon Sydney is 'The City of Sin' then they have obviously never been to Bangkok.
I am glad I stumbled across the chapter on guidance in the book that I am currently reading because I realised that I had not written a commentary on this book, which means I can say a few things about guidance. At the church I currently attend the interim moderator has been a preacher over in Africa, so I went up to him and asked him if subsistence farmers in Malawi see guidance and God's purpose in the same way that we do. His answer was a very simple, 'I think people the world over see it the same way as we do.' So I went to the assistant pastor, who has also been a missionary, and asked him. His response (having worked in countries were Christians pretty much have no hope) is that over there the understanding of 'heaven' is much different because their lives are full of suffering. However, they generally do not really sit around discussing this philosophical idea about God's plan for their lives, but they rather go out and do things.
The difference is that we live in a very wealthy country and we as citizens of this country have many options open to us. This is probably why we struggle so much with this simple question. However, over there, the struggle for survival is much more acute, and the options are much more limited. As such, if they see something that needs to be done, they go and do it. Here we see all of these options and waste time pondering what option we should pursue.
The other thing that he suggested is that God's plan is always a hindsight question. We can never really try to discern (or more appropriately divine) God's plan for us because, in many ways, it is revealed to us in little stages. We understand his will, and that is to live moral and upstanding lives and to grow in our character. This idea of growth and living as, effectively, civilised members of society is a very important aspect of our faith and it is something that we should always keep in mind. However, many of us end up living like tyrants, which is, I believe, contrary to God's will. To many of us the Church is a means of expanding our influence over people.
It is interesting that at churches I have been to there is a movement similar to the ladder climbing in a modern corporation. You come to the church, get promoted to a small group leader, then move to more senior leader positions until you are encouraged to quit your job and become a full time minister. However, that does not always work, and in a way I believe that that can be a drain (financially) upon a congregation. I got to a point where I was giving so much to the church that I had little left over to actually give to charities for which I had a passion. However, it is also interesting that there is one young lady that quit her role at the church, studied teaching, and has now gone on to become a professional singer. See, sometimes God's will is that you don't lock yourself away in a church but to actually go out into the world and live among real people because the impact you have there is much greater than you will have ministering only to Christians.
August 11, 2023
Quite a short and succinct book with some really clear principles on how God guides His people today, and good structures on how to think about making choices biblically. I feel like it's a book that I'd enjoy revisiting from time to time across different seasons of life.
August 21, 2012
The title of this book is both self-explanatory and slightly misleading.
Authors Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne do talk about the means God uses to guide His people. However, this discussion does not take place until a good 75 pages into the book. Before delving into the nuts and bolts of guidance, the authors take pains to convince their readers that God does in fact guide His people, that our ultimate destination is heaven, and that we have a responsibility to respond to God's 'will' (in this case, what God says about right and wrong) with genuine godly repentance and active faith. If instead we ignore God's power over our lives, deny His goodness to us, or reject His ways, we sin. So far, so good, but also so not an answer to the average reader who picks up a book with a title like Guidance and the Voice of God.
But eventually Part 2 rolls around, and the authors are ready to engage the question of how God guides His people. To their way of thinking (and I agree with them), God's 'guidance' really refers to two different things: God's work behind the scenes to bring about His sovereign will (which He doesn't necessarily reveal in advance) and God's call for our conscious cooperation in His will. It is this second type of 'guidance' that so preoccupies modern Christians. This is the crux of the matter. What will Jensen and Payne say about the 'guidance' of the Holy Spirit? Simply this: God has spoken to us by His Son through His Spirit in the Bible. The authors do not outright reject the possibility of extra-biblical guidance, but they note that such guidance is not promised, nor should we expect it.
Does this mean we're on our own when it comes to making decisions not explicitly addressed by Scripture? Not exactly. Jensen and Payne point out that even where a specific outcome is not commanded, we know what godly Christian character looks like. If we believe that God cares more about our individual sanctification and growth in holiness and faith than He does about, say, where we go to college (and Jensen and Payne argue that this is indeed the case), then we will obsess less about practical choices and concern ourselves more with the effect of those choices on our hearts.
Then, too, while many practical issues are not the subject of explicit biblical teaching, the Bible does teach us to value and cultivate wisdom. Thus even when faced with a choice between two non-sin options, the Bible encourages us--even commands us--to use common sense and good decision-making skills in making that choice. This may mean doing some research to determine which car is the best investment and will best serve the needs of your family. It may mean doing some critical thinking about your goals and priorities. The point is, we are allowed to engage intellectually with our choices. God may not have given us explicit instruction about what school to attend, but he has given us minds equal to the task of making an intelligent choice based on our financial and academic (and social, and athletic) situations.
As a result, Jensen and Payne see decisions as falling into one of three categories: 1) matters of righteousness (a choice between sin and not-sin, as sin is defined in the Bible); 2) matters of wisdom (a choice where righteousness is not necessarily implicated, and we should use our minds to make a wise choice); and 3) matters of triviality (a choice where it really doesn't matter one way or another, so stop angsting and just pick a pair of socks already).
After laying out this general framework, Jensen and Payne move into the nuts-and-bolts case studies--that is, how do we apply this framework in the context of church, career, and marriage. Each section is primarily a mini theology of that particular sphere. These theologies are solid enough, but don't speak much to the 'nagging questions' connected with those areas.
I was mostly on board up to this point.
Then, in the conclusion, Jensen and Payne take a stronger stance on the issue of extrabiblical guidance than previous chapters would indicate. Instead of limiting themselves to their earlier position that God does not promise extrabiblical guidance and we shouldn't expect it, they now claim that those who 'promote the possibility of hearing God's voice in a mystical fashion outside of the Scriptures undercut the majesty and finality of God's revelation in Christ.'
And that's where they lose me. Because while I agree that the Word of God is sufficient and God is fully revealed in Christ, I simply do not see biblical evidence that God does not speak to His people through His Spirit outside the Bible. In the absence of such biblical evidence, and in the presence of a wealth of reliable anecdotal evidence that, at least on some occasions, God interacts with His people in a manner consistent with but nonetheless external to the Bible, I am reluctant to dismiss this possibility completely. Don't get me wrong--I think that most of the time, folks who 'hear from God' are maybe just kidding themselves and attributing to Divine Intervention what is in fact the product of their own good sense (or an upset stomach, or whatever). But there certainly seems to be some evidence that the Lord interacts with His people, at least occasionally, through guidance that cannot be explicitly tied back to the Bible or even to wisdom.
In fact, we see examples in scripture of Christians being 'told' by God to do things, or having visions or supernatural knowledge. Yes, that was a different era, and I'm not arguing that everything God did in the Apostolic Age He necessarily does now. But if God Himself does not explicitly say that He is limiting His actions, what basis do we have for ruling them out entirely?
But then, I have the same problem with cessationism.
All of that aside, this book does provide practical and biblically sound counsel for those trying to think well about godly decision-making. And I recognize that the current trend in the evangelical church is for Christians to be so obsessed with divining 'God's Will' for their lives that they are unable to make any significant decision with any kind of peace or confidence unless some indefinable 'feeling' confirms it to be 'God's Will'. To the extent that Jensen and Payne seek to counteract that trend, I support them wholeheartedly. I just think they go a bit too far.
Practical notes: At fewer than 200 pages, including the discussion guide, the book is extremely accessible and straightforwardly written. Plus, there's a discussion guide. So if you want to deal with the issue of God's guidance in a group setting, well, this resource is tailor made for just such an occasion.
Authors Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne do talk about the means God uses to guide His people. However, this discussion does not take place until a good 75 pages into the book. Before delving into the nuts and bolts of guidance, the authors take pains to convince their readers that God does in fact guide His people, that our ultimate destination is heaven, and that we have a responsibility to respond to God's 'will' (in this case, what God says about right and wrong) with genuine godly repentance and active faith. If instead we ignore God's power over our lives, deny His goodness to us, or reject His ways, we sin. So far, so good, but also so not an answer to the average reader who picks up a book with a title like Guidance and the Voice of God.
But eventually Part 2 rolls around, and the authors are ready to engage the question of how God guides His people. To their way of thinking (and I agree with them), God's 'guidance' really refers to two different things: God's work behind the scenes to bring about His sovereign will (which He doesn't necessarily reveal in advance) and God's call for our conscious cooperation in His will. It is this second type of 'guidance' that so preoccupies modern Christians. This is the crux of the matter. What will Jensen and Payne say about the 'guidance' of the Holy Spirit? Simply this: God has spoken to us by His Son through His Spirit in the Bible. The authors do not outright reject the possibility of extra-biblical guidance, but they note that such guidance is not promised, nor should we expect it.
Does this mean we're on our own when it comes to making decisions not explicitly addressed by Scripture? Not exactly. Jensen and Payne point out that even where a specific outcome is not commanded, we know what godly Christian character looks like. If we believe that God cares more about our individual sanctification and growth in holiness and faith than He does about, say, where we go to college (and Jensen and Payne argue that this is indeed the case), then we will obsess less about practical choices and concern ourselves more with the effect of those choices on our hearts.
Then, too, while many practical issues are not the subject of explicit biblical teaching, the Bible does teach us to value and cultivate wisdom. Thus even when faced with a choice between two non-sin options, the Bible encourages us--even commands us--to use common sense and good decision-making skills in making that choice. This may mean doing some research to determine which car is the best investment and will best serve the needs of your family. It may mean doing some critical thinking about your goals and priorities. The point is, we are allowed to engage intellectually with our choices. God may not have given us explicit instruction about what school to attend, but he has given us minds equal to the task of making an intelligent choice based on our financial and academic (and social, and athletic) situations.
As a result, Jensen and Payne see decisions as falling into one of three categories: 1) matters of righteousness (a choice between sin and not-sin, as sin is defined in the Bible); 2) matters of wisdom (a choice where righteousness is not necessarily implicated, and we should use our minds to make a wise choice); and 3) matters of triviality (a choice where it really doesn't matter one way or another, so stop angsting and just pick a pair of socks already).
After laying out this general framework, Jensen and Payne move into the nuts-and-bolts case studies--that is, how do we apply this framework in the context of church, career, and marriage. Each section is primarily a mini theology of that particular sphere. These theologies are solid enough, but don't speak much to the 'nagging questions' connected with those areas.
I was mostly on board up to this point.
Then, in the conclusion, Jensen and Payne take a stronger stance on the issue of extrabiblical guidance than previous chapters would indicate. Instead of limiting themselves to their earlier position that God does not promise extrabiblical guidance and we shouldn't expect it, they now claim that those who 'promote the possibility of hearing God's voice in a mystical fashion outside of the Scriptures undercut the majesty and finality of God's revelation in Christ.'
And that's where they lose me. Because while I agree that the Word of God is sufficient and God is fully revealed in Christ, I simply do not see biblical evidence that God does not speak to His people through His Spirit outside the Bible. In the absence of such biblical evidence, and in the presence of a wealth of reliable anecdotal evidence that, at least on some occasions, God interacts with His people in a manner consistent with but nonetheless external to the Bible, I am reluctant to dismiss this possibility completely. Don't get me wrong--I think that most of the time, folks who 'hear from God' are maybe just kidding themselves and attributing to Divine Intervention what is in fact the product of their own good sense (or an upset stomach, or whatever). But there certainly seems to be some evidence that the Lord interacts with His people, at least occasionally, through guidance that cannot be explicitly tied back to the Bible or even to wisdom.
In fact, we see examples in scripture of Christians being 'told' by God to do things, or having visions or supernatural knowledge. Yes, that was a different era, and I'm not arguing that everything God did in the Apostolic Age He necessarily does now. But if God Himself does not explicitly say that He is limiting His actions, what basis do we have for ruling them out entirely?
But then, I have the same problem with cessationism.
All of that aside, this book does provide practical and biblically sound counsel for those trying to think well about godly decision-making. And I recognize that the current trend in the evangelical church is for Christians to be so obsessed with divining 'God's Will' for their lives that they are unable to make any significant decision with any kind of peace or confidence unless some indefinable 'feeling' confirms it to be 'God's Will'. To the extent that Jensen and Payne seek to counteract that trend, I support them wholeheartedly. I just think they go a bit too far.
Practical notes: At fewer than 200 pages, including the discussion guide, the book is extremely accessible and straightforwardly written. Plus, there's a discussion guide. So if you want to deal with the issue of God's guidance in a group setting, well, this resource is tailor made for just such an occasion.
May 25, 2023
Solid and helpful book looking at God's guidance through his word, and his practice of speaking to us by his son Jesus. I found the terms of decisions about "righteousness", "good judgement", and "triviality" to be helpful, as well as the clear perspective that we should focus more on God's big picture and the end goal than the 'smaller' decisions. I valued the reminder that all we need for guidance is God's word revealed to us in the Bible. There are a couple of limitations as ideas expressed in some places were brushed over or oddly expressed. e.g. "That is why the New Testament does not simply import Old Testament words like 'temple', 'sacrifice', 'priest' and 'worship' into the New Testament church...If anything [the church this side of Christ] is modelled on the synagogue, rather than the temple" which seems like a non-sequitur in light of passages like Romans 12, 1 Peter 2, and Revelation
October 9, 2023
If we ask the wrong question, we either get the wrong answer or no answer at all. And if we get no answer, we are tempted to turn elsewhere to fnd an answer. Many of our problems with guidance stem from precisely this: we ask the wrong questions, and then wonder why we cannot find answers.
How do we know if we are asking wrong or irrelevant questions? From what we have seen in earlier chapters about the sufficiency of God's revealed word, it would seem simple. We should ask the questions that God thinks are important, and these are the questions he has answered in the Bible.
God does not have two plans, one general and one special. He has only one plan, and it is both general and special. He wants all people, and each of us individually, to be under Christ.
How do we know if we are asking wrong or irrelevant questions? From what we have seen in earlier chapters about the sufficiency of God's revealed word, it would seem simple. We should ask the questions that God thinks are important, and these are the questions he has answered in the Bible.
God does not have two plans, one general and one special. He has only one plan, and it is both general and special. He wants all people, and each of us individually, to be under Christ.
July 20, 2015
Only wished I read this book much earlier! Would've avoided a lot of confusion and grief when I was growing up wondering if there is something wrong with me because I can't seem to hear the 'voice of God'. But in the book it shows clearly that the scripture is the only way we should expect God to speak to us and it is sufficient.
Also, we have the assurance that we don't make decisions and 'fall outside of God's will', because he is sovereign and the ultimate goal for God's will in our lives is Christ-likeness.
Great biblical, clear and practical book.
Also, we have the assurance that we don't make decisions and 'fall outside of God's will', because he is sovereign and the ultimate goal for God's will in our lives is Christ-likeness.
Great biblical, clear and practical book.
February 15, 2015
Absolutely necessary for all to read this! Mending our warped worldview with faithful theology (God's big picture) and where we live now!
June 26, 2023
2.5 ⭐️ There’s a lot to like about this book, however it also really annoyed me. 1) I did not enjoy that every example of a ‘big decision’ was marriage, there’s more to life than marriage… 2) the complete disregard for decision making involving seeking wisdom from others, having a sense of peace, hearing the Lord’s voice. I disagreed with his opinion on this.
The biblical foundation and reiteration of God’s character was encouraging and helpful, but I think the book just fell short on practical help which the title suggests it should give.
The biblical foundation and reiteration of God’s character was encouraging and helpful, but I think the book just fell short on practical help which the title suggests it should give.
July 12, 2019
Completely changed how I thought about God’s guidance in my life. Very biblically based and is written extremely well.
May 15, 2019
In short, this book explains guidance in a simple concept that categorises decisions in three categories: matters of righteousness, matters of judgment (wisdom) and matters of triviality. Another key point this book makes is that what matters to God has been revealed in scripture, so instead of asking 'what career does God want me to go into?' we should be asking questions like 'in what matter should I conduct myself in my workplace?', on which there are lots of Biblical priniciples we can draw from.
While I don't disagree with this I feel the position the authors have taken are very conservative and with this view, also limits the possibility of God speaking through visions, dreams, and impressions. I believe that God is so much greater, majestic and mysterious (and personal) and He can choose special ways to communicate with us, than can be put into a model with categories. This view of God (or perhaps, just my perception from the book) is limited and not very dymanic. I find myself asking, where is the Holy Spirit and His guidance in this book?
Ok read, but I would read prayerfully.
While I don't disagree with this I feel the position the authors have taken are very conservative and with this view, also limits the possibility of God speaking through visions, dreams, and impressions. I believe that God is so much greater, majestic and mysterious (and personal) and He can choose special ways to communicate with us, than can be put into a model with categories. This view of God (or perhaps, just my perception from the book) is limited and not very dymanic. I find myself asking, where is the Holy Spirit and His guidance in this book?
Ok read, but I would read prayerfully.
June 15, 2024
2.5/5
I accidentally deleted my review before publishing it... Can't be bothered to write it all again, but generally, the review was:
1. A useful entry point for people unfamiliar with or new to Christianity and its principles.
2. Creates a compelling framework on how to live a Christ-centred life by separating things into matters of righteousness, matters of good judgment, and matters of triviality. However, I think the book is flawed in its conception of what would fall within these groups.
3. In general, its claims were not justified very well - mostly rhetorically, but sometimes biblically. There were times it misapplied bible verses, or made absolute claims which I could not interpret as biblical.
4. Not a bad book. A quick, light and easy read, but given the importance of the subject matter it would have benefited from greater length to more comprehensively lay its arguments and address more nuanced/complex positions.
I accidentally deleted my review before publishing it... Can't be bothered to write it all again, but generally, the review was:
1. A useful entry point for people unfamiliar with or new to Christianity and its principles.
2. Creates a compelling framework on how to live a Christ-centred life by separating things into matters of righteousness, matters of good judgment, and matters of triviality. However, I think the book is flawed in its conception of what would fall within these groups.
3. In general, its claims were not justified very well - mostly rhetorically, but sometimes biblically. There were times it misapplied bible verses, or made absolute claims which I could not interpret as biblical.
4. Not a bad book. A quick, light and easy read, but given the importance of the subject matter it would have benefited from greater length to more comprehensively lay its arguments and address more nuanced/complex positions.
June 20, 2019
I have met too many Christians more mature than myself believing in mysterious ways of "God's guidance" - peace of mind, circumstances, inner voice etc. I also believed in those and was confused. This book is a great help and clarifies things. God can use whichever ways he chooses to speak to us. But it doesn't mean that we should expect some supernatural revelation in our Christian walk. The Scripture holds everything God wants us to know.
"The biblical way of thinking about guidance is liberating in another way - it frees us to listen to what God is actually saying. Many Christians today are so busy trying to work out what God is supposedly saying to them through circumstances, visions, voices, impressions and the like, that they lack the time and the interest to listen to what he is really saying to them in his eternal, living Word."
"The biblical way of thinking about guidance is liberating in another way - it frees us to listen to what God is actually saying. Many Christians today are so busy trying to work out what God is supposedly saying to them through circumstances, visions, voices, impressions and the like, that they lack the time and the interest to listen to what he is really saying to them in his eternal, living Word."
October 15, 2021
Great book for those wanting the 10,000 foot view of a biblical perspective on decision making. Jensen and Payne are wary and critical of those adopting a "secret will" approach to finding God's will, and instead advocate for more of the Compass of the Great Shepherd that guides and leads us; and leaves the choices to us.
This may rub against those arguing for Sovereignty that is probably more akin to fatalism than a true Reformed understanding of the Sovereingty of God. But Jensen and Payne are remembering that true sovereignty isn't found in a cold, dark fate; it's found in a person--the loving hands of a Father keeping us in his grip. Great read for laymen and pastors alike.
This may rub against those arguing for Sovereignty that is probably more akin to fatalism than a true Reformed understanding of the Sovereingty of God. But Jensen and Payne are remembering that true sovereignty isn't found in a cold, dark fate; it's found in a person--the loving hands of a Father keeping us in his grip. Great read for laymen and pastors alike.
December 26, 2021
A really clear look at what scripture has to say about Gods guidance for his people. Particularly breaking down decisions into matters of righteousness, matters of judgement/wisdom and matters of triviality.
One thing that struck me was Jensen’s explanation of Psalm 37:5, ‘Delight yourselves in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart’ - when you delight in the Lord, it shapes who you are and what you deeply desire.
Would righteousness and holiness be my goal, all the days of my life. Look to scripture and Christ as the ultimate revelation of Gods guidance. And trust Him in the decisions you make.
One thing that struck me was Jensen’s explanation of Psalm 37:5, ‘Delight yourselves in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart’ - when you delight in the Lord, it shapes who you are and what you deeply desire.
Would righteousness and holiness be my goal, all the days of my life. Look to scripture and Christ as the ultimate revelation of Gods guidance. And trust Him in the decisions you make.
January 27, 2018
A refreshing reminder for Christians that "God has chosen to speak in many and varied ways in the past, but in Christ has uttered a comprehensive and final word for the last days in which we live...In the Bible, we have this great final message of God written down. As we read it, with God's Spirit working in our hearts, we hear God's voice today." (p.172)
Jensen and Payne are particularly helpful in clearly showing how the Bible cuts across worldly wisdom on guidance, including much 'wisdom' that many Christians today have adopted
Jensen and Payne are particularly helpful in clearly showing how the Bible cuts across worldly wisdom on guidance, including much 'wisdom' that many Christians today have adopted
October 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and appreciated how biblically based it was. I’ve found recently that a lot of theology is feelings based and this book was a very solid reminder that the Bible is our main source and is not to be pushed aside. The only thing I didn’t appreciate was the lack of capitalisation for He when talking about God, something of an oversight but to me, disrespectful.
November 14, 2023
A short easy to read book on a theme that interests every Christian and about which much has been written over the years! This a solid study on the subject with some refreshing and engaging teaching. I particularly enjoyed the case studies in part 3: church, work and marriage. Each one is a short but useful study on a very important topic.
November 22, 2025
I have been reading this for 10 months! And it’s not because it was bad it was because reading too much at one time was actually overwhelming! This is such a short but good book but it really does make you think and reevaluate how you think about hearing Gods voice. But everything they say they have a scripture to back it up. Highly recommend.
December 8, 2025
Living life is one of the weirdest experiences many of us have ever had. God has guidance for us, which is a great relief. But how do we find this guidance in large, life-spanning decisions, and small, minute-by-minute decisions?
This book offers an excellent, focused, and concise look at the subject.
This book offers an excellent, focused, and concise look at the subject.
April 26, 2023
A great reminder for believers of all ages at how God sovereignty guides not only the events on this earth, but he sovereignty guides and leads us through His precious word, the Scriptures. May we never take the Scriptures for granted.
November 9, 2024
Wisdom on Gods will for our lives.
Incredible wisdom on discerning Gods will for our lives. The first half of the book seems a little confusing, but they tie it up so incredibly in the back half.
Perspective shifting, life altering wisdom in here that brought me closer to Jesus.
Incredible wisdom on discerning Gods will for our lives. The first half of the book seems a little confusing, but they tie it up so incredibly in the back half.
Perspective shifting, life altering wisdom in here that brought me closer to Jesus.
July 3, 2025
An easy to read book, with a ton of information packed in. I loved the section on repentance. I also appreciated how they broke down some common day assumptions on "hearing" God and what that can or cannot look like.
June 6, 2018
Such a good thought provoking book! A new favourite which I know I'll return to!
August 9, 2018
How can we hear the voice of God? Read to find out! Hint: He speaks loud and clear in His Scriptures.
November 22, 2018
Probably one of the clearest books I've read on the topic of guidance and trying to discern "God's will"
January 23, 2021
This book is definitely a very practical book in terms of how to seek guidance from God, no big surprise element but it answered some questions that I have.
November 18, 2021
Excellent. Clear, easy to read, rich in relevant Bible passages and lots of wisdom.
They make a complex topic simple and memorable. Well worth the read
They make a complex topic simple and memorable. Well worth the read
May 18, 2022
Important truth and correction, maybe not as practical as it could have been
April 13, 2023
Very good book. It gave me a lot of clarity on the practical aspects of Christianity.
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