I have no scripture to back this up.  I am just sharing my humble opinion.

The way I see it, I sense the need to fast when I am taking things for granted.  Thanking God for all he's given me can become a routine for me.  Every once in a while, I'll ask myself, "Hey, what if God decided to hold back?"  That's when I fast.  Then, at mealtimes I'll remeber I am fasting.  Then I'll remeber why I am fasting.  Then I am truely thanking God for al he proides for me.

Make any sense?

Explain the verse that I posted, then. Clearly, it means if you have no works, then you are not saved. It isn't enough to say the words. Just you honestly beleive in your heart, you will do good works. End of story.

If I said I was a painter and you asked to see my paintings and I said I have none to show you, would you not doubt I was a painter?  What if I have never painted, but in my heart I truly believed I am a painter, am I a painter?  I think I would be hardpressed to convince anyone I was a painter.  So, can a Christian without works be a valuable witness for Christ? I sincerely doubt it. And for what reason are we Christians?  To glorify God, I hope.  WIthout works, we may be Christians, but we are worthless CHristians, and what good is that?

I sometimes think I should quit my job to go to bible school.  Because I think this, is God telling me to?  I don't thnk so.

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Why do you say so? Matt. 28:20
---John asks

Because I question my reasons for this thought.  Is it my pride wanting to become a biblical scholar?  Do I just want to escape my current situation and hide my head in books?  DO I just want to do it because I enjoy it and it gives me pleasure?  Or, because I think it, is it from God?  Heck, Peter thought he should protect Jesus from death, and Christ's response?  Get behind me Satan!

Again, there are no clear cut answers from scripture. I think there are a lot of similar situations in life where it's not easy to discern what God wants us to do.

This is exactly what I am asking about.  I hear people stating they wee called by God to become missionaries, or the like.  I love reading and studying the bible.  I sometimes think I should quit my job to go to bible school.  Because I think this, is God telling me to?  I don't thnk so.

If one is to turn over his life to God, how does one know what God is saying?  When he spoke to Moses at the bush, I am sure it was difficult for Moses to miss the message.  Obviousy Saul of Tarsus also received a very clear message.  It seems God's messages are a bit more subtle these days--at least his messages to me seem to be so subtle, I am not sure I am even receiving them.  How does He speak to you? How does one recognize His voice?