Determining God's will

I believe to know God's full will for our lives we must be in God's will that is clearly expressed in his word. I.E. God's will for us is to pray and read the Bible, if we don't will God show us more?

Just my thoughts.

Phil

 

Kildare, I like the way you start threads

There have been "doors" of opportunity in my life. Many doors have swung open so wide that I just walked right through without any consultation with God. I am more careful now and God has been faithful to keep me from falling in the past.

I am more content these days than in the past, though I still have many requests before him. One thing that has helped the most is, where ever I go, whatever I do, I must love those whose path meets mine. If I examine myself and find that I am doing that to any extent then I feel I am in his will at that very moment. It is my belief in his sovereignty that comforts me.

In the past I have had subtle contempt for the poor. Now I consider the poor and especially a poor persons path that meets mine.

I don't have much to give, but when asked I try to give what I am asked for. I am trying to do more for them. I am learning that God's care for the poor goes deep and my care needs work. I want to think like my Father in that regard. So I hope.

I really don't know for sure, but I am leaning mostly on the command to love those who cross my path. All of them and at all times. At least for now, if I can do that, I comfort myself and think that I am always in his will, anywhere I go and at all times. So I hope.

Dave.

 

The current job that I do is the best I've ever had. Maybe it's my attitude but still it seems pressed down and shaken together to me.

Even after being seriously unemployed for over 2 solid years, I prayed more than ever this time and from the very first moment I learned of this job opportunity. I continued my supplications every step along the way. Even after an amazing offer, I still asked my Father to close the door if the opportunity was not fit for me. I was more willing to let a good thing go based on my Father's insight and be thankful for that. I was more cautious before the open door of this opportunity than ever before. The result is a job I am dearly thankful for and have dreamed of for many years. All of my little schemes and wild ambition could never produce this. After the fact, I learned that my manager is a true believer. In the past I've worked for many unbelieving men, but now I actually have had true fellowship with my current manager. That to me is just one part of being pressed down and shaken together. My hope is that this continues and I don't loose sight of God's grace.

I am so thankful for this. All I did was pray every step of the way and prepare my heart to be thankful for whatever I received. As imperfect as my prayers were, I opened my mouth and pleaded before him to make the choices for me.

A door that closes after prayer and a door that remains open after prayer is his grace and insight. I rest in that.

Dave.

[ November 05, 2003, 05:20 AM: Message edited by: David Mark ]

 

The Bible is God's revealed moral will for our lives. As long as we remain within the revealed moral will of God (the text of Scripture) there is liberty for us to make decisions.

 

A book was just written regarding this issue. I can't remember the title. Anyway, the author's point was that this modern idea of finding God's will is paganistic.

The Scriptures tell us what God's will is and where he stands on issues and events. If a person is obedient to that, he can do whatever he wants.

 

An excellent practical book on the subject is "Hearing God" by Dallas Willard.

I strongly recommend it.

 

To add some Warren input, "God is far more concerned with who you are than with what you do."

 

It is the common most asked question of every Bible student preparing for ministry. How do I know the will of God for my life?

Dick Hillis, who was the president of TEAM mission at the time, said, "You take care of your spiritual relationship, and God will take care of your geographical location."

There is so much truth in that. I believe that we are so afraid of mysticism that we overlook that special calling of God imposed on our hearts to minister God's words. I am as academic as the next person, but I believe there is a message that God plants in our hearts about where we are to serve Him.

It is obvious that if we are not particularly skilled in languages, we will not be called to Wycliff Translators. Yet, we may lack certain pastoral inclinations and still be an excellent pastor. Logic does play a part in this calling.

I once "believed" that God was leading me to a certain church. As it turns out, it was 8 months of hell. It was not the right place for me, and certainly I was not the right man for that church. We parted ways mutually and I was so relieved, as were they to see me go.

So much for the emotional side of calling, and yet, I don't dismiss the emotional in calling either.

Timing plays a great part in one's calling. Doors open and things fall into place, are evidences, I think, of God's calling.

One can talk all they want about the will of God is clear in the Bible. The general will of God is quite clear in scripture, but it says nothing about being in Africa, Australia or America. God places a special burden upon one's heart for a given area of ministry, and if one's inclination is correct, those doors open and God blesses the ministry in special ways.

Was it wrong that five young men were called of God to serve the Auca Indians in Peru? They hardly got to spread the word when they were killed on a beach. The outcome of that event sparked interest all over the Christian world, led one's wife and another's sister to return to that field shortly after and had a marvellous ministry among the Aucas. Literally thousands have been influenced by the testimony of Jim Elliot, one of the victims.

I think there is a special place for each of us, and that is the centre of God's will for our lives. I wanted to drive a Cadillac, and God provided a Chevrolet. I wanted to live in a huge rectory, and God gave me a Baptist parsonage. So, my logic took me in one direction, which was completely plausible, but God's will took me in another direction.

Don't be fooled by emotion, but don't rule it out. Don't be fooled by logic, but don't ignore it either. Find that balance that comes with keeping in tune with the Lord who in the long haul does the calling.

Cheers, and God bless,

Jim

 

The latest book on the subject of "finding God's will" is a very good one. It is published by Baker, entitled Decision Making God's Way : A New Model for Knowing God's Will, and written by Gary T. Meadors. Meadors is an old college prof of mine and teaches at Cornerstone University. He really does have something insightful to say about this subject.

 

"Finding God's will" can become a silly obsession. In a given set of circumstances, consider your range of choices, and if the one you choose is within scriptural bounds, then go for it.

 

I agree

 

On some occasions God has strictly instructed me to do a certain thing. On other occasions He has let me alone to do as I see fit. I figure, therefore, if he doesn't give me direct instructions, and God's word is neutral on the matter, I get to choose for myself.

 

How do you receieve these strict instructions from God? Does God speak directly to you in an audiable voice, as He did to the O.T. Prophets, or through some other means?

One of the best books on this issue is Decision Making & The Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View by Garry Friesen.

 

Are you thinking about Decision Making and the Will of God by Friesen, Multnomah publishers I think? Other good ones are Decision Making by the Book by Haddon Robinson and Found: God's Will by John MacArthur.

 

Bible boy, your pc must be faster than mine! I posted at the same time, yet you still beat me!

 

I would still very much like to hear from someone, who holds the position that God gives them very specific directions regarding life decisions, how they receieve these strict instructions from God?

I am aware of missionaries who have stories how God "spoke" to pagans (unbelievers) through dreams in order to bring them to salvation. However, I am not talking about God acting to draw someone to himself. I am talking about making life decisions like where to live, who to marry, where to attend college, etc.