Knowing and Doing God's Will
The will of God is a popular subject. As I travel and speak it is probably the most often asked question. Many see it as an Easter Egg hunt where God has hidden His plan for their life and they must find it by looking in the right places. My experience has been very different. I have found God to be aggressive and desirous that I know His plans and experience His will for my life.
The problem begins when we desire to overlook the obvious and ask specifics about the not so obvious. What I am saying is that 90% of God's will is already spelled out in HIS Word. Many want to know: who to marry, a business deal, major purchase, new job without obeying the things that HE has shown us in His Word. This message is to challenge you to know and experience the will of God in the Word of God.
The will of God focuses on the present; right now, where you live.
God has a plan for you to follow. So many times as we ponder the will of God, we look too far away after some series of events or in unrealistic ways. God's will is here, now and very attainable. What is your assignment right now with your family, your job, your chruch, your present situation?God's will focuses on little things. (Luke 16:10)
Remember, proud people like to do big things. We live in a superstar, name brand society. God often focuses on little, insignificant people and things. (Parables of lost sheep, lost coin, lepers,etc) What little person, little situation are you overlooking?God's will is understood on the cross.
As Jesus hung on the cross He was in the will of the Father. First we must die to ourselves. (Luke 9:23) God's will is not so much about blessing you as it is about blessing God and bringing glory to Him. Are you willing to die to self daily?God's will is that you know Him personally without doubt! (1 Tim 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 5:11-13)
I am hearing from my Calvinist friends that God does not want everyone to be saved which grieves me as I read the above passages. Calvinism is stripping men of their evangelistic fervor. Such a view takes away a passion to see lost people come to know Christ. Do you know a hyper-Calvinist who is a soul winner? Be careful about your doctrine.It is God's will that you live a life that is holy and set apart for Him. (1 Thess4:3, John 17:15-19)
This is a positional truth and a process of growth. You will never find a great man or woman of God who is not before the Master on a consistent basis. Are you getting alone with Jesus daily so He can set you apart and make you the Holy vessel that He desires? If you want to become great, spend time with someone greater.God's will is not easy.
Hebrews 11:32-39 is a part of the glorious ‘hall of faith' that we tend to overlook. Over and over in scripture we are reminded that we are to expect trials and tribulations and that they are necessary in order to make us in the image of Christ.Hebrews 13:20-21 - "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing HIS will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen"
