Wednesday, July 29, 2015

God’s Will

To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God's will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God's will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. Oswald Chambers

One of the most difficult struggles I have in life is figuring out what God’s will is for my life.  How do you determine which direction God wants you to go?  God gave us a brain and the ability to choose, yet sometimes I am so concerned about making a mistake in my choice that I don’t do anything.  The problem with this is that I am still making a choice by not choosing.  The fear of making the wrong choice can debilitate me. 

The best place to figure this out is to read scripture that talks about God’s will. In Romans 12:1-21 we can learn how to live in God’s will. 

1.     Living Sacrifices to God:  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

2.     Serve God with Spiritual Gifts: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

3.     Behave Like a Christian: “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

If any of these are missing in my life or if I am not practicing what these scriptures reveal, then I am not in God’s will.  God’s will is a lifestyle.  It is living as Christ did and if I am ever going to understand His will, it will mean I will need to change the lifestyle I am living. If I am walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for my life, God will place His desires in my heart.  The most important part is wanting God’s will; not my own.  Psalm 37:4  “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  
   
Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I often stray from Your will because I am distracted by the world and what it has to offer.  Help me to keep my focus on You.  I need Your help every day to remind me that You are the only One who can lead me in the land of uprightness.  Help me to be a living sacrifice to You, serve You with the spiritual gifts you have given me and to behave like Christ.  
       

Scripture:  Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.  Psalm 143:10

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