I hear it all the time: "There's no way I can know what God wants for my life!" or "I don't know why God does this," or "if God allowed it, it must be part of His will." These are honest, raw statements made by people who truly desire to know what God wants for their life, and so many of us get frustrated, and feel it is near impossible to know God's will. Psalm 119:105 gives us a pretty clear channel to understanding God's will: "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Romans 12:2 says that we're not to be "conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind THAT BY TESTING you may know what is the will of God." Jesus said (John 14) that He would send us a Helper that is just like Him in the person of the Holy Spirit who will be both a Counselor and Advocate! It seems to me that, throughout God's Word, God points out how He will make His will known to us: through the reading of and meditating on His word, and discernment, wisdom, and understanding through the Holy Spirit. If we don't understand, James tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God who gives generously, and elsewhere says that we should draw near to God, and He will draw near to us! If we read His word, pray, and submit to the Holy Spirit regularly, knowing God's will, even if it is just in part, is staring us in the face! Church, we can know God's will, and it may be only a portion, but if we take time to pray, study, and submit to the Holy Spirit, we will dive deeper and deeper in to God's will, not by our own efforts, but by hearing and obeying the Word of God, and being molded, shaped, and transformed by the scriptures and the Holy Spirit. As we seek God's word out, we may see God's promises spelled out for us, see what Christ did for us, and see what He commands us. We may see and understand what the will of God is, both in the broad and small senses. Church, Take time in the word of God, surrender to God in daily, if not minute by minute prayer, and submit to the Holy Spirit, then wait! Listen to the still, small voice, and seek to find God's will and works in your life. I promise, the Word is true, and He will never go back on His promises. Romans 12:2 ESV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Peter 2:15 ESV For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
Matthew 6:10 ESV Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
John 7:17 ESV If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Ephesians 5:17 ESV Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Hebrews 10:36 ESV For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
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