The will of God.

Reading: Ephesians 2:10.      

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

          A Christian is one who has renounced his/her own will, and submits to the will of God for his/her life in all that he/she does.

The problem that we all face is: “How do we find and discover the will of God for our lives?” Look at the life of Jesus, His life on earth is a perfect illustration of complete agreement to the will of God. “Then I said, “Behold, I have come, in the volume of the book it is written of Me, to do Your will, O God” Hebrews 10:7.

Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill God’s will. It is our responsibility to learn from the Lord’s example, the plan for our own lives.

1^ST POINT: GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERY LIFE.

          There is a divine blueprint for each one of God’s people:

A. This plan is suited to our personalities, talents, needs, potentialities and location.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10.

B. God has ordained certain special tasks, or works for each individual Christian.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1.

Paul said there is a different race for each one of us to run, when he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.” “I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7. He fulfilled his ministry and his work was completed. 

C. God wanted Paul to know the Lord’s will for his life.

“Then he said, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth” Acts 22:14

D. God’s plan for you is very personal. It is just for you.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8.

E. God’s plan for you is very detailed.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” Psalm 37:23. God does not always reveal the distant future, but step by step.

F. God’s plan for you is continuous.

“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” Isaiah 58:11.

G. God’s plan for you is definite and special.

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” Isaiah 30:21. The Lord guides us by His Spirit through the Word.

H. God wants us to enquire about His plan for our lives.

“Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You” Psalm 143:8.

God wants us to be much in prayer for the daily details.

2^ND POINT: METHODS OF GUIDANCE FOR EVERY LIFE.

          The question is often asked, “How does God reveal His will to the seeking individual?”

Sometimes God reveals His will through opportunities, circumstances, the prayers and support of others, the advice of godly friends, pastoral care, etc. Plus, your own valuation of your abilities, and personal feelings.

Let us look at some ways God uses.

A. God often guides us through His Word. From verses of Scripture that speak loudly to us.

So you need to read and know the Word of God and you will soon find His will and purpose for your life. Because the Lord can bring various portions to your mind. Note God's ways, will never be different to the Word of God.

B. By inner conviction that is given by the Spirit of God:

          “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” John 16:13.

          “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” Acts 13:2.

Guidance comes by a certain course of actions, more so as we pray about our actions. Do I do things by the voice of my own desires or is it what God wants me to do?

C. By circumstances.

God can by circumstances close one door and open another. Nothing happens to the child of God by accident. For each day is planned by the God. So we can accept the circumstances as guide posts in the direction of His leading. Circumstances can also put a stop turning to wrong directions.

D. God sometimes guides us by visions or dreams.

Like Paul in “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them” Acts 16:9-10.

Sometimes we may have a “word” spoken over us and this can encourage us.

E. By putting out a fleece:

“Look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water” Judges 6:37-38.

Like Gideon did, when he prayed that if certain things happened, this way or that, then the Lord's will would be fitting.

CONCLUSION:

          Remember that the Lord wants to give you both the master plan and the minute by minute details of your life. So wait patiently for Him and He will reveal them day by day. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” Psalm 37:5.