Let it be God’s will not mine

Something to think about:

Let it be God’s will not mine

The more I grow in my faith and trust in God, the more I want to release more and more of my will to His. The reason for this is, I have learned how much wiser God is in comparison to how wise I think I am. I have a lot of evidence from past experiences that I can use to discern that the results of my decision making were poor at best. This means I can apply the “Costanza principle,” If every instinct I have is wrong, the opposite must be right. I realized that when I lived a self-focused life far from God, I lived in 180 degrees in opposition to His principles. The principles I used for living back then were wrong. In fact, I got to experience the consequences of my bad choices on a regular basis.

Nowadays, I realize God’s principles are always right and the proof is this; after setting myself apart to God, I have experienced the blessings of being in His will and the positive effect of making wiser choices in my life. I have been able to have a greater impact and influence in the world for God and His kingdom. With The Holy Spirit, and God’s principles guiding my heart and mind, I have been able to experience the fruit of my labor. I have become a new man that is continually in a process of transformation and have been given a Christ-like heart. I regularly experience God’s peace in a fallen world. I have the privilege of blessing others due to the putting on of my “new self”. My marriage is getting stronger and more Christ centered. The ministries I have been involved in the past remind me that God used me to bear fruit for his kingdom. I have a better understanding of the true meaning of Joy. I am no longer an enemy of God. I experience God's answer to prayer. I can boldly share my faith. I no longer desire to sin. I am confident that God will keep His promise to give me and other believers a hope and a future.

Setting oneself apart to God is important for spiritual growth and for being an effective ambassador for God’s kingdom. “When God reigns the kingdom gains”, so to speak. Without Jesus as Lord over our lives we won’t be effective. We will end up working for our own personal gain and glory and will fail to produce any fruit that will have a positive spiritual effect upon the lives of others. 

Jesus explains this principle:

John 15:5 NIV  
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

The problem is this: People who lives their lives apart from God don't have an eternal perspective on life and God's purpose for our existence. They tend to make decisions based on limited understanding that is tainted with self to a greater degree than one who has the Holy Spirit to guide and correct errors. Basing ones perspective on a non biblical worldview can lead to wrong motives and actions rather than to live in such a way that is right and pleasing in God’s eyes. We need Godly perspective so we can live rightly and navigate the troubled waters associated with life in a fallen world.

The Apostle Paul tells us how we should live:

Ephesians 5:15-16 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Not only should we live wisely but we should be asking for wisdom on a regular basis.

James 1:5 New International Version 1984 

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

The proverbs clue us into the importance of good counsel.

Proverbs 15:22 The Message 

Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.

Steps to help us be able to discern God’s will:

·        Pray

Matthew 7:7-8 New International Version 1984 

Ask, Seek, Knock

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

·        Get wise counsel

Proverbs 13:20  New International Version 1984 

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

·        Get godly perspective

Romans 12:2 New International Version 1984

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

·        Read and do what the bible says

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version 1984                                             

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

·        Listen to the Holy Spirit

John 14:26 New International Version 1984 
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

·        Trust God

Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version 1984 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight  

With God and His Word being the driving force and standard for our lives, we will make wise choices. We will be able to live according to His desire and purpose. We will be able to fulfill God’s call for our lives. We will be able to say to God “Your will be done not mine”.

A couple of years ago my son Ian (10 years years old)  and I were sitting outside our house observing the heavens through our telescope. We were amazed at the cool close up views we had of the Moon, Saturn and the stars. For some reason I asked Ian to give me some words of wisdom. If you know Ian, he always has some good nuggets of wisdom for me to contemplate. The first thing he said was: “Ice cream is good to eat.” The second: “Trust God”

Followers of Jesus are trusting Him when He says That He is the truth the life and the way. We are trusting Him when He says He has prepared us a place in heaven and is coming back to bring us there. We are trusting Him when He says He truly loves us.

This is what we know about Jesus: He understood the importance of carrying out God’s plan of salvation. He was willing to suffer and sacrifice for each of us. With His work in mind we have a better picture into His heart, His amazing love and supernatural grace. The verses below give us a picture of Jesus' character and model the kind of character God desires for each of us to attain. It is God's will that we be like His Son.

(God wants us to obey His Word like Jesus' willingness to obey God’s will)

Matthew 26:42 NIV  (Obedience) 

  He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

(God wants us to die to self and live putting the interests of others ahead of our own, just like the way Jesus lived and served others even to point of sacrifice)

Mark 10:45 NIV (Servant leader)
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

(God wants us to Love Him and our neighbor through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. God's love for us is off the charts and when we realize it, we are changed and humbled by it)

John 3:16 NIV  (Amazing Love)

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

We can understand this about God’s will:

God sees the bigger picture because He designed it. That is why it is important for seek out God’s will.

So as we look to God for answers and for the ways in which He will use our gifts and talents for His glory, we can trust that if we desire His will for our lives and act on the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we will bear fruit for His kingdom. We can trust that if we truly love Him and follow Him, He has a good purpose for our lives. 

Romans 8:28 New International Version

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We know this about the character of God: He is faithful and He will keep His promises.

Psalm 89:34 New International Version (NIV)

I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.

Deuteronomy 7:9 New International Version (NIV)

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
 

So the result of surrendering to God’s will is that we will see His purpose fulfilled in our lives. We will experience a Spirit filled life that will have a positive impact on the world around us.

The next time you pray, ask God for His will to be done in your life and really mean it. You may be surprised at the result of your supplication. God can take you on a journey that can far surpass anything you could possibly dream of. 

This is a great promise from God:

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version 1984 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

With this kind of promise why wouldn’t we want to say:

Let it be God’s will not mine

Just Sayin........................Dave