Discerning God's Will

Discerning God's Will

I have a great desire to discern God’s will for my life. Yet, that was not always the case. If you had known me in the distant past you would have seen a person who likes to do things his way. You would have seen a rebellious, stubborn, self centered, self gratifying individual. 

Shifting back to the present, because of God, whose power has changed me from the inside out, I now live life to please Him. And through my obedience to His Word, and desire to love and to serve Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I look at everyday as an opportunity to be God centered and set apart for His service. 

God, in fact, has put the desire in my heart to consider the needs of others and to look for opportunities where I can make a positive difference in their lives. I also have the desire to share my God story in order to help people understand the truth about God’s plan of Salvation, which is an awesome gift to all who would receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But, as any follower of Christ would tell you, there is an on going battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh is one's desire for self gratification and the Spirit centers our hearts on God's desires. As you will see there is a process to becoming fully set apart to God. We will start with discerning His will for our lives.

Once I became a follower of Jesus, my heart and desires began to change. This was actually a slow, step by step process, taking years of wrestling with God. Eventually I began to listen to and allow the Holy Spirit to take full control of my life. Being a strong willed person, it took a while to fully let go of my sordid past.

Through doing Bible Study I also was challenged to live in accordance to God’s principles and change the way I viewed life, re-evaluating what was important to God and His kingdom. I was also inspired to use my spiritual gifts and God given talents to honor and praise Him over my own self exaltation.

The most important thing to remember is that being Christ-like doesn’t happen overnight, it is a process whereby one’s desires change over time from being self centered to being God centered. I used to get very frustrated because I would start to make some head way toward living a life set apart to God but then find myself slipping back into old patterns of destructive behavior. Fortunately, the more I desired to live for God, the more I was able to test how my “new self” was doing based on what I understood in the Bible. In other words, God principles from His Word began to resonate in my heart and mind and I knew from the teaching and counsel from the Holy Spirit whether or not I was on the right track.

As a new Christian I began to realize that there were consequences to my sinful acts. It became clear that some of my ways were sinful based on my new understanding of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, who lifted my veil of darkness and shed some light on my lack character and integrity. In the past I was able to justify my sin because I could not see how my actions were in direct opposition to God and His principles. Now it is clear that doing life my way built a great wall of separation between myself and God. I am also glad God will discipline me when I get off track. Sure God’s discipline is painful at the time, but the benefit to being me in obedience to God is worth it. Trusting God and His promises will help us all

on our road to living a God centered life and lead us on the right path to discern His will.  

Here is a principle from God's Word on how to discern God's will:

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

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.  

^{Here is why discipline from God can be a good thing:}

Hebrews 12:10 NIV

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT

My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights

God’s correction has helped me understand that He is working to develop a good Christ-like character in me. God sometimes allows trials and suffering to build up my character. Yet, even though I have made some great headway in my desire to live a holy life, I still mess up. I still sin, I still make bad decisions. However, because I am a new creation in Christ, I have a true desire to be the man God wants me to be. Because I need correction and wisdom God tells us why he allows trials and where we can go for wisdom:

James 1:2-5 New International Version (NIV)

Trials and Temptations
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

 

My desire is to live in a way that pleases God. That is why we need to take to heart the principle to put off the old self and put on the self. God desires for us to reflect the character of Jesus.

Here is the principle that tells us to put on the new self:

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Here are some practical ways to discern God's will:

• Through Prayer and meditation
• Through Bible reading and Study
• Through Fellowship and counsel with other devoted followers of Christ
• Through Loving God
  

Prayer:

Prayer connects us to God and His will. Here are some of the benefits of prayer:

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:16 NIV

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Proverbs 15:29 NIV

The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Matthew 18:19-20 NIV

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Psalm 4:3 NIV

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.

John 9:31 NIV

We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.

1 John 5:14-15 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Mark 11:25-26 NIV

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

1 John 1:9 NIV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

pray continually;

Bible Reading and Study:

When it comes to God’s will and desire for our lives, the Bible is a great resource for

wisdom and discernment and we are told to seek and ask for wisdom:

Matthew 6:33 NIV  
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

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.

This is why connecting with God's Word is so important:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

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.

We are to Test everything with scripture even ourselves in order to help us know if we are in tune with God. Godly perspective gained through His Word helps us discern His good, pleasing, and perfect will:

Romans 12:2 NIV 
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.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV 
Test everything. Hold on to the good.

2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV 
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Fellowship and counsel with other devoted followers of Christ:

Through our fellowship and counsel with other believers we can discern if we are using our spiritual gifts in the way God wants us to. Our gifts will be apparent as we produce fruit for God’s kingdom. If we are not then maybe we need to re-evaluate how we are serving.

Spiritual gifts - are God-given special abilities meant for works of service,

to benefit and build up the body of Christ.

If we are bearing fruit for God's kingdom that is a good indication that we are using our gifts in the way God has asked us to:

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.

It is God's will that we use our spiritual gifts in order to edify the Body of Christ, the Church:

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith

and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Loving God:

Loving God is the greatest commandment:

Mark 12:30 NIV 
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  

Loving God connects us to Him in a special way, when we are connected to God in a deep and intimate way He will be able to direct our path:

Deuteronomy 7:9 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 commands.

1 John 4:7 NIV

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 Corinthians 8:3 NIV

But the man who loves God is known by God.

John 14:20-21 NIV

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

John 14:23 NIV 
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

So if our goal is to discern God’s will for our lives, we can determine through God’s Word what is most important. Jesus confirms to us the two greatest commandments: To Love God and to love our neighbor. Without these two principles in place we will fail to recognize the ultimate purpose for living a life set apart to Him. Through loving God we have fulfilled the desire of God’s own heart to be in fellowship with His people. Through loving our neighbor we reflect the Christ-like heart that God wants the world to experience and to receive.

Simply put, if you know that God wants you to love, then ask Him how to love like Jesus did. He will open up the scripture to you in a way that will change you from the inside out. 

God's principles about love:

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

John 13:34-35 NIV

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

1 John 4:9-10 NIV

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 13:8-10 NIV

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The hardest part about discerning God's will is to fill the one command that God expects of His people: to be Holy.

1 Peter 1:15 NIV 
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

1 Peter 1:16 NIV 
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."  

"Holy" is from the Greek word that means "separated," and in this case it means separated

from sin and therefore consecrated to God, or set apart for a sacred purpose.

I believe God wants us to be set apart for Him and His purpose. 

He wants us to become more like Jesus. 

He wants to use us to help bring others to Himself. 

So this is what we need to do daily: 

Stay close to God through fellowship, prayer and Bible reading and study.

Embrace and apply the principles from God's Word.

Get good Godly counsel.

Allow the Holy Spirit take hold and direct our minds and hearts.

Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Love our neighbor.

If we are doing these things we can know for sure that we are discerning God's will.

Just Sayin……………Dave

Turning Your Problems Into Opportunities.

Turning Your Problems Into Opportunities

In life we are faced with constant problematic issues like financial difficulties, mechanical breakdowns, personal brokenness, strained relationships, failing health etc. In each case there is an opportunity approach each situation with a Godly perspective. The human tendency however, is to react before thinking things through.  It is important to have wisdom and discernment before we tackle any issue we are facing. For those in ministry, having the right perspective and attitude will help them stay on track for the things God has called them to do.

Depending upon which side of the equation you are on, either ministering or being ministered to, there are different ways to approach life's bumps in the road. For example, if we are called to minister to someone, and we are having to deal with our own issues, how are we going to be able to consider the needs of others and discern how we can help those who are in the midst of their own difficult circumstances?

The first step we should take is to get Godly counsel so our minds are tuned into a Godly perspective. We know God desires for us to have an eternal perspective on life so we don’t get discouraged. So that we stay on the path He has designed for our lives. The Bible tells us how to appropriate an eternal perspective:

Start with prayer:

Psalm 32:6-8 (New Living Translation) 

let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwater's of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version 1984)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  



Put your faith and trust in God and his promises:

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.

Seek Godly perspective - Renew your mind:

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.  

Do what the Lord says: Revere and obey Him:

Psalm 111:10 (New International Version 1984)  

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. 

Let God's Word instruct you:

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. 

Jesus told us that we are going to have problems in this world. But he also told us that He has overcome the world. The world is filled with danger to our physical and spiritual lives because of sin. But the “world” can’t take away the eternity God has promised those who have received Christ and have become His followers. 

John 16:33 (New International Version 1984)

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 10:28 (New International Version 1984)
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

So if we want Godly perspective for any situation we should glean wisdom from this verse in Matthew. Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock:

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.

Once we have received the wisdom from God that He freely gives, we should then apply it

to our situation. It could be just that we have attitude adjustment. Or it could be that in

any situation God wants us to use the difficulties to strengthen and grow our character and faith.

Perspective on an attitude adjustment:

Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version 1984)  

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

Perspective on character development:

James 1:2-4 (New International Version 1984 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James goes on to say that if we lack wisdom we should ask God. What better way to approach any difficult situation than to ask God for wisdom in how to handle it.

James 1:5-8 (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. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Once we have Godly wisdom and discernment for a particular situation we now have the ability and opportunity to respond in such a way that reflects who we are in Christ. Not denying the issues at hand, but taking on a wise rational approach, making what is a difficult situation, into an opportunity to honor God and reflect the Christ-like character the Holy Spirit has created in us.

God really does want to sanctify us. He desires for us to be more like Jesus. When we reach out to God for His perspective, what shines is the understanding that Christ-likeness is the character we need to put on regardless of what we are facing. This is because the world is watching how we live and how we handle ourselves. Are we hypocrites or do we really live out the life we are telling others about? When it comes down to it, do we believe in God’s transforming power? Do we believe through Christ we can do all things? Do we believe God has the power to change our circumstances? Do we believe God has a plan for our lives? Here are some passages that link the character of a follower of Jesus to the process of sanctification. (An act of God that works to make us more like Jesus in character)

You will notice God desires for us to be transformed. God wants to use that transformation as a witness to His redeeming power.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (New Living Translation) 

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

1 Thessalonians 4:3(New American Standard Bible)

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

1 Thessalonians 4:7(New American Standard Bible)

For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (New Living Translation)

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.  If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

With an attitude of surrender to God’s power and wisdom, and by setting aside our own human perspective, we can properly deal with tough situations.  In fact, we can take what seems to be a problem and make it an opportunity to reflect the glory of God through our actions. The world is watching. Let’s not cause anyone to stumble in their faith. In turn, let’s open the doors of salvation by being the people God has called us to be.  God wants us to use the time we have been given on this earth to help bring others to Himself. Our Christ-likeness will offer others a new perspective on hope because they will see that God can change what seems unchangeable; the sinful, arrogant, and self-centered human heart.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Here is some great instruction on how we can live out a God-centered life:

Colossians 3:12-17 (New Living Translation)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your

hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

When we keep our eyes focused on Jesus we will see problems differently.

Hebrews 12 (New International Version 1984)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

No matter what we are facing right now we can take what Jesus says to heart:

John 14:1 NIV
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.

Matthew 11:28-29 (New International Version 1984)

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 14:27 (New International Version 1984)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We can be confident that Jesus understands and cares about what we go through in life.

Hebrews 4:14-15 (New International Version 1984)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

We know He cares because He willingly suffered and gave His life so we can have life.

Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We have an awesome God who we can turn to under any circumstance. He can take any problem we are facing and help us discern how to best handle ourselves in the situation at hand.

Will you trust Him today with the circumstances you are facing?

Peter 5:7 (New Living Translation)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

God promises this:

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version 1984)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Followers of Christ  can bank on this:

Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version 1984)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So with the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives, any problem we face can become an opportunity for some good to come as a result. Seeking and applying Godly wisdom is of the utmost importance in being able to withstand everything from relational issues to attacks from the enemy. Remember what were are told in Galatians 6:10-11:
 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

So the next time you are facing a difficult circumstance, remember to pray, and seek Godly counsel and wisdom. I know from experience you can even make it through the dark night of the soul with Jesus. With Jesus, any problem we face can be an opportunity for us to display our faith, build our character and reflect the love of our Savior.

Just Sayin………………..Dave