Knowing The Will of Our FATHER

[WISDOM]

How can YOU find our FATHER's plan for your life? How does HE reveal HIS will to YOU and I? How does a sinful, FINITE human being come to know the will of a Holy and INFINITE GOD? If there is a decision to make, are we to ask HIM to let the phone ring within the next two minutes to reveal a "yes" or "no?" If YOU are driving a car while trying to discern HIS will, can YOU simply ask HIM to let the stoplight turn green just as we get to it if HE wants us to do so and so???

What I've personally found is that there are Scriptures in our FATHER's Word that will assure us of the fact that HE gives the guidance we need in EVERY aspect of our lives. Bit by bit HE will reveal HIS will for YOUR life, if (and again I say IF) you will entrust everything to HIM for guidance and direction. The Bible is indispensable in finding our LORD's will for us. It should be the very first place you go and search for answers. Two of my favorite verses are Psalm 119:105 ("YOUR Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path") and Psalm 119:30 ("GOD's Word gives us light; it gives UNDERSTANDING to the simple").

Before I go on, let me point out that our FATHER has a GENERAL WILL which is the same for ALL disciples of HIS SON, the LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, and.....a SPECIFIC WILL, which at least to some degree is DIFFERENT for each Believer. GOD's general will is revealed clearly and completely in the Bible, but HIS specific will is revealed ONLY in principles in HIS Word. Therefore, to discover HIS specific will we will have to employ a combination of ways that HE uses.

One very important lesson I've learned in my Christian walk and talking with other bros/sis is we need never worry about finding GOD's specific will for our lives UNTIL we have first been obedient in ALL areas of HIS general will. You see....the revelation of our FATHER's specific will is ALWAYS preceded by OBEDIENCE to HIS general will. HIS general will is always revealed in the Bible as an imperative or a command, while HIS specific will is revealed in HIS Word only through principles as I noted earlier. Now, these principles are basic guidelines that MUST be followed with common sense, discretion, and much prayer in order to find GOD's specific will.

As YOU and I read and OBEY GOD's general will in the Bible, we become spiritually sensitive to the ways that GOD may use to ALERT us to HIS specific will (read and digest all of this slowly and it'll make plenty of sense to YOU). HIS specific will NEVER contradicts HIS written Word! The HOLY SPIRIT will teach this to YOU and I. Since the Day of Pentecost, the HOLY SPIRIT has indwelt every Believer. HE has many ministries, but one of the most exciting is to lead and guide YOU and I. If we walk in HIS footsteps, learning, listening humbly, letting HIM control our lives daily, we can expect to have our FATHER's will revealed to us through HIM. It is very difficult to describe exactly how the HOLY SPIRIT speaks to us and leads us, but nonetheless HE does. Just as it is impossible to prove our salvation experience to an unbeliever, so it is impossible to prove the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT to one who refuses to believe it!

Our FATHER's will for us is revealed through an inner Peace. There are two kinds mentioned in HIS Word.....the peace WITH GOD (Romans 5:1 and Colossians 1:20), and the peace OF GOD (Philippians 4:7). CHRIST has commanded us to let HIS peace rule our hearts (Colossians 3:15). This peace is that inner peace that YOU lose when you have in some way STRAYED out of GOD's will. In the verse the Greek word translated "rule" is an athletic term. It literally means "to umpire". If we have a decision to make, we should let the "peace of GOD" be the umpire and call the decision to be made. Sometimes everything else seems right and in GOD's will, but there is a loss of inner peace.....a feeling of uneasiness, as we contemplate a decision. This uneasy feeling is an absence of the peace of CHRIST, letting us know that what we are about to do, or have already done, is wrong.

Another way I know our FATHER reveals HIS will is through the counsel of mature Christians. Age is no factor here. Maturity is. A mature friend who knows the Bible and its spiritual principles can be a tremendous help in discovering the will of GOD for your life. This friend may suggest specific scriptures for you to read or may share some valuable insights from his/her own Christian life. (Proverbs 24:6 & 27:17) Often it may just be in a passing conversation that something is said through which our LORD reveals HIS will to us, using a mature friend WITHOUT their even knowing it!! I cannot begin to tell you how many times this has happened to me!!

Circumstances can play a major role also! We must always remember that no circumstance in your/my life develops by chance. Our FATHER orders each and every one of our steps. Our FATHER is OMNIPOTENT...All Powerful. HE is in control of EVERYTHING, including the circumstances which surround each decision YOU and I must make. We read the Bible because HE wrote it, and we should read circumstances because HE controls them. He refers to them as an "open" or "closed" door. As HIS children we must be very careful in reading circumstances. Sometimes a door may look closed, but in reality our FATHER may be using that circumstance to test our diligence and faith.

Moreover, we should not impulsively walk through every door that is open, but we should take into consideration the other ways that GOD reveals HIS will. Your pprayer life is very, very important here. Learn to taalk to our DAD every day. Satan hates it when we do! This brings me to my last thought......HE reveals HIS will for YOU and I through our personal desires. One thing that we must always remember in seeking the FATHER's will is that HE is not a "celestial killjoy." HE wants the very best for you and I....not second best.

Finding HIS will brings immense joy and satisfaction. When we discover GOD's will, we can expect that our deepest desires will be fulfilled. Therefore, when HIS will is made known in our lives, it may be something that we have wanted to do for years. As long as YOU live in this world system, your personal desires will sometimes conflict with the will of GOD (believe me, I bear witness BIGTIME), so we must be VERY cautious (Jeremiah 17:9). However, the more YOU and I grow in the knowledge of our FATHER's Word and in HIS grace, HE will help us to grow and live according to HIS will. (Philippians 2:13 & Psalm 37:4)

[Guest Sweetkitty99]

I agree with all you have said here. I have two friends that are in their 20's and I am 41 but they are more mature in spirituallity than I and I often look to them for guidence.

I also know that God's can guide us in every aspect of our lives all we have to do is ask.

I don't believe in testing God,as in,"if this light changes this means you want me to do this,God" but I think that with prayer and sometimes fasting God will let us know without a doubt what He wants us to do.

[Guest shadow2b]

AHHhhhhhh--MY BELOVED BROTHER WISDOM------have missed you & your words of WISDOM so much..WELCOME HOME----& THANK YOU again for such "insightful" WORDS----

MAY-GOD-BLESS-YOU-RICHLY-IN-EVERY-ASPECT-OF-LIFE-------------your Brother-----Gary----

[WISDOM]

I agree with all you have said here. I have two friends that are in their 20's and I am 41 but they are more mature in spirituallity than I and I often look to them for guidence.

I also know that God's can guide us in every aspect of our lives all we have to do is ask.

I don't believe in testing God,as in,"if this light changes this means you want me to do this,God" but I think that with prayer and sometimes fasting God will let us know without a doubt what He wants us to do.

SK99:

Nice to meet you....tyvm for your response. What I enjoyed most about it was YOUR reflection of christian maturity. All too often we forget that our FATHER will bring others into our path with a word of encouragement/knowledge that usually is just what the "DOCTOR" ordered.

I'd like to commend and remind you that through your actions you also help those who help you by being a solid recipient of what is told to you. This in fact is how the Body of CHRIST is suppose to work. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Again, I truly enjoyed reading your post!

Famous words by Max Lucado from his book, "On The Anvil"

"Dear FATHER,

May we NEVER grow so "holy", may we NEVER be so "mature", may we NEVER become so "religious" that we can see the footprints of Satan and stay calm."

[WISDOM]

AHHhhhhhh--MY BELOVED BROTHER WISDOM------have missed you & your words of WISDOM so much..WELCOME HOME----& THANK YOU again for such "insightful" WORDS----

MAY-GOD-BLESS-YOU-RICHLY-IN-EVERY-ASPECT-OF-LIFE-------------your Brother-----Gary----

What's up Gary?!

I've missed being a "regular", but when our FATHER gives me these few moments, you know I love to cast "pearls"!!

TYVM for the words of encouragement. I hope you and your lovely wife are doing well. Please continue to pray for me as I will for you and yours. Most important.....thank our FATHER (not me) for the words of wisdom!!

It is ALWAYS great hearing from you!

[Adstar]

Good post wisdom

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[Guest shadow2b]

AHHhhhhhh--MY BELOVED BROTHER WISDOM------have missed you & your words of WISDOM  so much..WELCOME HOME----& THANK YOU again for such "insightful" WORDS----

MAY-GOD-BLESS-YOU-RICHLY-IN-EVERY-ASPECT-OF-LIFE-------------your Brother-----Gary----

What's up Gary?!

I've missed being a "regular", but when our FATHER gives me these few moments, you know I love to cast "pearls"!!

TYVM for the words of encouragement. I hope you and your lovely wife are doing well. Please continue to pray for me as I will for you and yours. Most important.....thank our FATHER (not me) for the words of wisdom!!

It is ALWAYS great hearing from you!

MY BROTHER-WISDOM----YEPPpppp I always do thank our FATHER for HIS words of WISDOM--thru

YOU---cuzz ya know--BRO. "someone" has to be "listening" to "receive" those pearls, ya-know---

How's the job going??? are you happy with it?? WeLL bro. WE {my lovely wife} & me are doin O.K.

kind-a-, been under attack by that stupid devil lately, BUT{love that word--BUT--it shows up quite a bunch in GOD'S WORD}& always speaks to the preceeding calamities, BUT--shows the way out or to encourages us to be content in ALL situations Because this is our FATHERS will for us & our brothers & sisters are going thru the same kind of attacks...

WILL continue to PRAY for you & your "LOVELY" wife--GOD-BLESS-&-PROTECT-YOU-FROM-ALL-HARM-

Your bro.-----Gary----

[WISDOM]

Good post wisdom

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

Heyyyyy Adstar!

How are you bruh?!!! I've missed our conversations, but it is good to know you're still here speaking the Word of truth to others. How's everything down under?

[WISDOM]

MY BROTHER-WISDOM----YEPPpppp I always do thank our FATHER for HIS words of WISDOM--thru

YOU---cuzz ya know--BRO. "someone" has to be "listening" to "receive" those pearls, ya-know---

How's the job going??? are you happy with it?? WeLL bro. WE {my lovely wife} & me are doin O.K.

kind-a-, been under attack by that stupid devil lately, BUT{love that word--BUT--it shows up quite a bunch in GOD'S WORD}& always speaks to the preceeding calamities, BUT--shows the way out or to encourages us to be content in ALL situations Because this is our FATHERS will for us & our brothers & sisters are going thru the same kind of attacks...

WILL continue to PRAY for you & your "LOVELY" wife--GOD-BLESS-&-PROTECT-YOU-FROM-ALL-HARM-

Your bro.-----Gary----

I've got two more months in the Academy before I start the job. It has truly been an eye-opening experience. Currently I in a training block which is 28 straight days, WEEKENDS INCLUDED! And we're talking about nine hours on Saturday AND nine hours on Sunday. Trust me when I tell you that my LORD/SAVIOUR is sustaining me through it all. I will be glad to see the weekend of the 27-28 September get here!!! Then Monday it's on to a new block of training. Keep in mind this is my fifth month of training, and it has been grueling at the Gearge Stone Academy in Pensacola (the toughest one to pass in this region).

When our FATHER picks them, HE picks them, huh??! Keep me in your prayers....I'm almost there. There has been several times I've been discouraged, but GOD has spoken through a person or situation which in the process became exactly what I needed to hear to be encouraged to go on. Our FATHER is good....very good, and I love and thank HIM for this privilege/opportunity HE's given me. The Enemy has never made himself more prevalent to me than he has since I've been in this Academy. It tells me our FATHER has something good planned for others through me, which will go way beyond the job of Law Enforcement.

Please continue to pray for me, that HIS will be done, not mine.

[traveller]

Go get 'em Brother! I thank our Father that He has given you strength and endurance for this. And I thank him daily that you're my brother.

You are already a blessing to many WISDOM, because you are such a willing servant. I know that when discouragement comes, you go to the Father. Hang in there Bro, you're on the down side now!