God's Will

Catch everyone up to where we are at...talk about the Festival of Shelters.

A pastor once told the story of a man who decided to test his faith by jumping from an airplane with a parachute. He was excited and yelled ‘God will catch me!’ The moment he jumped, panic set in and, in horror, he realized he forgot to pack the parachute! Fortunately, he parachuted safely after his friends reminded him that faith requires action too! Similarly, being in God's will means we must prepare ourselves and trust Him while putting in the effort!

We all too often wonder if we are in God’s will but in our text today we see that being in God’s specific will has to come from His teachings or what is known as his revealed will.

John 7:16–18 CSB

Jesus answered them, “My teaching isn’t mine but is from the one who sent me. If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. The one who speaks on his own seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

To know God’s specific will, we must comply to His revealed will as found in His Word. If we do not obey His revealed will how can we expect to know His specific will? God is ready, willing and able to reveal His will concerning specific areas in our lives, however, His only prerequisite is that we obey His revealed will found in the Word of God!

Let me ask you these two simple questions:

1. Have you given yourself totally to the Lord for whatever He has for you to do?

2. Are you allowing yourself to be transformed by the renewing of your mind through meditating on His Holy Word?

We must have the spiritual hunger and a thirst for being filled. Matthew 5:6

Matthew 5:6 CSB

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Three Biblical guidelines will direct us in knowing God’s specific will:

1. Must be Consistent to His revealed Will as found in His Word (John 7:16-18

John 7:16–18 CSB

Jesus answered them, “My teaching isn’t mine but is from the one who sent me. If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. The one who speaks on his own seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

2. Must have the peace of the Comforter within, God the Holy Spirit (Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6–7 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

3. Must seek and agree with the wisdom of Counsel (Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 11:14 CSB

Without guidance, a people will fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.