“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Eph. 5:15-17 (NIV)
I. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL?
• IT’S NOT A FEELING
• IT’S NOT A FORMULA
-Because it is not fix.
-Because it no room for failure.
• GOD’S WILL IS A RELATIONSHIP
“... God [has] invited you into this wonderful friendship with His Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 Cor. 1:9 (LB)
Focus on God, not His guidance.
II. HOW TO KNOW GOD’S WILL
1. ADMIT THAT I NEED GUIDANCE
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.”
Ps. 25:9
2. ASK IN FAITH FOR DIRECTION.
You have not because you ask not
“If you want to know that God really wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; but ... be sure that you really expect Him to tell you ... If you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.”
James 1:5-6 (LB)
Two keys Knowing God wisdom.
- Ask right person (God),
- Ask with right attitude (expect him to answer )
3. LISTEN FOR GOD’S RESPONSE.
“God does speak – sometimes one way and sometimes another – even though people may not understand it.”
- through bible (word of God)
- teaching (sermon)
- impression (must match with God's word)
- circumstances (circumstance which create pain in our life)
Job 33:14 (NCV)
4. TRUST GOD WHEN I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
“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.”
Pr. 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Your road led by a pathway through the sea – a pathway no one knew was there!”
Ps. 77:19 (LB)
• Don’t be fatalistic.
The idea of fatalism — that everything that happens is God’s will — leads to self-pity. It causes us to blame God for everything bad in our lives rather than accepting responsibility that we caused the problem. And, fatalism leads to passivity. It makes us think, “I’m waiting on God to bring me a wife” or “I’m waiting on God to get me a job.” God’s saying, “I gave you a brain! I gave you two feet! Get out and do something about it!”
• Don’t be frustrated.
If you try to figure out everything in your life, you’re going to be very frustrated. Sometimes you’re going to do what you think is God’s will, and it’s going to fail. “I thought God was leading me to start this business, but it failed.”
What do you do when there are no answers? You keep trusting God, knowing that he’s working on your character through all of your circumstances and that he has good plans for you.
• Don’t be fearful.
What is behind the fear of God’s will? The root problem is that you doubt God’s love. The Bible says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18a). We always get into trouble when we doubt God’s love, because when we don’t trust him, we don’t obey him.
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord... When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong because the Lord is the one who holds his hand.”
Ps. 37:23-24 (NAS)
6. ACT ON WHAT I ALREADY KNOW TO DO.
“Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning.”
James 4:17 (NCV)
“Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”
Pr. 27:1 (NIV)
“When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools.”
Eccl. 5:4 (NLT)
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