What Is God’s Will For My Life?
Posted On: June 19, 2019
I have spent several years working with middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students. A lot of changes happen from twelve to twenty, and many of the questions that are important to a middle school student are completely irrelevant to a college student. However, there is one question that pops up in lives of sixth graders and seniors alike. It also seems to be a question that can drive a young person (and many adults too) crazier than almost any other (read more about that here). That question is:What is God’s will for my life?
The will of God is an interesting theme in scripture. Compared to other scriptural ideas it is not a particularly prevalent theme. And when it is discussed, it rarely applies to the question what is God’s will for my life, at least not in the way that we tend to use it today. The bible talks about the decrees of God (they will certainly come to pass), and the commands of God (those things are up to you and me). Both of those speak of God’s will. The bible also talks about individual callings. But you cannot find a scriptural example of one of God’s people asking, “What is God’s will for my life?”
So, when you are haunted by that question you might want to first understand that no matter how much you want that questioned to be answered, it does not seem to be a very important question on God’s list. Before you get overwhelmed by the sting of that realization consider the following. You are both precious and unique to God. He values you more than any of us can really understand. At the same time, whatever it is that he calls you to do could be done by anyone else that he so chooses. That is because God’s will for your life has very little to do with what he is calling you to do, and almost everything to do with who he is calling you to be.
Go and read some of the handful of scriptures that deal with the phrase will of God(Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 7:9-10; Eph 6:6; Heb 10:36; 1 Pet 2:15, 4:2, 4:6, 4:19). Take the time to read the surrounding verses and see if you notice what I notice. There is nothing there about vocational callings. Instead, they all talk to essence of the Christian life and the fruit that it bears. These are the things that are described as the will of God in those verses: having your mind renewed, having godly sorrow and repentance, striving to please God instead of men, endurance, submitting to human institutions (even ungodly ones), not living for the lusts of your flesh, to live in the Spirit, and to suffer.
So, if you really want to know what the biblical answer is to the question, What is God’s will for my life? Look no further. He wants you to live a holy life. He wants you to treat others well. He wants you to be submissive. He wants you to suffer. And he wants you to endure. Encouraging, huh?
Perhaps we wrestle so hard over the question because we don’t want to know what the biblical answer really is. We have replaced the scriptural idea of God’s will for our life with questions that center around our individual comfort and importance, and that’s what really makes us struggle so hard over the question in the first place. Here is the irony. Our struggle with that question is a sign of just how far out of God’s will we are in the first place.
Author, Jonathan Stone 1/2/12 at http://www.stonewritten.com/?p=1136
Are you free?
Posted On: May 27, 2019
If you are an American like I am the question are you free sounds quite absurd. The natural response is of course I am free. I’m an American. Americans have been free since the revolutionary war. We decide who our president is. We have the freedom to go as far as we would like in our education. We can have the job we want and as much money as we want as long as we work hard enough. This is the freedom of being American.
When Jesus was on earth there was a group much like Americans in this respect. They believed they were free because they were the descendants of Abraham. They thought that they had never been slaves of anyone. They were puzzled when Jesus told them that they would be set free because they thought they already were.
Jesus responded to them and let them know they had it all wrong. Everyone whether they are descendants of Abraham, Americans, or another group of people who sins are slaves to sin. Freedom in the kingdom of God is not about what nationality you are, or how much opportunity you have. Jesus could scoffed at and scolded people who tried to define their freedom in such a way.
The only way to be free in God’s kingdom is by having Jesus set you free. Jesus sets us free by revealing the truth. When we choose to follow the truth he has revealed to us then we are truly set free.
Today is a great day to celebrate the freedom of America but it is important not to think that our earthly freedom is eternal or that it because we have an earthly freedom that we by default have spiritual freedom.
It is important today to ask the question: Am I free?
By: Danielle O’Neil
Story of Jesus taken from John 8: 31-38
How To Make A Right Decision
Posted On: May 24, 2019
Decisions are a fact of life. Some are easy; some are hard. If you want to make a good decision—one that has God’s blessing on it—then put these five steps into practice. Whether your decision is of the small, everyday variety or a bigger life issue, you can make it a good one!
Put God first.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 says, “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.” Regardless of what pressures you face, put God first and trust Him to lead you.
Spend time in the Word.
Proverbs 2:1-4 states, “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” God will lead you through His Word, showing you His perspective on your life and the decision you make.
Act on that Word.
Deuteronomy 30:14 says, “No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.” Even when it is difficult, determine to obey God’s Word.
Trust the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:14 reads, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to make the right decision every time.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Make prayer an important part of your life. Use your prayer time to thank God for all the things He’s done for you and to ask Him to help you with your needs.
God is on your side. He will help you make the decision you need to make. Put these steps into practice and trust the Lord, His Word and His Holy Spirit to show you the way so that you can make the best possible decision every time!
Source: Gloria Copeland, Standing in Your Dreams, 0614 BVOV, 2007 GLBC.
God Sees AND He knows!
Posted On: May 14, 2019
God sees AND God knows!
When you are sitting in a coffee shop and I walk in I see you. I know the color of the chair you are in, whether or not you are having something to drink, and can observe all that is going on around you. However that does not mean that I know you.
The word know has been defined as to have knowledge or clear and certain perception, as a truth.To be cognizant or aware, as of some fact, circumstance, or occurrence; have information, as about something.
Remember, the difference is God and Satan (and his demons) is that that Satan can see you but God sees AND knows you. The enemy of your soul, Satan, cannot “know” you, your inner desires and thoughts unless you speak them. He is not omniscient. Do not give any place to the Devil. This not only means don’t give him a place in your life but don’t let him “know” you! Do not speak out all your inner desires and thoughts. Too often we are snared by the words of our mouth so keep a guard on your heart for out of it flows the issues of life. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Take strength and comfort in the truth that God knows you. While you were in your mothers womb He formed and fashioned you. (Psalm 139) He knows your name and your destiny. (Jeremiah 29:11)
JOY IS GOD’S REMEDY FOR ANXIETY
Posted On: May 05, 2019
Paul described the Philippian believers as being filled with an abundance of joy in spite of suffering from a “great ordeal of affliction” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Christian joy transcends the sorrows of this present age.
Anxiety provoking events are challenges to joy. As Paul was writing to the Philippian church he was imprisoned. This certainly provoked anxiety among his brothers and sisters at Philippi (1:7). The Philippian congregation suffered from the selfish ambition and self interest of toxic leaders within the church (1:17; 2:21) and from opposition, suffering, conflict without the church (1:28-30; 3:2). A beloved church leader was “sick to the point of death” (2:26-30).
Anxiety is an alarm mechanism that alerts us to potential danger. Anxiety provokes positive change if we have the ability to manage or tolerate differences. However, anxiety prevents positive change if we are too reactive. There are two types of anxiety. First, there is acute anxiety which is generated by a crisis and is temporary. This is normal.
Second, there is chronic anxiety which is habitual and structured into life. Chronically anxious persons are governed by instinct rather than insight. They react emotionally and violently. They can be very willful, that is, everything must be according to their way. Chronically anxious persons suffer from a low pain threshold and must have immediate relief. They are self adsorbed and suffer from a sense of victimization. Their chronic anxiety often alienates them from family and friends. We must recognize that “habitual chronic anxiety” may be due to genetics, bio-chemical issues, and life experiences. In many of these cases chronic anxiety becomes compounded. Chronic anxiety is a disorder and the remedy must be spiritual, medical, and psychological. The problem is that chronically anxious persons usually can’t recognize their toxic behaviors; and because they have a low threshold for pain they instinctively react with anger if a friend or family member tries to point out their toxic behavior.
Joy is God’s remedy for anxiety. “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22) and joy is a source of great strength during times of great anxiety (Nehemiah 8:10). Paul exhorted,
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
We should not live in denial. Our sorrows are real. Often, even as we smile we suffer from anxiety (Proverbs 14:13). However, even as we live in a age of sorrow, God has given to us the Holy Spirit who fills us with love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22-23). The Christian walk is not defined by our sorrows, but by the abundance of joy. G K Chesterton said,
“Man is more himself… when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial… joy is the uproarious labor by which all things live.”
As we suffer from anxiety and sorrow we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). As we pray the peace of God will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We must learn to “dwell” on the good things (Philippians 4:8). The mind is healed and sanctified through prayer and thanksgiving; through meditation; and through spiritual discipline. Paul said, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). Many who suffer from habituated chronic anxiety can learn and practice spiritual disciplines that allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit to flourish in their lives. In Paul, the Philippian believers could see an example of one in whom sorrow was superficial and the joy of the Lord was abundant. Sometimes, if we are to be healed of our chronic anxiety we must have a non-anxious person to guide us, someone stronger and wiser, someone we can trust and respect.
Contributed by: Dr. Daniel Tomberlin @ dantomberlin.net
Getting to Know God
Posted On: April 29, 2019
When first meeting someone what do you do? Hopefully, you do not immediately start talking about yourself. The natural thing to do is to start asking them questions. These questions range from occupation to favorite color depending on the social context.
Asking people a million random questions about themselves is often times how we get to know people. We see question asking at its peak when first trying to spark a romantic relationship with someone. Whether its in person staying up all night talking or texting someone all day we have all played the question asking game. The more questions we ask the more we really want to know about the person
As Christians, many times we say we want to know God. We come to him asking what his will is for our lives and then dumping all of our problems on him saying, “Fix it.” Once he fixes the problems we barely even thank him and then go on with our lives till the next crisis comes.
Think about it for a second. What would happen if you did that to a human being, especially someone you just met? Things would not go very well. We would never really get to know anyone if all we wanted to do was talk about ourselves. It is impossible to get to know someone when we only ask questions pertaining to us. Think about how annoying it would be if someone said they wanted to know you yet all they did was ask what do you think about me and my life, and they constantly came nagging you to fix their problems. It would be extremely annoying, yet this is what we do to God often times. Fortunately he is gracious, and even in these times he answers prayers. He is an extremely loving God, if it were a human being they would probably start avoiding us at all costs.
Just as the questions you ask a human being when first meeting them and through out your relationship reveal the level of which you want to know them at, so it is with God. As with any relationship, asking God questions is a crucial part of getting to know him. Don’t just ask him questions about your life. We are created in the image of God. He has thoughts and feelings like we do. Ask him about them. You will be amazed at the heart of God. .
The greatest relationship of your life is waiting for you. All you have to do is ask!
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 recieves; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Written by: Danielle O'Neil @ danielleoneil.com
