GOD’S WILL (PART ONE)

Having made known to us His will according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself (Ephesians 1:9 NKJV). The will of God is no other than God Himself; it is essential to Him; it is His nature and essence. God did not leave us without the knowledge of His will. This is why the Bible is made accessible both to the rich and poor, the young and the old. We have no excuse to fail in life and not to fulfil our God given purpose. God promises to reveal to us His will if we genuinely want to know. The Lord’s plan leads to welfare – happiness, well-being, and success; not calamity – trouble, affliction, and ruin. Understanding this principle is essential to discovering the Lord’s plan and purpose for us which will save us from financial, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual stress.

We are in the first month of the year, many have set new goals and new plans for themselves. The tragedy of life lies in having no goals to reach. This year is still very young that is why you need to ask yourself how you want your life to be this year; marriage-wise, spiritually, financially, ministry-wise, career-wise, and in the area of your investment, e t c. God does not want us to be doing trial and error in life. This is why He made available His word to us so that we can know His will for us in life even as we make our plans and set goals. In order for you and I to follow God’s plan for our lives, we must know what He has called us to become and what He has called us to do. It would be out of character for God to hide His will and then expects us to walk in it. The Bible also promises His guidance, all we need to do is ask Him. Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Apostle Paul indicated that it was possible to know the Father’s will and there by be fruitful (Colossians 1: 9 & 10). The Lord is faithful to reveal “the path of life” to those who seek Him (Psalm 16:11). If you are serious about following God's will, you have to recognize that it is not about getting what you want, but doing what God asks. You must trust that He is faithful and good, and that His will is what is best for you.

How can you discover God’s plan for your Life?

The Bible: The Word of God is the number one primary way to know God’s will for your life (2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17) “so as not to” be doing trial and error in business, making costly mistakes, endangering your health, having marital break-up in relationships, choosing the wrong job, etc. The only way we can be sure to stay true and in tune to God's Word is by studying it day and night so we can be sure to obey everything written in it. As we do so we can then be sure to prosper and have “good success” (Joshua 1: 8). We sometimes neglect or forget to consider scriptural truth of what God is saying to us about our situation when we feel overwhelmed there by drifting away from God’s will. Our Father in heaven desires to see us succeed in life, have the best of life and enjoy life in full all to His glory. God’s terms are faith and obedience. Faith is like electricity you don’t have to analyse or understand it to enjoy its benefits. If I may ask you, what has God told you to do? Obey Him and stop wavering between different opinions, stop procrastinating, stop complaining, stop arguing with Him and do what He tells you. Leave the consequences for Him to deal with.

PRAYER:  Prayer is a two way communication between God and man. It is the place where our pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made. Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God. Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope. Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord. Prayer is also a way of life for any child of God. As you study God's Word and spend time in prayer, your relationship with God grows and you begin to understand God's view point (1 John 5: 14 – 15). You will then be in the right place to hear God's instruction for other areas of your life.

I experienced a major turning point in my own prayer life when I learned simply to keep quiet after praying to hear what God has to say and to ask questions on every area of my life. That may sound odd to you, and it seemed odd to me at first why I should tell God everything including sex but as time goes on I became aware that God is not embarrassed at all with any topic of discussion I bring to him. He gives me advice, directions and tells me the consequences of half obedience. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Though at first it was very hard because I thought it was about me until I come to realise it’s all about Jesus. I take time to listen to what God might have to say to me and I ask questions when I don’t understand clearly. I also pen down on a book what He wants me to do. This has helped me a lot. Through experiences like this, God has shown me many times with great clarity what His will is for my life. They are truly life changing.

GODLY COUNSEL: In addition to Bible study and prayer, be willing to seek godly counsel from a mentor, pastor, or godly parent. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). Life can present us with challenges and decisions that are not easy to make on our own.  We may pray about the situation and read God’s Word for guidance, and still be confused and uncertain about the direction we should take. Some years back I felt I knew it all because I hear God speak to me. Beloved, I tell you it takes a lot of humility to seek counsel from other beloved brothers or pastors just because you feel you know everything. Two things the Bible makes very clear are the benefit of godly counsel and the detriment of ungodly counsel.  “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.”

Therefore it is imperative when seeking counsel that we examine the character and values of the person(s) of whom we receive advice (Reader please take note). Not only are one’s character and values of utmost importance, we must also factor in a person’s motives when evaluating the merit of their advice.  Receiving advice from a person who has an interest or gain from the decision we make can lead us astray. The more subtle, but equally misleading advice can come from people who care about us, they may give advice based on their own fears, insecurities or expectations.  For example, a situation that would require complete reliance and dependence upon the Lord may make a family member or friend uneasy and unwilling to support.  It is therefore imperative to seek advice from people who know and love God. 

CIRCUMSTANCES: There is no such thing as coincidence in this life. When you go through the Book of Esther from chapter 1 to the last chapter. None of the events happened by chance. How can you explain receiving an encouraging text from a friend who never knew what you were passing through? A beloved sister told me how she wanted to board a bus from Portharcourt to Calabar (one sate to another in Nigeria), and on that faithful day she was convinced by a man to travel with another bus rather than the usual bus she travels with. On her way to Calabar fifteen minutes later, lo and behold she saw that same bus she would have entered on the road-side, it had a fatal accident, and some people died on the spot. That was when she knew that God arranged that man to be there to save her life. 

The events that God allows— the family we were born into, the town in which we live, meeting a future mate, getting fired from a job, getting rebuked by a pastor or Christian leader, the skills, talents, and gifts we possess—are all part of God’s divine will for our success.

Culled from christiantoday.com, christiangrowthnetwork.com

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