How to know the will of God

that is my question, I have a big decision up ahead, me and my wife have been talking about moving, i think our motives for moving are right. But how to discern from a biblical viewpoint were we should move, or how we should know this place or that place is the place God has for us?

I have read many books were people have said things like - i felt this was the place, or i felt lead there or something similar.

But i dont trust my "feeling" always, and i was wondering what the bible says about this, I know there are large portion of scripture about moving, sometimes the whole people of God, sometimes just one man or one woman or so, but i would be very grateful for any help,

Let God direct your ways, let Him know You
desire His will be done in your life, and
if you have peace regarding your decision
to move, then AMEN!!

The peace follows the decision to committ
yourself to God's will for your life, and
that is the only issue that really matters!

Where do I go?
Since I come to the lord and even before, God has moved almost every year. I had long oh God give me a resting place, and each time he did. As I was thinking about each one was differnt.
One thing I know God called out and said move.

The frist place I was staying... God said you can't stay here anymore. There were ther was no doors opened, But I knew without doult I couldn't stay. So I said ok, I will obey. So I started packing my stuff.
and right I was done, he gave a new place.

Then next place my roomate was getting married, so I knew a place was needed. I prayed about it, I told talk with a lady at the Church,. Then their was a open door.

One time I didn't have a place to live, I had pack my bags and sold and got rid of most my stuff. God said to this, so I obey. But I had no place to go? then I went on mission trip and a family took me in.

Even before I was going to Africa and finding I wasn't going, my brother let me stay with him.
of course it is differnt with kids. but I think it the same God. He say... Go...and we are to obey.. and he does the rest... But I know much prayer, and walking it faith. I have talked with the Church for wisdom in these moves. and other time I just pray and he open a door.

One time God said go to China.. I had no money to go,, but I bought the visa,,, one week before I was to go he opened all doors.

I think I have learned that God calls out,, and say to walk in faith.. We are to obey

I see that, when I lacking in prayer and word, I have doult. Or so now My health I get weaker and I doult, my lack faith in who my God is.

all these time before I just turst with Joy.. What has become of my joy Now?
I think God sometimes put was in places where all we can turn is to Him..
that is what he is doing.. Praise Him, when He say turn to me, come and sit and listen..

Now with tursting our hearts,, this is what I am learning now in my new moving thing..
Maybe one would think why doult God don't I remeber that God opened all these doors in the past? But my heart says, oh what do? I want this, But do you want? I am lost, I am crying out for wisdom. Please hear and answer me..

Is our Father faithful to hear the crys of his children.? But I want to "learn the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with full stomach or empty, with plenty or little for I can do everything though Christ phil 4" 12-13

I came to rest, thinking I will go back to my brothers, and work and help and be really busy as I get.. My heart said I need to be there, I need to work,, I have too. I have no other place to go.. I was listening to my heart,, I didn't even no what my needs where? If I followed my heart I would have no rest, I would keep going.
But could hear voice God saying, you need to rest. Stop, but I can't I spoke back.. How can I?
Again God says all things are possble through me?

But when I came away to meet with God, this when I started to hear from His word.. This is my key I was in the word, for hours,, and yes much prayer.. Crying out.. speak to me.. It is only then do I hear which way I am to go.. But I confess I am still struggling. I heart longs to pray more, but I don't. I want faith to walk this road my God is asking me to walk on. I want the hope he is with me. Where do I find such hope? Where do I find such faith? only by prayer and words in the Bible.

God says not to live with my brother, But God I have no faith to walk in faith now. I am to weak.
I hear, but do I want to obey? I am staying just let me go back,
Can I trust my heart? No, but what God speak throug his word and others. I have went the elders and many godly people in the Church I have had many pray for me. I think this was good, for me to write this, bring me remeber my God is faithful to whatever he calls us to do..
If God is saying you can't go back, then will he not be faithful to find a new place? If he say I want you to this or that.. Will he not show us which way to go? Yes But I am seeing, we need to be in much prayer and word..

I was becomeing weary, Oh God do you hear my crys? Oh he does, and his timing is good. He is telling me, come and sit at my feet. come and want to hear of me. How long oh lord will I want the voice of man over yours? God use all things for good. He wants to draw us close. So let us go and sit at his feet and not get up until we hear from him...

ther was this guy I read about years ago that has changed my life. He said God put it on my heart to do something, but I didn't if this was from him, so I prayed all night and read I would not stop until I knew. I have done this some things in the past sometime it was a day then God answered some was two weeks. Other was 3 months, But God was faithful each time to show a clear way.. I guess I need hear my own words. I need to fall to my face and pray.. Know God will lead His people..Phil 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything instead pray about everthing . Tell God what you needand thank him for all he has done.Then you wil experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus"

It my flesh that keeps worrying and not thanking My God for what he has done.

In his love charlene

I have no answers, only can guide us.. Much prayer,, I will pray God will give you peace as you cast this at your feet

But how to discern from a biblical viewpoint were we should move, or how we should know this place or that place is the place God has for us?

Brother, the very fact that you are uncertain and confused should be a dead giveaway. When a child gets lost in the supermarket, he is instructed to stay in one place and wait. Mommy and Daddy will find him. The Lord God Himself will come for you and take your hand when it is time to move.

God didn't leave room for doubt in the wilderness wanderings of Israel. When the cloud lifted, they moved. No confusion, no arbitrary impulses. God is the same today; he is a God of certainty, a God of sobriety and a God who takes total control of every situation. If our lives are hidden in Christ, Christ Himself will lead us along the path, and we will follow.

He will open the doors and He will close the doors, and our duty is to only wait and trust and obey. You are correct to not trust feelings, for "feelings" are most always manipulated by your lower, carnal nature. Feelings, for example, can be stirred by reading the autobiography of Chrarles Finney. If the Christian doesn't have a clear perception between feelings and the resolute voice of God, he may think God is also calling Him to go and do the same as Finney. Or, worse yet, he may "feel" a sense of loss because he has not been used in the same capacity.

I can only tell you from experience that when God opens a door, you will know for sure. Then it's just a matter of obedience. [i]Stay where you are[/i] is my advice, stay and when God moves you you won't think twice of asking for advice on an internet forum -- you'll already be there!

Brother Paul

[b][size=x-large][font=Georgia]Nehemiah Newsletter[/font][/size][/b]
Issue 2\tMay2005

[b]Seeking Jesus,
Knowing His will.[/b]
By Darin Edgington

We all know that the Bible is Gods Word to us in all things. Jesus is the Word, John1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God.” What ever God will give us, He has already given to us in His Son. So then if you ask for guidance, you can find it in Jesus. These are two of my favorite verses that show how the Bible is the way for Spiritual guidance. Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Pr 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
Many people are seeking God and they have no idea how to seek for Him. Many Christians use their feelings to base their knowledge of God on. They will say, “I feel God in this place or I feel that God is telling me this and that.” God never intended for us to use our senses to confirm spiritual things, 2Corinth. 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” in this verse “by sight” represents our senses or walking by the flesh. The bible tells about sensual people: James 3:15 This wisdom descends not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish. And Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. As in the Old Testament. The Holy Oil used for anointing represents the Holy Spirit. Exodus 30:31 and say to the children of Israel, This is to be the Lord's holy oil, from generation to generation. 32. It is not to be used for man's flesh, and no other is to be made like it: holy it is, and you are to keep it holy. Psalm 133:2 the precious ointment upon the head, running down upon the beard, running down upon the beard of Aaron, running down upon the hem of his garment," The Oil never touched his skin (flesh), and he was the high priest.
\tSome Christians also seek God’s will and guidance by doing everything but read His Word. They will fast and pray for a “word” from God and hope to hear from him, they will ask all there friends for an opinion with out even opening the Bible. They will follow there heart, thinking that their heart is the source of spiritual direction. We must always remember that our hart is the last thing we should rely on. Jeremiah 17:9" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?”
\tMost people actually guess on Gods will. They will say, maybe God wants this or that and they go on and do what God maybe had said. Or they look for things and say, “Maybe it’s a sign from God.” Some People also use the thing that they read in the Bible and use that to guide them, Like in Acts 1:26 “And they cast their lots (drew straws or rolled dice), and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” In other words they put it to the decision of chance.
\t Or they might read Judges 6:37-40 “See, I will put the wool of a sheep on the grain-floor; if there is dew on the wool only, while all the earth is dry, then I will be certain that it is your purpose to give Israel salvation by my hand as you have said. 38 And it was so: for he got up early on the morning after, and twisting the wool in his hands, he got a basin full of water from the dew on the wool. 39 Then Gideon said to God, Do not be moved to wrath against me if I say only this: let me make one more test with the wool; let the wool now be dry, while the earth is covered with dew. 40 And that night God did so; for the wool was dry, and there was dew on all the earth round it.” This is an unwise way to live your Christian life. These things were done at times when the Holy Spirit was not given accept on Kings, Prophets, and High Priests. Normal people did not the Holy Spirit to guide them. So if there is any doubt at all, it is best to keep doing what you are already doing and trust that God will direct your paths without your guesses. It is like you steering a parked car, it can’t be done, for it must be moving. Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.” And remember Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. 6: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
There is a great passage in the Bible that talks about seeking and finding Jesus in the book of Luke 2:44 “Thinking that he was with their fellow-travelers, they went one day's journey before searching for him among their relations and acquaintances; 45: And then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him. 46: It was not till the third day that they found him in the Temple Courts, sitting among the Teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47: All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers. 48: And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I looked for you greatly distressed. 49: And He said to them, why did you look for Me? Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?
When you are seeking for guidance or God’s will in your life put yourself in His parents place in this text. Like you, they were seeking Jesus. Look at the conclusion of the text. They found Him in the temple in verse 48 and 49. His parents were looking everywhere among their relations and acquaintances then they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him. Jesus’ answer is the most revealing thing about finding Him. He said in verse 49 "Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" So, remember that when you are seeking Jesus, all you must do is to be where He is and do the things that pertain to our Fathers’ business.
\tYou might think that what I choose to do is not His perfect will or I am presuming on God and doing my own thing. Remember that when we were not Christian, our desires were our own and were selfish. When I became saved, my desires turned from my own desires to God’s and unselfish. Before I was saved I never desired to do anything with God but now my desires are only with Him and for His glory. Philippians 2:13 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.” God wants His values and HIS desires to become ours. HE wants our life and our actions to reflect or be replaced by His. Before we are save our minds are reprobate Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” but when we become saved we receive the mind of Christ. 1Corinth. 2:16 "For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ."\t
\tThere might be times that you just don't know what to do. It is when God seems to be silent for some reason. You don’t think you can keep doing what you are already doing for any reason and trust that God will direct your paths. You might be at a cross road, a dead end, or you are afraid to move forward in any decision. In these times give yourself to the lord in submission and full Faith. You must trust God that He is good and He will guide you through this time of indecision. Always remember that what ever the outcome is, even if it is unfavorable, it is His perfect will if you do everything in righteousness.
\tWhen these times come, remember the cross. The cross is where we find the difference between His will and ours. Some people have asked, “What does the cross actually mean?” A good way to think about what the cross means is that no one can stay alive being crucified on the cross; you will die if you stay hanging on the cross. Just like in real life, we must die daily carrying our cross. The cross is actually were GOD wants us. It means not your own will or your own life but God's life in you. Luke 17:33 “If anyone makes an attempt to keep his life, it will be taken from him, but if anyone gives up his life, he will keep it.” The word life in Greek is translated as your soul, your will, your mind, or your self. So then our life is not our own but the Lords. He is responsible for what ever the outcome of your circumstances. In light of all this, remember, Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee.” You know that if you guide with your eyes, the person that you are guiding must be looking at you to follow your eye.
\tAs you seek to know Gods guidance and His will, you should always be reading His Word and be watchful in prayer. Prayer is when you commune with God. There is different ways to commune with Him. You may converse by asking questions and He will respond by bringing to your mind verses and aspects of His character. You may even present arguments to Him like Moses did on behalf of Israel in Exodus 32:11-14. The arguments need to be based on His word and His ways. Why should He do something that you ask? For example: Present the argument that it would glorify Him in certain ways by giving a testimony of one or more of His attributes or by giving you a chance to be a witness in ways that couldn't be done by any other way but by Him answering your prayer in a yes answer. You may also argue that it will benefit His Church or a body of it, or just one person. This not only sways Gods heart, it confirms your thoughts and strengthens your faith. But remember that God does not bargain with you in prayer, to negotiate over the terms of an agreement or agree to certain terms or conditions. He will have it Hs way.
\tRemember, in all this, Balaam in these books of the Bible. He knew the will of God in what he should do but he still prayed for his own will. God let him go and do his own will at a price. Numbers 22 & 23, & 2 Peter 2:15 ” Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”, Jude 1:11 ” Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”, Revelation 2:14 “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”,
\tIn all this adherence to God’s Word, is there any way for me to move God’s Heart for my cause? How can I really persuade God in my Prayers? Remember Song of Solomon 4:9 “You have taken away my heart, my sister, my bride; you have taken away my heart, with one look you have taken it, with one chain of your neck!” In this verse you can move Gods heart with one look. That look is when we look to Him in our life in prayer. As with the chain of your neck, it is our will submitting to his Law. Prov. 1:8 “my son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother, 9: for they shall be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about thy neck. 6:20 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother: 21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.” Your neck represents your will as when God called the Children of Israel a “stiff necked People” Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! He was saying they were stubborn willed
\tSeeking Jesus & knowing His will is not only something that we do every once in a while when we think that we need it. It is a daily practice, through out the entire day. 1Thes. 5:17 pray without ceasing. Though we cannot literally fulfill this verse, we can continually be in the presence of the Holy One with prayerful attitude, consciously knowing that He is with us.

I can only tell you from experience that when God opens a door, you will know for sure.

Amen.

This has also been my experience. When I give my testimony about moving to another state and returning to college people often remark about how many doors God opened in order for it to happen.

My father came to visit me shortly after my move and I explained to him all that had taken place. He commented with a smile that God’s hand must have been at work. My father is not a religious man.

Dear friends, this is something I composed a few months ago with the help of a dear friend of mine. May God bless you.
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What Is The Will Of God For My Life?
Christians and non-Christians ponder about this one question, What is the will of God for my life ? Think about this for a moment, is this not the most important question in our life? For many Christians, this question is the most confusing and frustrating part of their Christian life. For many years, I myself have struggles with this question. Some questions such as committing adultery, murder, getting drunk, doing drugs; it is quiet clear the will of God for these obvious issues, we know that God's will is not to get involved in such sinful behavior. But what about other everyday issues such as where we to work, who we should marry, what kind of clothing to wear, what to eat or drink, is it ok to smoke, etc? It is these questions we get so confused and stressed in our lives and we have a hard time knowing God's will for these everyday issues.
My goal is to study God's word to answer this one important question What Is The Will Of God For My Life? . Please don't take what I write here for granted but so study the Scriptures yourself along with the verses I give here. I would like to give credit to John MacArthur who was the instrument God used help me with this study. With all this said, let us get started

In Psalm 143:10 David is crying out to God asking God to teach him to do God's will (Psa 143:10 Teach me to do Your will; for You are my God; .....). Here David was not praying, Lord I need to know your will but he was praying, Lord teach me to do Your will . The means that David already know what God's will was, he just needed the power to do it. This shows that doing God's will is a matter of obedience and needed to be empowered by God to do it. Listen to what Jesus said
Luke 22:42 Yet not My will, but Yours be done,
John 4:34 ..My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,
John 5:30 ...because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me,
John 6:38 For I came down from Heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me and when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, in the Lord's prayer He prayed Matthew 6:10 ...Your will be done.

It is clear that Jesus was only focused in doing His Father's will.

Let us also look at what the disciples wrote.
Act 21:14 And he not being persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Rom 1:10 always in my prayers, making request if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
Rom 15:32 so that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed with you.
1Pe 4:2 in order no longer to live in the lusts of men, but in the will of God the remaining time in the flesh.
Col 4:12 Epaphras greets you, he being of you, a servant of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

All these verses in the Scripture clearly shows that God wants His children to live according to His will.
The scripture talks about two kinds of will of God . The sovereign will of God and God's will for our personal lives.

Sovereign will of God

Psa 135:6 Every thing Jehovah pleased, He did in the heavens and in earth, and in the seas and all deep places.
Isa 46:9 Remember former things from forever; for I am God, and no other is God, even none like Me, Isa 46:10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure;
Psa 33:10 Jehovah brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He breaks the plots of the people. Psa 33:11 The counsel of Jehovah stands forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.
Dan 4:34-35 ........And all the people of the earth are counted as nothing; and He does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the people of the earth. And none can strike His hand, or say to Him, What are You doing?
Eph 1:11 in whom also we have been chosen to an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will,
This shows that there is a will of God which God Himself will finish perfectly. No person can never change God’s eternal purpose, if God said He will do and finish it, you can be absolutely certain that He will do and finish it. No person can every change it in any way. It is executed by His power. This shows God controls absolutely everything from beginning to end.

God's will on human level

But on the human level, God has a will for us. God revealed this in His holy law. Whether we do God's will or not, this has no effect at all in altering God’s sovereign will. God gave each of us the freedom to do or not to do God's will. Each of us have a choice to follow it or reject it and no matter what we do, God will perfectly align everything to His Glory.
If we obey or do not obey, it will not alter God’s sovereign plan in any way but everything we do, it will have a direct benefit on us personally for the present time and for eternity.
So, back to out all important question. How can I know God's will for me? To answer this question, we should not rely on own intuition or judgment to learn God’s will. We know that God has a will for us and He holds us responsible to do it. Since God holds us responsible to do His will, we can be certain that it is not mysterious, hidden or complicated. The most reliable and obvious place is His word (Bible) and it is absolutely and clearly stated there. So let us turn our attention to His Word to see what God tells us regarding His will for us.

There are 6 things the scripture talks about regarding the will of God for our lives.

1. Saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9)
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1Ti 2:4 who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
It is quiet clear that first will of God for us is that we be saved and become His children. If you are not saved, God's will for you is to be saved. So if someone comes to you and wants to learn the will of God regarding his marriage, the first question we should be asking is, are you saved? Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? If that person is not saved, then we need to direct that person to Christ first and foremost.

2. Spirit-filled (Controlled by God’s Spirit): Ephesians 5:17-121
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:19 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Eph 5:20 always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph 5:21 submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.

This verse teaches us some very important principles. First it say that if we don’t understand the will of God, we are unwise or foolish. Let us look at what it means to be Spirit-filled. Many people define being filled with the Holy Spirit in many different ways. Many people are confused about what it means to be filled with the Spirit. The best way to answer this question is to let the Bible answer it for us rather than using our own wisdom and understanding. Why did this verse say do not be drunk with wine? Because when we are drunk, we get controlled by it. Filled in Greek means, being controlled. Let us look at a few example in the Scripture to define what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

Joh 16:6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Luk 4:28 And hearing these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.
Luk 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, We saw wonderful things today.
Luk 6:11 And they were filled with madness, and talked with one another as to what they might do to Jesus.

Do you see how the Bible define its own questions. It is very clear from all these verses that being filled means to be controlled. A person can be controlled by sadness, anger, fear, wine and even the Holy Spirit. Let me give you an example. When we get angry, we are so controlled by anger that we cannot think or act straight. This anger takes over and we become totally out of control, we become controlled and dominated by it. This is what it means to be filled.
Since we defined being filled by the Spirit, then the next obvious question is, How do we get filled or controlled the Holy Spirit?

Before you read any further, please take some time to read the verses from Ephesians and Colossians below.
Let us look at Eph chapter 5 & 6 to answer this question. These verses says that if we are filled by the Spirit, then the result will be speaking to yourself in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, giving thanks to the lord, wives submitting to husband, husband loving wives as Christ loved the Church, children obeying their parents, slaves obeying their masters. Look what it says below in Colossians chapter 3. It says that if we have the Word of Christ, then the result will be the same as being filled by the Spirit. Paul is saying that if we are filled with the Spirit or if the Word of Christ dwells in us , the result will be the same thing.
This tells us that to be filled with the Spirit , we need to have the Word of Christ dwell in us. The Word of Christ and the Word of God is the same thing which is the Bible.

Eph 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit,
Eph 5:19 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 5:21 submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it,
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Eph 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Eph 6:5 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;

Col 3:16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.
Col 3:18 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as is becoming in the Lord.
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against them.
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Col 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they be discouraged.
Col 3:22 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
Col 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men;

There is noting mystical about being filled by the Spirit. What does it mean to be controlled by the Spirit, it means that our lives should be controlled or dominated by the Word/Bible. We cannot separate the Word and the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Author , Interpreter, Applier & enabler of the Bible. What this means is the Holy Spirit controls us when we are dominated by the Word. When the Word/Bible takes hold of out mind, will and emotion, we become totally filled by the Spirit. This is God's will for you and me.

3. Sanctified (separated from sin) (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification, for you to abstain from fornication,
1Th 4:4 each one of you to know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor
1Th 4:5 (not in the passion of lust, even as the nations who do not know God),
1Th 4:6 not to go beyond and defraud his brother in this matter (because the Lord is the avenger concerning all these, as we also have forewarned you and testified).
1Th 4:7 For God has not called us to uncleanness, but in sanctification.
1Th 4:8 Therefore he who despises does not despise man, but God, who also has given us His Holy Spirit.
There is 4 things which will sanctify us.
1. Abstain from sexual sin. If we are knowingly are sinning, then we are already out of the will of God. If we commit sexual sin, then we need to back up, repent and get back in the will of God. For example, if 2 people are sinning sexually, then it is certain that God is not in or will bless their marriage. It is not God’s will for those 2 people to get married.
2. Handle your body to honor God
3. Do not act like Godless people (heathen)
4. Don’t take advantage of other people
This is quiet clear so I don't need to say much more about this.

4. Submissive (1 Peter 2:13-15)
1Pe 2:13 Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme, 1Pe 2:14 or to governors as sent by Him for vengeance on evildoers, but for praise on well-doers. 1Pe 2:15 For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

Jam 4:7 Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Eph 5:21 submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God. Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Heb 13:17 Yield to those leading you, and be submissive, for they watch for your souls, as those who must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.
1Pe 2:13 Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme,

5. Suffering (1 Peter 3:17; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12)
1Pe 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God wills it, to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.

God's will is for His children to suffer for doing good. This is so far from what we learn from Christianity today. Many people teaches that God wants you to be happy, wealthy and have a comfortable life. Here, God is clearly telling us that it is the will of God for us to suffer. Some of you may be shocked to hear this so I will give you some more scriptures.

Philipp 1:29 For to you it is given on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it if you patiently endure while sinning and being buffeted? But if you suffer while doing good, and patiently endure, this is a grace from God.

Suffering for doing what is wrong is discipline, this is not what we are talking about. The suffering we are talking about is the suffering that results from doing good. God wants us to live in this hostile world enduring suffering from people (family, friends or anyone). In 1Pet5:10 says that after we suffered for a while, Lord will make us mature. This verse tells us that God will use suffering to perfect/mature us. When we live as a disciple of Christ, we will suffer persecution. 2 Cor 12:8, says Paul has embraced his suffering and he goes on to say that God’s power is perfected in his weaknesses 2Co 12:9 And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me .
Our spiritual power depends on our weakness and our weakness is the product of our suffering.

6. Be Thankful (1 Thess 5:18)
1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks all the time. This is it, this is God’s will for us. As a Christian, this is is the Will of God for our lives.

You may be saying at this point, what about the specifics like the person we are suppose to marry or the job I should have or what clothing I should wear or the food I should eat?
If you do all these things which the Scripture talks about, then do whatever you want. Marry whoever you want, work where ever you want, wear what ever you want, eat & drink whatever you want. This is the freedom we have as a Christian. If these 6 things are true in our lives, guess who controls our lives? It is God. There is nothing complicated about it. Don't expect to get a letter from heaven for all these specifics concerning your life. You may be saying at the point that I have no authority to come to this conclusion because you need the authority from the Scripture. Ok, here is the Scripture
Psa 37:4 Delight yourself also in Jehovah, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

When we delight in the Lord, He will plant his desires in our heart. When we delight in the Lord, all the wants or desires in our heart will be from God's perspective.
This means that if you are conforming to God's will in all the six ways listed above, He will place in your heart desires that reflect His will. So do whatever you want to do and enjoy your Christian life

Hi reformer,

That is funny that you mentioned John Macarthur and his sermon on "The will of God for My life."

I typed that entire sermon and posted it on my earlier post. I know that Sermonindex does not like me to post links to Youtube but that sermon video is on Youtube. Search for the title "John MacArthur - God's Will For Your Life."