The Will of God

Dear All,

I just wanted to find out:
1/ How do you know God's Will in your life? Especially when you want to be sure whether you are being called for a full-time Christian work? {like the Lord called Peter, Matthew(Levi)etc..?}

2/ If you are indeed sure that He is calling you out, is it necessary to go for a Seminary?

1. Read the scriptures, study the scriptures, obey the scriptures, Pray , pray, pray. And when you sense God is leading you one way, you should go.

2. No you dont have to go to a seminar, Peter, John, Matthew dident go, only one of the apostles that went to a school was Paul, sort of, before he meet Christ. So it is not necessary. It might be useful and a means the Lord can use. But you dont have to go, some of Gods most used men and women never set their foot in a bible school, and yet again, some of Gods most used people did go to some school.

But one thing is necessary, to be filled with the Spirit, no school in the world or knowledge can make up for that. And if you have that, you need nothing else.

Seek God

The will of God is definite and determined.
His will is definite in purpose; so we can
seek His will and discover His purpose. His
will is determined by His truth, which is His
Word. When in doubt, we can always determine
His will according to His truth. God wants
us to prove His will for us is good, perfect,
and right. His will is always our wisest
choice.

E. B. PUSEY

I have found the following advice from George Mueller to be very helpful, perhaps you will too.

How to Know the Will of God for My Life

1. I seek to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in a given matter. [b]When we are ready to do the Lord's will—whatever it may be—nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome.[/b]

2. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

3. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, God's Word. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us, He will do it according to the Scriptures, never contrary to them.

4. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

5. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me.

6. Thus, through prayer, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge. If my mind is thus at peace and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. I have found this method always effective in trivial or important issues.

(emphasis mine)

There is a wonderful book by Andrew Murry and I think it is called "The will of God". I'm sure you could find it on the internet if you put his name in a search engine.

blessings, bonni

I once heard a story from a horse trainer.
He told the people of the town to bring him the worst and most rebellious horses and he would see if they were redeemable.

He took the first horse and put a halter on it ,and began to walk the horse.

He said "do you see how this horse is trying to walk ahead of me?"
So he jerked the horse back

Then as he kept walking He said" now look at his trying to make me pull him along"

So he jerked the horse forward.

Then the horse tried to crowd him and he jerked the horse away.

After about 10 minutes the horse seemed to be transformed.

He said"now look at him walking beside me."

And then he made a comment that was awesome
He said" If you cant teach this horse to walk beside you and be happy,you will not teach him anything"

Brother, whatever your calling or office always remember this little story. And get on fire for Jesus.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,......and all things will be added unto you.

May Gods very best blessing be on you and your family

David

Hi All

thanks for the posts. They are helpful.

By the way-- i could not find "God's will- by Andrew Murray" anywhere on the 'www'? Does anyone have a '.pdf' of it?

I have also found "Finding God's Will- by Zac Poonen" to be helpful. Just for your info.

kind regards,
A

Actually, it is hard to comment on this kind of post, without knowing some personal informations.

Regarding the 2nd question about going into seminary, I think it would depend on the denominational affiliation of the the poster because some might require this to be accepted in the clergy. It also depends somehow in the particular theological view of the poster.

Even if the plan is limited only on doing evangelistic works(church planter,1 Cor 3 appolus and paul), one may find himself to give an account of his theology for watering of the church, other than preaching the gospel.

So, a firm theological backround will be helpful. In the early days theological learning is very personal as you can read in the new testament ex. paul and timothy. But going into a bible school or seminary is very useful with proper perspective e.g. by not getting beholden to anyman and his teachings.

Going 'fulltime' into the ministry is not a prohibited choice, but you have to count all the cost, one must pass a very intensive soul searching in all aspects of this decision. Reading from biographies of 'great' Christians or testimonies of our 'fulltime' brothers in the field will be helpful, it can give insight in the inner nature of the issue.

Going independent or by partnership (like paul and barnabas), is another aspect of 'fulltime ministry' which have their own issues and concerns to be tackled.

Dear A Run,

The correct title of Andrew Murray's book is "Thy Will Be Done" You can read it on Google book search.

I'm sorry That I don't know how to put it on here so you could click on the link, I'm not very computer savvy.
:-(

blessings, bonni

Thanks for your posts.

#"Bonni"-- no worries.. i will try and find out the book myself. Thanks for your support.

#I do agree with "Passerby's" comments. Theology/Firm Knowledge of the Scriptures is a must- especially in these days where deception is flooded all over.

#"kyriosity": I agree with you as well. I think no one can be willing to give their life(in serving full-time) without first be willing to give their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans-12:1/2). One brother told me that these days people are willing to give their life to God, but they don't give their eyes,tongue etc... to God- how true!

*For me its difficult to imagine God calling someone without first testing him thoroughly (i am not saying that the person is to pass in every test- but God looks at his motives whether he is interested in overcoming and to be pleasing to God).
*I also think that God usually calls whole hearted/zealous people who are already engaged in secular work. This is primarily because he will be ministering to people who are in secular fields and he can to a great extent understand their problems since he himself has been through those trials and knows how to overcome(in secular field). The Lord Himself has chosen Levi, Peter, John & James who were working in their respective fields.

Will of God:
1/ I believe God reveals His will through the Word of God. A Person being called out for any work for GOD usually has 'strivings of the Holy Spirit', where his heart is moved with burden towards to do something for God. And then God does confirm this with His Word- usually while the person is meditating on the scriptures. (Psalm 119:105)
2/ God also confirms His call through other servants of God. "Acts 13:2" is an amazing portion of the scriptures. It is truly amazing to see the early apostles guided so clearly through the Spirit of God. I believe we need to ask the Lord to take us to those Old Paths- its amazing how those early apostles lived and served!
3/ I have also met people who are guided by visions and dreams--- but i myself have not experienced anything as yet.

A-Run wrote:
Dear All,

I just wanted to find out:
1/ How do you know God's Will in your life? Especially when you want to be sure whether you are being called for a full-time Christian work? {like the Lord called Peter, Matthew(Levi)etc..?}

2/ If you are indeed sure that He is calling you out, is it necessary to go for a Seminary?

We all know that the Bible is Gods Word to us in all things. Jesus is the Word, [b]John1:1-2[/b] [color=990000]In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[b]2:[/b] He was in the beginning with God.[/color]
What ever God will give us, He has already given to us in His Son. Therefore, if you ask for guidance, you can find it in Jesus. These next verses are two of my favorite verses that show how the Bible is the way for Spiritual guidance.
[b]Psalms 119:105[/b] [color=990000]Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Prov 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.[/color]

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, [b]2Corinth. 5:7[/b] [color=990000]for we walk by faith, not by sight.[/color]
In this verse “by sight” represents our senses or walking by the flesh. The bible tells about sensual people:
[b]James 3:15[/b] [color=990000]This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, [b]sensual[/b], devilish.[/color]
And:
[b]Jude 1:19[/b] [color=990000]These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.[/color]
As in the Old Testament. The Holy Oil used for anointing represents the Holy Spirit.
[b]Exodus 30:3-32[/b] [color=990000]and say to the children of Israel, This is to be the Lord's holy oil, from generation to generation.
[b]32:[/b] 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.[/color]
[b]Psalm 133:2[/b] [color=990000]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,[/color]
The Oil never touched his skin (flesh), and he was the high priest.
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Some 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.
[b]Jeremiah 17:9[/b] [color=990000]supplanting is the heart of a man: frail & unaidable: who shall comprehend it?[/color]
The verse actualy means that the heart is supplanting, it removes you from the source of true knowledge & it takes the place of that source of truth so that you may rely on it.
You can not aid it the heart to make it acceptable, for it is unaidable in that respect. It was not created for the purpose in which dome use it. It is frail, weak as the flesh is, and no one can figure it out.
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Most 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 which they read in the Bible and use that to guide them, as in:
[b]Acts 1:26[/b] [color=990000]And they cast their lots (drew straws or rolled dice), and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.[/color]
In other words they put it to the decision of chance.\t
Or they might read:
[b]Judges 6:37-40[/b] [color=990000]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.
[b]39:[/b] 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.
[b]40:[/b] And that night God did so; for the wool was dry, and there was dew on all the earth round it.[/color]
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 few people. Normaly, people did not the have 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.
[b]Psalm 37:23[/b] [color=990000]The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.[/color]
And remember:
[b]Proverbs 3:5[/b] [color=990000]Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.
[b]6:[/b] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.[/color]

There is a great passage in the Bible that talks about seeking and finding Jesus in the book of:
[b]Luke 2:44-49[/b] [color=990000]Thinking that he was with their fellow-travelers, they went one day's journey before searching for him among their relations and acquaintances;
[b]45:[/b] And then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
[b]46:[/b] 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.
[b]47:[/b] All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
[b]48:[/b] 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.
[b]49:[/b] And He said to them, why did you look for Me? Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?[/color]

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, search everywhere but the place n which He shoukd be. 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:
[b]49:[/b] [color=990000]"Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"[/color]

Therefore, 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.
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You might think that what you choose to do is not His perfect will or thst you am presuming on God and doing your own thing. Remember that when we were not Christian, our desires were our own and were selfish. When we become saved, our desires turned from our own desires to God's and unselfish. Before we were saved we never desired to do anything with God but now our desires are only with Him and for His glory.
[b]Philippians 2:13[/b] [color=990000]For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.[/color]
God wants His values and HIS desires to become ours. HE wants our life and our actions to reflect or be replaced by His. When we become saved we receive the mind of Christ.
[b]1Corinth. 2:16[/b] [color=990000]For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.[/color]
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There 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.
\t
Furthermore, when 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.
[b]Luke 17:33[/b] [color=990000]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.[/color]
The word life in Greek is translated as your soul, your will, your mind, or your self. Therefore, 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
[b]Psalm 32:8[/b] [color=990000]I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee.[/color]
You know that if you guide with your eyes, the person that you are guiding must be looking at you to follow your eye in directing them.
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As 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: [b]Exodus 32:11-14:[/b]
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.
However, one must keep in mind 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 only have it His way, we are the ones who must yield.
\t
Remember, 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.
[b]Numbers 22 & 23, & 2 Peter 2:15[/b] [color=990000]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[/color]
[b]Jude 1:11[/b] [color=990000]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.[/color]

[b]Revelation 2:14[/b] [color=990000]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.[/color]
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In all this adherence to God's Word, is there any way for us to move God's Heart for my cause? How can we really persuade God in our Prayers? Remember Song of
[b]Solomon 4:9[/b] [color=990000]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![/color]

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.
[b]Prov. 1:8[/b] [color=990000]my son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother,
[b]9:[/b] for they shall be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about thy neck.[/color]
[b]6:20-21[/b] [color=990000]My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother:
[b]21:[/b] 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[/color]
[b]Exodus 32:9[/b] [color=990000]And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people![/color]
He was saying they were stubborn willed

Seeking 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.

With deep study of theology is the quiet devotion and meditation letting your whole being be saturated by the Lord.

Inordinate study of theology can make your heart cold.

May I quote from the devotional book "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis:

"What does it avail to discourse profoundly of the Trinity if you are void of humility and are thereby displeasing to the Trinity?

Surely profound words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuos life makes him dear to God.

I would rather feel contrition than know the definition thereof. If you know the whole bible by heart, and the saying of all the philosophers, what would all that profit you without love.

Vanity of vanities...all is vanity except to love God and serve Him only..."

Let us look at the harder aspects of the issue:

1. Is it trustworthy to believe that our lives has a preordained roadmap or sort of a very specific and detailed blueprint, which we must follow.

2. Do we have to wait for a vision, dreams, voices, and other extraordinary signs before we
embark on matters or decisions that would radically change our or other's lives; marriage, ministry, vocation, etc.

Hi 'passerby',

1st pt.: Are you asking whether we are predestinated or not? If i understand it correctly-- I believe we are! But God would not force His Ways on anyone. God shows us the paths and leaves the decisions to us (there are a no. of scripture portions to highlight this fact. for eg: Balaam, Jonah and the Israelites in the OT). And i also believe that God has predestined us to be like Jesus- this is the most important thing one must not forget(Romans 8:29).

2nd pt: I dont think we need to wait for visions, dreams etc... but we can certainly take guidance from His Word and the Holy Spirit before we do something. As i read through the "ACTS of The Apostles", i see that the disciples were guided almost all the time-- this does tell me that its safe and best to be guided always (and it need not necessarily take longer time).

Not really reffering to the doctrine of predestination in particular but to the belief that our lives has to follow a sort of a 'blueprint'. And failing to know and follow that 'blueprint' is the cause of someone's trouble.

For example in case of marriage; that there is a 'specific woman' for someone to marry and one therefore blames all his marital troubles to the belief that he has not married the 'specific woman' rather than his own irresponsibility and carelesness.

I do share however, your sentiments in your previous posts.

Hi

[size=xx-small][For example in case of marriage; that there is a 'specific woman' for someone to marry and one therefore blames all his marital troubles to the belief that he has not married the 'specific woman' rather than his own irresponsibility and carelesness][/size]

This is interesting what you said!
OK- Is it true that we do have a 'one specific woman' to whom we are to be married?
If so, how are you absolutely sure of finding that girl?