How do we know God's will?

Hi all,I hope I've posted this in the right place--it's my second post do far.I've been praying for revival in Kenya and 2 Fridays ago, as I listened to a sermon by Leonard Ravenhill "Revival" (he preaches from Is. 5) the Lord showed up and revealed the true nature of my heart. I was brought low and cried like a baby, repented and changed a number of things in my life. However I believe the Lord wants me to make a very big and fundamental change in my life.And I'm scared.Because it has such far reaching consequences, I'm wondering how to be sure/get a confirmation.I have recieved prophetic statements that so far have not come to pass. It has led me to realise that there are times I have acted presumptuously.If you have somethign to say, I would appreciate it. But otherwise please join me in prayer.I don't want to settle for the good when I could have the best.

If you have somethign to say, I would appreciate it. But otherwise please join me in prayer. I don't want to settle for the good when I could have the best.We shall certainly join you in prayer that you would be filled with the knowledge of God's will.Also, when you mentioned not settling for "good" when you can have "best", I was reminded of a powerful sermon that Art katz preached, it is life changing ministry, perhaps you should give it a listen;Be Ye Perfect - Art KatzIn Christ,Ron

Thanks, I'm encouraged and I'm downloading!

I would only have one suggestion.I would strongly caution against some type of Word given to you, unless given to directly by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to speak directly to you and anyone the Spirit tells you is consistent with the Word. I went for a season where I needed to hear "A Word from the Lord" from other people but now I need to hear Him speak directly to me.As far as repentance goes, I know there's not a timeline per se. I've been repenting for 2 years and there's still some fallow ground in my heart, even though I'm not walking in any known sin. I'm not suggesting that your situation is the same as mine (not likely b/c I've truly had a multitude of things to repent over) but it's a process, as well as a lifestyle.Just keep your hands to the plough and your eyes on Jesus. That's all I would suggest.

The Will of God will always bring you to a cross and never contradict his written word.While it sometimes seems sponteouness , it's usually only after much prayer and a willingness to die to self that one really understands God's will.Rember the devil will never lead you to the Word of God in reading or obedience to it out of a sense of Holy Fear and the devil will always show you another way out side of the cross Of Jesus Christ.Rom 12:1-2 Good -- seems good to the body of believers I fellowship with Acceptable --- is acceptable to me perfect ---will have God's perfect peace in its leading.

One way to know God's will is continue in the Bible and prayer, with the heart to follow Jesus and Him only.

Hi Richard,Gideons advice:I would strongly caution against some type of Word given to you, unless given to directly by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to speak directly to you and anyone the Spirit tells you is consistent with the Word. I went for a season where I needed to hear "A Word from the Lord" from other people but now I need to hear Him speak directly to me.Is well said. Be a good Berean and confirm everything by what God's word says, it alone is the true standard by which we can judge all things. Receiving prophetic statements as you put it tends to raise a red flag in that the days are evil and many false prophets have arisen if I may put it that way. Just a caution. Also this may be of some help in the whole realm of defining what prophecy means in our time as well as time past: Men spake from God In the first post by Philologos there is another link by the same name that is a good study as well.Also, are you familiar with YWAM Athi- River Training Centre there in Nairobi? Curious, just getting together a package to send to them when I saw your post.

A wise son said "It is written"

Dear all,Thanks for all your input and prayer.I didn't recieve this by prophecy. It's just a call to deeper consecration and holiness. I'm learning to pray not just to hear God's voice, but to have the grace to follow what He says. What I believe to be God's voice leads me right to the cross and leaves me there. I believe I'm being called to radical obedience. But because it means a career change, I've got to be sure."We are called to do God's work, God's way and in God's timing." Badly quoted, but I hope you catch my drift.Dear Mike,I know YWAM in Kenya and they have a great testimony. Athi River is 40km south of Nairobi, but I haven't had the pleasure of knowing any YWAM member.BTW: It's a pleasure and priviledge to be a part of sermonindex.

Brother Richard,I understand now and we'll pray for you more specifically. Jesus calls for repentance and obedience. Our walk and talk must be consistent. There's little value in repentance without obedience. The two things are intrinsically linked.As far as your work, I pray that the Lord will lead you and that if you fail to follow His guidance that it will lead to emptiness of heart and purpose. I'm praying that if I don't follow that it will lead to great anguish of heart (a very dangerous prayer).Jesus will answer you so submit to Him as He speaks to your heart and as He quickens your heart through the Word.Praise God, Jesus is going to do a wonderful thing in your life. That's all I say brother, praise God...

Thanks Br. Gideons,There's a song by Third Day "Take my life" that has a chorus that goes..."Please take from me my life, what I don't have the strength, to give it away to You."Don't know what to say, except my prayer is for whatever it takes so I learn to obey God's voice.I thank God there are still people who don't massage the flesh, and do it with compassion. :)

OK, I guess I have to elaborate,The few times I have sought God held nothing back, I get convicted to lead a more pure life. Then, as I examine my life prayerfully, I don't see an option but to change my career.For this reason:In Kenya and many other African/Asian countries, most (93%) software is pirated. Well, I excelled in that stuff. I am responsible for distrubuting a great majority of graphics software to my friends and to my office. For over 12 years I've been known as the man with the connections. Having the latest software comes with advantages, like cutting edge knowledge. So I am where I am partly because of hard work, but also because of unfair advantage.Now the justification many use is that sotware from the likes of Microsoft and Adobe is way too expensive for third-world economies--and it is, many times over.And I have used that argument to justify my actions, but again, whenever I reach out to the Lord this always comes up.So, in my view for me to live without this conviction, I must not just stop sharing pirated software, but also stop using it as well.For things to be put right, 9 out of every 10 computers in Kenya would have to be put off.But for me it's very simple. "Do not steal"I can't argue with that. I can't wriggle away from that. And I don't know if I should.I'm praying for revival. I read about the move of the Spirit of God in Europe and America and in Uganda in times past and I have a fair idea of how it would be like when the Holy Spirit falls.He doesn't maintain the status quo. He changes people and how they look at things. And He is holy.So I ask myself, am I being legalistic?Should I judge the voice of God by the seeming impossibility of the task (that's rhetorical)?What if it's true?What if God's standard for me is far higher than I think it should be?I believe this conviction is in line with Scripture, and so from the Lord.In this condition, it's hard to pray "Confirm your will," or "Please speak to me again."However, the truth is I am so used to my career and my life as it is, and I don't know any other, and so I pray for courage and fortitude and boldness.Please pray with/for me.

I'm smiling as I'm replying to your last post, Precious One. Oh, how we all can relate! Press on, Brother, Press on! Don't wait for your earthly reasoning to kick in! Flee to the spiritual mountains! Selah.