CALLING AND FREE WILL?

We hear sermons and read about how we are to do everything for God without personal motivation. As much as I agree with this I still feel that this is nearly impossable. It is in our sinful nature that we have a personal agenda when we approach things. not to say that it is selfishness that drives us but rather concern. For example I am married and have two young daughters, so each time I have had to make a decision I seek the Lords will, however my family will always be of concern. So I pose this question : All though the Lord may direct us to a specific place and time and we need to follow in obediance, are there not other times were free will comes in to place and we need to make decisions by a general undertanding of Gods will?PLEASE NO QUOTES JUST PERSONAL OPINION OR EXPERIANCE.

We are full of so many questions and we need answers. By His grace, God does give us understanding so that we can please Him and help others. But in some things the will of God can't be found by searching and asking, we simply see His will unfold in the process of living in Christ. We hardly can recognize our own blindness and self-absorbtion. Even in our attempts at spiritual growth we are more concerned with what it will bring us than with what it will bring God. This is why we need to ask God not only for wisdom and understanding, but more importantly, for a simple willingness to walk in the light we receive.In Christ,Ron

It seems God speaks very clearly to some that I have met, while people like me are hungry, yet we do not clearly see the plan of God before us. So it my understanding that if we, that is, people like me, read His Word, and ask and obey the Spirit when He guides us, we should step out in faith in accordance what He teaches, just as David did with Goliath, just as Peter said for Jesus to call him onto the water, etc.I am lazy enough that I wish God would just speak to me audibly, but apparently it is His will that I search the Scriptures more, and seek Him in prayer, and that not being 'now I lay me down to sleep' kind of prayer, but really getting on my face.I share your feelings as people often asked me if I have been called specifically to the particular type of ministry I am working in, but to be honest, I just read the Great Commission and step out wherever I think God will be able to use me. Sometimes honestly, I would like to ask people how they were called to do what they do for a living, but I think people would think I was being smart. I think we throw this phrase, 'called', around pretty lightly. For me it was more of Him opening the way up. I follow His voice, but it is His voice of Scripture and me counting on Him to guide me as I trust and obey what I read with His help. There where situations that answered my godly desires to do His work, but I never heard an audible voice. Nothing against people who do, I just haven't got that intimate with the Lord, yet, though I would like to be.I do see why people use the word 'calling', but I rarely hear people say that they 'stepped out in faith', just obeying the Great Commission. Since you asked for no quotes I won't give them, but I heard this teaching from someone, to just step out in faith to serve Him, so I did. I didn't wait for a sign in the clouds. Years since then, I have had multiple spiritual experiences with Him, but I didn't wait for a spiritual experience to start serving Him. It seems He is confirming my walk in ways, which I am very thankful for, but even during some of these encounters with the Holy Ghost, I was not given a clear word what to do, so much as what I gave up (sin) or what I was seeking (Him) being given His seal of approval.

As I read your post I gather you want to do the will of the LORD and how can I always know what that will is? And how often does common sense tell me what his will is? One thing a Christian must understand is the Holy Spirit will not direct a person to sin. And neither will he tell you to abandon your family to pursue some ministry. So how can I tell when He is leading me? This question comes to most believers at some point in their walk with the LORD, I believe. Recently, as I pondered this issue I decided to talk to the LORD about it and asked him to teach me to recognize His voice. I meant it and am sincere. He has taken me at my word and is teaching me. If you honestly want to be obedient in everything I suggest you do the same and see what happens.ginnyrose