God's Will Is ...

Some of the most commonly asked questions:

What do you think God wants me to do? What is God's will for my life? How do I know that I’m making the right decision? With this so many options, how can I know what is what? With so many choices, it’s no surprise that many of us fear if we make the wrong choice, we’ll be out of God’s perfect will and settle for God’s second best. Hearing the voice of God is essential to finding God’s will. However, many Christians are on their journey of discovering God and learning to recognize His voice. Is there a more liberating approach to finding God’s will without being familiar to the voice of God? How do you know that you’re making the right decision without hearing the voice of God, without receiving any prophesy or confirmations or signs from God?

Word:
What do you do when you cannot hear God’s voice, when you need His direction for a situation? Read the word. Search for principles.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT) - Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 

Sometimes you can’t see your future clearly, however you can obey His Word in your next step.

Wisdom:
There are things that God's word says, do not do. There are things that God's word says, always do. Whatever God's word says, our response is to follow. But when there is no clear scriptural and moral direction, God will give you wisdom to decide.

1 Corinthians 16:6 (NLT) - Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination.

Paul did not know the details, and yet, he served God, in a very effective manner. God is not always going to show you what to do in details. But He will give you wisdom to decide. Sometimes God is directing me. Other times God is trusting you.

Whatever:
With so many options, without faith, it is impossible to make any decision. Sometimes, it is all right to just decide. Do not over analyse, do not over spiritualize. Pray and make a decision by faith.

Colossians 3:17 (NLT) - And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Whatever you do, serve Christ there. Whoever you're dating, serve Christ there. Wherever you work, serve Christ there. You can serve the Lord in a thousand different jobs. We have taken this notion of calling and turned it upside down. Instead of finding God’s purpose in every kind of job, we are madly looking for the one job that will fulfil our purpose in life.

Work:
To pursue the will of God, it involves hard work from your part.  God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work hand in hand.

Proverbs 12:11 (NLT) - Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Faithfulness:
Many people worried about missing out on their purpose.  Do not just think about the capital P Purpose, but to think about the lowercase P purpose. Instead of just looking for the big one thing, but day after day, moment after moment, look for God's lowercase P purpose. You may see someone who has a need and you recognize that God's purpose for you in that moment is to meet that need. Even if it does not feel very big but you’re just stacking up the lowercase Ps. When you are faithful enough in those lower case P moments, over time you realize that God is trusting you with more and working through you in a more significant way.

Luke 16:10 (NLT) - If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Holiness:
The apostle Paul talked about the centre of the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NKJV) - “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” 

God’s will for your life is holiness. There is a danger of wanting to achieve something so badly that some people are willing to sacrifice their character. God will never sacrifice who you are for what you can accomplish. He is more concerned about who we are becoming than what we are achieving.

Discussion Questions:
1. What decisions are you making now that are important? Which principles can you apply to your own situation?
2. Will the decision help you to grow in your holiness? How is it going to help you to grow in your holiness?
3. As a Life Group, take time to pray for each other’s journey in discovering the will of God.