| Poster | Thread | Santana
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Joined: 2006/8/17
Posts: 286
| | What does "I don't know if it's Gods will for my life." mean? | | I've said it and heard it a hundred times.
Example:
Q - Have you decided if your going back to college?
A - I don't know if that's Gods will for my life.
I know what that means but is it being spiritual? Doesn't the bible say the steps of a righteous man are ordered. Shouldn't we just go where we want since were right with the Lord.
I'm not speaking on life changing decisions but more on practical things in life.
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Leonardo Santana
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|  2007/10/18 16:51 | Profile | sermonindex
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Online! | | | 2007/10/18 17:01 | Profile | ccchhhrrriiisss
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Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779
| | Re: | | Hi Greg...
That is a very good message. I printed a copy for a young man going through a difficult time deciding what "God's will for his life" is. Thanks for sharing it!
:-)
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Christopher
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| | 2007/10/18 23:20 | Profile | theopenlife
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Joined: 2007/1/30
Posts: 926
| | Re: | | It is so easy to shake the scripture 8-ball and hope for an answer. On the contrary...
The book of Acts records James saying, "[b]It seemed good unto us[/b], being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul" when they convened the counsel." (Acts 15:25)
Paul constantly said things such as, "But now having no more place in these parts, and [b]having a great desire these many years[/b] to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, [b]I will come[/b] to you." (Romans 15:23-34)
Paul writes to the Corinthians concerning Apollos "[b]I greatly desired him to come[/b] unto you with the brethren: but [b]his will was not at all to come[/b] at this time; but [b]he will come when he shall have convenient time[/b]." (1 Cor 16:12)
How do we know what is best?
2 Tim 3:16-17
"[b]All scripture is given by inspiration of God[/b], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished [b]unto all good works[/b]."
Consider the options, weigh them against scripture; check your motives, seek to glorify God with what time you have - pray and resign the conclusion to God's will.
Spend your time obeying what you do know is His will and He will provide opportunities to obey Him in greater ways. |
| | 2007/10/19 3:03 | Profile |
| | Re: What does "I don't know if it's Gods will for my life." mean? | | Quote:
[i]I don't know if that's Gods will for my life.[/i]
I know what that means but is it being spiritual? Doesn't the bible say the steps of a righteous man are ordered. Shouldn't we just go where we want since were right with the Lord.
"And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. [i]Thy will be done,[/i] as in heaven, so in earth." (LUKE 11:2)
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; [i]but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.[/i]" (MATT 7:21)
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [i]For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.[/i] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, [i]Inasmuch as ye have [b]done it[/b] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.[/i]" (MATT 25:34-40)
Notice our Lord speaks nothing of whether one should go back to University or not, take this job or that, buy the house or the duplex, go to Hawaii or the Caribbean for vacation, invest in stocks or mutual funds, buy the sedan or the family van...
Notice instead the qualifications one needs to enter the Kingdom of Heaven:
Feed the hungry; heal the sick; give to the poor; clothe the naked; visit the prisoners... |
| | 2007/10/19 4:45 | |
| | Re: What does "I don't know if it's Gods will for my life." mean? | |
To me, the title of thread
Quote:
What does "I don't know if it's Gods will for my life." mean?
speaks of inexperience in seeking God for absolute guidance on what His will [u]is[/u], at a given point of time.
I've realised recently that when one is utterly realistic about what one's options are, they are always much more limited than our imaginations give us to believe. We may think we could go do this or that instead, but once we examine our finances and research what it would mean to do one thing instead of another, we hit roadblocks which are impossible to be overcome, unless God is speaking to us about believing Him to remove those roadblocks.
As we are doing the necessary research of our imagined options, the Lord is faithful to give us a sense of ease about the one He wants us to pursue, and disquiet about those which are not His will.
I believe also we must pray what He gives us to pray. The meaning is the same, but note the method He plans for you to use on this occasion.
Examples.
Lord, please open the door you want me to go through.
Lord, please close every door except the one you want me to go through.
Lord, please give me grace and patience to keep trying doors until one opens for me.
Okay, that was about doors. But you can tackle the financial provision in a similar way, asking Him to provide the right money\income\other necessity to pursue the course of His choice.
You, of course, have no intention of choosing anything other than His choice. 8-) His choice comes first, and you prepare yourself to do it will all your heart and soul and strength - whatever it is. (Wow! That was a word for me too!)
Another way to lay out your options is by the options themselves. You may know deep down what it is you feel Him calling you towards, but the gulf between where you are now, and what you think He wants you to do, seems like about ten years, yet it's the only thing that appeals. So... find out about it. Be prepared to ditch all your previous conservative, socially approved doors-standing-wide-open options promising security, status, respectability (etc.) and find out [i]how[/i] to do His will. You will learn a lot as you move towards it, and He will be working in you a great many necessary attributes such as perseverance, endurance, patience, faith, hope, commitment, and above all the prospect of knowing you will be in the centre of His will when you get there... What's weird about this one is that while you're going through the [i]process[/i], you [i]are[/i] in the centre of His will. :-) And you might be at university or College, or simply working very hard in a tough environment to earn the money you need. All the while though, look to the Lord, eat His word, and practise obedience in the minutest details of His revelations to you.
One last thing occurred to me as I began replying here, and that's that if you're a Calvinist, and you have the idea God is going to fix everything for the rest of your life without your engaging with Him personally in the quest for mutual understanding... I think you could find yourself drifting around without much sense of purpose.
It really is important for each of us to fill our place in the body of Christ, no matter how young we are in Him, or how old. We all are [i]always[/i] facing new circumstances. God intends this, to keep edging us off what we know naturally, into a greater knowledge of Himself. Once one learns that He uses our mistakes and there is no escape from His love if we will receive it - correction and all - it matters even more that we are doing our utmost to understand what He wants from us, and trying to give it to Him. He needs us to care about this, for our own good, because He cares about it more than we do and is intensely interested in our acknowledgement of His gracious provisions for us. He is always pleased with our efforts at communication, however faltering, because He made us to be communicators, like Himself and above all, with Himself.
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| | 2007/10/19 10:58 | | TaylorOtwell
Member
Joined: 2006/6/19
Posts: 927
Arkansas
| | Re: What does "I don't know if it's Gods will for my life." mean? | | Greetings,
Since "theopenlife" posted some Scriptures on the topic, I thought I would commend to you a book that may be beneficial.
[url=http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=522052&netp_id=337805&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW#curr]"Decision Making and the Will of God"[/url] - by Garry Frieson and Robin Maxson
This book has been recommended to me by some trustworthy and sound brothers in the faith.
From what I gather, the book advocates a more Biblical view of decision making, that is less mystical (and subjective) and more Scripture-based (objective truth).
_________________
Taylor Otwell
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| | 2007/10/19 12:05 | Profile | ccchhhrrriiisss
Member
Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779
| | Re: | | Hi Corey_H... Quote:
"And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." (LUKE 11:2)
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (MATT 7:21)
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (MATT 25:34-40)
Notice our Lord speaks nothing of whether one should go back to University or not, take this job or that, buy the house or the duplex, go to Hawaii or the Caribbean for vacation, invest in stocks or mutual funds, buy the sedan or the family van...
Notice instead the qualifications one needs to enter the Kingdom of Heaven:
Feed the hungry; heal the sick; give to the poor; clothe the naked; visit the prisoners...
Good points. Those things are vital to the ministry of Christ to this world. We don't necessarily have to pray about whether or not we [i]should[/i] do such good works, but the manner and timing in which those works should be carried out.
During my undergraduate years, I was involved in a ministry on our campus called Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. We held wonderful prayer meetings, Bible studies, and evangelistic work throughout the campus. Sometimes, we would simply begin worshipping outside. It was a tremendous time -- and we were introducing the Lord to many. Eventually, our group grew from five to well over 150 people. Our campus pastors were a faculty member who was a journalism professor who was a long time pastor with Calvary Chapel, and a professor of communications who was affiliated with a local Baptist church. We were maturing tremendously during this time.
One day, a very zealous young man (and his three sisters) began attending Chi Alpha. He was extremely zealous for the Lord, and expressed a desire to become involved. The University requires "officers" for every student organization (for accountability purposes). Even though these "offices" mattered little to Chi Alpha, this young man took it upon himself to make "mountains out of molehills." He eventaully ran unsuccessfully for the office of president over four years. During that time, he and his sisters complained constantly about our "priorities." If our official missions did not line up with what he felt was "God's will," then he seized the opportunity to publicly and privately criticize our organization (even claiming that we had "the Jezebel spirit"). Yet he continued his unsuccessful "campaign" for President.
Throughout the school year, we would have a few fund raisers in order to send money to missionaries and pastors that we supported in Mexico. This young man felt that the "important mission" is right there in our own college community. We, of course, agreed -- but still felt the privilege to be able to send funds abroad. This young man complained, "[i]Why are you washing cars for money?!? Why wouldn't you just do it for FREE?!? Is this a ministry or a money-making machine?!?[/i]" Eventually, this young man criticized our efforts loudly and often enough -- that support eventually waned.
On the other hand, this young man tried to constantly sign us up for works that he proclaimed to be "the will of God." He pushed us to organize tiresome efforts that often interfered with school, work, and even church meetings. He told us that "[i]God showed him[/i]" that we needed to be involved, and we must "[i]comply with God's will[/i]!" Any time that we didn't feel the same, the criticism freely flowed. This young man was involved with a local congregation that seemed to want "control" over and "credit" for this very "successful" student organization. We later discovered that this young man's pastor was the one filling him with the "direction" that he perceived to be "God's will" for our organization.
Eventually, our advisors had enough. They confronted the young man and his pastor. These two defended their actions (and gossip) by claiming that "God's will" is found in the Word. They argued that such will was "beyond reproach." Our advisors then asked them, "[i]Why, then, are you sitting here in this meeting? Why are you not out knocking on doors, passing out tracts, and performing free car washes? If "God's will" is such a binding contract -- why aren't you doing it at least 16 hours a day?!?[/i]" Of course, there was no answer given.
I believe that we all understand the will of God, as written in Word. We are to feed the hungry. We are to visit the sick, hurting and the prisoners. We are to clothe the naked. We are to share the Good News with the lost. But at what point does TIME and WISDOM enter into the "will of God?" Should a young lady walk alone into a drug house because "it is 'God's will' that they must hear the truth?" Are we to quit providing for our families and hop on a plane to Africa because we feel a burden for starving people? Are we to sell all that we own and drive ourselves and our families to work in AIDS hospices in Nigeria? Do we give up our jobs, our house, our cars, our time and move our family to downtown Bagdad so that the Iraqis can hear the Word of the Lord?
It is certainly the "will of God" that people everywhere will hear the message of the Lord. But is it necessarily "God's will" that we are the specific vessel intended for every good work? I would love to visit a hospice every Saturday. But my wife would love for me to spend time with her. I would love to quit my job and preach in Iran. But my wife would love for me to be a provider for our family.
The question of the "will of God" is sometimes lost in translation. It is easy to remember that we should do the things mentioned in Matthew 25 or the book of Acts. But what about "providing for our families." The will of God is certainly clear -- but it doesn't separate us from our "natural" responsibilities. It is just as "spiritual" to take care of my wife as it is to share the truth with an Iraqi. God still gives us "free will." We should strive to know whether or not it is the will of the Lord for us to do every single work on this Earth.
Should we pray about whether or not we wash our hair, wash our clothes, or get a job? Of course not. While these things are not specifically written in the Word, it is clear that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16) and we should provide for our families (I Timothy 5:8). But I think that the question is usually the specific things pertaining to "God's will" for our lives:
- WHERE should I work;
- HOW should I dress;
- WHERE should I minister;
etc...
I do believe that God gives us the liberty to live life FOR His good purpose. This allows us to continue working for Him WHILE we still take care of the necessities of life. Periodically, I believe that God can give us an unquenchable burden to perform a certain task or a specific work. If this is so, then He will certainly make the necessary arrangements to fulfill that task.
:-)
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Christopher
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| | 2007/10/19 12:17 | Profile |
| | Re: | | Quote:
It is certainly the "will of God" that people everywhere will hear the message of the Lord. But is it necessarily "God's will" that we are the specific vessel intended for every good work? [i]I would love to visit a hospice every Saturday.[/i] [b]But my wife would love for me to spend time with her.[/b] [i]I would love to quit my job and preach in Iran.[/i] [b]But my wife would love for me to be a provider for our family.[/b]
So when you stand before that Great Sapphire Throne of judgment, surrounded by flames, seraphim, cherubim and saints, you'll come empty-handed because you're whipped?
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. [i]He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.[/i] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (MATT 10:34-38)
Quote:
But what about "providing for our families." The will of God is certainly clear -- but it doesn't separate us from our "natural" responsibilities.
True.
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (I TIM 5:8)
But the Lord's will still trump's your will or even your wife's.
Quote:
It is just as "spiritual" to take care of my wife as it is to share the truth with an Iraqi. God still gives us "free will." We should strive to know whether or not it is the will of the Lord for us to do every single work on this Earth.
The Lord doesn't mince words. His commandments aren't confusing. They're deadly earnest.
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and [i]ye gave me no meat[/i]: I was thirsty, and [i]ye gave me no drink[/i]: I was a stranger, and [i]ye took me not in[/i]: naked, and [i]ye clothed me not[/i]: sick, and in prison, and [b][i]ye visited me not[/i][/b]. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, [i]Inasmuch as ye [b]did it not[/b] to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.[/i] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment..." (MATT 25:41-46) |
| | 2007/10/19 13:57 | | ccchhhrrriiisss
Member
Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779
| | Re: | | Hi Corey_H...
I didn't mean to convey that "God's will" doesn't supercede the "whims" of my wife. I meant to express that my wife's desire to spend time with me and have me provide for our family [u]IS[/u] a major part of the "will of God" (I Timothy 5:8). If I am not a good steward at home, then I am not qualified to go out and take care of the more publicly visual things that we suppose are part of the "will of God." It is best to do the former and THEN practice the latter (rather than the other way around).
The demands of life (marriage, parenthood, school, job) sometimes restrict our time. Just because we can't go visit the old-folks home this Saturday doesn't mean that we are "[i]out of God's will[/i]." Just because we don't visit the local jail once-a-week doesn't mean that we are "out of God's will." We do what we can in full liberty knowing that what we do, we do [i]unto the Lord[/i]. God knows our heart and our responsibilities. We should still do those other Matthew 25 things whenever possible without neglecting our responsibilities according to the Word.
:-)
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Christopher
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| | 2007/10/19 14:15 | Profile |
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