Tag: God’s will

God’s Will…can we know it?

To do God’s will…this is my heart’s desire, for years I would beg God to show me His will…to show me how I could serve Him. Through the years, I have stepped forward in faith thinking I was doing His will, just to step back in doubt. BUT I have come to realize I have been asking the wrong question of God. Instead of asking “what” I needed to do, I needed to ask “who” I should be.

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

Romans 8:29 nlt

Becoming Like the Son of God

When we come to faith…believe that Jesus is the Son of God, confess our sins and surrender our lives to follow Him, we become a child of God (John 1:12, Galatians 3:26) and in a sense we are becoming like Jesus. But we need to grow in our faith so that the likeness of Jesus becomes more distinct in our lives.

How is this possible??  

To become like more Jesus, we need to personally have a clear…true vision of who He is. Our understanding of Jesus can’t only be based on what we remember having been told or taught by others…it needs to be our first hand knowledge.

The best way to do this is to read/study the God of Word daily. Even reading from different translations or to reading a passage aloud helps me to see afresh who Jesus is. Another key way I better understand God’s word and have come to see Jesus more clearly…is that I question the bible. 

I question it not to find fault or disagree but to understand what is said. Questions such as “who, what, where, when, why and how” help to unlock the meaning of the text. Then, I will follow this up with writing down what I have learned.

Let me give you an example of this questioning. Recently, I was reading John 13.

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 

John 13:1 nlt

When is this passage happening? It is before the Feast of the Passover.

Who is mentioned? Jesus, his Father and his disciples

What did Jesus know? He knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father 

What do we learn Jesus and his disciples? He loved them during his ministry on earth and now (when) he loved them to the very end.

So you might be asking how did Jesus love his disciples to the end? Keep reading in John 13 and you will find your answer. 🙂

Who are you becoming?

We are changing daily…we are becoming like the voices that we let speak into our lives.

Who influences you the most…those you follow on FaceBook, Instagram, YouTube, a favorite podcast or news show?

If we are not reading and thinking about God’s word daily, God will be have very little influence in our daily lives.

If you truly want to know God’s will…work on becoming like Jesus. Read slowly through a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) this summer. Read a paragraph. Stop to question the text and think about what you have learned. Write down what is said about Jesus’ character or nature. Then sit for a few minutes and consider how you could become more like him today.

Even in Trials…do what is right

Peter wrote a letter to Christians who were suffering various trials. He encouraged them to keep on rejoicing ( Holding on to Joy During Difficult Times ) and reminded them of the purpose of their calling (Joy is Living out the Purpose of Your Calling). Also he told them the importance of doing what is right.

Doing what is right…of course we are to “do what is right”. But what is right??img_3450

Everyone has an opinion about it. We cannot watch TV, read a newspaper or scroll through our Facebook feeds without people declaring what they believe to be “right” and expect all of us to agree with them.

Society would have us believe that if it feels good, gives us pleasure, or comes naturally… then it has to be the right thing to do.

If you are not sure what is right according to God, Peter’s letter can help with that. He included instructions throughout the letter – commands to be holy (1:15), fervent in love (1:22), submissive (2:13, 18; 3:1), and humble (5:6) just to name a few. Peter doesn’t just instruct the reader to do what is right…he reminds them WHY they are to do what is right.

1.  For the Lord’s Sake

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.                  1 Peter 2:13-15 nasb

Do what is right by submitting to governmental authority not for praise or to silence foolish men, but because it is God’s will. Paul points out that God establishes all authority and when we oppose authority…we oppose Him (Romans 13:1-2).

Doing what is right is honoring and valuing all people. It is caring for Christians as family. It is honoring those in authority. All of our actions are to be out of the reverence we have for God (1 Peter 2:17).

2. For the Sake of Conscience toward God

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 1 Peter 2:18-20

First thought this is not for me…I am not a slave. Yet this biblical principle to submit with respect can apply to the employee and employer relationship.  When we submit out of consciousness of God’s will, we might suffer now but ultimately will find favor with God.

3. For the Sake of Righteousness

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Peter 3:13-17

Suffer for doing what is right and I am blessed! Really? I don’t feel blessed…but feelings are not necessarily the reality. Jesus told us to expect tribulation (John 16:33) and when we are persecuted for righteousness we are blessed for the kingdom of heaven is ours and our reward will be great (Matthew 5:10-12). Remembering the blessing that comes with enduring trials (James 5:11) can help us do what is right today. Not to fear but be ready to give a defense for our faith with gentleness and reverence, realizing it could be God’s will that we are suffering for “doing what is right”.

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11