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UNDERSTANDING THE WILL OF GOD: Part 2

As we continue in this subject of understanding the will of God, we must become rooted in one fact. God definitely wants us to know His will, even though it often seems hidden from us. The question remains, however, “Why then does it seem at times so difficult for us to discover, or to discern the will of God?” In this series of articles we will attempt to answer this and other related questions.

Concerning this apparent difficulty, one explanation might be that the Lord is teaching us patience. Maybe He wants us to take the time to grow in our relationship with Him personally as well as in our understanding of spiritual things. Then we can find our direction from within rather than by just responding blindly to a vocal command. Jesus explained to His disciples in John 15:15: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

There is a time to be children and servants but there is also a time to grow up in the Father’s house, and in the wisdom and knowledge of His Purpose. He desires a people in whom He can entrust this knowledge, and who will perform His will. Oh yes, the details will come in time, but first must come the revelation of what He truly desires.

The prophet Isaiah has shared this Word of instruction:

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this People. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.” {Isa.28:9-12}

What a pity that Israel at that time and many in this day are not willing to endure the discipline of sitting at His feet and hearing His Word. True spiritual growth takes time and real devotion to learning His principles. Instead, many would prefer to have a prophet tell them what to do. God, of course will use this, but this is not His best. He desires for all to know him, from the least unto the greatest, and through knowing Him experience the divinely guided walk. {Hebrews 8:10-11}

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”{James 1:5-7}

There is no doubt that heavenly wisdom is a great source of divine guidance, but how is it imparted unto us? There are a number of ways, and all of them are a direct result of faith, confidence and trust in the Father’s Love. God is speaking to us all the time, we only need receptive ears to hear and receive of Him. He may speak through a circumstance, a friend, or even an enemy. All the holy writers of old have given His Word to us and their ministries have stood the test of time. Please do not reject them on the basis of our changing times. Even though cultures and the environment have changed, the spirit of what they spoke is still relevant to us today. Even non-Christian cultures will witness to the importance of the virtues that are extolled in the Bible. Man instinctively knows that love, compassion, honesty, faithfulness, respect, commitment, fairness and other principles must be adhered to if humanity is to survive.

Finally and foremost, God has spoken unto us by His Son – through His teachings as well as by His Life. He began that living message two thousand years ago and continues to speak among us through all who will yield their lives and their voices unto Him. Can you hear Him? He is calling you upward, into a higher life. That higher life is NOT an escape from your physical existence, but it is one that will overpower all the limitations that you face each day. Listen as you hear Him through those countless thousands as they continue to press on into His Life passionately. Observe their determination, their stability, and the inner peace they possess as they daily challenge the obstacles which confront them. Receive their strength and join ranks with them. They are God’s army — those who will silently bring down the forces of the anti-christ. That false saviour is now being exposed for the illusion that he really is, and multitudes are being released from his lies into the true freedom of the Lord!

I would like to encourage you to begin prayerfully reading the Bible with a view to observing this underlying theme of God’s LOVE. Allow the principles of Christ to become fused into the very fiber of your being. Hear the words of His inspired messengers as well as the guidance you receive from friends who have proven their devotion to Him. His plan and His Will for your life then will become increasingly clearer to you, for “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day!” {Prov 4:18}

UNDERSTANDING THE WILL OF GOD: Part 1

Many of us have come to appreciate the importance of living in the will of God. Perhaps we learned this after having made a poor decision which bred a disastrous outcome. There are many motives people may have, but the real value in knowing His will is the peace of mind we can enjoy as we live in obedience to Him.

Anyone who truly loves the Lord will naturally desire to do His will, but sometimes human emotions can easily obscure God’s purpose from our minds. The effort to determine God’s will in specific circumstances has driven people to chasing after signs and dreams and even prophecies that are usually very vague and open to broad interpretation. Over the centuries, many people have died violently and needlessly as a result of terribly flawed interpretations of the will of God.

In spite of all this, the fact remains that God does speak to His people in dreams and visions and prophecies. Some of these cannot be confirmed by the scriptures in every detail, but there is still a great measure of safety that can be found from a pure relationship with the Father and a thorough study of His Word.

Much of what we will be discussing here must come as a result of one’s direct, personal experience, but we also believe in the importance of communicating and sharing experiences with each other. This can definitely eliminate some of the trial and error involved. In these discussions, we hope that together we can explore some very fundamental principles that will aid us in following on to know the Lord and His will. Ultimately we must all experience the relationship that Jesus had with the Father when He naturally lived that will in human flesh. Every day direction and decision-making will grow out from this foundation.

Understanding the will of God begins with an understanding of the nature of God Himself. At first this might seem presumptuous, until we begin to reflect on the great lengths He has went to in order to express Himself to us. He definitely wants us to KNOW HIM and His will, even though many other concepts have often distracted us.

In past centuries He has gave us Moses and the Prophets to guide us. These men taught us and expressed unto us God’s nature and purpose, each in their own unique and individual way. The answer to the question concerning God’s will was answered by Micah very eloquently: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” {Micah 6:8}

These words definitely clarify the issue, and many of us would do well to step back and look at our personal and collective Christian activities to see if they really contribute to this stated purpose. I don’t believe any of us could go very wrong if we kept fairness and mercy and humility as principles to guide us as we walk in the presence of the Lord.

Being the final message from God, Jesus went even further. He was the fullness of the Divine Nature expressed. {Hebrews 1:1-3} He told us not only what to do but what we can BE. He said we can be like our Heavenly Father from Whom we sprang forth. Jesus also brought unto us the Kingdom of God. In this sphere of existence where Jesus lives, the will of God is not only practiced, but also powerfully demonstrated. It presents man in His highest level of existence. All other kingdoms are clearly contrasted from this one which is of divine origin.

Before Jesus came, it was understood that God was the Creator. This tells us something of what He does. By coming and living among us, however, and dying to end our guilt and sin, Jesus fully revealed unto us the true nature of God. GOD IS LOVE. He not only has love but He IS love! It takes a great commitment to the truth, and the forsaking of some old ideas in order to let myself truly believe that – but when I do, a load is lifted and the freedom which is realized is beyond compare! All fears are cast out for I have finally found someone in Whom I can fully trust.

If you are truly committed to receiving the Love of God and surrendering all your cares unto Him, you are ready to begin a fantastic journey into God and His glorious, heavenly Kingdom, where you will surely learn of the great beauty, the wonder and the passion of His will for you!

The Radical Christmas Message

Have you ever considered the full implications of the Biblical stories and verses which every year are commonly referenced in our carols and found on our greeting cards during this season?

These implications are discussed in the audio message below entitled, “Kingdom Conversations,” as presented on December 9, 2012 at Emmanuel Church of Etna. www.emmanuelohio.com

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