Determining God’s Will (Part 2)

Determining God’s Will (Part 2)

by John Nieder

Last month we began this series highlighting 3 important principles in Determining God’s Will: What does God’s Word say about the decision you are about to make, What are the desires of your heart and What are wise, spiritual counselors saying about your decision? We now continue with principle #4:

4. WHAT DO PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES SUGGEST?

Since God is sovereign we must also consider what our present circumstances tell us about His will for our lives. In and of themselves, circumstances cannot be the only way we discern God’s will for there are times when the decision He wants us to make requires great faith and makes little sense in terms of our present circumstances.

2 Corinthians 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me ...

1 Thessalonians 2:17,18 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you – certainly I, Paul did, again and again – but Satan stopped us.

Romans 1:9,10 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Revelation 3:7-8 These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

James 4:13-16 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. “ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

1 Corinthians 16:7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

1 Corinthians 4.19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.

5. HOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDING YOU?

Every true believer has the Holy Spirit living within. In the course of our day to day activities the Holy Spirit desires to guide and direct us. He reveals Jesus Christ to us and seeks to direct us by the Word of God and by His personal communication. When you have a thought or impression that seems to be beyond yourself it may be the Spirit of God seeking to guide you. Make sure that this “prompting” is in keeping with the objective truth found in the Word of God and, if so, carefully consider it as you seek to determine God’s will.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

Acts 20:23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

Romans 8:13,14 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

6. WHAT DO YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS SUGGEST ABOUT YOUR DECISION?

God gives every believer at least one spiritual gift to use to impact this world for Jesus Christ. When you are making a decision carefully weigh the impact it will have on your service for the Savior in terms of your spiritual gift(s).

1 Corinthians 12:7-12 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Romans 12:3-8 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

7. WHAT HAS GOD REVEALED TO YOU IN A TIME OF PRAYER?

The night before our Lord chose His disciples He spent the entire night in prayer. Important decisions demand an investment of prayer that allows us to really hear from heaven. Jeremiah 42:2,3 Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray to the LORD your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left. Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do. “ Daniel 9:23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.

Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: Luke 6:12,13 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.

Colossians 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.