How to Know God s Will for your life

Transcription

1 How to Know God s Will for your life Eric G. Walsh MD DrPH Based on the book by Morris Venden

2 Jeremiah 1 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

3 Jeremiah 20 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

4 Which Way? In life we all reach crossroads. HOW DO WE DETERMINE THE WAY TO GO!

5 The Mueller Factor Reprobate for 1st twenty years of his life Started orphanages once converted Never advertised his need would simply pray

6 Clearing the fog

7 The Mueller Factor In the course of his life Müller received from the pious and charitable no less than 1,500,000 ; He educated and sent out into the world no fewer than 123,000 pupils; He circulated 275,000 Bibles in different languages, with nearly as many smaller portions of Scripture;

8 The Mueller Factor He aided missions to the extent of 255,000 He supported 189 missionaries, and he employed 112 assistants.

9 Muellers 7 points & 1 Using Mueller and the scripture we find 8 points to help us know God s will in our life Remember that all steps are to be considered before making a decision

10 1. No Will of your Own on the Matter Mathew 26:39 not my will but thy will be done While ministering to the woman at the well Jesus went without food John 4:34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish His work

11 2. Don t go simply by feeling 2 Timothy 1:7 o For God hath not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind Isaiah 1:18 o Come let us reason together

12 3. Study God s Word Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path The word provides a source of communication and that is a source of guidance

13 Scripture For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

14 Scripture All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

15 4. Consider Providential Circumstances Deuteronomy 8:2 o Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led you David and Goliath (good example) Elijah running from Jezebel (bad example)

16 5. Consult with godly friends Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel the people fall and where there is a multitude of counselors there is safety Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly

17 6. Ask God in Prayer to reveal his Will James 1:5 If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and it shall be given him Take time to listen to the voice of God as well as asking for His direction

18 6. Ask God in Prayer to reveal his Will James 4:2-3 Ye lust and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

19 7. Make a Decision James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways Do not wait for the fleece Weigh the evidence and commit to a decision based on the first six steps and the evidence before you Tell God your decision (preferably before telling anyone else)

20 8. Proceed with your decision Ask God to stop you if you have not chosen right Open and shut door theory

21 8. Proceed with your decision Rev. 3:7,8 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

22 How to Know God s Will for your life 1.Have no will of your own 2.Don t go simply by feelings 3.Study God s Word 4.Consider Providential Circumstances

23 How to Know God s Will for your life 5.Consult with godly friends 6.Ask God in Prayer to reveal his Will 7.Make a decision 8.Proceed with your decision

24 Success takes sacrifice; Failure takes nothing.

25 Life and death is in the power of the tongue. What we think and say determines who we are.

26 Have a Plan Nobody plans to fail they simply fail to plan.

27 Jeremiah For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. I have plans to prosper you not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. 13 When you seek me in prayer and in worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul.