This terse statement reveals the ruling
This terse statement reveals the ruling passion of Jesus? life and the gold standard by which His every word, thought and deed were measured.
Jesus? simple but profound secret to His amazing life is encapsulated in John 5:19
So Jesus said to them, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.?
Again in John 4:34 Jesus said,
Jesus said to them, ?My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.?
Two chapters later in John 6:38 Jesus affirmed,
?For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.?
From the first stirrings of destiny at the age of 12 when Jesus informed His startled parents that he, ?must be about His Father?s business? to His agonized cry of ?not my will but Yours be done? in Gethsemane, Jesus made it abundantly clear that He sought only one thing in life, to please to the Father by doing His will and finishing the work God has given Him to do.
At any given moment of this day before us we have but one simple task: ascertain the will of God and do it. Simple, but by no means easy! Once our lives are consecrated and oriented to doing the will of God, all Hell breaks loose against us. The one thing Satan cannot and will not tolerate is the will of God being fulfilled in a believer?s life.
It is not our religious activity that threatens his kingdom nor is it even the ultimate sacrifice of our lives; Many at this very hour are willing to lay down their lives for causes which have nothing to do with God?s will.
The following are five checks and balances that I have found helpful in determining an opportunity is truly the will of God for my life. May they be a blessing to you too! never make a decision on the basis of just one criteria, but look for all five to line up. Begin by taking some time in prayer to empty your heart of any selfish preference. "Not my will, but Yours be done."
1. Is it in harmony with the principles of Scripture? Will I be violating a principle of the Word of God? The Holy Spirit will never lead us to do anything contrary to Scripture.
2. The witness of the Holy Spirit. If you don't have peace about a certain course of action, don't do it. As the Quakers used to say, "Mind the checks!"
3.The confirmation of Godly council. This may be your parents, your pastor, a close friend or any other maturing believer you are accountable to.
4. The confirmation of circumstances. When circumstances and resources begin to line up, that might be an indication that God is opening a door. We need to be careful though because Satan can order supernatural circumstances also.
5. Ask God's sovereign intervention. because our heart can be so easily deceived, I always ask God to open doors of opportunity that He wants open and to close doors that He wants closed.
Finally, determine in your heart that you will obey from the heart whatever God reveals to be His will.
Father, "Fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding..." [Colossians 1:9-11] Today, let me discover anew the blessing of obedience! Let your will be my bread! Not my will, but yours be done every second of this day, I ask in Jesus' Name!!
Created 11 months ago
