What's God's Will?

James 4:13-15 (NIV)

13 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.” 14 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. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

1. The sovereign will of God is what God decides to do with or without you.   It is what God is doing on the earth.

2. The moral will of God is right or wrong.  What God has already said in His Word. 

3.  The personal will of God is what God desires for my life.  

The more I get to know the sovereign will of God and the moral will of God the better I will discern the personal will of God for my life.  

Ask...

What am I doing that I should not be doing?  

What am I not doing that I should be doing.

God is interested in every detail of your life.  God convicts us by telling us here's what you're doing wrong and how to get back on track.  

Satan uses condemnation by saying here's what you're doing wrong and your doomed.  

1 John 4:1 New International Version (NIV)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Put it to the Test, Ask...

1. Am I in a right relationship with God?  

Romans 12:2  (NIV)

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2. What does the Bible say?

Luke 21:33  (NIV)

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

3. What would Jesus do?  Does it follow the Spirit of Jesus?

James 3:14-17  (NIV)

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

4. Have I sought Godly counsel?

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,

    but victory is won through many advisers.

5. Do I sense God's peace in it?  Quite your soul to sense the peace of God. 

1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)

33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

6. It is my will or God's will?

Matthew 26:39  (NIV)

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

I want what God wants - period. 

Luke 9:23  (NIV)

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Get in the zone of God's will.  Life will be much simpler.  

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/whats-gods-will