God's Will

There are some things we just know are the will of God. We know it is His will everyone turn from their sinful life to Him. He extends His hand of mercy patiently waiting for us to come to our senses.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

In Galatians, Paul tells us the same thing:  "He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father" 

And so, we can pray for people to come to a saving knowledge of Christ knowing God's will on the matter.

You can pray with confidence.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)

But what about other questions and concerns that arise in this life? How do I know God's will on those issues?

I once worked with a youth pastor who would lament, "If only God would send me a FAX telling me what to do!"

The truth is He sort of did ... not a FAX, but a wonderful collection of 66 books written by some 40 Holy Spirit-inspired men. God's holy Word tells us everything we need to know to live godly.

The specific answer to what you need to know might not be spelled out in scripture but if you are constantly in the Word you will find principles that will help you make right decisions.

Today, I'd like to direct your attention to something that IS spelled out in scripture as being the will of God for you to do. You'd like to know what that might be, right? I mean, as humans, we are all about doing something and crossing it off our list and getting brownie points for following the rules! (Or am I the only one?)

Here it is, in one simple statement that applies to all believers:

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Notice it doesn't say FOR everything give thanks, but IN everything. For example, I can't be thankful for a stomach virus, but I can be thankful for medicines, for sick days where I could be home and nurse my sickness, or I can be thankful it passes quickly ... You get the idea. 

Having an attitude of gratitude makes all the difference in life. You can live life being torn up with anxiety worrying about what to do, or you can find things to be thankful for in spite of the challenges, trusting God to work everything out for your good.

It's your choice!

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