Seeking God's Will

Seeking God’s Will for Your Life
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Major decisions in life …
What is God’s will for my life?
Does He care about the decisions I make?
How would I ever know His will?
Finding God’s Will
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Principles we can use …
God’s word helps us to become people who can be confident we are living every day in the will of God …
#1 God’s will is more about who we are than what we do …
We focus more on specific decisions …
God says “My focus is primarily on who you are, not where you live …
“ This is the will of God” ….
In your giving …
2 Corinthians 8:5 they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
In your work …
Ephesians 6:5-6 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
“ This is the will of God” ….
As moral beings …
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality
As examples to unbelievers …
1 Peter 2:13-15 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men —
“ This is the will of God” ….
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
“ This is the will of God” ….
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
“ This is the will of God” ….
Would God rather be a gifted sculptor in our life, or a traffic cop?
Would He rather be a creative Father or just an information clerk?
#2 God wants us to desire Him more than just answers ….
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers;
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
#2 God wants us to desire Him more than just answers ….
Psalms 27:4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
#3 Our goal is not just finding God’s will but doing it …
Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
#3 Our goal is not just finding God’s will but doing it …
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
God’s plans for our lives …
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God’s plans for our lives …
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Some fundamental questions …
Is what I am contemplating consistent with Biblical teaching?
Have I prayed and ask God to providentially give me the wisdom I am seeking?
What do spiritually mature friends think?
Does this make good common sense?
God’s plans for our lives …
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Seeking God’s Will for Your Life
Jeremiah 29:11-13