6 r-

6
6
= Goo's
will
~
b See also Qyiet Time

== Determining God's Will in a Situation

= 1. Never make a decision contrary to the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to
fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well

:= with them and their children forever!

Proverbs 4:25-27 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze

= directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only
ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your
foot from evil.

= Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways," declares the LoRD.
James 3:17 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.

~ 2. Determining
ers for you.
God's will involves prayer for self and prayer of oth-

Colossians 1:9-11 For this reason, since the day we heard

;; about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God

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to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual
wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you
may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every
way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge
of God, being strengthened with all power according to his
glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
and joyfully. . .

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

3. Determining God's will involves the advice of those who are wise.
Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many
advisers make victory sure.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many
advisers they succeed.

4. Determining God's will involves avoiding sin.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how
to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask
you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For
you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the
Lord Jesus. It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you
should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to
control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in
passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.

Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as

unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because
the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what
the Lord's will is.

5. Determining God's will involves thankfulness as God leads.

Psalm 20:4-5 May he give you the desire of your heart and make
all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LoRD
grant all your requests.

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~

6. Determining God's will involves proceeding with a yielded heart.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
~
Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads
and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and
~ walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of

~ God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be trans-
~ formed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to
test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and
III
perfect will. al

~
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we
will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carryon business and
~ make money." 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. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the
:I Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

7. Remember, God is sovereign and has a plan we can have confi-

dence in.
~
Isaiah 25:1 0 LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise
your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous
~ things, things planned long ago.

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
~ along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness
into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These

; are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares
the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
~ you hope and a future."

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Psalm 138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love,
0 LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your
hands.

Jeremiah 10:23-24 I know, 0 LORD, that a man's life is not his

own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, LORD, but
only with justice-not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.

8. The past is full of examples of God's plan being carried through.

Isaiah 14:24, 27 The LORDAlmighty has sworn, "Surely, as I
have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will
stand.". . . For the LORDAlmighty has purposed, and who can
thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
Isaiah 43:13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can
deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverseit?

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