This month - In this month - Just so you know - Knowing God’s will

In this month

  George Cadbury was born on 19th September 1839 and is renowned for starting to produce Cadbury’s Chocolate.

  He moved his early factory from Birmingham to a new site outside the city, which he called ‘Bournville’.  He is well remembered for building a 250 acre village there, comprising good, spacious houses for all his workers.  

  Each house has a garden and the village had wide open spaces - remarkable conditions for 19th century factory workers.

  George Cadbury sold the houses to his workers at cost price and on very reasonable loans.

  The money spent on the excellent facilities reflected the value that George Cadbury placed in each of his workers and their families. He was a committed Christian - a member of the Society of Friends.

  For personal prayer: Lord God, may others respect and value me as much as I do them. Amen.

  Adapted by Helen Little from ‘Praying each day of the year’, by Nicholas Hutchinson.

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Just so you know...

Many of the important figures in the Bible had clear weaknesses:

* Moses was a murderer.
* Timothy had a weak stomach.
* Paul had a ‘thorn in the flesh’.
* Jonah disobeyed God.
* David was a murderer and adulterer.
* Abraham was too old to father a son.
* Gideon was scared.
* Amos was only a peasant farmer.
* John Mark was unreliable.
* Jacob was a liar.
* Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
* Elijah was ‘burnt out’.
* Noah was a drunkard.
* Saul consulted a witch.
* Hezekiah was naive.
* James & John were impulsive.
* Peter was disloyal.
* Thomas was a doubter.
* Samson was deceived.
* Ruth was a penniless widow.

  Yet God was able to use each of them.

  It’s also a Scriptural principle that God’s choice does not necessarily accord with ours.  Thus:

* Isaac was blessed above Ishmail.
* Jacob was blessed above Esau.
* Perez was blessed above Zerah.
* Joseph was blessed above his brothers.
* Ephraim was blessed above Manasseh.
* Judah was blessed above Reuben.
* Both Gideon and David were blessed above their older brothers.

From Summon’s Christian Miscellany (ISBN 0745951740).

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Some thoughts suggested by James 1:15 - 18.

Knowing God’s will

  How can I know God's will?  This question ranges from knowing who you are and what your purpose is, to knowing how to make specific decisions on your occupation or political matters.  It's an important question.  Jesus emphasised it many times - for example, see John 4: 34; John 5: 30 and John 6: 38. 

  Unfortunately, we can't always know what God’s will is for us.  Paul didn't always know.  On one occasion he assured his friends: "I will return to you if God wills." (Acts 18: 21)

  Even Jesus didn't always know, or else he wouldn't have said, ‘if’ and ‘nevertheless’.  The Scriptures say: “He ... fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt...” (Matt. 26: 39)

  Even so, there are some guidelines we can use to determine God's will.

1. Scripture

  There is God's message to us in the Scriptures.  However, memorising a verse is not enough.  Satan spouted scripture to Jesus. (Matt 4: 6)  Jesus replied that superficial knowledge is not enough.  Rather, your understanding of the Scriptures must be profound. (Matt 22: 29)

  Paul also said that able ministers aren't literalists: ‘(God)... made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.’ (II Cor 3: 6) 

  He told Timothy that wise students of Scripture study for a purpose and use their knowledge to achieve practical aims: ‘Thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (II Tim 3: 15) 

  Using the Scriptures to determine God's will isn't easy.  Instead, we must understand the depth and context.  We must emphasise the spirit and not the letter. 

  Furthermore, because of cultural differences and enormous changes in our society, many areas of ethical concern are not even mentioned in the Scriptures.  If we really know Jesus, however, we'll begin to realise how he would react in any given situation.  

  His overall attitude of love can give direction to our lives.  That's why we must filter all admonitions through Jesus - God's most perfect revelation.

2. Reason

  The next step in determining God's will is using our reason.  Isaiah said: "Come now, and let us reason together..." (Isa 1: 18) 

  Reason includes life's principles and nature's methods.  In other words, use the mind God gave you.  Commonsense won't conflict with sound doctrine.

  Paul used both Scripture and logic in conjunction with each other. (Acts 17: 2 and Acts 18: 4)

  To use reason, we must get all the information we can.  We must consider all current observations and past experiences.  If something is right, you won't have to ‘fix it’.  If something is true you won't have to stretch your credulity.  You won't have to try to justify certain elements and deny other elements.  You won't have to continually resort to the lame excuse, "Well, we just weren't meant to know that."

  God's will isn't complex and devious.  Instead, it's often found in the simple and obvious.    Your natural talents give clues to your calling in life.  God doesn't waste his gifts.  If you have an ability, then that's evidence that it is to be used.

3. Counsel

  The next step in determining God's will is to take reliable advice.  

  Solomon said: “A wise man will hear and increase in learning.” (Prov 1: 5)

  Solomon emphasised the importance of taking good advice and heeding wise instruction. (Prov 19: 20)

  God can speak to us through loving parents, concerned friends and trained therapists.

  Jethro advised Moses.  Priscilla advised Apollo.  Ananias advised Paul.  All of us can learn from each other.

4. Circumstances 

  Another important step in determining God's will is the consideration of circumstances.   Jesus said experience is valid - see Matt 11: 3 - 4:

  ‘When John... sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the coming one, or shall we look for someone else?”... Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John the things which you hear and see.”’    

  Note events, situations and possibilities.  Consider which needs are evident.  Take strange ‘coincidences’ seriously.  If one path or area of service constantly confronts you, maybe that's your calling.

  Even so, we must work within our possibilities.  Paul couldn't go into Asia, so he went to Macedonia.  Sometimes these unexpected ‘serendipities’ prove to be the most fruitful projects of our lives.  Saying, ‘God works in mysterious ways’ means that surprises and twists of fate can provide us with great opportunities. 

5. Intuition

  The last step in determining God's will may be called intuition.  Solomon said: ‘In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ (Prov 3: 6)

  The term ‘intuition’ has received bad press.  We ridicule hunches; but there is evidence that those unexpected urges are valid.  Our ‘gut feeling’" expresses the wisdom of our sub-conscience and contains a storehouse of information.  Body language and other subliminal clues influence these ‘feelings’.  It's usually a mistake to ignore our heart or refuse to follow our constructive impulses.  This intangible motivation can be recognised as our own moral conscience or the direction of the Holy Spirit.  We can trust our internal guide if we haven't destroyed our conscience by deliberate deception.

  Praying for enlightenment; meditating on, and listening to, the ‘still, small voice’ ensures our integrity in the matter at hand. 

  In the final analysis, following intuition or the Holy Spirit within is probably the most reliable way to know God's will.  John said: “We shall know by this that we are of the truth... Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” (I John 3: 19, 21)

  So, how can we know God's will?

  First, study the Scriptures.  Know the facts and, more important, the meaning and context of God's word.  Pay special attention to Jesus's attitudes and actions.  Consider what Jesus would do in your situation.

  Second, use reason.  Think it through.  What seems to be the best course of action over the long term.  What seems logical and practical?  Our minds are created by God.  He intends us to use them.

  Third, seek counsel from those you trust.  Listening to the wisdom and experience of others can help us avoid many unnecessary mistakes.

  Fourth, consider the circumstances.  Obvious obstacles or opportunities can be used by God to shape our action.  What doors are open?  What doors are shut?   What is available? 

  If you see a need and have the ability to fill it, you can safely assume that it's God's will for you to do so.  When Jesus met a sufferer, he didn't go and meditate - he responded.  James says if you meet a hungry person, give him food - don't advise him to go home and pray about it. (Jas 2: 15 - 16)

  Fifth, heed your intuition.  This is a combination of your conscience and the Holy Spirit's guidance.  These two channels work together to warn and guide us.  It's the court of final appeal.  Don't violate your inner spirit. 

  God promises that we can know his will if we seek it with all our heart. (Jer 29:  13) 

  If we study the Scriptures, think logically, listen to wise counsel, use available opportunities and follow the Holy Spirit within; God's will can become the law of our lives.

By Miles Wesner, of Tom Baptist Church, Oklahoma, and supplied by Graham Clarke.